I'd Tell Ya - But Then I'd Have To...

Well, we've topped 10,000 hits. This may not seem like much to you. But to me, it's huge. So thanks again everyone.

Just to let you know that the Pitch Bible material isn't limited to pitching animation. I've used the Pitch Bible format shown in the blog to pitch live action, unscripted, feature films - and now... I'm pitching a toy.

A bit of history...

In 2001 I had a "eureka" moment. I had an idea for a point of purchase toy, similar to Crazy Bones. If any of you don't know "Crazy Bones", they were lumps of colored plastic with faces on them. They came, 3 in a foil pouch which sold for $2.99. As a dutiful father, I bought my son the entire set - investing many, many dollars in lumps of colored plastic with faces on them.

While examining one of these expensive plastic lumps, I bounced it up and down in the palm of my hand. The number "27" as in 'cents' flashed in my mind. Because that's what it cost to produce the 3 plastic lumps that I'd spent $2.99 to buy for my kid. This worked out to 9 cents per lump.

Another thought flashed in my head. "I can do that too."

So I designed a toy. I built a prototype. My pal had a 3D simulated model and packaging designed. It looked pretty good. I put together a pitch bible - found a sales agent (because I don't know NOTHING about the Toy Biz) and he took it to NYC.

We landed a toy deal. But before the much anticipated "pot of gold" could land at my feet, 9/11 happened, the economy tanked and with it - the toy business.

The toy company bought out the contract (THANKS GUYS!). Another toy company made a side deal and bought the toy's name (and trademark) from me. So I took the money and shelved the entire toy concept. I'd been paid twice for it - yet still owned the toy.

So now I'm reworking the pitch. I know that I've got a half-way good idea. It already has market acceptance - a toy company wanted it ten years ago. Now, I'm using my pitch bible skills to put together an up to date (and very cool) pitch to bring to market.

What's in this "toy bible"? Well, its got the same things you'd find in a TV show Pitch Bible:

The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of the product - be it a toy or a TV show.

It also outlines the all important "WOW FACTOR". What sets my 27 cent piece of plastic apart from all the other 27 cent pieces of plastic? Why would a kid want to have one - or maybe 52 of them? Would a parent be intrigued enough to buy this toy? This is the same as the 'compelling reason' that I've outlined for online web series. "Why would someone watch this show?"

I'll let you know how it goes... So what is this toy? Its secret. If I tell you, I'd have to...