History WebVideo / ScreenRantPitchMeetings

->''"Geez it's gonna be hard to make a good trope page out of fake pitch meetings.\\
Actually, it's gonna be super easy, barely an inconvenience."''

->''"Actually, it's gonna be super easy, barely an inconvenience."''

!!''Pitch Meeting'' provides examples of:

'''Creator/ScreenRant [[SmashCut Headline:]]''' [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife Man Spends All Night Browsing TV Tropes]]

[[ScreenRantPitchMeetings/TropesAToL Tropes A-L]]
[[ScreenRantPitchMeetings/TropesMToY Tropes M-Y]]

[[folder:Tropes M-S]]
* MacGuffin:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', the item Hope needs to buy from Sonny Burch is said to serve no purpose apart from bringing him into the movie.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', the Matrix of Leadership is referred to as one of many "thingies" in the movie, [[BuffySpeak the Producer's term for this trope.]]
** In the ''Film/ArtemisFowl'' pitch meeting, when the Screenwriter describes a "[[BuffySpeak super-powerful magical thingamajig that can do things]], just one of those story things that everybody wants, a thing to kinda drive the plot forward", the Producer name-drops the trope.
** In ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', the heroes need a "thing" to reach Palpatine, which requires them to find another "thing" first, something the Producer likens to "fetch quests."
** It also comes up in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', with the Guardians running around the galaxy to try and locate the code to disable Rocket's implanted kill-switch.
* MadeOfIron: {{Zigzagged}} in ''Film/SpiderMan2''. The Screenwriter says that Doc Ock can tank multiple punches from Spider-Man, but Aunt May hitting him with an umbrella hurts him.
* MagicPants:
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', Wolverine's pants remain intact despite the rest of his clothes being destroyed in order to keep the film at a PG-13 rating.
** In ''Literature/NewMoon'', the Screenwriter says that while Jacob has to go around shirtless because his werewolf transformations destroy his clothes, his pants are unaffected. He says that the Producer should "get all the way off (his) back" unless he wants to talk about "the technicalities of werewolf junk."
* ManOfSteelWomanOfKleenex: Brought up indirectly in ''Film/FantasticFour2005''. The Producer wonders how Johnny bangs his nurse when she's just measured his internal temperature at roughly 200 degrees.
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, physically impossible lovemaking is TIGHT!
* AMatchMadeInStockholm: "UsefulNotes/StockholmSyndrome" is namedropped when referring to Belle's romance with her captor, the Beast, in ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'', when she falls in love with the Beast after he's nice to her a handful of times.
* MathematiciansAnswer: During the pitch meeting for Disney's live-action ''Film/{{Pinocchio|2022Disney}}'' film, the Screenwriter says that they'll show that Gepetto's house is full of clocks [[CompanyCrossReferences featuring Disney characters]], "just a ton of references!" The Producer asks if these are "Easter Eggs or overindulging in self-promotion", and the Screenwriter answers, "Yes."
* MeaninglessMeaningfulWords: In ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', Karli Morgenthau's charisma is due to saying vaguely inspiring things such as "Our movement is strong, it's time to make ourselves heard," which inspire people despite not meaning anything.
* {{Metaphorgotten}}: The Screenwriter is prone to this, as seen in ''Film/TheMeg'' episode. Often to confuse the Producer into agreeing.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' People say you can't have your cake and eat it too.\\
'''Producer:''' Right, my point exactly.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' But we're talking about a 70 foot shark here. This thing can eat anything it wants to!\\
'''Producer:''' I guess that makes sense.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Trust me. It does.\\
'''Producer:''' Fantastic!
* MinimalistCast: The cast is just Ryan George playing two guys and occasional third characters who drop in. One episode has a brief interlude in England where another actor plays the British Producer and Screenwriter guys. Another episode has [[WebVideo/GameTheory Matthew Patrick]] playing another two guys, and Creator/SimuLiu briefly replaces the Screenwriter in a special that celebrates the series reaching 300 episodes. Other than that, it's entirely a one man show.
* AMinorKidroduction:
** The ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting mocks this trope, with the Producer saying that showing a young Kirk and Spock will prove that the two were once children, rather than being born as fully-grown adults.
** In ''Film/FantasticFour2015'', the Producer asks whether it's necessary to show Reed and Ben as children. The Screenwriter says that showing the heroes as kids has been a required part of superhero origin stories ever since ''Film/BatmanBegins'', even if it forces them to hire more actors.
* MisappliedPhlebotinum: A major point in the ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' pitch meeting is pointing out that Starfleet's transwarp beaming can apparently teleport someone a good chunk of the way across the galaxy to the homeworld of its greatest nemesis, and rather than simply using it to help Khan make a getaway, Starfleet should consider that they've essentially made spaceships obsolete. Naturally, the two of them agree to simply ignore the implications of this.
* MisplacedRetribution: In the ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' pitch meeting, Smaug attacks Laketown in revenge for the dwarves invading his lair, despite the fact that the dwarves aren't even from Laketown. The Producer calls him "a strangely-motivated lizard."
* MissingTrailerScene: [[invoked]]Multiple times during the ''Film/Morbius2022'' pitch meeting, [[ExecutiveMeddling the Producer decides to insert references]] to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse and ''Film/Venom2018'' because those are "interconnected thing[s] that [they] can do, and it'll be good in the trailer", and they don't actually have to put those elements in the movie, just the trailer.
* MondegreenGag: Along with ComicallyMissingThePoint, sometimes, the Producer or Screenwriter will mishear what the other is saying, leading to a humorous misunderstanding.
** ''Film/TheNewMutants'' pitch meeting:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' This is gonna be called ''The New Mutants''!\\
'''Producer:''' Uhh, I'unno, I feel like they're gonna have to be clothed.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No, ''new''.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, okay, that's probably fine.
** ''Film/Uncharted2022'' pitch meeting:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' I'm so excited for this one: ''Uncharted''!\\
'''Producer:''' Oh. You should probably get yourself cleaned up.
** The actor pitch meeting for Creator/ChrisPratt opens with the Producer thinking he's being pitched a crisp rat (ignoring the Screenwriter who's trying to explain):
---> '''Producer:''' How did this rat get so crispy?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, no, that's not-\\
'''Producer:''' Did you barbecue a rat?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' I didn't barbecue a rat, no. Chris Pratt is-\\
'''Producer:''' I'll be honest, I don't really know what kind of movie I can use a crisp rat in.
* MonochromeCasting: In the ''Series/{{Friends}}'' Pitch:
-->'''Producer:''' And I'm guessing since it's in New York, there's gonna be a lot of diversity.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Everyone will be white.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh.
* MonochromePast: The pitch for ''Film/TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial'' takes place in the late 1970s and has a brownish tinge.
* MonsterMisogyny: In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why the Demogorgon kills Barb but not Will, and the Screenwriter says he doesn't know, and denies that his ex-girlfriend was named Barb.
** The same gag occurs in the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch meeting when the Screenwriter describes poor Zara's [[CruelAndUnusualDeath drawn-out]] and [[RasputinianDeath brutal demise]].
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Claire's assistant, this British lady named Zara, gets tossed around by pterodactyls like she was a ragdoll and shoved into the water and then she's eaten by a giant dinosaur shark and it's super scary and she dies.\\
'''Producer:''' Jesus! What did she do to deserve that?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Uh ... nothing, I guess.\\
'''Producer:''' Wasn't your ex-girlfriend a British woman named Zara?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[BlatantLies I mean, I don't see what that has to do with anything.]]
* MonumentalDamage:
** The Producer hates the Golden Gate bridge and demands it be destroyed in his movies. According to the Screenwriter, it's common among all Producers.
** The ''Film/IndependenceDay'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter propose that the aliens destroy landmarks "'cause it's gonna look cool in the trailer."
* MoodWhiplash:
** Discussed in the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 Shazam!]]'' pitch meeting, when, after discussing Billy's fooling around with his superpowers, the Screenwriter brings up [[BigBad Dr. Sivana]] brutally killing his father and brother, along with the rest of the board of directors. The Producer then lampshades the massive tonal shift, asking whether the film is a kids' movie or a horror movie.
** In the ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions a fun sequence involving Quicksilver, followed by Havoc dying, much to the Screenwriter's surprise.
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that unnecessarily graphic scenes of Rocket's friends being abused and eventually murdered are intercut with light-hearted scenes of the characters bickering.
* MoralityPet: In the ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' episode, the Screenwriter says that Ian's daughter will sneak onto a trailer so that he'll have someone to care about and rescue and serve as his motivation. The Producer then reminds him that Ian was originally going to Isla Sorna to save his girlfriend, so this is unnecessary.
* MotiveDecay: In ''Film/HomeAlone1'', the burglars eventually forget about their initial goal of robbing the [=McCallister=] house and decide to [[WouldHurtAChild murder Kevin instead]].
* MrExposition:
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' pitch meeting, Ego the Living Planet is initially called "Exposition," because 90% of his dialogue is exposition.
** In the ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' pitch meeting, Vanessa's primary role in the film is to deliver exposition, and as a result, Mike doesn't figure out anything on his own. Surprisingly, though, she neglects to tell him the most important information.
* MyGodYouAreSerious: Happens in the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting:
-->'''Screenwriter''': Anyways, [[AssShove so he takes a guy's head and shoves it up another guy's butt.]]
-->'''Producer''': ''(laughs)'' Yeah, right-''wait really?''
-->'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer that's a real scene in this movie]], Hancock's gonna put a man's head inside another man's butt.
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, about Galadriel jumping overboard:
--->'''Producer''': Is she planning to swim back to Middle Earth?\\
'''Screenwriter''': ''(laughs)'' Yeah, that's the plan.\\
'''Producer''': ''(laughs once)'' Oh my god, you're serious.
* NamelessNarrative: The two on-screen characters don't have names, they're just the Producer guy and the Screenwriter guy. [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in one episode where the Screenwriter guy reveals that his actual legal name is... [[HisNameReallyIsBarkeep Screenwriter Guy]]. The same appears to be true with Producer Guy (or sometimes "Movie Executive Guy").
* NegativeContinuity:
** In the ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' episode, Screenwriter reveals that he has Ditto-esque eyes underneath his glasses which make him look completely normal, yet for some reason in the ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode, he's seen taking off his glasses, but has completely normal-looking eyes.
** In the ''Film/GhostRider2007'' pitch meeting (among others), the Screenwriter says that he's never met a real woman, but he starts the ''Film/HomeAlone1'' pitch meeting by talking about his wife (whose infidelity he's oblivious to).
* {{Nepotism}}:
** The reason why Johnny was brought on board in ''Film/FantasticFour2015'' despite the fact that building his own car isn't that impressive of an achievement; he just happens to be the son of the man in charge.
** The Producer thinks that Creator/JadenSmith starring in ''Film/AfterEarth'' with [[Creator/WillSmith his father]] (skipping auditions for Kitai's character) sounds like a "pretty intense case of nepotism".
* NeverTrustATitle:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', the Producer is surprised to hear that the film takes place over "a couple of days," and asks the Screenwriter if he knows what "age" means.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/ClashOfTheTitans2010'', the Producer notices that there are no titans in the movie- just humans, Greek gods and some monsters.
** In the ''Film/MazeRunnerTheScorchTrials'' pitch meeting, the Producer realizes that the characters aren't running in a maze, there are no trials, and there isn't even any "scorching," and [[OverlyLongGag even "the" isn't really in the movie]].
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands:
** The Screenwriter likes to avoid defining the powers a person or object holds such as [[Series/Loki2021 Loki]], [[Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer Doctor Doom and the Silver Surfer]], or [[Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings the Ten Rings]] so he can have them do whatever he needs for the sake of the plot.
** In ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', Diana turns the stolen jet invisible to escape the authorities, with the Producer pointing out, "Well, thank God she has that ability we never once mentioned or referenced".
** In ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', Sersi is able to use the last of her enhanced power to make Sprite human despite never having done something like that before.
* NoEnding: In the ''Film/Halloween1978'' Pitch meeting, the producer asks what's going to happen after Michael gets stabbed and shot a bunch of times and then falls out of a window, only to disappear and leave no body behind. The Screenwriter replies by saying that, according to his calculations, that's where the production will completely run out of money so the film will just sort of stop there.
* NomDeMom: In the ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' pitch meeting, the Producer gets confused by this trope, noting that kids usually take their fathers' names.
* NonIndicativeName: ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' mainly has dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period, but the Screenwriter hates how "Cretaceous Park" sounds.
* NoSocialSkills: The reason that the screenwriter included a scene of Roxanne checking a magic 8-ball during a date where she was stood up (in ''Film/{{Ghost Rider|2007}}'') is because he's "Never been on a date before, nor [has he] ever met a human woman."
* NotHisSled: The ''Film/Glass2019'' pitch winds up being a subversion of the usual video formula at the end: once the Screenwriter is done, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness the Producer brings up that he has some notes about the questionable decisions made with the plot]]. What happens next?
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Well, screw you, then. ''[[[ScrewThisImOuttaHere leaves]]]''\\
'''Producer:''' [[DidntSeeThatComing What?]]\\
''[hard cut to Screen Rant article [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney discussing how M. Night Shyamalan personally financed the film]]]''
* NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer:
** In a LeaningOnTheFourthWall manner, when the Producer suggests, instead of calling ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' that title, [[MythologyGag they go with "Spaceman from Pluto"]], he says:
--->'''Producer''': Yeah yeah yeah, [[https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/2016-08-30/back-to-the-future-almost-had-a-really-bad-title/ that is a real note that a Hollywood studio executive is giving.]]
** The Screenwriter says that ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' will include a scene where Hancock [[AssShove shoves a guy's head up another guy's butt]]. When the Producer expresses incredulity, the Screenwriter confirms, "Yeah, that's a real scene in this movie. Hancock's gonna put a man's head inside another man's butt."
** In the ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting, an exchange like this occurs when Heather points out that "vampires don't pee or poo."
--->'''Screenwriter''': That is an actual- that is a real line from this movie that I've written here ''(points at script)''.\\
'''Producer''': ''(gives a thumbs up)'' And I'm signing off on it!
* NotSoAboveItAll: As it happens, the stipulation in ''[[WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress The Polar Express']]'' song about hot chocolate that you ''mustn't'' let it cool happened in part because of Screenwriter's '''severe''' insistence on drinking hot beverages hot:
-->'''Producer''': You need ta- you gotta let it cool a little bit.
-->'''Screenwriter''': ''NOPE, NOPE, YOU DRINK IT '''SCALDING HOT'''.''
* NotSoDifferentRemark: In the ''Film/NoTimeToDie'' Pitch Meeting, the producer mentions how villains love telling heroes how they're not so different from each other.
* NoYou: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', when the Screenwriter insists that since he needs the plot to move forward, not everything will end up making sense.
-->'''Producer''': Feels like you should have stuff make sense.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Feels like ''you'' should have stuff make sense.
