Speaking with Respect

By Jefferson Jay

Does saying what you’re about seem simple? In just a few words, can you describe who you are or what you do? It may sound easy, but once we start to choose the words, it can quickly get very complicated.

What you want to say may be your focus but how it is said is equally important. Words matter. We sought out the best in the business to consult us on best practices for The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit.

What Is A Pitch Deck?

Title slide from The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit’s 2022 Pitch Deck.

In preparing our pitch materials, we learned we needed a pitch deck. A pitch deck is a slide-show-like document that illustrates the best reasons a project is irresistibly great. Pitch decks feature mission statements, pictures, quotes and statistics that support the power of the project.

Our goals include doing as right as possible by all the people The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit aims to authentically represent. In researching for our pitch deck we came upon some work by an advocacy group called RespectAbility. We were impressed by their efforts for inclusivity and we reached out to introduce ourselves.

RespectAbility’s 2019 Summer Lab Alumni visiting The Walt Disney Company Lot in Burbank, California.

Making Friends

We were delighted when RespectAbility agreed to review our pitch documents and other assets. We met with Jacquill, Vanni, and Isabella from RespectAbility in a Zoom. We were moved by their enthusiasm for their work and their appreciation for what we are doing and how we are doing it.

After a few weeks to take in our animatic, pitch deck, and master pitch (elevator pitch), they provided a thick and thoughtful account of how we need to clarify our points and hone our message.

Diversity Crowd Art by GraphicPapa

Kindness Counts

This was very generous of them to share their time, effort, and expertise. It will greatly help us be our best for our future audience. We took their points very seriously and penned answers to every single one. They were thorough. There were many. 

Jacquill and Vanni said they were impressed that we took the time to address every point. Talking through our answers with them allowed us to share our perspective more completely and led to an illuminating discussion. We made several adjustments based on their feedback and they were pleased with our explanations overall. It was a shiny day.

Mega Gratitude

We are super grateful RespectAbility exists and hugely humble and happy that they have been so generous and supportive. The Good Vibe and our efforts to share our positive experiences in inclusivity are proud to have found not only a consultant, but a friend, in RespectAbility.

We applaud RespectAblity’s efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive landscape in entertainment and humbly give our voice to the cause for authentic representation in entertainment.