This film financing pitch deck secured funding at the Cannes Film Festival just weeks after we finished it. Then David Gleason, the director, and his wife, producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, shot the film, retitled it, “Don’t Go,” and became repeat customers for us to create the poster. “Don’t Go” aptly premiered at Cannes the following year, with our Key-Art. The big news after the festival was that IFC Films picked it up for theatrical release in the US.

I like every page of a film financing pitch deck to look like key art or concept art. So, I composite, retouch, and color correct each image to execute the director’s vision. Since Nathalie and David have become consistent clients, they come to the studio, and we work on their new pitch decks on screen together in real time. I’m happy to work in person or remotely by sharing screens, and you can book a session here.

I’ve been name-dropping this whole time, and I don’t think you’ve even noticed it. The name David Gleeson might not have registered with you, but he wrote “Tolkien,” the huge studio movie about J.R.R. Tolkien. So yeah, he’s big-time.

FYI, this was the first pitch deck I designed. In fact, it’s created my Hollywood niche—after I put this on my site, Google shot it to the top of the search results, and 90% of all calls since have been for decks. So, I think it’s time that I made it available if you want to see how to write your content, and/or use the Photoshop layers for a similar lens flare/lighting effect, or just need a text layout. Enjoy!

Creative Director & Designer: Aaron Davis | Contact

about the filmmakers

film synopsis

note from director, written in sand

comparable films

script excerpt

note from the director

Film Visual Reference Slide

ocean waves outside window with lens flare

Crow’s foot on back cover contact page for pitch deck