* ObligatoryJoke: [[invoked]] Towards the end of the Film/{{F9}} pitch meeting, the Producer calls into question that [[RememberTheNewGuy the film is going to reveal that Dom has a brother]], despite that never coming up before then:
-->'''Producer''': It's just, how is it possible that we've never ''seen'' this guy before, you know, how's that possible?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Maybe we get creative with casting!\\
'''Producer''': ''What?''\\
(hard cut to the Screen Rant article [[MemeticMutation revealing]] Wrestling/JohnCena [[ActorAllusion got cast]])
* ObviouslyEvil:
** The Producer immediately realizes who the BigBad of ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' is after the Screenwriter mentions the villain's motives, despite the Screenwriter's attempts to deny that the character is a villain.
** In ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'', Matt needs his LivingLieDetector abilities to find out that the rapist on trial is lying, even though he's barely trying to hide his guilt.
* OhCrap: Both the Sony Screenwriter and the Producer get a major one when they see the online reactions regarding their decision to withdraw Spider-Man from the MCU.
* OnlyInFlorida: After the Producer expresses concern that ''Series/TigerKing'' is too implausible and unrealistic sounding to be a real documentary, the Screenwriter states it's filmed in rural Oklahoma and Florida. That instantly assuages the Producer's unease.
* OnlySaneMan: The two characters generally alternate between this, oftentimes trying to shoot down a particularly outlandish suggestion to no avail. It's usually the Producer guy who is the one trying to shoot things down. The episode on ''Series/GameOfThrones'' Season 8 plays this the straightest, where the Producer guy (representing Creator/{{HBO}}) is entirely reasonable and completely steamrolled by the Screenwriter. In the ''Film/{{Twilight}} Breaking Dawn'' pitch, the Producer sigh and goes silent when the Screenwriter bring up Jacob bonding with a baby. When the Screenwriter says Jacob will first help raise the baby before entering in a romantic relationship with it, the producer sighs again and goes "You know that's somehow worse right? You know that?". Sadly the screenwriter distracts him by reminding him how much money they'll make.
* OnlyTheAuthorCanSaveThemNow: [[invoked]] Implied in the pitch meeting for ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', when the Screenwriter, when pressed, explains that he had to "make the Emperor an idiot" so the protagonists would be able to win.'
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Anything that can make the Producer lose his {{Perpetual Smile|r}} counts
** For example, learning that the dog dies in ''Film/JohnWick''. After several seconds of StunnedSilence, the Producer very seriously states that people better die for that. He gets even angrier when the Screenwriter punches a drawing of a puppy to illustrate how he's going to get the audience to hate the BigBad of ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', first threatening to kill the Screenwriter, then blacklist him, and then nuke his house after setting his mailbox on fire.
** Similarly, it takes an ''extremely'' stupid writing choice for him to actually put his foot down and give any negative feedback.
** In the ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'' pitch meeting, he's completely serious while hearing about the tribute to ''Creator/ChadwickBoseman'', and the "Wow" while hearing about Shuri failing to save her brother sounds [[SincerityMode like he means it for once]].
* OrcusOnHisThrone: In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'', the Screenwriter hypes up Thanos and says he "will do some real damage"... [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]].
* OutOfCharacterMoment: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'', the Producer notes that Dumbledore, usually a calm character, angrily yells and shakes Harry when his name comes out of the goblet. The Screenwriter says that he was projecting his own anger issues onto the character.
* OverlyLongGag:
** In the ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter repeatedly says "And then Kong makes a helicopter crash" until the Producer begs him to stop.
** The ''[[Film/Barbie2023 Barb]][[Film/{{Oppenheimer}} enheimer]]'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter repeatedly say some variation of "The patriarchy is bad" to the point the Producer insists that "it's kind of a lot". Then the Screenwriter hits him in the head with a piece of paper that says "Patriarchy not good", causing the Producer to ask if he was "just literally hit across the head with the message".
* {{Padding}}: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that if the Producer wants to make the movie last longer than ten minutes, they'll have to resort to this trope. This includes adding shots of characters staring, inserting long dramatic pauses into dialogue, having characters take a long time to explain things and making David slow to realize that he's never taken a sick day before
--->'''Producer''': Oh, unnecessary dramatic pauses in the middle of sentences are... ''(pauses for seven seconds)'' ...tight.
** The ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting has the film repeatedly go into slow motion in order to reach a feature film's runtime.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Series/StrangerThings'' Season 4, the Producer notes that much of the Russia subplot involves the characters repeatedly escaping from prison, being re-captured, and escaping again.
* PerfectlyCromulentWord: In the ''Film/{{Cats}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer is confused that the Screenwriter's decided to keep "saying the made-up word 'Jellicle' and not provide any context or explanation".
* PermanentPlaceholder: {{Invoked}} On a few occasions a particularly cliché bit of dialogue is described as being a placeholder the Screenwriter put in but never bothered changing, sometimes obviously lying about his intention to change it to the producer. For example, on "[[Film/RevengeOfTheSith from my point of view, the Jedi are evil!]]"
-->"It '''was''' placeholder dialogue, but I lost the login information for my laptop so we're kind of stuck with it now."
* PerpetualSmiler: Both characters. While the smile was more subdued in the beginning, a few years into the series, they're constantly beaming from one ear to the other. This is lampshaded in the ''Pitch Meetings'' pitch meeting, where the Producer points out that all this smiling will make the characters look unhinged.
* PersonAsVerb: In the ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' pitch meeting, the Producer says that the BigBad, who got bonked on the head by a passing metal thing while on a train, got "Dennis Hoppered," and should have died like Hopper's character did after suffering the same thing in ''Film/{{Speed}}''.
* PerverseSexualLust: In the ''Film/SpaceJam'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter is clearly turned on by his own creation of WesternAnimation/LolaBunny. At one point, [[FreudianSlip he says Lola kisses "me" when he meant to say that she kisses Bugs Bunny]]. He is also weirdly into the idea of Simba and Nala hooking up in ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', despite the fact that they're at least cousins, if not half-siblings.[note]Since Simba and Nala are from the same pride, she's either Mufasa or Scar's daughter.[/note]
* PetTheDog: Invoked a few times by the Screenwriter, usually as a defense of a protagonist who should otherwise be unlikable but he insist is fine because of a minor good deed early in the film.
** In the ''Film/Hellboy2004'' episode, he calls those a "save the cat" moment so he has Hellboy... [[LiteralMinded rescue a bunch of cats]]. He doesn't think it's a problem that by keeping them next to him during the fight with Samael, he's putting them in danger.
** In the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan'' episode, it's Peter defending a kid from a bully and Screenwriter guy assumes that this absolves Peter's behavior for the rest of the movie.
** Defied in the ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'' pitch video, in which the Screenwriter says [[WorldOfJerkass the entire cast is unlikeable]], after being asked if there's any obligatory "save the cat" moments.
* PillarOfLight:
** Since ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' is a CGI-heavy blockbuster film, the Producer expects the final battle to involve a "sky beam" (asking what color it'll be) and is crestfallen and dubious when the Screenwriter says the threat will be an alien starfish.
** He also expects ''Film/Joker2019'' to have a CGI sky beam solely due to it being a comic book movie, and calls the Screenwriter crazy when he tells him it doesn't have one.
* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: In ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', despite Boba Fett and Fennec Shand becoming crime bosses, they don't do a single crime, with them instead trying and failing to gain the respect of the town.
* PlanetOfSteves : When asked about the name "Pollux" during the Pitch Meeting for ''Film/FaceOff''.
* PlotArmor:
** At times the Screenwriter will only explain why a character survives with "it's a main character". The pitch meeting for ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' name-drops the trope as the Screenwriter describes Cole's newfound power: clothes made "entirely out of plot armor".
** In the pitch for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter notes that the villains murder a man in the first episode simply for interacting with Eleven, while Hopper, one of the protagonists, becomes a much bigger liability for them, but they don't kill him.
** This is a bit of a RunningGag in the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, in which characters survive many things, from plane crashes to plunging into freezing cold water, because they're the main characters.
** In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' pitch meeting, the Kraken can devour a ship without any named characters almost instantly, but it takes five to ten minutes if the main characters are on it.
* PlotHole: In the pitch meeting for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter explains that the Demogorgon is attracted to blood and abducts Will Byers, who wasn't bleeding.
** During the ''Film/Mulan2020'' pitch, the Screenwriter explains that Mulan joins the army in her father's stead because his age and bad leg make him unfit to fight. He then says that the army commander will send home anyone who can't keep up with the training, meaning that if her father had gone, he'd just have been sent home, rendering Mulan's whole arc and the movie pointless. When the Producer points this out, the Screenwriter is briefly stunned into silence.
* PlotIrrelevantVillain:
** In ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', Sonny Burch's role amounts to serving as the leader of "a group of punching bags" that let the heroes have car chases and fights without the FBI getting involved.
** In ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', Cad Bane is supposed to be the BigBad but isn't introduced until the penultimate episode and is barely fleshed out, so only the fans who watched ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' will really know what his deal is.
* PopCulturalOsmosisFailure: In the ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' pitch meeting, the Producer isn't particularly excited about the actors from the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' and ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries'' that the Screenwriter wants to bring in, because he hasn't seen them. The Screenwriter comments that he should have had a more enthusiastic reaction and pushes him to watch all five. He is ''much'' more enthused after that.
* PoliceAreUseless: In the ''Film/DieHard'' pitch meeting, the police are made unbelievably stupid because if they were competent, the movie would come to a premature end.
* PoorCommunicationKills: In ''Film/DragonBallEvolution'', Goku breaks into Roshi's house and doesn't tell him what he's doing there so they can have a fight scene.
* PrecisionFStrike: In ''Film/{{Old}}'', the Screenwriter utters a bleeped-out "Shit!" when the Producer points out a PlotHole in his attempt to explain the big twist of the movie- it's impossible to cover up the disappearance of hundreds of people on the beach, including a famous rapper, unless none of them told anyone where they were going on vacation. He soon recovers his composure enough to insist that the Producer get all the way off his back, though.
* ProductPlacement:
** In the ''Film/PowerRangers2017'' pitch, when the Screenwriter says the power crystal the heroes need to find is in an unremarkable building, the Screenwriter cuts in to say it's a Krispy Kreme store, and characters will mention Krispy Kreme, and Rita will eat a doughnut.
** The generous amount of product placement throughout the Film/TransformersFilmSeries is given a nod in the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' pitch, when the Screenwriter says that with the Transformium MacGuffin in the baddies' hands, they can transform the stuff "into any product placement we want".
** ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' is highlighted for being one for Warner Bros.
--->'''Screenwriter''': In practically every scene there's gonna be recognizable Warner Bros. property or someone saying Warner Bros!\\
'''Producer''': Amazing! Sounds like the cinematic equivalent of scrolling through our Wikipedia page!
** During the pitch meeting for ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', the Producer interrupts the Screenwriter to specify that they drive "a beautiful BMW" to get to Ta Lo.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Okay, seems like you're getting a lot of money to specify that.
** The protagonist of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' goes to sit in the "family car" for alone time, but the Producer forces the Screenwriter to turn it into a painfully blatant BMW commercial.
--->'''Producer''': Okay, there you go! That sounds a lot more... money.
** In the ''Film/RedNotice'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter includes Coca-Cola as part of a plot point, and the Producer remarks that sure, they'll give them money to be included in the movie. The Producer also sounds a little unimpressed with the inclusion of Ryan Reynolds' gin brand and Dwayne Johnson's tequila brand in the film.
** The ''Film/GhostbustersAfterlife'' pitch meeting has the Producer and Screenwriter play "Product Placement Mad Libs" to identify a store and a product that will give them a lot of money for their inclusion in the movie.
** The Producer makes the Screenwriter include a clue and a fight scene in a Papa John's in ''Film/Uncharted2022'', despite it not making a whole lot of sense.
--->'''Producer:''' A very exciting action scene brought to you by Papa John's!
** ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' includes blatant product placement for Lexus by showing the characters switching modes in their brand new car to outrun villains in a car chase. The Producer cheerfully remarks that Lexus will give them money to include that.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch, the Producer lists off every single company and product that he wants included in the movie.
--->'''Producer:''' [[LongList Just a couple like Beats By Dre, Starbucks, Converse, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Pandora, Margaritaville, Hilton, Triumph, Verizon Wireless, Columbia, Nissan, Nike, Oakley, IWC, Ben and Jerry’s, Brookstone, IMAX, Mike and Ike, and like a crapload of Mercedes.]]
* ProlongedPrologue: [[invoked]] The Producer says that the flashback to Diana's childhood at the start of ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' would be a good way to quickly establish one of the movie's themes, only to be told that the scene is 11 minutes long.
* RandomEventsPlot: The Producer seems to think that most of ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'' is one.
-->'''Producer:''' Hey, can I ask you something?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Of course!\\
'''Producer:''' What the hell's going on?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Exactly!\\
'''Producer:''' Right.
* RapidFireComedy: Much humor comes from the Screenwriter enthusiastically pitching a movie to the Producer, and oftentimes they'll barely stop at a joke before moving on. ​
-->'''Producer:''' But if they're never in any actual danger, it feels like the action sequences won't have any stakes whatsoever.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, well, that's fine because I'm vegan anyway.\\
'''Producer:''' What?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' And so they're also gonna run into this bad guy...
* RapidFireNo: During the ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', the Producer assumes that Anastasia is "super sexy with a great personality" since Christian instantly falls in love with her. The Screenwriter rapidly says no over and over, gradually slowing down until the Producer awkwardly moves on.
* RealitySubtext: [[invoked]] Right from the very outset, the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheMatrixResurrections'' lampshades the film's own use of it by having Screenwriter (passive-aggresively) explain the film starts with the main character being forced to make a fourth installment to his completed trilogy series.
* RebootSnark: Pitch meetings for any of Disney's live-action reboots of classic animated films accent how much of a blatant cash-grab such films are, beyond the normal level for the pitch meetings.
* RecycledScript: [[invoked]]
** ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019'' is described as this to ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''. For a moment, the Producer is disappointed/concerned when the Screenwriter promises something totally original, but is relieved when the Screenwriter admits to having been kidding. The Screenwriter proposes making a copy of the previous film except for the parts that can't be done with real life animals.
** The Screenwriter claims that he was able to write the script for ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'' in 20 minutes by taking "every single story beat and plot point" from the first movie and making them more intense and elaborate.
** The ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter state that the hero's father doesn't approve of his child's yearning for adventure, and tasks a reluctant advisor with keeping tabs on the child, while the king's evil sibling tricks the child into a dangerous situation as part of a scheme to become ruler of the kingdom. As the Screenwriter is saying this, B-roll from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019'' plays.
** ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' has Creator/HarrisonFord's character be separated from his wife, lose his son and play second fiddle to a female newcomer with a British accent, something the Producer recognizes as a retread of Han Solo's arc in the sequel trilogy of ''Franchise/StarWars''.
