Ep. 464: Meet Our Pitch Coach!
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In this episode of Happier in Hollywood, hosts Sarah Fane and Liz Craft welcome pitch coach Jordana Oberman to discuss the art and science of crafting compelling, heart-centered pitches in the entertainment industry. Oberman, a veteran in development and acting instruction, shares her three-part framework—story, journey, and voice—emphasizing that the emotional core of a project must precede plot details. She explains how grounding a pitch in thematic storytelling, using the 'five W's' structure, and focusing on personal 'why' creates deeper audience connection, especially in high-pressure Zoom environments. The conversation dives into performance techniques, including breathwork, intentional pauses, and physical presence to combat anxiety and enhance authenticity. Oberman advocates for a hybrid approach to preparation—using outlines with key written phrases—while encouraging writers to take acting classes to reconnect with their physicality and creativity. The episode also features a book recommendation for Fanny Flagg’s 'The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion,' a heartwarming novel about WWII women pilots, and practical 'Ojai Hacks' for gardening and sustainable living, including seed starter trays and composting tech. The hosts reflect on how creativity flourishes when artists embrace play and vulnerability.
Lead with the thematic heart of your story before diving into plot—this creates emotional resonance and audience buy-in.
Use the 'five W's' (who, what, when, where, why) to structure your pitch, with 'why' and 'who' coming before 'what' to build connection first.
Practice pitch delivery by focusing on thought arcs, not word-for-word memorization, to maintain authenticity and spontaneity.
Use intentional pauses and breathwork to ground yourself before pitching—this reduces anxiety and improves presence.
Consider taking an acting class to deepen your connection to your voice, body, and character, enhancing your storytelling as a writer.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Premise of Yesteryear: A Darkly Funny Social Media Nightmare
The episode opens with a teaser for Caro Claire Burke's debut novel 'Yesteryear,' a satirical thriller about a tradwife influencer who wakes up in 1855, forcing her to confront the dark reality behind her curated online persona. The book explores themes of performance, womanhood, and the dangers of social media perfection.
Introducing Jordana Oberman: The Pitch Coach for the Heart-Driven Story
Sarah and Liz introduce their guest, Jordana Oberman, a pitch and development specialist with a 25-year acting background and expertise in the Meisner technique. She shares how her experience helping actors find truth translates directly to helping writers craft emotionally authentic pitches.
The Three-Part Pitch Framework: Story, Journey, and Voice
“If the audience didn't remember a thing about the plot, what is that thing that they would take away with it?”
Performing the Pitch: Presence, Pauses, and Physicality on Zoom
“If you're building the thought, then there's an imagery that starts to happen.”
Balancing Preparation and Spontaneity: The Art of the Outline
Oberman advises a hybrid approach: write your pitch fully but then isolate key thought arcs to avoid reading mechanically. She encourages writers to trust their voice and adapt the pitch in real time based on the audience’s reaction.
“The butterflies? Those are my litmus test of going, oh, I need to go do that.”
“If the audience didn't remember a thing about the plot, what is that thing that they would take away with it?”
“You guys spend so much of your lives doing product. You have to have that space where you can create without impact.”
Hosts
Guest
Jordana Oberman
person
Caro Claire Burke
person
Yesteryear
book
The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion
book
Fanny Flagg
person
Julie Louis-Dreyfus
person
Mill
product
Quince
brand
Vago Garden
brand
Diabolical Lies
media
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