Pitch formats & situations · Core
Elevator pitch
Also called: short pitch, quick pitch
ELI5
A very short spoken pitch that explains the project and its hook quickly.
Used in conversation
“Let’s prepare for questions about elevator pitch before the meeting.”
Definition
A deliberately brief spoken version of a project, usually built around its central situation, character, conflict and hook.
Here “Elevator pitch” means: A deliberately brief spoken version of a project, usually built around its central situation, character, conflict and hook.
Pitch context
You may hear “Elevator pitch” while preparing, delivering or following up a pitch.
Why it matters: Helps you understand how projects are presented, submitted, discussed and followed up.
Sources & evidence · 6
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Scriptnotes / John August — Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate WidgetDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14
- Sundance Institute — Pitch Deck, Lookbook, Sizzle and Proof-of-Concept GuidanceSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Film Independent — Screenwriting and Episodic Program Application MaterialsSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — No Writing Left BehindSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — Fight Back Against Free WorkSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- pitch.dog — Pitch Dictionary Deep Research SynthesisSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14