* RecycledInSpace: ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' is described as "''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'' but in space with some big blue kitty cats."
* ReleasedToElsewhere:
** In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter justifies electricity causing the now catlike Barbara to fall asleep by saying that it's what happens to cats. The Producer points out the cat probably died, the Screenwriter says no, his father told him that when his cat chewed through an extension cord, he fell asleep, then went to live on a farm.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/MazeRunnerTheScorchTrials'', the Screenwriter says every so often, some kids in the mysterious facility are selected by Mr. Janson and then vanish.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' They're being told that they're going off to live on a nice farm.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, going off to live on a nice farm is tight! ''[realizing]'' Oh wait, that's always a code for death.
* RememberTheNewGuy:
** In ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, Harry is said to be a long-time friend of Peter's despite never having been mentioned in the first movie, which also dealt with Oscorp. The Producer points out that Peter's memory is horrible.
** In ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', the Producer is confused as to why Ghost wasn't shown earlier if she was part of SHIELD for many years.
* RhetoricalQuestionBlunder:
** In the pitch meeting for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones''
--->'''Screenwriter''': I mean, who has a better story than Bran?\\
'''Producer''': I mean, arguably any other character.
** Inverted in the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, where the Producer asks a serious question that the Screenwriter mistakes as rhetorical.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' We're bringing back original beloved characters many years later!\\
'''Producer:''' Is there any other way to make money these days?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' I know, right?\\
'''Producer:''' No, seriously, is there? 'Cause we're rapidly running out of iconic characters to bring back. Please help.
* RogueAgent: The ubiquity of the agent-gone-rogue trope is mocked in the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheGrayMan2022'', in which the main character becomes an enemy of his agency.
-->'''Producer:''' So the CIA asset is gonna have his own agency turn against him? ''[concentrating]'' Wha- what- what- what movie did I see that in?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Ohhh, yeah, what was tha- what was- which one was that? That was, ah... Oh. That was all of them.\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah, that's right. It was every single one of them.
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: Parodied in the ''Film/RogueOne'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer briefly thinks it's ''Rouge One'', and references how many people online get the two terms mixed up.
* RousingSpeech: In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'', the Screenwriter writes so many inspirational speeches for the show that he ends up launching into one when the Producer calls him out on it.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' It ''is'' a lot of speeches. But what, are we supposed to stand around and not listen to a bunch of speeches? No! Today is when we take our stand!
* RubberOrifice: The Producer, listening to the Screenwriter making a pitch for ''Film/{{Hancock}}'', points out that [[AssShove Hancock shoving a guy's head up another guy's butt]] will kill both victims. The Screenwriter says that he "checked the script, and turns out that's not deadly", and later, both guys are indeed alive, and they want to get revenge on Hancock.
* RuleOfCool: [[invoked]] Many of the Screenwriter's decision outright stem from this.
** Outright name dropped in the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' and ''Film/PacificRim'' videos.
** During the meet for ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', the Producer questions how Peter's DNA getting mixed up in the dimensional portal machine caused several characters who are not him to cross over. After several offered explanations are rejected, the Screenwriter points out the alternative is to ''not'' have a bunch of fun, alternate versions of Spider-Man in the movie; the Producer gets off his back because he definitely does want that.
** During the ''Film/KongSkullIsland'', the male lead asking for five times what he'd been offered, plus a bonus if he makes it back alive, is described as just being there to show how cool he is. The producer points out that the part about the bonus doesn't make sense, since he doesn't need money if he dies, but the Screenwriter tells him to get off his back.
** In Season 4 of ''Series/StrangerThings'', Eddie distracts the bats in the Upside Down by playing his guitar on a rooftop, instead of standing right in front of the door he needs to get through. The Screenwriter explains that doing it on the roof looks a lot cooler.
** When discussing ''Film/JohnWickChapter4'', Screenwriter Guy invokes the RuleOfCool as it's apparently an ancient law in Hollywood the Producer must adhere to.
--->'''Screenwriter Guy''': There exists an old tradition in Hollywood that if a scene looks cool you must allow the screenwriter to get there by any means necessary.\\
'''Producer Guy''': ''(Deep Sigh)'' You're really going to invoke the Rule of Cool right now?\\
'''Screenwriter Guy''': I am.
* RunningGag:
** The Screenwriter saying that because the movie is an origin story, they have to show the character as a kid. Usually in response to the Producer pointing out the childhood scene didn't reveal any information that couldn't have been given elsewhere in the film and requires hiring more actors to play the child versions of the characters.
** The Producer on the fly coming up with an interesting plot development only for the Screenwriter to agree and [[invoked]][[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot say they are not going to do that.]]
** In the ''Film/ReadyPlayerOne2018'' pitch meeting, whenever the Screenwriter feels as though he's losing the Producer, he brings up a pop culture reference to distract him.
** The producer is pretty adept at pointing out inconsistencies in plot, characterization, or even if the work is unsuitable for adaptation to a new medium. But he folds like a deck of cards the moment the Screenwriter mentions a movie's potential money-making ability.
** The Screenwriter's defense for an inadequately explained element is often "because I wrote it," or because the plot requires it to happen.
** The series often makes fun of overly complex magical elements of a story (e.g. the fountain of youth from ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides''), particularly how the people involved know the specific steps required to use them properly.
** When the Screenwriter discusses a particularly horrible idea that somehow meets with the Producer's approval, the latter will say "yes, and I'm going to spend actual money to commit it to film".
** In the ''Film/Venom2018'' pitch meeting, after a brief discussion on how "symbiote" is supposed to be pronounced, the Producer switches "be" and "buy" around.
** In the ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter keeps answering the Producer's questions on why things happen with "I don't care."
** The Producer having to distract himself from how much he hates the ''Twilight: Breaking Dawn'' pitch with how much money the movie will make.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', the Producer keeps bringing up both how horrifying the movie is and that Grandpa Joe is super sketchy.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' has the Screenwriter play Wonder Woman's theme from his smartphone every time her name is mentioned or the Amazons do anything.
** The pitch meeting for ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' sees the Screenwriter repeatedly talking about how terrible [[invoked]][[UnintentionallySympathetic John Walker]] is and how sympathetic [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic Karli]] is despite the plot showing the exact opposite. Such as Walker being terrible for killing the man who helped kill his partner but "Karli is doing her absolute best to kill Sam because she's a sympathetic character".
** The Producer can never guess what the next ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' film will be named while the Screenwriter always thinks the answer is obvious, even though the naming convention is all over the place.
** The ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' pitch meeting has a twist on the "He's from the previous movie!" catchphrase, in which the Producer references obscure works featuring the characters (''Film/TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial'' for Luke), works in which the characters have minor appearances (''Film/RogueOne'' for Leia), or works in which they don't even appear at all (''Series/TheMandalorian'' for Darth Vader[=/=]Anakin Skywalker).
** In the ''Film/Pinocchio2022Disney'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mispronounces Pinocchio's name a different way each time he says it.
** In the ''Film/TopGunMaverick'' pitch meeting, the Producer keeps bringing up how the movie is basically Star Wars. Eventually when the Screenwriter insists it isn't, the Producer just gives a mocking laugh.
** During the ''Film/FastX'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter makes it very clear he's not remotely invested in the script. Besides openly stating he doesn't care, he wrote part of it using Mad Libs, picked the location of the final showdown by throwing a dart at a map, and chooses cameos by picking names out of a hat.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheMarvels2023'', after the Producer remarks that he hopes Dar-Benn isn't another bland and forgetabble villain, he continuously forgets who she is any time the Screenwriter mentions her.
* RussianReversal: At the end spiel of the ''Film/BatmanReturns'' video, Ryan tells the viewer to "Like that Smash button!" and then berates himself for getting the phrase wrong.
* SanityBall: Whether the Screenwriter is an incompetent lunatic and the Producer is the straight man whose sound advice is ignored, the Screenwriter is a good writer who is forced to dumb down his scripts by the meddling Producer, or both are hopelessly inept depends on whatever [[RuleOfFunny Ryan thinks is funnier.]]
* SanitySlippage: The Screenwriter is left slightly unhinged by attempting to turn ''Theatre/{{Cats}}'' into a movie.
* SavedByCanon: In the ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why Obi-Wan doesn't kill a defeated Darth Vader after realizing that his friend is truly dead, to which the Screenwriter explains is because "Vader needs to appear in several movies after this". It also comes up in the pitch for ''Film/BlackWidow2021'', when the Screenwriter explains that he's going to have Natasha survive multiple car crashes and falls that should kill her because she can't die until ''Film/AvengersEndgame''.
* SavedByTheAwesome:
** Mocked in the ''Film/FantasticFour2005'' pitch meeting, in which the Screenwriter justifies the police's decision to let Ben go despite planning on arresting him for the chaos he caused on the bridge, simply because the onlookers clapped for him.
** Also mocked in ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'', in which it's pointed out that Indy's heroism clearing him of suspicion of working for the Communists is rather hard to swallow when there isn't even any proof of that heroism.
* SayMyName: During the ''Film/JohnWickChapter4'' pitch meeting, the Producer is doubtful that Caine and John saying each other's names to each other for the duration of the movie could be very cool. The Screenwriter demonstrates by saying, "Producer Guy," and the Producer responds, "Screenwriter Guy," and immediately agrees that that ''was'' cool. Later in the pitch, after the Screenwriter invokes [[RuleOfCool an old Hollywood tradition]], there's an extended back-and-forth of the two saying each other's names with increasingly serious expressions.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: The pitch meeting for ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' shows the Producer's assistant, Larry, show up in the middle to deliver something to him. Only problem? He shows up when the Screenwriter explains Marty's plan to get George and Lorraine to fall in love with each other at the dance, with the ''[[NotWhatItLooksLike worst]]'' [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant word choices possible]].
-->'''Larry''': (enters the room with some papers; clears throat) Sorry, sir, can I just, uh-
-->'''Producer''': Just a minute, Larry. (to the Screenwriter) So, what's- what's the plan?
-->'''Screenwriter''': Well, he's gonna pretend to force himself on his own mother, and then his father is gonna come in and beat him off, and that's really gonna impress the mom, and then she's gonna want to hook up with him instead of her own son.
-->'''Larry''': [[StunnedSilence (stands silently)]] ... ... ...okay, I'm gonna go?
-->'''Producer''': You sure? You can stick around.
-->'''Larry''': (awkwardly leaves) No no, [[FreudianSlip I incest- I insist.]]
-->'''Producer''': (to the Screenwriter) Not sure what that guy's problem was.
* ScrewYourself: Defied in the ''Series/Loki2021'' pitch meeting-- the Producer asks if the Screenwriter can imagine falling in love with yourself, and the Screenwriter answers he can with a smile. The Producer immediately shoots him down, and [[MistakenForFlirting the Screenwriter clarifies]], "I ''can'' imagine it, obviously, since I wrote it. Also, [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals we're not the same person]]. I have ''glasses''."
* SelfDeprecation: During their ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch, the Screenwriter says that Hammond will interact with a recorded version of himself. The producer asks what kind of idiot would try and pass off a video of him talking to himself as entertainment.
** In the "Pitch Meetings" pitch meeting, the Screenwriter has a list of several different actors who could portray the screenwriter and producer characters, all of whom are Ryan George with a different shirt and glasses (Bryan Peorge, George Ray-on, Gryan Lorge, Creator/ChristianBale, Flyin' Rorge, and Rayan Giorgee). The Producer hates all of them and says they have punchable faces, then asks why they're all smiling so much and says it makes them look like crazy people. The same pitch also mercilessly mocks basically everything else about the series: the dated catchphrases, its low-budget nature, the fact that Screenwriter and Producer don't age, and Ryan (supposedly) being in bad shape.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' I'm not gonna start de-aging myself, this isn't a Marvel movie.\\
'''Producer:''' That's a good point. If this was a Marvel movie, you'd be in much better shape.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, that kinda hurts my feelings.\\
'''Producer:''' I mean, you're no Creator/ChrisEvans.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[SweetTooth Sugar tastes good, what am I supposed to do?]]
* SelfInsert: Bill from ''Film/ItChapterTwo'' being a Screenwriter making a horror movie for Warner Bros. is played as this; the Screenwriter even slips up and calls him "me."
* SelflessWish: Defied in the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, in which, after being questioned by the Producer, the Screenwriter admits that the story only works if every single one of the billions of people around the world universally wishes for something "selfish and violent," and not selfless wishes or even understandable ones (being cured of their disease, feeding their starving child, world peace, etc.)
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: Namedropped in the second part of the ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' pitch meeting, when the Producer proposes that the Slytherins being treated as the "evil" house results in most of them being evil.
* SequelHook:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' makes fun of the decision to tease a sequel by introducing Azula at the end of the movie, in spite of how terrible the finished product ended up being.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' has Martian Manhunter show up and tell Batman that he's "here for any sequels you might be making," in a scene that the Producer says "feels tacked-on."
* {{Sequelitis}}: [[invoked]]{{Lampshaded}} in the pitch meeting for ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'', the sixth installment of the [[Film/HomeAlone franchise]], by having a [[ContinuityCameo cameo]] from Buzz [=McCallister=] which prompts this exchange:
-->'''Producer''': He's from the [[Film/HomeAlone1 first movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah he is!\\
'''Producer''': And the [[Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork second movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': I think so!\\
'''Producer''': And the [[Film/HomeAlone3 third movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': No, wasn't in that one I don't think.\\
'''Producer''': The [[Film/HomeAlone4TakingBackTheHouse fourth movie?]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yes, but [[TheOtherDarrin played by a different actor]].\\
'''Producer''': Still pretty cool. The [[Film/HomeAloneTheHolidayHeist fifth movie?]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': No.\\
'''Producer''': The sixth one?\\
'''Screenwriter''': That's this movie.\\
'''Producer''': He's from this movie!\\
'''Screenwriter''': He sure is, sir!\\
'''Producer''': Oh, being from this movie is tight!
* SignatureLine: "Super easy, barely an inconvenience."
* SeriesContinuityError: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', the Screenwriter protests that as popular as Professor [=McGonagall=] is, she hasn't yet been born as of her cameo in the movie. He's forced to give in when the Producer threatens to set Quebec on fire after he completes his plan to buy Canada, and agrees to [=McGonagall=]'s cameo.
* ShapedLikeItself:
** In the ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting.
--->'''Producer''': Tight thongs are tight!
** During the pitch for ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'':
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Anyway the elves need this stuff [mithril] or they're gonna die.\\
'''Producer:''' Why?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' 'Cause they'll die if they don't get it.
** ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians: The Sea of Monsters'':
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Turns out [Luke] didn't die at the end of the last movie, he's completely fine.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh! How did he survive?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' By not dying.\\
'''Producer:''' That'll do it.
** In the ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why vampire fangs are worth a lot of money, and the Screenwriter answers it's because of how much money they're worth.
* ShipperOnDeck: In the ''Film/{{Batman 1989}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer isn't thrilled when Alfred tries to ship Bruce with Vicki Vale, especially because Alfred got Vicki drunk, resulting in Bruce having sex with her.
