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How to Build Pitch Decks for Development and Inspiration

Recorded

April 16, 2025

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Topic

Business

How to create a stunning deck to inspire, to help sell your feature or TV series, or to aid in financing your project.

Pitch decks are useful for more than just pitching your script. Many writers create them for story inspiration—to set the tone, help them develop characters, or create an outline. Creating a formal pitch deck can help, even in the early stages of writing!

And, of course, they're good for their original purpose ... pitching your vision.

As a screenwriter and graphic artist, Maya Zivkovich will focus on tips to help you create a stunning pitch deck worthy of any producer's consideration.

Some say pitch decks or series bibles are some of the hardest things you’ll ever write. But, with the right tools, guidance and a dash of inspiration, you can easily build a kick-ass pitch deck & series bible.

Maya will walk you through the importance of this document and break down the different components needed for your deck to truly stand out from the rest. No design experience necessary—you’ll get plenty of her best tips and tricks from her many years and expertise as a graphic artist (and no, you do NOT need to use A.I. ...)

By the end of the presentation, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, tools, templates, and the motivation to get you on your way to creating your very own deck. 

The presentation will cover:  

  • A brief history of pitch decks
  • The difference between pitch decks and series bibles
  • Key components for decks and bibles (sections/categories)
  • Formatting and referencing
  • Good VS bad (what not to do)
  • Examples of different decks and bibles
  • Q&A

*includes worksheets/templates for participants

What attendees have said ...

"Most detailed lecture on pitch decks and show bibles. Really like the Q&A and found that many questions were also my questions."

"I really appreciated that the presentation was long enough to cover all of the content and have a robust Q&A session, and that Maya provided templates for us to use so that we can implement the knowledge she shared with us. I feel confident that I can create a decent first pitch deck when the time comes!"

"The topic was covered thoroughly and the talk was full of great information and practical tips. The presenter spoke well and had clearly taken the time to organize her material in a clear and natural way. She also took the time to answer all of the participants' questions, even though that meant staying a bit over the talk's allotted time. Definitely got my money's worth on this one."

Host

Maya Zivkovich (she/her) is a screenwriter and experienced graphic designer from Montreal Quebec, Canada. With over 18 years in the field of design, Maya’s career now comes full circle as one of her first jobs involved designing DVD covers. Now she’s returned to working with the entertainment industry once more. She’s combined her writing knowledge with […]

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Upcoming Events

The Plot Wheel: More than Just Structure

July 15, 2026
The Plot Wheel is more than a structure—it’s a storytelling engine designed to create connection, momentum, and reader satisfaction. In this engaging presentation, Court Stevens breaks down the eight essential movements of story into a clear, repeatable framework that helps writers move from idea to fully realized narrative. Writers will gain the power to intentionally shape both the emotional journey and the commercial appeal of their work.

Commercially Driven Decisions: Being Intentional with Story Choices

July 22, 2026
The Commercially Driven Choices session by Court Stevens reveals what separates stories that are simply well-written from those that truly connect and sell. This dynamic session unpacks the strategic decisions writers must make to increase reader engagement—focusing on transformation, satisfaction, opposition, scope, and consumability as the core drivers of commercial storytelling.

Screenwriting Essentials: Improving the Read

July 29, 2026
It's called "A good read," and it’s the difference between a good story being easier to identify and one that gets buried in an avalanche of text. Professional screenwriter Tom Vaughn (Winchester, starring Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren) shares critical advice to elevate your writing to a more pro level.

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Symposium, presented by Pipeline Artists, is a year-round virtual conference empowering creatives with honest, no-nonsense guidance across the arts. Through seminars, industry panels, and Town Hall discussions on screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing, and career-building, Symposium offers grounded advice from working professionals to help you forge your own unique path.

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