A Conversation with Angel Murphy and Leah Saint Marie, Co-Creators and Co-hosts of the Podcast Pitch!
By: Arielle Nissenblatt
For many, the world of “pitching” in the entertainment industry remains an enigma, with its key insights only available to some. This inspired podcasters and filmmaking creatives Angel Murphy and Leah Saint Marie to co-create and co-host their podcast, Pitch!
A podcast in two parts, Pitch! examines how storytellers get their stories made. Part one is a premium subscription, where subscribers can hear writers and storytellers pitch their scripts, plays, novels, and comics and listen as their works are performed by a group of actors. In part two, available to all listeners, Leah and Angel discuss the art of pitching and speak with guests from all areas of the industry to offer their insights.
We caught up with Angel and Leah to discuss their podcasting journey and their podcast, Pitch!
A Conversation with the Pitch! Creators
Arielle Nissenblatt: You both co-host Pitch!, a two-part podcast series that launched not too long ago. What inspired the podcast?
Angel Murphy: What inspired me to do the podcast was a burning desire to break down the process of story pitching and to share what we found with other creatives seeking similar insight.
Leah Saint Marie: I definitely wanted to give other writers and creatives a room to pitch in. Part of the podcast offers that for writers/creatives; a room where they get to pitch their material in the hopes of getting it connected with someone who can help get it made, or just to find those connections.
AN: You occasionally have guests on the show who talk about their experience in the industry. What insights have you gleaned from your guests?
AM: Every guest has a unique approach to pitching, but the thing that I've noticed is what they all have in common. What that thing is... you'll have to listen to the podcast!
LSM: I've learned that there are myriad ways to pitch a story, and no one way will work for everyone, but there are commonalities between all of the advice they've shared.
AN: Do you have any favorite podcasts that you listen to regularly? Are there any podcast hosts or creators that inspire you?
AM: Scriptnotes is one of my regular listens, as is the Huberman Lab. As far as inspiration, writer Joe Robert Cole and director Yimou Zhang have done amazing work. I also really like Naomi Alderman, her novel “The Power,” which they turned into a show is great.
LSM: I love Scriptnotes. It's informative, spot on when it comes to their craft episodes, and as helpful, if not more so, as going to film school.
AN: Leah, you are also a director and producer. Recently, your feature film, Spoonful of Sugar, sold to Shudder and is available to stream. What was that process like?
LSM: The process was a roller coaster. I got to meet the very talented filmmaking duo, Katrina and Mercedes (Katrina helped produce along with Vanishing Angle and Mercedes directed the film). We went to Sundance together and met with the lovely people from Shudder. Then, right before filming was supposed to happen, the pandemic hit. We got pushed, like a lot of people in the industry, for two years. When we finally got to film, I have to say it was so much fun trusting my creative team, getting notes from them, and making something like Spoonful of Sugar together. We're hoping to all collaborate again on another horror/thriller project I'm working on.
AN: Angel, you are also a writer and director currently directing After the Fade, a documentary about the music industry. How have your various interests informed your work as a director and writer?
AM: Sometimes I find a way to tell a story about something I'm innately interested in, but there can be a bit of a blind spot for me in that process. My personal interests don't always lead me to creating a story that can be impactful on an audience. Most of the time I'm trying to “trojan horse” part of my life experience into an elevated concept.
AN: What excites you about the world of podcasting?
AM: Podcasting has opened doors for me as a writer/director that, before I started Pitch!, seemed non-existent for whatever reasons. I've been able to speak with and connect to amazing people, that without the construct of a podcast just wouldn't have been possible unless I was further along in my career. But to get further along in a career one needs to connect with these types of people-- along with doing good work of course.
LSM: I love how accessible podcasts are for people. I also love how many guests from all different backgrounds we've had on. And they all function differently in the entertainment world. Audience tester, indie film company, non profit, award-winning writers, etc. If anyone in the industry reading this would like to be a guest, I welcome them to email me.
AN: If you could have one guest on Pitch!, who would it be?
AM: So far everyone we've had on Pitch! has been a dream "get." Seriously, they've all offered amazing insight. Looking forward, I'd love to talk to the big-time decision makers, the people hearing a pitch of a pitch who say "Yeah, let's do that story about the intergalactic billy goat who begrudgingly protects all of humanity both from themselves and all manner of cosmic threats. That's gonna be a hit for us."
LSM: I'd love to have Greta Gerwig on the podcast. Her insight into film, her transition into being a director, and the way she writes her scripts (truly, Little Women is such a strong and engaging read) I think would be great for our audience to hear. Plus, we need more female voices advocating for female stories.
AN: What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring storytellers, looking to bring their stories to life?
AM: Beat the crap out of your protagonists, then repeatedly kick them while they're down.
LSM: Other than listen to our podcast (sly laugh), rewrite whatever you're working on, and if you're looking to get your script made, find a producer who will champion that script. But first, make sure it's a script no one can say "no" to.