* ShootTheShaggyDog: In ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'', Kate gets everyone else killed while trying to save her friend Geeta, only for Geeta to presumably die in the helicopter crash at the end.
* ShoutOut: Pitch Meeting was inspired by Creator/JohnMulaney's stand up on rewatching ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'', and describing what the pitch must've been like. So several jokes from the ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting reference some of the jokes Mulaney makes (Such as how Marty's friendship with an elderly disgraced scientist is never explained or expanded upon).
* ShowDontTell:
** Inverted in ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' pitch meeting, in which the Screenwriter mentions having the protagonists free several villages offscreen, narrating about Sokka and Yue falling in love and telling about the Moon Spirit in extensive detail. It is then parodied by some out-of-nowhere narration detailing how Screenwriter Guy and Producer Guy apparently save the world from aliens and become co-Presidents of the United States off-screen.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Well, I'm following the first rule of screenwriting, sir; tell, don't show.\\
'''Producer''': Oh, I think you got that backwards.
** The Screenwriter uses the same phrase in the ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' pitch meeting, when describing why he decides to have much of the exposition come from Jake giving video reports.
** Played straight in ''Film/JohnWick'', in which it's mentioned that the film hints at elements of how the criminal underworld works rather than telling about them outright. Ryan expressed appreciation for the film's use of this trope when revisiting the pitch meeting.
* ShownTheirWork:
** In ''Film/TheMatrix'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes his idea about how the machines are using humans as a neural network, only for the Producer to not understand the concept and make him change it to the humans being used as batteries so the audience can understand it. This is actually what happened when the Wachowskis pitched ''The Matrix'' to Warner Bros.
** In the ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting, the Producer suggests calling the movie "Spaceman From Pluto". This really was the title that then-CEO of Universal Sid Sheinberg wanted to call the movie.
** In the ''Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet1984'' pitch meeting, he brings up the original ending of the movie, which would have heavily implied that the events of the film were all just a bad dream that the main character had.
** The ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch opens up right out of the gate with Screenwriter stating his initial name for the film is ''Tonight, He Comes'' (with the joke being how dirty the name sounds, [[DiggingYourselfDeeper and how the final title doesn't sound better]]). [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer This is actually]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancock_(film)#Development the original title.]]
* SincerityMode: The Producer is capable of this on occasion. For example, in the ''Film/PointBreak1991'' Pitch Meeting, he asks why Bodhi would abandon his safe and effective "gone in 90 seconds" plan and go after the bank's vault in the final robbery of the film. When the Screenwriter replies that it's because this is the climax and he has to raise the stakes, the Producer replies by saying "That's fair" with complete sincerity.
* SkewedPriorities:
** Dieter from ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' gets called out for wandering off into a dinosaur-infested forest because he needs to pee.
--->'''Producer''': Risking your life so nobody sees your ding-dong is tight.
** Hank [=McCoy=] in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' testing a serum to disguise his (at that point very mild) mutant disfiguration the night before an important mission is described as such. "Is he worried the bad guys are going to make fun of his weird feet?"
** In the ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he can't rewatch the first one because he put a bagel in his DVD player, put both of them in the oven and set it to broil... because he still wanted the bagel, destroying an expensive piece of technology for a bagel that costs a dollar or less.
** In the ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' pitch meeting, the protagonist refuses to join an effort to save the world because he has more important things to do. It is also revealed that the project to make an EMP to end the nanobot threat was scrapped due to budgetary concerns.
* SlowPacedBeginning: [[invoked]] Inverted in the ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' pitch meeting, when the Screenwriter says that the movie will be all downhill after the intense beginning, and the Producer agrees, saying that once they get the audience's attention, they can stop trying.
* SmartBall: Depending on the situation, especially how funny it would be, the Producer or Scriptwriter may suddenly become a lot smarter than usual.
** During the ''Film/JohnWick'' meeting, the Producer actually thinks to look up Baba Yaga, the namesake for John's nickname, and wonders why he's being named after a hideous crone when his name's supposed to be a synonym for "the boogeyman."
** During the ''Film/Aladdin2019'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks the Screenwriter why they're remaking a beloved animated film despite the fact that they're unlikely to improve upon it.
** During the ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter, who usually forgets basic information established in previous films and/or the source material he's adapting, points out the SeriesContinuityError caused by [=McGonagall=]'s cameo.
* SoftWater: Discussed in the ''Film/TheTomorrowWar'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer asks if falling hundreds of feet into a swimming pool would be deadly, but the Screenwriter insists the people who landed in the pool are fine.
* SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX: When the Producer calls the Screenwriter out on his portrayal of people with mental health issues in ''Film/BirdBox'', the Screenwriter insists that one of his best friends is mentally ill and is fine with it. The Producer notes that this doesn't work that way.
* SpecialEditionTitle: Actually Special Edition Thumbnail. The thumbnails for each episode are pictures of the main characters with enormously enlarged eyes. For ''Film/BirdBox'', they went with a picture of Creator/SandraBullock blindfolded because that's how she spends most of the film, but gave her enormously enlarged lips instead. With the Spider-Man pitches, they add cartoony pupils and a mouth to Spidey's mask in the thumbnails since it already has oversized eyes.
* SpectacularSpinning: In the final episode of ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', one of the cyborg kids will do a spin before shooting, which is "gonna look very cool, possibly". When the Producer questions the practical purpose of a spin move that'll make him dizzy, the Screenwriter tells him to get off his back.
* SpoilerTitle: Subverted with the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' title. The Producer assumes that the title means that the heroes fail to accomplish the mission, but the Screenwriters points out that they're successful nearly every time.
* SpoofedWithTheirOwnWords: As part of the AccentuateTheNegative aspect of pitch meetings, any especially cheesy or hackneyed dialogue is repeated during pitches, sometimes accompanied by a NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer.
** The Producer inserts a post-credit scene in ''Film/Morbius2022'' where [[spoiler:the Vulture winds up in Morbius's universe]], to the Screenwriter's confusion. The dialogue that the Producer includes in the scene is quoted from the movie. The Screenwriter even asks if the Producer wants him to spruce up any of dialogue, which the Producer declines.
** For ''Series/GameOfThrones'' Season 8, the Screenwriter says that Daenerys "kind of forgot about the Iron Fleet and Euron's forces, but they certainly haven't forgotten about her", a line taken nearly word-for-word from one of the creators explaining Daenerys's forgetfulness.
* SpotlightStealingSquad:
** When asked whether Cole Young and his family from ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' will take time away from the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' characters fans came to see, the Screenwriter says, "Oh, most definitely! A ton of it!"
** When the Producer asks if Wolverine is being sent back in time just as an excuse to make him the main character in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', the Screenwriter says, "You're damn right!"
* StalkerWithoutACrush: The Producer is unnerved when the Screenwriter tells him that [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 Sonic]] spent an entire decade stalking the citizens of Green Hills, until he's told that Sonic did it "in a cute way, it's not horrifying". Then, during the pitch for [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022 the sequel]], the Screenwriter tells the Producer, who now says that "[[HypocriticalHumor watching people from a distance is tight]]", that it's creepy when he does it but Tails watching Sonic from across the universe is fine because he's cute.
* StalkingIsLove:
** After the Screenwriter brings up how Peter stalked Gwen Stacy every day while they were broken up in ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', the Producer describes stalking as "a super romantic gesture," and the Screenwriter agrees, as long as the stalker isn't [[AbhorrentAdmirer ugly]].
** In the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'', Sally's stalking an oblivious Jack is described as "romantic," and Jack constantly ignoring her is described as "super romantic."
* StartXToStopX:
** In the ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'' pitch meeting, Dementors, foul creatures that will suck the souls of anyone who get close to them, are sent to track down an escaped convict to prevent him from killing Harry, thus endangering the students in order to protect a student.
** In the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, Mary tries to prevent Hancock from exposing her identity to her husband by getting into a superpowers fight with Hancock, resulting in the fight eventually spilling over to just in front of Ray's workplace.
* StatingTheSimpleSolution: Comes up often. Usually, the Screenwriter will describe characters doing something elaborate and dramatic but totally nonsensical when there is a much more straightforward solution to the problem that the Producer will point out.
** A variation of this happens in the ''Film/Venom2018'' Pitch Meeting, only directed at the Screenwriter himself as opposed to the characters in the film. At the beginning of the film, the two Symbiotes land in Malaysia, and Venom is taken back to the lab, and Riot escapes. The Screenwriter then talks about all the legwork he had to do in order to get Eddie Brock into the lab so that he could bond with Venom as well as get Riot into the lab so that it could bond with Drake.[[note]]So a scientist working for Drake goes and talks to Eddie Brock to report about Drake performing experiments on Homeless people, and helps him break into the lab so that he could take pictures of it, as opposed to simply taking the pictures herself. Then Eddie finds the Venom Symbiote and bonds with it. Meanwhile, Riot latches onto an elderly woman in Malaysia and spends six months aimlessly wandering around before latching onto a young girl who is about to fly to America. The young girl then somehow gets into the secure lab so that Riot can bond with Drake.[[/note]] The screenwriter even says that it will probably be the "least fun" part of the movie but he needed to somehow get everyone into their positions so that the plot could get going in earnest. The Producer points out that he could eliminate the need to do all that legwork by simply having Venom be the one who escapes at the beginning. He refuses to change it because he "doesn't want to."
** In the ''Film/RedNotice'' Pitch Meeting, the Producer points out how needlessly convoluted the plan is to find the third golden egg and asks if Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot could've just followed Ryan Reynolds to the egg. The Screenwriter has a moment of StunnedSilence before awkwardly saying no and moving on.
** For the ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' Pitch Meeting, when the Screenwriter states Peter keeps wanting the spell to be changed, the Producer suggests Strange just stop casting for a minute so they can talk out the details.
** In the ''Film/BatmanReturns'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter explains Max Shreck's convoluted plan to secretly take over Gotham's power system, and the Producer asks why he doesn't just buy the current power plant.
** In the ''Film/SpaceJam'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter explains how Bugs Bunny will trick the aliens by putting a fake note into a rulebook which says they can't take the Looney Tunes captive without giving them a chance to defend themselves. The Producer then asks why Bugs doesn't just add a note saying they can't take the Tunes captive at all. The Screenwriter answers, "Because the movie has to happen."
** In the ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' Pitch Meeting, after the Screenwriter mentions that the Justice League will get a cameo, the Producer points out that they could probably rescue [=LeBron's=] son if he just asked them.
* StealthInsult:
** During the ''Film/StarWarsHolidaySpecial'' pitch, when the Screenwriter is describing in detail the weird scene where Chewbacca's father watches a VR video of his "fantasy":
--->'''Producer:''' So we're saying- we're saying that this fantasy is...\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext A space lady in a kaleidoscope singing about making a moment last forever.]]\\
'''Producer:''' Well, you certainly are accomplishing that last part.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Thank you!
** When the Screenwriter asks the Producer what he thinks of ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', he has this to say:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' So, what do you think?
--->'''Producer:''' Well, it sounds like it could be a fantastic series!
--->'''Screenwriter:''' This is-this is a movie.
--->'''Producer:''' ''I said what I said.''
* StealthPun: When discussing the creepy and misogynistic behavior of the cast of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', the Producer says that he hopes that there won't be a social movement to hold people accountable for that kind of behavior. The Screenwriter says "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_Too_movement Me too]]."
* StealthyColossus: In the ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch meeting, the T-rex manages to sneak up on the raptors at the end even though its footsteps caused mini-earthquakes earlier on in the film. The Producer asks if the T-Rex's "character arc" is about learning how to be sneaky, and the Screenwriter says yes.
* StrangledByTheRedString: [[invoked]] In the pitch for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter is unsure why Mike has a crush on Eleven, other than being "really into powerful women."
** It's also invoked in the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch, when the Screenwriter states that Claire and Owen are suddenly going to kiss in the middle of the pterodactyl attack. When the Producer asks why, the Screenwriter states that it's because they're both attractive.
* StrawmanHasAPoint: [[invoked]] In ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'', the Producer acknowledges that King Magnifico maybe has a point that the main character's grandfather's wish to inspire people is too vague and potentially harmful, but the Screenwriter doesn't want people to agree with him.
* StrictlyFormula:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'', both the Producer and the Screenwriter agree that since it's a ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', they already know how the plot's going to go. Though the Producer asks the Screenwriter to elaborate anyway.
** The idea that a [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Marvel movie or TV series]] has to end with either a big fight against a faceless, generic army, a special-effects heavy climactic battle between two characters, and/or a sky beam, is discussed in multiple meetings.
** ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'''s third act falls under the formula that the screenwriter describes as, first, "Our standard absolute visual mess," then "[[StuffBlowingUp Things explode]], [[HumongousMecha metal punches metal]], [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin good guys win]], [[MoreDakka guns]], [[MsFanservice boobs]], {{America|SavesTheDay}}, victory."
* StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: When Loki in ''Series/Loki2021'' manages to move an entire skyscraper with his mind, the Producer asks if he could always do that, prompting the Screenwriter to admit he just makes Loki as strong or as weak as he needs for the plot.
* StunnedSilence:
** The Producer goes silent after hearing that in ''Film/JohnWick'', the villains kill the eponymous character's dog.
** In the ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' pitch meeting, this is the Producer's reaction when he learns that the awesome fight sequence at the climax was just a vision.
** After hearing in ''Film/NoTimeToDie'' "So, Bond dies.", the Producer spends several seconds in silence before asking "[[FlatWhat ...what?!]]"
** The Screenwriter is stunned into silence for a moment when the Producer points out a major plot hole in ''Film/Mulan2020'': Mulan steals her father's armor and joins the army in his stead because his bad leg means that he's unfit to fight, only for the army commander to establish a few scenes later that anyone who can't keep up with the training will be sent home. This being the case, Mulan's father would most likely have been invalided out almost immediately, meaning that she didn't need to bother with her plan in the first place.
* StupidSacrifice:
** In the ''Film/AQuietPlace'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides to have Lee perform a HeroicSacrifice to draw the alien's attention rather than throw his axe to cause a noise somewhere else and distract it, because sacrifices are dramatic.
** In ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', Leta Lestrange's HeroicSacrifice in the climax is said to amount to her offering to handle a situation that she ''can't'' handle, then getting herself killed.
** In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', the producer asks why Captain Marvel, the most powerful hero on the battlefield and the one with the highest chance of survival, doesn't just use the gauntlet and snap away Thanos' forces when she has the chance. The screenwriter says that she doesn’t so Tony Stark can have his HeroicSacrifice.
** In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', Steve crashing the plane into the ocean is described as a plot device to get him frozen so that he can return in the present day.
** In ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' one soldier sacrifices himself for no apparent reason, [[SenselessSacrifice and ends up accomplishing nothing]].
** In ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', in ancient times, several Primes (the only ones who can kill the Fallen) sacrificed themselves to seal the Matrix of Leadership ("the key to the Fallen's death machine") right next to said "death machine."
