Ken Rotcop’s Pitchmart

I met Ken at the Ojai Wordfest in March 2012. At the Wordfest I watched the documentary about this former studio executive and screenwriter who now offers a weekly writers group that culminates in a bi-​annual pitchmart to current studio executives and agents. The price for three weeks of his feedback is $ 115. The cost of participating in the pitchmart is $ 170 because a portion of the Smokehouse restaurant in Burbank is reserved all day for the pitchmart. Ken is warm and funny and provides a creative atmosphere for seasoned and neophyte auteurs. Ken’s wealth of experience and ability to give critical review of the material submitted is the bargain deal of the century considering the paltry amount he charges. He also has a group that meets on Tuesday or Thursday nights so you have options for your schedule. One caveat I must add: many of the writers have screenplays about horror and bigoted + prejudicial material that might prove offensive to those writers with a conscience. The other complaint I have with his service is that the companies that attend the pitchmart are limited in their search for secular screenplays leaving a void for family-​oriented and faith-​filled stories such as I write.