Pitch via Video like Johnny Harris
In a TLDR world, selling for scribblers is harder than ever. Pre-Covid it was all about navigating the LA freeways on a tight schedule to go from studio to network and so on. Now it’s all about pitching your show or flick online to a global buyer landscape. Maybe there’s a way buyers could get a glimpse and a vibe wherever and whenever they have a free sec.
Johnny Harris is a YouTube sensation with 6.9 million subs known for his dynamic storytelling, blending investigative journalism with cinematic visuals.
His approach combines visual anchors (real-world footage, maps, and animations) with contextual bridges that provide necessary background and clarity. This "anchor-bridge" technique ensures that audiences stay engaged while absorbing key information.
Check out this one about The Lost City of Atlantis.
His videos typically follow a three-act structure:
Act 1: A strong hook that presents a question or mystery.
Act 2: Development of the story using a mix of expert insights, visual evidence, and compelling narrative elements.
Act 3: A resolution that delivers a takeaway while keeping the viewer thinking.
He also uses pacing, music, and audience engagement to shape the emotional journey of his content. Maps, animations, and voiceovers help make abstract ideas feel concrete, while music shifts between "thinky, feely, and fun" to control tone and immersion.
This guide will show you how to adapt Harris’s style to a pitch video for a TV show or movie, structuring your presentation with the same mix of cinematic storytelling, emotional resonance, and journalistic clarity.
Pre-Production: Plan Your Pitch
Define Your Core Message
What is the big idea of your show? (Example: “A global expedition to uncover the truth behind an ancient civilization lost to time.”)
Break your idea into three key points to make it memorable and structured. For example:
The show follows a global chase for lost knowledge.
Each discovery challenges what we know about history.
The stakes increase as new clues emerge, leading to a dramatic revelation.
Write the Script
The Hook (First 30 Seconds)
Open with a compelling question, surprising fact, or bold statement.
Example: “What if history isn’t what we think it is?”
Establish credibility quickly and make it personal.
The Big Idea (Minutes 1-3)
Explain the premise concisely.
Use analogies: “Think of this show as Indiana Jones meets Graham Hancock.”
Introduce the storytelling approach.
Build Engagement (Minutes 3-10)
Use visual anchors (maps, stock footage, AI-generated images).
Introduce a moment of tension or mystery.
Add a personal angle to make it relatable.
Closing (Final 30 Seconds)
Reinforce the Big Idea.
End with a strong statement or call to action: “This isn’t just a TV show, it’s a journey to rewrite history.”
Leave room for conversation.
Visuals: Tools & Resources
Stock Footage & Animations
Pexels, Unsplash, Pixabay – Free HD footage.
Artgrid, Storyblocks, Envato Elements – Paid stock footage.
Videvo, Motion Array – Motion graphics and animations.
AI-Generated Content
DALL·E, MidJourney – Custom images of lost civilizations, artifacts, maps.
Runway, Sora (OpenAI) – AI-generated cinematic video clips.
Kaiber, Pika Labs – AI tools for motion effects and visual enhancements.
Maps & Data Visualization
Google Earth Studio – Flyover animations for geographic storytelling.
Flourish, Datawrapper – Infographics and animated maps.
After Effects + GeoLayers 3 – Advanced animated maps.
Editing & Production
Editing Software
Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro – Industry-standard video editing.
DaVinci Resolve – Free professional-grade editing suite.
CapCut, VN Editor – Mobile-friendly video editing tools.
Sound Design & Music
Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Musicbed – Royalty-free music.
Adobe Audition, Audacity – Audio cleanup and enhancement.
Krisp.ai – Removes background noise for narration.
Narration & Voiceover
DIY Recording – Use a high-quality mic (Shure SM7B, Rode NT1).
AI Voiceover – ElevenLabs, Play.ht for lifelike AI narration.
Hiring a VO Artist – Voices.com, Fiverr, Upwork.
VO via You - Use apps like Voice Mod to change your voice and speak as different characters.
Finalizing & Pitching
Exporting: Keep it under 3-5 minutes with high-quality compression.
Hosting: Upload privately on YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive for easy sharing.
Presentation: Pair with a written pitch deck (Google Slides, Canva, Keynote).