** In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' Season 4 pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that Eddie dies heroically by distracting a horde of bats that probably didn't need to be distracted at that time.
* SubvertedCatchphrase:
** During the ''Film/ManOfSteel'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he doesn't want to deal with the consequences of Metropolis being destroyed because it would be "super difficult, very much an inconvenience", the opposite of the series' best-known line.
** Subverted for the ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' pitch:
--->'''Producer:''' It's gonna be hard for audiences to feel any stakes if the scoring is arbitrary.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Actually...yep.\\
''[later]''\\
'''Producer:''' It's gonna be hard to end on a happy note with [[spoiler:Bugs Bunny dying]].\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Actually it's gonna be super easy, barely an inconvenience.
** The pitch meetings usually begin with the Screenwriter saying, "Yes, sir, I do," in response to the Producer asking if he has a movie to pitch, At the start of the ''Film/{{Transformers|2007}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter instead says, "Actually, no, sir, I don't," then explains that he was told the producer was looking for "feature-length commercials with kind of a storyline." The Producer then tells the Screenwriter that's what he calls "movies."
* SuckySchool: During the ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks if the teachers are going to step in and help when a dragon breaks loose and starts chasing Harry. The Screenwriter assures him they won't, which the Producer admits matches their track record. Later when Cedric dies, the Producer casually states he's honestly shocked it took four years for a student to die at Hogwarts.
* SupermanStaysOutOfGotham:
** In the ''Film/IronMan3'' pitch meeting, not even the Screenwriter knows why the rest of the Avengers didn't help Tony out in this film.
** In the ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, this is discussed. The Screenwriter wanted to include the other Avengers, but the Producer overrules him, saying they don't have the budget for it. The Screenwriter laments that it will be difficult to make solo movies from here on out.
** The ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' pitch meeting has the Producer asking about the various living Avengers that can help Spider-Man fight these new Elemental enemies, and the Screenwriter points out that they can't because this is Spider-Man's movie.
** The ''Film/AquamanAndTheLostKingdom'' has Arthur respond to Black Manta threatening to destroy the world by getting his evil brother Orm rather than the rest of the Justice League "Because!"
* SuperpowerLottery: In ''Film/XMen1'', Senator Kelly being hit by Magneto's mutation machine gives him the power to liquefy himself and slip through the bars of his cell. The Screenwriter says that Magneto couldn't have predicted what powers Kelly would get, or else he would have responded accordingly. He admits that if Kelly had somehow become strong enough to kill Magneto, "Magneto would have died."
* SureLetsGoWithThat:
** In the meeting for ''Film/JurassicWorld'', the writer asks the producer to imagine the next step up from a park, and the producer suggests "I don’t know, ''the world''?". The writer then says that yes, the new movie is called ''Jurassic World''...while holding a treatment titled ''Jurassic Circus''.
** In the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFeZx3Xkvgg Disney+ pitch meeting]], the screenwriter tries to explain that the "+" in the title isn't to appeal to nerds, and that it just means "more," from the Latin "plūs". When the producer thinks it's the ''Latin'' that is appealing to nerds, the screenwriter starts to correct him again, but then [[VerbalBackspace stops himself mid-sentence]]:
--->'''Producer:''' Ohhhh, okay. I see what you're going for.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, you do?\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nerds also love Latin-- we're gonna have them in the palms of our hands.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, no-- ... okay. ''[smiles]''
* SurpriseIncest: Lampshaded in the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' pitch meeting. After hearing that Leia will be revealed as Luke's sister, the Producer says "that kiss they shared is real weird now," and the Screenwriter cheerfully agrees.
* SurvivalMantra: In the ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' pitch, the Producer is disturbed by Jacob "imprinting" on a newborn baby. The Screenwriter reminds him that this movie will make a lot of money, and he relents. When the imprinting topic is revisited later, the Producer is clearly having a hard time accepting it and mutters "money-money-money-money-money" to himself to focus on that.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' draws similarities between different characters from it and ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'', namely Deadshot and Bloodsport, and Killer Croc and King Shark.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', the Producer immediately asks if Spectre is the villainous organization in the film. The Screenwriter asks if the Producer has the rights to legally use Spectre, and when the Producer says no, the Screenwriter has Quantum, "a completely different organization with the exact same concept," be the villain in the film.
** In the pitch meeting for season four of ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Producer assumes the BigBad is Voldemort. When the Screenwriter insists that Vecna is nothing like Voldemort, even if he's a powerful evil magic guy who hates non-magic people, was defeated by the teenage cast years ago and has returned seeking revenge.
--->'''Producer:''' Does he have a nose?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Shit!
* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: Frequently. Lampshaded in the video for ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'';
-->'''Screenwriter Guy:''' This way we get to show off our new [=CGI=] technology that does ''not'' make [[invoked]][[UncannyValley humans look like rubber]] in any way! \\
'''Studio Executive Guy:''' Kinda suspicious of you to specify that unprompted...
* SustainedMisunderstanding: In the ''Film/IndependenceDay'' pitch, the Producer doesn't understand that dogfights don't involve actual dogs. Screenwriter decides to stop trying to clarify and move on with the story, and at the end, when asking the Producer how he feels about the movie, the Producer says he likes it except the confusing part with the dogs.
* SwappedRoles:
** After the Screenwriter mentions in the ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' pitch that his dream pitch for the main character is Creator/TJMiller, believing such casting is impossible, the ''Producer'' is the one to state how it would be "[[BorrowedCatchphrase super easy, barely an inconvenience]]".
** Late in the ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' pitch meeting, after the Screenwriter and Producer mention how Kirk's HeroicSacrifice is a role reversal of Spock's from ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', you can see the Producer wearing the Screenwriter's clothes and sitting in his place, while the Screenwriter has the Producer's clothes and is in his place, showing that the two characters switched spots.
* SwissCheeseSecurity:
** The computer room in the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' has all sorts of security devices, but no one thought to put in a security camera.
** In ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'', Namor inexplicably bypasses all of Wakanda's advanced water-based security to meet with Shuri and Ramonda.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tropes T-Z]]
* TakeAThirdOption: In the ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' pitch meeting, James' ability to [[SadisticChoice not only save the girl but also survive]] in the climax is said to be "super easy, barely an inconvenience."
* TakeThat: The videos not only take shots at the movies being covered, but frequently give the same treatment to other movies, creators and various unrelated targets.
** The episode for ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' starts out strong with the revelation that the Screenwriter never bothered to actually ''write a plot''.
--->'''Producer''': So, what's the story?
--->'''Screenwriter''': [[FlatWhat The what?]]
--->'''Producer''': The story, like, what's the movie about?
--->'''Screenwriter''': (unsure) Oh, yeah, uh, (flips through papers) yeah, no, I-I've got a bit of that in here...
*** And then, later on, it's revealed that the reason why the movie is laden with ProductPlacement (with the characters going through the apps on the phone) is because the Screenwriter more or less gave up after the first act.
---->'''Screenwriter''': Do you think people will be bothered by the product placement?
---->'''Producer''': No, people love product placement!
---->'''Screenwriter''': Oh, well, that's great, 'cause I literally have nothing planned for the second act of the film.
** In the episode for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', the Screenwriter's comment that Daenerys "forgot about the Iron Fleet" in "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS8E4TheLastOfTheStarks The Last of the Starks]]," is frequently mocked by way of bringing forgetfulness up as an excuse for various plot holes.
** In ''Film/TheLastJedi'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter defends his decision to discard the plot threads set up in ''The Force Awakens'' by saying that Creator/JJAbrams didn't know the answers himself. When asked why he thinks that, he brings up ''Series/{{Lost}}'' as an example.
** Not only does the ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' pitch meeting make fun of Jared Leto's Joker, the ''Film/Joker2019'' pitch meeting has the Producer assume the film is a follow-up to ''Suicide Squad'' and ask if the Screenwriter's going to add a "very" to the "damaged" tattoo on the Joker's head. [[EveryoneHasStandards Notice that the Screenwriter, of all people, seems to think this is a terrible idea]].
*** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' returns to this point, with the Screenwriter saying that the main characters all have sad backstories and the Producer thinking that they'll all have forehead tattoos to make that clear.
** The pitch meeting for the ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'' doesn't waste any time getting to the Take That, describing the film as "an obligatory sequel to a moderately successful superhero movie." It's never a good sign when even the Producer is less than enthusiastic from the get-go.
** In the ''Film/ArtemisFowl'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter admits that he only has a vague idea what the books are about, and it's revealed that the only reason Creator/JudiDench's agent got her into both this film and ''Film/{{Cats}}'' is because the agent hates her.
** The ''Film/BatmanBegins'' pitch meeting doesn't shy away from making fun of the DarkerAndEdgier approach to a superhero who dresses as a bat, but the biggest TakeThat is saved for the article at the end. At the end, when the Producer cautions the Screenwriter against going too dark, the Screenwriter asks, "What could go wrong with that, though?" Cue AnswerCut to an article about ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'' being critically panned, with the implication being that the film being even more dark and edgy than the Dark Knight trilogy was one of its flaws.
** In the ''Film/DarkPhoenix'' meeting, Creator/SophieTurner is cast as Jean Grey because she's popular due to playing Sansa Stark on ''Series/GameOfThrones'', a series that the Screenwriter says is associated with good writing. [[TemptingFate The Producer says that will always be true, and he can't wait for the last season]].
** The ''Film/IronMan3'' pitch meeting mocks the idea of "subverting expectations," which the Screenwriter sets out to do by having Tony not use his Iron Man suits for most of the film, and have the Mandarin turn out to be an actor.
--->'''Screenwriter''': It doesn't matter if they enjoyed it. What matters is that I subverted their expectations.
*** The ''Series/{{Wandavision}}'' pitch does something similar once the Producer immediately figures out the Agatha Harkness twist the moment Screenwriter mentions Agnes, implying that certain subversions the series took[[note]]namely [[spoiler:Pietro turning out to be someone else entirely]][[/note]] were done out of spite for the audience theorizing things.
---->'''Producer''': Well, listen, if you give people some downtime, they're ''gonna'' theorize, that's just how that works.
---->'''Screenwriter''': Mmmm. (glances at notes; quietly) [-I'm gonna make you pay for that.-]
** The ''Film/TransformersTheLastKnight'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter admit that he consulted his five-year-old nephew for ideas on the story. The Producer then says that the Russians taught him how to use "[[{{Blackmail}} Kompromat]]" to get famous actors to star in bad movies, then lists a lot of bad movies, most involving ''Creator/RobertDeNiro''.
** The ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' video covers the entire trilogy in only four minutes and especially takes shots at second and third movies, stating the former is like a RomCom but without any romance, comedy, or likable characters. The summary of the third movie is simply "They're married now so they go on a honeymoon... and... yeah."
** The ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' movie is described as "a bunch of explosive action scenes with some dialogue in between that kind of explains why they're happening."
** The ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'' pitch meting, not even the Producer thinks much of the Screenwriter's plan to have Carina turn out to be Barbossa's daughter, disdainfully noting that he seems rather enamored with that plot element and asking him about it at the end. The news article at the end brings up how Rey turns out to be Palpatine's granddaughter in ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker''.
** During ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'' pitch someone off-screen is heard saying "That's perfect, I love it!" It turns out this is Creator/MNightShyamalan, who routinely eavesdrops on the pitch meetings looking for story ideas. The scene being described is the Ents assault on Isengard, so Shyamalan's idea is for a movie [[Film/TheHappening where trees start attacking people]], which both the Screenwriter and the Producer agree is going to be terrible.
** In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, the Producer claims to have gotten affected by an intelligence-draining ray like the one the Riddler used, and says he likes cartoons more now.
** The ''Series/SquidGame'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter represent the South Korean team who's working on the show, likely to explain why the Caucasian Ryan George is pitching a Korean show. When the Producer remarks that the Screenwriter looks like someone he'd cast to play an Asian character in a movie, the Screenwriter replies, "...Yeah. And please stop doing that kind of thing."
** Upon hearing that [[spoiler: Super Sonic]] seemingly kills [[spoiler: Robotnik]], the Producer responds with this gem.
--> '''Producer:''' [[spoiler:Sonic]] just straight up kills a guy? Even Batman ''pretends'' to not do that.
** After the Producer repeatedly points out how characters in ''Film/Morbius2022'' keep making decisions only to immediately contradict said decisions, the Screenwriter insists that those don't matter because they were in different scenes.
--> '''Screenwriter:''' You keep referencing things characters said or did earlier in the movie. ... Pretty much every scene is a clean slate here.
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, the Producer hates hearing how the show pronounces names like Galadriel, Numenor and Valinor.
** In the ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' pitch meeting, the Producer decides to stop pretending to be creative after hearing yet another pitch for a live-action remake and acting like it's the first time.
* TakeThatAudience: In ''Velma'', the Screenwriter states that the series takes potshots at adults watching animation despite being the target audience. The Producer then turns to the camera and tells the viewer to suck it, only to quickly break character and apologize as he states that he genuinely appreciates his audience.
* TakingTheFightOutside: [[invoked]] [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in the ''Film/TheMatrixResurrections'' Pitch Meeting. Producer Guy asks Screenwriter Guy if he wants to take this outside when he notices the RealitySubtext in the movie, but it turns out the two of them just got some fresh air.
* TapOnTheHead: The ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'' pitch meeting has the Producer ask whether Will's master bashing Jack on the head and knocking him unconscious will cause brain damage, but the Screenwriter says it causes the "wacky" kind of head trauma without permanent damage.
* {{Technobabble}}: If a movie makes use of this, there's a good chance the pitch meeting will {{lampshade|hanging}} it.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' [James Bond] gets approached by the CIA to help find this Russian scientist guy who helped develop a bioweapon involving [[{{Nanomachines}} nanobots]].\\
'''Producer:''' Nanobots?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, see, nanobots are this thing where if you write "nanobots" in the script, they can do whatever you want and you don't really have to explain it.\\
''[later]''\\
'''Producer:''' Well, I guess [James Bond] could try using that EMP watch to disable [the poison nanobots].\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No, he can't do that.\\
'''Producer:''' Why not?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, 'cause... ''[stammering]'' nanobots!
* TeensAreMonsters: When the Producer hears that the bullies in ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' hit a disabled kid with their car and then kick him in the stomach, he says, "Those aren't bullies- those are literal psychopaths."
* TemptingFate:
** Almost every video ends with the Screenwriter and/or Executive saying something [[DescriptionCut that will get proven wrong by a screenshot of an article in the next shot.]]
** It's fairly common for the Producer to offer feedback (usually positive) on one of the Screenwriter's ideas for a character or plot element under the assumption that it will be important to the story, only to find that the Screenwriter has virtually no plans to use what they'd just discussed.
** The Producer will often express the hope that certain elements of the plot won't be criticized, or that problematic elements of older films will age well.
