In Hollywood screenplays are like assholes, everybody's got one. One relatively new wrinkle in screenplay presentation is the video pitch which is a short, 3-5-minute video that is seen in mass screenings by studio executives who select those they think are worth further attention - like actually having someone read the script.
The first objective is to grab the viewer with something - a hook that will entice him to continue to view the presentation to the end instead of just bellowing out, "Next." As this is a visual media, a snippet of action scenes would work. Failing the capability of doing that, I start with oral action snippets of the screenplay and only after those are over introduce the name of the play and myself.
The cost of producing a pilot, or even a section of a pilot, to professional standards are so prohibited as to prevent most writers from undertaking such a venture. The realistic objective is to entice someone to read your script. You as an author-presenter are not the star of the show, nor should be. These viewers are interested in the script, not who wrote it; unless you already have an established reputation.
The payoff is to have the project considered sufficiently worthy to receive option money while the buyer attempts to interests major studios to take on the project. Then a settlement will be made for the price to be paid to the author, his responsibilities defined, money raised and a production schedule outlined.
In my case the book has been written and published, the screenplay written, a treatment done and telephone solicitations received., These were sent to my agent, and we look forward to future developments. You may Google "Blood Ties" to see my five-minute video.
Wm. Hovey Smith is the author of more than 20 books which are mostly outdoor hunting and fishing titles, but in later life has expanded to less physically demanding topics. His recent books are "Make Your Own Job: Anytime, Anywhere, At Any Age," and a novel "Until Death Do You Part: An American Family Meets Their Sicilian Cousins." On their arrival on Monday the family is informed that their two sons will be married to two women they do not know on Friday or none will leave the island alive.