TRU Presents Pitching & Presentation Skills for Writers & Producers 10/10

In a challenging economy, people still need to push forward with their ideas and projects and pave the way for future success. One of the skills that gives many an advantage in a competitive market is the ability to pinpoint what is true and important about their ideas, and to present them clearly and convincingly; i.e., they know how to pitch. In an effort to bring these crucial business skills to the arts, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the second TRU Boot Camp: PITCHING & PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR WRITERS & PRODUCERS with Jane Petrov and Roy Havrilack of SkyTown Entertainment on Saturday, October 10 from 11am - 6pm at The Players Theatre Mainstage, 115 MacDougal Street (below W. 3rd Street), NYC. Admission is $175 for the full day, $100 for a half-day session ($150/$85 for early registration before 10/3).

Petrov and Havrilack will be training theater professionals with the same methods they use for top law firms and Wall Street financial clients. Their first theater workshop was so successful that TRU is bringing it back by popular demand. "We decided to retool it slightly, and expand it," said instructor Jane Petrov. "It's actually longer than the last workshop because we'll be spending the entire first half of the day helping participants to hone the actual content of their pitches. The afternoon session will focus more on pitching techniques like eye contact, gesturing and using notes effectively. And we will be videotaping participants so they can see themselves and make adjustments that will help them be more powerful in their presentations."

"People often are so close to their projects that they miss the meat of it, they don't quite get what is of immediate interest to an outside eye. We will spend three hours working with producers, playwrights and anyone who has a project to pitch, and help them find the most powerful way to present themselves and their project," added instructor Roy Havrilack.

Jane Petrov,co-President / SkyTown Entertainment, has an extensive background in presentation and communication skills training. She is an instructor and coach for attorneys and executives at top law firms and financial companies. Law firm clients include Sullivan & Cromwell, Milbank Tweed, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, White & Case and Allen & Overy. Financial corporation clients include Royal Bank of Scotland, Merrill Lynch and Avon Products. As Co-President of SkyTown Entertainment, Jane has directed and produced many corporate videos and overseen the development and production of two short comedic films.

Roy Havrilack, co-President / SkyTown Entertainment, has been training attorneys and executives in presentation, marketing and management skills for several years. He has taught and coached attorneys and partners at top law firms including Sullivan & Cromwell, Milbank Tweed, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Brown Rudnick, Allen & Overy, Shearman & Sterling, and White & Case. He has also worked extensively with senior executives at leading financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank. Other clients include Avon Products, Inc. and Gemini Systems. Roy has worked as a Client Services Manager for BusinessTalk, Inc., a training consultancy whose clients include Microsoft Corporation and leading accounting firms.

Admission is $175 for the full day, $100 for a half-day session ($150/$85 for early registration before 10/3. $25 off for members of TRU). Workshop limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration is available by emailing trunltd@aol.com. Applications are available at www.truonline.org/BootCampPitching10-09.htm. Payment by check may be mailed to Theater Resources Unlimited, 309 W. 104th Street 1D, NYC NY 10025. On-line payment by Paypal or by credit card is available at www.truonline.org/store2.html.

SCHEDULE

Part I: THE PITCH
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Most writers and producers in the entertainment industry, such as movie and television, need to know how to successfully pitch their projects to producers and financiers if they are to see their vision come to life. Even book authors need to know how to pitch their projects to publishers. The same holds true for theater writers and producers; it's a skill that can only help you succeed.

This class will focus on creating a clear and concise FORMAT that will help participants organize and prepare content for their pitch. Upon registration, participants will receive detailed information on the FORMAT to best prepare for the class.

Part II: THE PRESENTATION
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Successful writers and producers must be able to make dynamic presentations. Without training, many people lack the confidence, energy and clarity that producers and financiers expect.

Participants will be coached in the physical skills needed to succeed at pitch meetings, both formal and informal settings. They will spend most of their class time in coached exercises and videotaped role plays. Video is used as a teaching tool.

Participants learn to:
* Present pitch with an energetic and polished style
* Speak and gesture naturally
* Use notes effectively
* Handle interruptions and tough questions
* Adjust to various physical settings

Theater Resources Unlimited is a not-for-profit service organization that provides educational and support services for the performing arts with a focus on the business side of the arts. In particular, TRU helps producers, theater companies and self-producing artists navigate the business of making theater in the New York area and beyond, as well as providing networking opportunities. Programs include Boot Camps about producing skills, monthly educational panels, a play and musical developmental reading series, a producer mentorship program, an annual combined audition event, free workshops for actor members and a community newsletter of services, good, opportunities, ticket discounts and more. TRU also maintains a referral database of over 6000 arts professionals.

Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), as well as generous support from the Friar's National Foundation Association.

For more information about TRU membership, visit www.truonline.org or call 212-714-7628.