** In the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer has a hard time grasping Creator/WillSmith playing a man with a HairTriggerTemper who becomes violent when he gets angry. Fast forward to 2022, when Will Smith slapped Creator/ChrisRock at the Oscars.
** For ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'', the Producer has Grindelwald recast so as to avoid the film being associated with Creator/JohnnyDepp's controversial baggage, only for Creator/EzraMiller to get arrested twice in Hawaii.
** The Writer for ''Film/Meg2TheTrench'' dismisses the idea of an unrealistic portrayal of the protagonist swimming unprotected deep in the ocean because audiences will be unaware of the concept of cush depth. The Producer comments that something "really wacky" would have to happen for a mass education on the subject; the film was released less than two months after the [=OceanGate=] submersible implosion put exactly that subject into the news.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/AquamanAndTheLostKingdom'' has the Producer and the Screenwriter confident that the DCEU will not be coming to an end. This time, there isn't one screenshot of an article, but ''more than a dozen'' of the various problems plaguing the DCEU.
* ThatCameOutWrong: The Producer frequently declares that something is tight in a way that sounds incredibly gross or suspicious, which usually elicits a squicked-out reaction from the Screenwriter.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', this happens when discussing Janet's quantum powers.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Janet is going to make Ghost feel better by using her (Janet's) fingers.\\
'''Producer''': ''(excited)'' [[GirlOnGirlIsHot Ohhh!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Not like that.\\
'''Producer''': ''(disappointed)'' Oh.
** Happens again in the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress''.
--->'''Screenwriter''': But when he gets into a stranger's vehicle in the middle of the night, his whole life is going to change.\\
'''Producer''': (horrified) Oh god!\\
'''Screenwriter''': No, like in a fun, Christmas-y way.\\
'''Producer''': Oh thank god.
* ThatMakesMeFeelAngry: Generally if the Producer straight up announces how a given plot development makes him feel, you can rest assured it's either an IntendedAudienceReaction that [[DramaticIrony didn't work in real life]], or it's not what the Screenwriter was going for at all.
* TheoryOfNarrativeCausality: Frequently the Producer will question why something happens, and the Writer can only respond with "Because", "That's what we are going with!", etc. to point out things that happen solely because of plot necessity.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: InUniverse:
** Producer Guy thinks that Huntress should be the main character of ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'', but relents on making Harley Quinn the protagonist instead when Screenwriter Guy points out that Huntress has not proven to have mass market appeal yet.
** Producer Guy thinks that Kro, the lead Deviant villain from ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', sounds interesting and would be cool to see more fleshed out, but the film's time constraints mean he just gets killed off in the third act.
** The producer points out that in ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'', Jacob's subplot and presence makes no sense and achieve little, but having the Qilin at the end kneel before Jacob would fix this by making Grindelwald and his follower confront the idea that a muggle can be pure of heart, and pay off why Dumbledore insisted Jacob come along because he's fundamentally a good person.
** In ''Film/RebelMoon'', the Producer is fascinated by the robot that does a HeelFaceTurn near the start, but is disappointed when the robot runs away and doesn't appear again until the end of the movie.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: InUniverse:
** Producer Guy thinks that Rosalie's tragic backstory from ''[[Literature/Eclipse2007 Eclipse]]'' sounds like a much more interesting movie than the one they're making and wonders if that's a bad sign.
** The Producer is much more interested in the Japanese and American pilot putting aside their differences to survive against King Kong and becoming friends than he is in the rest of ''Film/KongSkullIsland''.
** In the ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' pitch meeting, Hux being TheMole for The Resistance intrigues the Producer, but the Screenwriter says that this was done due to Hux suffering BadassDecay in ''Film/TheLastJedi'' and needing a more competent replacement.
** In the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', the story cuts away before Bucky's old Japanese friend reacts to hearing the news that Bucky killed the man's son during Bucky's days as the Winter Soldier. The Screenwriter is rather disappointed that a plot thread that was built up for the entire season never gets resolved.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides not to make the movie about the dinosaurs overrunning the world, but about what he thinks the fans want- "a kidnapping plot and a bug problem."
** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'', the Producer finds The Great Before to be more interesting than the misadventures used to pad the runtime at the midway point.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'', the Screenwriter brings up how Peach recognizes Mario as a fellow human and that she was brought to the Mushroom Kingdom as a baby, but refuses to elaborate on that.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: At the end of the pitch for ''Film/{{Cruella}}'', the Screenwriter confidently and enthusiastically announces that they're going to spend a ton of money on music for the movie -- "It's gonna cost you a fortune!" The Producer utters an "Oh... uh oh, oh no" before a cut to an article saying ''Cruella'' reportedly cost $200 million.
* TimeSkip:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Solo}}'' makes it clear that the Screenwriter has no interest in showing Han's time in the Imperial army, and it's just an excuse to pass enough time for Q'ira to join up with Dryden Voss.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/BirdBox'' has the Producer skeptical about how nothing apparently happened in the five-year timeskip.
* TitleDrop: Whenever the Screenwriter mentions the name of the work while pitching it, the Producer will exclaim, "That's the name of the ''movie''!" For example, in the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter justifies having Salazar spare Henry to send a message to Jack because Salazar can't leave the general area and "dead men tell no tales." The Producer comments, "[[LampshadeHanging He said the name of the movie]]!"
* ToiletHumor: The Screenwriter says that ''Film/DayShift'' will have a RunningGag of Brad peeing his pants out of fright throughout the movie, and the Producer loves the idea.
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, peepee!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Peepee!\\
'''Producer:''' Peepee ''very'' funny! What about poopoo?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No poopoo. No poopoo.\\
'''Producer:''' No poopoo? Just peepee? Okay.
* TokenRomance: In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch:
-->'''Screenwriter''': Anyway, so then Claire and Owen kiss in the middle of this big attack.\\
'''Producer''': What? Why?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, well, they're both attractive, so...they're in love now.\\
'''Producer''': Right, makes sense.
* TomTheDarkLord:
** In the ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'' pitch meeting, the Producer complains that calling the Red Skull by his actual last name, Schmidt, is a lot less cool.
** In ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', the Producer considers Dominic Greene's name to be rather boring compared to other James Bond {{Big Bad}}s.
* ToneShift: The Screenwriter is prone to those. For example in ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' he describes the lighthearted ''Pikachu's Vacation'' short before immediately following with "[The movie] begins with an omnipotent murder clone having a homicidal existential crisis". Many of those shifts make the Producer give an emphasized "Oh my god."
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, my god. You really shifted the tone there. It's Jarring!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, Whoops!\\
'''Producer:''' Whoopsie!
* TooDumbToLive:
** In the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides to "fix" the problem of MJ ending up in danger by having Gwen go straight into danger herself. He also mentions that New Yorkers form crowds to watch Spider-Man as he fights dangerous supervillains.
--->'''Producer''': [[LampshadeHanging Wow, the people of New York have no sense of self-preservation]].
** ''Film/AQuietPlace'' points out how, after Lee averted a disaster by taking the batteries out of his son Beau's toy, Beau later put the batteries back in and activated it, causing his death. It's pointed out that the rest of the family helped cause this by their negligence and poorly thought-out decision to bring Beau along, even though they've survived for three months. [[DidntThinkThisThrough Evelyn getting pregnant and "bringing a screaming baby into the world"]] also is mentioned as being particularly foolish.
** In ''Film/Godzilla2014'', the military starts the timer on the atomic bomb ''before'' it reaches its final destination, just so the movie can have higher stakes.
** In ''Film/KongSkullIsland'', the helicopter pilots respond to Kong destroying a helicopter with a thrown tree by flying in close to him and shooting at him. Predictably, he destroys them all.
** In ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the cast is so dumb that the Screenwriter openly states how the movie would fail if anyone wasn't stupid. It gets to the point that when a cast member does something suicidally stupid (such as sticking their face into a xenomorph egg), the Producer just mutters "Okay".
** In ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsPart1'', Harry and his friends hide from the Death Eaters by going to the Weasley's house, which was destroyed by the Death Eaters in the previous film.
* TookALevelInDumbass:
** In the pitch meeting for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', the formerly intelligent Tyrion makes decisions like having the noncombatants hide in the crypts when the Night King(who can raise the dead) attacks, because the Screenwriter "need(s) things to happen really fast."
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'', Thor is "dumber than ever."
* TotallyRadical: When pitching ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', the writer is fairly sure he’s got a handle on "cool young people talk".
* {{Touche}} : During the "Spider-Man leaves the MCU" Pitch Meeting, the Marvel producer points out to the Sony producer that Sony "doesn't know how to make a Spider-Man movie anymore, but when we do it we make a billion dollars." The Sony executive is quick to point out that they also made ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' which "is, like, a masterpiece!" to which both the screenwriter and the Marvel producer admit that it is indeed an awesome movie. When the Sony producer says that they also made ''Film/Venom2018'' which is "just as great," however...
-->'''Screenwriter Guy:''' [[invoked]][[SoOkayItsAverage Well...]]\\
'''Marvel Producer:''' [[SoBadItsGood Well...]]\\
'''Sony producer:''' [[CriticalDissonance Well...]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: In the ''Film/Venom2018'' pitch meeting, it's discussed when they mention the final scene and how it will be advertised.
-->'''Producer:''' If there's one thing people want to see in a movie trailer, it's the final scene of a movie.
* TriviallyObvious:
** As mentioned in DamnedByFaintPraise, the Producer brings up how a returning character was in the previous movie when he doesn't have anything more positive to say about the character's implementation in the sequel.
** During the pitch for ''Film/MortalKombatAnnihilation'' (an ImmediateSequel to ''Film/MortalKombatTheMovie''), the Producer tells the Screenwriter that they had a "great response" to the first movie.
--->'''Producer:''' You know, of all the movies that came out in 1995, everybody agreed that that was one of them!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, fantastic, 'cause this one's gonna pick up right after the end of the last movie, and it's also, you know, a movie, technically, kind of.
** When the Screenwriter asks what the Producer thinks of ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'', the Producer comments, "Well, it sounds like a movie."
** Similarly, he says that ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' "sounds like another live-action remake."
** In the ''Film/MazeRunnerTheDeathCure'', the Producer responds to Theo's reappearance and death by saying that he's one of the characters in the film.
** In ''Film/RebelMoon'', the Producer says, "it sounds like some content, that's for sure."
* TurbineBlender: The Producer is rather disturbed to hear that two people end up dying this way in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1''.
* TwitchyEye: During the ''Film/Morbius2022'' pitch, the Producer excitedly reminds the Screenwriter that they're "basically in the MCU now, did you know?", and the Screenwriter points out that yes, everyone in the Sony offices keeps reminding him that, with a big smile on their faces "but with one eye twitching for some reason". The Producer responds by repeating that they're basically part of the MCU now, with a big smile and one eye twitching.
* TwoPartTrilogy: Lampshaded repeatedly in ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' pitch, where the fact that the first ''Matrix'' was a fine standalone movie and the two sequels are basically the one sequel split up:
--> '''Producer Guy''': It does sound like a solid part one.
--> '''Screenwriter Guy''': Well, technically it's part two.
--> '''Producer Guy''': Of course, but also, absolutely not.
--> '''Screenwriter Guy''': Right.
* UncannyValley: [[invoked]]
** The Screenwriter announces that alongside the mice and cockroaches with human faces, the cats in ''Film/{{Cats}}'' are going to look like "if Snapchat filters came to life and had an ''extreme'' thirst for blood".
** During the pitch for ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'' the Screenwriter goes in-depth on how he wants Sonic to have this sort of appearance instead of the cartoonish look he has in the games. Despite the Producer's doubts about it, he insists that it will work... until they see the internet's unanimous dislike of the design.
* UncertainAudience: [[invoked]]
** When the Producer tells the Screenwriter that the fans of the books might not be happy to the changes he's made to ''Film/ArtemisFowl'', the Screenwriter responds by saying that they aren’t making the movie for them. When the Producer asks him who they ''are'' making the movie for, he dodges the question.
** The Screenwriter decides to include "fully exposed duck boobs" twice at the beginning of ''Film/HowardTheDuck''. The Producer asks if this movie with a talking duck is for kids, and the Screenwriter says he can't say; he's going to be all over the place with it. Later, when the Screenwriter describes a [[InterspeciesRomance romantic scene between Beverly and Howard in bed]], the Producer, appalled, asks who this movie's for.
** After the Screenwriter finishes describing the plot of ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', the Producer declares that it sounds like a great horror movie, only to be informed that it's for [[BuffySpeak "the little humans"]].
* UncertainDoom: In the ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter is disappointed to realize that it's never shown whether Kate's friend, whom she ran off to rescue, thereby getting everyone else killed, survived the helicopter crash at the end, although she's presumed dead.
* UnexplainedRecovery: In Season 4 of ''Series/StrangerThings'', Dr. Brenner comes back despite appearing to have been killed in Season 1. The Screenwriter explains that he survived by virtue of not explicitly dying onscreen.
* UnfortunateImplications: [[invoked]] The series often mocks the various ways movies and TV shows fall into this trope, often followed by a "Whoops!" "Whoopsie!" exchange.
** One example is ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer realizes that making fun of Raj being Indian might be racist, insinuating that he and Howard are a gay couple and playing those insinuations for laughs might be homophobic, and making Penny less intelligent than the guys might be sexist.
** Another example is ''Film/BirdBox''. The Producer remarks that having criminally insane people not die from being exposed to the monsters, and instead try to show them to others is insensitive and problematic, and doesn't buy the Screenwriter's [[SomeofMyBestFriendsAreX excuse that his insane best friend was fine with it]].
* UnfortunateNames:
** In ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', the Producer questions why the protagonist's father, a black police officer, is called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis Jefferson Davis]], president of the Confederate States of America.
** The race that Dom takes Letty to in ''Film/Furious7'' is called Race Wars. The Producer asks if they should rethink the name of that race.
* UnintentionallySympathetic: [[invoked]]
** During the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter insists that John Walker is a terrible person for killing someone who helped kill his best friend, the Producer however points out not only that given the context of the scene, John Walker killing that person seemed like a reasonable reaction to the murder of his best friend, but also that both Sam and Bucky have killed plenty of people before and were never portrayed as terrible people for doing so like Walker is here after killing just one person.
** The "antagonists" of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' are a couple who are forced to sell their home just before Christmas as the husband lost his job, and the only way to get the money to save their home is by selling a rare doll that they think the protagonist stole during their open house. The Producer repeatedly returns to the point that they just want to keep their kids out of homelessness and he doesn't want bad things to happen to them.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/DieHard'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks whether the tragic part of Powell mistakenly shooting a kid in the backstory is that a kid died or Powell "lost his cop mojo". After hearing that it's the latter, the Producer says "Interesting", and upon hearing that Powell's character arc involves him becoming able to kill people again, flatly says, "Well, good for him."
** In ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'', the Producer feels more sympathy for the woman on the train who rejects David Dunn (who's trying to cheat on his wife) than he does for David himself, despite the fact that the scene is trying to make the latter more sympathetic.
