42 Films India

An unavoidable fact of pitching your film to producers or financiers in India is that you must narrate your story or screenplay to them. This often stumps writers and directors because it’s different from their primary skill set. However, being good at narration is essential for creatives who want their work produced.

Writers and directors often don’t approach narration as a skill. They usually decide beforehand and proclaim that they are either ‘good at narration’ or ‘bad at it.’ This attitude is harmful towards a necessary skill. Narration, like writing or directing, improves with practice. The more you practice, the more proficient you’ll become.

Practice makes perfect – read on to find out how and why you should practice!

How do you practice narrating your story or screenplay?

Rehearsals

Sit your friends, family, and colleagues down and narrate to them first. Do this seriously. Don’t let them be distracted, and don’t do this at a social event like a party or hang-out session. Ask your selected audience to spare you half an hour or one hour. Don’t let anyone interrupt you; finish your pitch, and only then take questions. This is the only way to do it. 

You can also record yourself and listen to the playback, but narrating to yourself, your dog, or in front of a mirror is not the same. You need live human feedback.

Tenses and Voices

Try to stick to one tense and one voice while narrating your story. Usually, it’s recommended to narrate in the present tense and third person. However, if you are narrating in a mix of English and an Indian language (Hinglish, Tanglish, etc.), this can be more challenging. So, try to stick to one tense as much as possible. 

Don’t worry too much about this; the primary goal is to convey the story, tone, and feel clearly. Everything else is secondary.

Versions

Practice two or three versions of your narration: a ten-minute version, a 30-minute version, and a one-hour version. Be ready to deliver whichever version the producer has time for. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to inconvenience the producer. If they are busy and you take up an hour they don’t have, even if your story is brilliant, all they will remember is that you messed up their schedule for the day.

Ask the producer how much time they have before you start, and cater to them within that time frame.

Why should you practice narrating your story or screenplay?

Cut out lag and drag – By practicing with people, you will receive valuable feedback. Is the story lagging? Are you using too many filler words (ummm, ahhh, and then, etc.)? Which parts are going too slowly? These flaws will be whittled down the more you rehearse in front of people.

Reduce stage fright – If there is one surefire way to get rid of public speaking anxiety, nervousness, or shyness, this is it. If you have trouble maintaining eye contact when pitching or speaking too loudly, practicing will help reduce these flaws, making you appear more confident.

Learn to deal with interruptions – It is inevitable that you will be interrupted when narrating your story. Practicing with different people, who each approach listening in different ways, will help you learn how to get back on track when you are interrupted.

Understanding your audience – Producers are individuals, and they all react differently to narrations. Some will listen intently, while others might seem distracted. Rehearsing your narration with people will teach you to handle all types of responses. If someone seems distracted, what words can you use to bring their attention back to the story? What about your style of narrating might be causing people to lose focus? If someone avoids eye contact, does it mean they don’t like your story? 

By practicing with an audience, you can find answers to these questions and refine your approach accordingly. This experience will help you adapt your narration style to engage different types of listeners effectively.

Note – Never use disclaimers in front of your narration! Avoid phrases like, ‘I’m not good at narrating, so please excuse me,’ or ‘I know this might seem big budget, but it’s actually a small budget,’ and definitely don’t apologize with, ‘Sorry, I know the story is dragging but will pick up pace later.’ These statements undermine your confidence. You must sound sure of your own story; otherwise, no one else will believe in it.

Story and screenplay narration is a vital part of pitching in the Indian film industry. Keep practicing this skill, and soon producers will be inviting you to pitch your film to them!