** In ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'', the Producer is skeptical that Emma's last-minute sacrifice was enough to atone for her actions that nearly got millions of people killed.
** In the ''Series/WandaVision'' pitch meeting, the series ends with Wanda walking out of Westview, with the citizens angry with her for what she put them through, only for Monica to point out that they don't know what she sacrificed for them. The Producer points out that Wanda mentally tortured them, and when the Screenwriter counters that she had to say goodbye to her "imaginary boyfriend," the Producer gives an unconvinced "ehh, okay" in response.
** During the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, the Producer repeatedly asks if they're going to stop pretending Karli Morgenthau is sympathetic, such as when she blows up a building full of innocent people or tries to murder Sam. The Screenwriter keeps insisting that she's very sympathetic.
** The protagonist of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' is a rude and disrespectful kid who hates his family for no real reason, steals toys from his church's charity donation, and during the third act continues to assault the "antagonists" despite them begging him to stop as they genuinely don't mean him harm and just want to talk.
* UnlimitedWardrobe: In the ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' pitch meeting, James and Madeleine having new outfits in each scene is said to be due to them shopping while offscreen.
* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist:
** ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' has the Screenwriter describes the principal cast as awful people and specifically calls Sheldon "just the worst" while stating that since they'll be "playing the Quirky Card" the audience will accept it.
** The Screenwriter describes the cast of ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' as a group of high-functioning sociopaths, with Kramer being the least high-functioning of them all.
** The titular character of ''Velma'' is described as a selfish know-it-all who's constantly insulting everyone around her. The producer notes that such a character would be hard for the audience to connect with, to which the Screenwriter answer that as the protagonist they won't have a choice.
* {{Unobtainium}}: In the ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter calls the sought-after mineral Unobtanium because the humans are having a hard time obtaining it. The Producer assumes that it's a placeholder name, and the Screenwriter will come up with a less ridiculous name, to which the Screenwriter says, "[[BlatantLies Yep! For sure! I will]]!"
* VanHelsingHateCrimes: In ''Film/DayShift'', after it turns out that not all vampires are evil, the Producer asks how many innocent vampires Bud killed.
* VerbalBackspace:
** In the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' pitch meeting, the Producer is concerned about the holes in Luke's plan to free Han, which the Screenwriter tries to HandWave with "the Force".
--->'''Producer''': We're gonna have to address the fact that Luke's plan is insane.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Princess Leia's going to be in a golden bikini along the way.\\
'''Producer''': ''(without missing a beat)'' Plan's probably fine as-is.
** In the ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter suggests that Jean Grey will destroy Wolverine's clothes with her Phoenix powers, only for the Producer to remind him that it's a PG-13 movie. At that point, the Screenwriter hastily says that she'll destroy his shirt and leave his pants intact.
** [[invoked]] Variation: After finishing up the pitch for ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'', Producer asks if he's ''sure'' they should stick with [[UncannyValley Sonic's realistic design]] for the film, to which Screenwriter insists the fans will love it. [[OnceAnEpisode After cutting to a Screen Rant article]] [[InstantlyProvenWrong detailing how the Internet has mocked the design:]]
--->'''Screenwriter''': [[OhCrap (laughs) Whoops!]]
--->'''Producer''': [[IToldYouSo Whoopsy!]]
--->(cut to Screen Rant article announcing the film's delay and Sonic's redesign)
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/CocaineBear'', the Producer gets more and more insistent on getting away from the human characters to see more of the bear.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Well you see, sir, the bear is going to be CGI so every time it's onscreen, that's gonna cost you money.\\
'''Producer''': ...So tell me more about these human characters.
* VillainDecay:
** In the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter pretends that Galvatron(aka Megatron) has a chance of winning against the Autobots despite the heroes having defeated him in the previous three movies.
** In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that the villains aren't messing around at all in the first episode, after which they become fairly incompetent.
** In the ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting, this is alluded to, as the Producer, after learning that the bad guy from Part 1 has been resurrected, asks if the heroes will be able to defeat a guy they killed once before.
* VillainExitStageLeft: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'':
-->'''Screenwriter''': And so then, Grindelwald kind of retreats and jumps off a wall.
-->'''Producer''': Where does he go?
-->'''Screenwriter''': Into the sequel, if this makes money.
* VillainTeamUp:
** Discussed in the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, in which Electro and the Green Goblin team up to fight Spider-Man in the climax, only to take turns doing so, with Green Goblin attacking after Electro is defeated.
** In the ''Film/BatmanAndRobin'' pitch meeting, Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy team up despite their goals- freezing the world and covering it with plants, respectively- being at odds with each other.
* VillainTeleportation: In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' pitch meeting, Bootstrap Bill somehow teleports back to the Flying Dutchman after giving Jack the black spot, an ability that is never explained or used again.
* VisualPun:
** In the ''Twilight: Eclipse'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that they have to name the movie as such because the book has that name and their hands are tied. Cue both Screenwriter and Producer holding up their hands to show that their hands are literally tied together.
** At the end of the ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting, Ryan George mentions wanting to be "transparent" with the viewers. He remains silent for a few seconds, as he slowly turns invisible, then signs off.
* VocalDissonance: During the ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter demonstrates the haunting voice Elsa hears in a high soprano. The Producer {{Lampshades}} it by complimenting his beautiful singing voice.
* VocalEvolution: In the early episodes, Ryan George played the characters with his normal voice. Around mid-2018, he began shifting the characters' voices to have a cheery tone, and in mid-to-late 2019, he deepened the characters' voices and added a boisterous edge.
* WarmPlaceWarmLighting: In the pitch meeting for ''Series/BreakingBad'', the Screenwriter asserts that they can film scenes taking place in Mexico in the U.S. by adding a yellow tint in post, since "Everything in Mexico is yellow". He even calls up his writer friend in Mexico to demonstrate. Said writer friend is in the same office with the same producer at the moment (both played by Ryan George), and the scene is yellow and both speak Spanish.
* WatsonianVersusDoylist: The Screenwriter frequently has Doylist reasons for his writing decisions if questioned by the Producer: "Because the movie is almost over and we have to speed things up", "We can sell more toys by including these characters", "I accidentally locked myself out of my laptop, so I can't change the script now", and so on. Sometimes, he'll just go with one after his Watsonian explanation fails.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' So why didn't [[Film/{{Eternals}} they]] help out when [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos attacked]]?\\
'''Producer:''' Ah, well see, they were instructed to only fight these Deviants and to not interfere with human affairs.\\
[...]\\
'''Producer:''' So if that's how new Celestials are born, it definitely feels like it would've been in their interest to get involved in the Thanos situation of wiping out half of all populations.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Maybe, but see the thing is we [[RememberTheNewGuy already didn't introduce the Eternals into the Avengers movies]], so I'm gonna need you to get all the way off my back about this.
* WaxingLyrical: In the Barbenheimer Pitch Meeting, the ''Film/{{Barbie|2023}}'' screenwriter and producer recite lyrics from Music/{{Aqua}}'s "Barbie Girl".
* WellDoneSonGuy: During the ''Film/PowerRangers2017'' pitch meeting, the Producer decides that the building the MacGuffin power crystal is in is a Krispy Kreme store, explaining that his father's on the board of directors at Krispy Kreme and he just wants to get his dad to tell him he loves him, just once.
* WhatTheHellIsThatAccent:
** Near the end of ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', Mera shows up in the nightmare scene and suddenly starts talking in a British accent.
** When the Producer asks if Creator/RayWinstone can do a [[FakeRussian Russian accent]] for his role in ''Film/BlackWidow2021'', the Screenwriter says that it doesn't matter.
* WhatYearIsIt: In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting, the Producer suggests that if Nero had known he traveled far enough back in time to save his homeworld, he might not have become evil.
* WhosOnFirst:
** The first 40 seconds or so of the ''Film/It2017'' pitch meeting involve the Producer getting confused as to what the title of the book that inspired the film is.
** In the ''Pitch Meetings'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he'll include a catchphrase in each video: "Super easy. Barely an inconvenience". The Producer asks what the catchphrase will be.
* WhyDoYouKeepChangingJobs: While the Screenwriter is presumably a freelancer, the Producer works for a different studio every episode... although his office always looks oddly familiar save for a studio logo on the door.[[note]]Although in the "Spider-Man Leaving the MCU Pitch Meeting" two different producers (one for Sony and one for Marvel Studios) with slightly different clothes appear and talk to each other and the Sony producer takes Screenwriter Guy to his office down the street which is identical to the Marvel producer's studio so we could be seeing different producers every time.[[/note]]
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, the Producer notes how stupid it is for the Riddler to not let Two-Face kill Bruce(aka Batman) when Bruce survives being shot in the face.
* WildCardExcuse: In ''Film/NoTimeToDie'', the Screenwriter explains that the use of nanobots as the villain's bioweapon is because that way he can write "nanobots" in the script and the weapon can do whatever the plot requires with no further explanation.
* WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief: [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] by the Screenwriter to justify some of his more egregious leaps in logic and realism, to the point where he believes the trope itself is less of a description of how viewers might choose to overlook certain unrealistic aspects of a work for the sake of their own enjoyment, and more a get-out-of-jail-free-card that lets him do whatever he wants with a script with no regard for whether it makes any sense. He namedrops the trope in the ''Film/HomeAlone1'' pitch meeting and openly says that he intends to take full advantage of it.
* WingdingEyes: Hearing about "[[Series/TheMandalorian Baby Yoda]]" makes dollar signs come out of Producer Guy's eyes. He and Screenwriter Guy are extremely weirded out after it happens, leading to Produer Guy postponing the pitch meeting for three days to go see a doctor, a therapist, and finally a support group for people who have had similar experiences.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatHotness: As the screenwriter explains the process by which Film/{{Morbius|2022}} becomes a vampire, the character's physical transformation comes up:
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Then he turns himself into a vampire, so now instead of being all sick and thin, he's jacked and muscular, you know, like a bat!\\
'''Producer:''' That's not really what bats are known for, but I'm glad you're excited.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Dude's freakin' shredded now, he's got like a six-pack, looks like a Calvin Klein underwear model, you know, like a bat.\\
'''Producer:''' ''[slightly weirded out]'' Okay, cool... what kinda bats you been looking at, though?
* WizardBeard: While revisiting the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' pitch meeting, Ryan draws a wizard with a beard, and notes that wizards stop shaving after getting to a certain level.
* WontTakeYesForAnAnswer: Right from the get go, at the start of the ''Film/{{Sharknado}}'' pitch meeting, we get the implication that the Screenwriter had tried pitching this movie prior to this meeting, with the title alone being the deal breaker:
-->'''Producer''': [[OnceAnEpisode So, you have a movie for me?]]
-->'''Screenwriter''': [[OnceAnEpisode Yes sir, I do.]] It's called ''Sharknado''...
-->'''Producer''': (interested) Okay, I'm listening.
-->'''Screenwriter''': (apologetic) I completely understand, thanks for your t- [[DoubleTake (shocked)]] ''[[DoubleTake Wait, you're listening?!]]''
* TheWorfEffect: {{Downplayed}} with Doctor Strange in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', first when Spider-Man defeats him rather easily in the Mirror Dimension ''which he controls'', and later when Ned is able to master using the sling ring almost instantly after learning he's able to use it, while Strange had a very difficult time with it in his [[Film/DoctorStrange2016 origin film]].
* WorldOfJerkass:
** ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'' is said to have an entirely unlikeable cast, and the Screenwriter doesn't even make the bare minimum effort to remedy this.
** In ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'', the Producer concludes that "everyone we've met so far is just awful," after hearing about how much Belle hates living in her village and how her fellow residents hate her in return.
* WouldHitAGirl: In ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'', the Producer complains about how Matt's willingness to fight a girl doesn't make him look very good, and neither does Elektra's willingness to fight a blind man.
* WouldHurtAChild:
** The ''Film/MenInBlack'' being willing to hire the one candidate who thought to shoot the girl with the quantum physics books and ignored any possible reasons she might have for carrying them is described as proof that they operate under this principle.
** In the ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks whether Lucius Malfoy plans on using a death curse on Harry, who is eleven, and when the Screenwriter says yes, describes Lucius as "hardcore."
* WriterOnBoard: The ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch meeting posits that Zara's [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath horrible, drawn-out death]] that she clearly doesn't deserve was written in purely as a way for the Screenwriter to get back at his ex-girlfriend. Another sign of this being the case? Zara was the only character in the pitch to already have a name.
* WritersCannotDoMath: The Screenwriter has trouble with numbers. From calculating probabilities to calculating how many eyeballs three people have in total.
** There's the sand path in ''Film/AQuietPlace''. The Producer says that filling his kid's sandbox takes 100 pounds of sand, so making a path into town would require literally ''tons'' of sand.
** For ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'', he estimated that New York City is only populated by about 200 people, only to be informed that the actual population is around 7 million at the time the film was made. Kevin's father is furious with him for spending $967 on room service, despite the fact that he'd paid to fly 14 people across the country twice, implying that the Screenwriter doesn't know how much those plane tickets would cost.
** In the ''Film/{{Sharknado}}'' Pitch Meeting, when the producer asks what the odds of Finn jumping out of a helicopter and into a random shark's mouth and that just so happening to be the same shark that ate his friend earlier in the movie are, Screenwriter Guy replies by saying that the odds are "50 percent, either it was or it wasn't."
** In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter insists that a selfless wish, especially one like "World Peace" or "Curing all disease" would be OneInAMillionChance, only for the Producer to point out that there are ''billions'' of people in the world.
** In the ''Film/Godzilla2014'' pitch meeting, the Producer calculates that if Ford wants to get a nuclear bomb 20 miles from the city in five minutes, he will have to go 240 miles per hour, showing that the Screenwriter gravely underestimated how fast he would have to go in order to manage the task.
** In the ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'' pitch meeting, the Producer notes that $200 million in $100 bills would probably weigh thousands of pounds.[[labelnote:Calculations]]Since a $100 bill weighs about a gram, there are 2 million $100 bills, and thus 4,409 pounds worth of money[[/labelnote]] The Screenwriter "solves" this problem by having the protagonists use backpacks.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, dinosaurs have overrun the world [[TimeSkip four years]] after 50 dinosaurs escape at the end of the previous film.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness:
** In the ''Film/RogueOne'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that he kills off all the characters when they serve their purpose.
--->"If someone's no longer useful to me, why would I keep them alive, right?"
** Discussed during ''Film/TheHungerGames'' pitch meeting. Saying how the enemy team recruited Peeta just so he could track Katniss. But even after finding her, the writer still keeps the team from killing him, and even listening to his ideas, despite him having served his purpose.
* YouKillItYouBoughtIt: The ''Film/TheSantaClause'' pitch meeting has the Producer force the Screenwriter to tone down his original plan to have Scott Calvin kill Santa with a gun, and instead have Scott accidentally startle Santa. Even so, the Producer wonders what would happen if a "meth-head" killed Santa and put on his clothes, and the Screenwriter hopes that "the meth-head has a lot of Christmas spirit."
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: During the ''Film/AvengersEndgame Re-Release''
-->'''Screenwriter:''' We could have a Creator/StanLee tribute\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, lure [the audience] in with sadness, I love it.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' That's not how I saw it. That sounds evil.\\
'''Producer:''' ''[hyped]'' We're gonna make ''so'' much ''extra'' money off their sadness!!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' ''[clearly dejected]'' Okay...
* YourMom: In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting, the Producer is incredulous that after dozens of attempts to try to anger Spock, the young Vulcan bullies never think to insult his mother until the incident shown early on in the movie.
* YouSayTomato:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/Venom2018'', the Screenwriter and Producer argue over how "symbiote" is pronounced. The Screenwriter says "sim-bee-ote" and the Producer says "sim-buy-ote." Out of spite, the Producer switches the pronunciations of the words "be" and "buy" for the rest of the meeting.
** In the ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says there is no wrong way to pronounce "Namor." However, when the Producer pronounces it "Nyamour," the Screenwriter says maybe there is one wrong way.
[[/folder]]

[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Tropes A-C]]
* OneDimensionalThinking: A variant in the ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch meeting, in that the dimension is vertical rather than horizontal. The protagonists try to escape a falling car by climbing down faster than it can fall, rather than getting out of the way.
* AbortedArc:
** The Screenwriter is flabbergasted at how many plotlines with Bran and the Night King went nowhere because he was defeated in the third episode of the final season of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', as well as how Jaime's redemption arc got derailed. The Screenwriter blames the overly short final season, even though he repeatedly refused the Producer's offer for extra episodes.
** In ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan'', the Screenwriter doesn't feel like wrapping up a plotline before moving onto the next one, resulting in Peter's investigation into his parents' disappearance and his pursuit of Uncle Ben's killer left open-ended.
* AbsurdPhobia: The Producer is afraid of clouds, and said phobia is the reason why the antagonists of ''Film/GreenLantern2011'' and ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'' are cloud-based. After all, those antagonists were meant to be threatening and scary, [[InsaneTrollLogic just like a cloud]].
* AccentuateTheNegative: [[invoked]] The show will deliberately focus on flaws or UnfortunateImplications of a film or show's story, often to make the Screenwriter seem all the more insane. For example, the pitch for ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'' pays a lot of attention to the fact that based on how lion prides operate, Nala and Simba have to be either half-siblings or cousins. The Screenwriter is depicted as ''creepily obsessed'' with the idea of two lions in an incestuous romance, to the Producer's discomfort.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' [Nala] is going to give him a look that says "You and I are gonna get it on, Brother".\\
'''Producer:''' Feels like it's going to be difficult convey that expression on a cartoon animal.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Actually super easy, barely an inconvenience. Just get me in a room with your weirdest animator and I'll tell him ''exactly'' how it should look.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, I can't wait for you to be out of my office, you weirdo!
* AccidentalAesop: [[invoked]]
** For ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}''.
--->'''Producer''': Well, I think it's important for kids to understand that their loved ones that died first of all didn't try hard enough to come back, and also weren't inspiring enough.
** In ''Film/Pinocchio2022Disney'', after Pinocchio grows his nose to reach the key to his cage.
--->'''Screenwriter''': So then by lying on purpose, he's able to escape.\\
'''Producer''': Oh yeah, that's a pretty good lesson for the kids for sure.\\
'''Screenwriter''': It is, yeah, resourcefulness and whatnot.\\
'''Producer''': Yeah, and also, you know, sometimes lying can help get you out of tough situations.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, that's- that's not really what I was going for.\\
'''Producer''': I mean, not many ways to interpret that one, buddy. He literally lies to get out of a situation.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, yeah, no, you're right. Maybe that was what I was going for subconsciously.
** In the ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'' pitch meeting, the fact that Mario's victories come due to power-ups is seen as an endorsement of using performance-enhancing drugs.
* AccidentalNightmareFuel: Invoked in the ''Series/Hawkeye2021'' meeting. The Screenwriter pitches [[spoiler:two Pym Particle-shrunken Tracksuit Mafia guys being carried away by an owl]] as a cute and funny resolution, which is the way it's presented in the show. The Producer considers it an absolutely horrific ending, and the Screenwriter tells him not to think about it that much.
* AccompliceByInaction:
** Discussed in the pitch meeting for ''Series/TheBigBangTheory''. Leonard is described as the most socially adept of the group, and should be the one who best understands that his friends' behavior is inappropriate, but doesn't do anything to stop it, resulting in the Producer calling Leonard "an enabler."
** Also discussed in the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' pitch meeting, when talking about Billy beating up the bullies who are attacking his foster brother Freddie.
--->'''Producer''': I mean, anyone who witnessed something like that would step in. That's horrible.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Actually, there's a big crowd of people watching.\\
'''Producer''': Oh, there is?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, they don't do anything, and Billy only steps in because the bullies make a joke about moms.\\
'''Producer''': Oh, being a passive onlooker is ''tight''.
** In the ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'' pitch meeting, the Producer can sort of understand why the Prince's servants get cursed for not doing anything about his bad behavior, but he's incredulous that their curse is worse than the Prince's (since they'll die if the Prince fails to break the curse), as well as the dog getting punished.
* ActionPrologue: In ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', James Bond escaping from the bad guys and revealing that he has Mr. White in a car is described as a particularly disorienting start to the movie, since Bond's other films are standalone.
* ActingForTwo: [[invoked]] Ryan George plays both characters. Which doesn't stop the Producer from sometimes criticizing the Screenwriter's appearance.
* AdaptationInducedPlothole: Discussed in the ''Film/It2017'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer sometimes gets confused by various plot points that lack the explanation from the books. In at least one case, though, in which the Producer says that the kids are safe from Pennywise because they're "under the protection of a cosmic turtle god that vomited out the Universe", the Producer decides that it doesn't make sense.
* AdvertisedExtra:
** In ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'', when the Producer asks if the Guardians of the Galaxy are in it, having been shown teaming up with Thor in ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', the Screenwriter says yes, but adds, "...but ever so briefly."
** In ''Film/HalloweenEnds'', the plot revolves around Corey, even though Michael Myers and Laurie Strobe are heavily promoted.
* AesopAmnesia: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', the Screenwriter vows not to fall into the same pitfalls that ''Film/SpiderMan3'' did, only to make the same mistakes in a different way. People didn't like the relationship problems between Peter and MJ? This film has relationship problems between Peter and Gwen Stacy. People got annoyed with [[DamselInDistress MJ getting kidnapped]]? [[TooDumbToLive Gwen Stacy runs into those dangerous situations herself]]. People thought that having a BigBadEnsemble of Sandman, Venom, and Green Goblin Harry resulted in the film having too many villains? This time, the Screenwriter decides to include a different trio of villains; Rhino, Electro... [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers and Green Goblin Harry]], who ''was'' in the third movie.
* AffectionateParody: In the revisitation of the ''Film/AntMan1'' pitch meeting, Ryan notes that he likes most of the movies he does pitch meetings for, even if he makes fun of the parts that don't make sense, and that he's noticeably harsher with the films he doesn't like.
* AlienNonInterferenceClause:
** In ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'', it's mentioned that Kirk beaming Spock aboard the Enterprise with aliens around to see it would violate the Prime Directive, but freezing a volcano to stop an eruption would not, a contradiction that the Producer lets pass with barely any comment.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', the Screenwriter tells the Producer that the Eternals didn't take part in the fight against Thanos because they're only allowed to interfere with human history in events related to the Deviants. He then immediately states that the Eternals helped develop technology including nuclear weapons, contradicting his previous statement.
* AllForNothing: The Producer greenlights ''Film/FantasticFour2015'' despite its major problems in large part because it will keep the Fantastic Four out of Marvel's hands for a long time. Cue news article confirming that the Fantastic Four will join the MCU.
* AllThereInTheManual: Darth Maul's survival in ''Film/{{Solo}}'' is described as perfectly understandable, as long as the viewer has also seen the spinoffs in which he appears.
* AllYourPowersCombined: In ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'', Johnny somehow uses the "power switching" ability he got from the Silver Surfer to acquire Ben, Reed and Sue's powers without giving them any of his.
* AlternateCatchphraseInflection: "Screenwriter Guy" has the catchphrase "Super easy, barely an inconvenience", usually said enthusiastically but sometimes he says it in a monotone.
* AmbiguousSyntax:
** In the pitch meeting for the overall ''Film/HarryPotter'' movie franchise:
--->'''Screenwriter''': Harry's parents are killed by the evil Lord Voldemort when he was a baby.\\
'''Producer''': How was a baby able to kill his parents?\\
'''Screenwriter''': No, Harry was the baby.\\
'''Producer''': [[SustainedMisunderstanding Oh, Harry is Lord Voldemort?]]
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians: The Lightning Thief'':
--->'''Screenwriter''': But then a freakin' minotaur throws a cow at them, so they have to fight it.\\
'''Producer''': The cow?\\
'''Screenwriter''': The minotaur.\\
'''Producer''': ''[disappointed]'' Oh.
* AmusinglyShortList: In the ''Film/HowardTheDuck'' pitch, the Screenwriter says the movie's going to have a ton of jokes and starts counting on his fingers: "We're talking duck puns... Yeah." After a pause, the Producer asks if there are any other kinds of jokes, and the Screenwriter says absolutely not.
* AngstWhatAngst: {{Invoked}}
** In the pitch video for ''Film/ANewHope'', the Producer asks if Luke and Leia would be affected by the loss of the former's aunt and uncle and the latter's entire homeworld. The Screenwriter says that the former is "fine," while the latter is upset for 10 seconds. In the former case, the Producer also notices that Luke is more upset (if not for long) about the loss of a man he barely met than the aunt and uncle who raised him.
** In the ''Film/AQuietPlace'' pitch meeting, Evelyn concludes the film by giving a smirk and a DramaticGunCock even though her husband just died. The Screenwriter says it's "a cool moment" on which to end the film.
** In ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', Tina is said to have no reaction to her sister Queenie doing a FaceHeelTurn at the end.
** In ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'', Sue, after being brought BackFromTheDead, simply asks, "What'd I miss?"
** In ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', Aang is sad "for several seconds" after hearing about his people being wiped out.
** In the ''Film/IndependenceDay'' pitch meeting, Captain Hiller is sad about his best friend's death "for an entire shot," then gets back to cracking jokes after punching out the alien.
** In the ''Film/TheTomorrowWar'' pitch meeting, Dan shows no remorse for getting ten people killed to save one guy.
** In ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'', the people who got scanned into the server-verse are briefly terrified about being trapped in the server-verse if [=LeBron=] James loses... then cheer for Dom, who's helping the opposing team. Dom likewise feels no remorse for nearly dooming everyone to that fate.
** In the ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting, the protagonist's daughter gets caught up in a chase scene, in which she witnesses several people die and nearly gets killed herself, and considers it awesome.
** In the ''Series/{{Ahsoka}}'' pitch meeting, Sabine has barely any emotional reaction upon reuniting with Ezra, who likewise does not call her out on betraying the galaxy to find him.
* AnswerCut: While most end-of-meeting cuts to articles fall into DescriptionCut, there are a few examples, such as the pitch meeting for the original ''The Lion King.''
-->'''Producer''': Well, (The Lion King) sounds great. I can't wait to cash in on it a few times.\\
'''Screenwriter''': What do you mean, "a few times?"\\
''Cut to "[[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019 The Lion King]] Gets A Summer 2019 Release Date"''
* AnthropicPrinciple: Often the Producer will question the plausibility of a plot point to which the Screenwriter will reply that it's there so the movie can happen.
* AntiClimax: Season 4 of ''Series/StrangerThings'' reveals that Hopper survived an apparently lethal explosion because "he got out of the way."
* ArbitrarySkepticism:
** Lampshaded in the pitch meeting for ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'', when Ben refuses to believe Johnny's description of the Silver Surfer.
--->'''Producer''': The guy made out of rocks doesn't believe that his flying fire friend saw another flying guy?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Apparently not.
** Repeatedly lampshaded in regards to ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'' that Shang Chi doesn't believe his [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld immortal]] father who has magic powers could possibly have been contacted by the ghost of his wife.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: In ''Series/{{Wednesday}}'', once the Screenwriter reaches Wednesday wanting to stop a murder spree and an apocalyptic prophecy the Producer responds "Isn't this the kind of thing that Wednesday Addams [[NightmareFetishist would like to happen?]]", leading the writer to an HeroicBSOD noting that for all his effort he wound up having a central element opposing the character's core characterization. The Producer calms him down by saying they'll still shoot as is, no matter the inconsistencies.
* ArtisticLicenseAnimalCare: In the ''Film/BatmanReturns'' pitch meeting, the Producer calls out Selina Kyle on serving her cat milk, saying she'll give her cat diarrhea. Ditto ''Series/Hawkeye2021'' regarding feeding pizza to Lucky.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology:
** In ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', Sam's mom eats a pot brownie, and immediately becomes stoned enough to tackle someone, which the Screenwriter is confident is the natural result of eating one.
** The ''Film/DieAnotherDay'' pitch meeting is full of this. The Screenwriter gives an explanation for the process of creating a new identity that is full of scientific mumbo-jumbo, and Jinx somehow survives being drowned in freezing water because the cold kept her alive.
** In the ''Film/RRR2022'' pitch meeting, the Producer points out that it's not possible for Raju to bulk up while being starved in prison, as muscle growth requires protein.
** In ''Series/StrangerThings'', Steve, Nancy, and Robin are choked by Vecna for up to 45 minutes, but they don't die.
* ArtisticLicenseEconomics: In ''Film/Uncharted2022'', [[spoiler:Braddock kills Moncada]] and almost immediately gains control of his assets. Although the Producer is pretty sure that's not how it works, he's pleased to hear the Screenwriter say that it is (probably something to do with his previous statement that stabbing is tight).
* ArtisticLicenseGeology: In the ''Film/{{Eternals}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer wonders how a gigantic Celestial partially emerging from the Earth before being turned to stone and left there would affect the planet's integrity, to which the Screenwriter answers that it doesn't.
* ArtisticLicenseHistory: In the ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'' pitch, the Producer expresses disappointment that Mario doesn't say his famous "It's-a me!" in the movie, even doing a brief impersonation of Creator/CharlesMartinet's iconic Mario voice. However, the first appearance of "It's-a me" was in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''... which was released three years '''after''' the movie.
* ArtisticLicenseLaw: ''Film/SupermanReturns'' points out that Superman's failure to appear at Lex Luthor's trial, thus causing him to be acquitted and let out, is "not how the court system works."
* ArtisticLicensePhysics:
** In the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'', the Screenwriter admits that he doesn't understand physics, when the parachuting Elastigirl falls faster than the destroyed plane's engine.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'', the Screenwriter assumes that a cold fusion device can freeze a volcano because it has "cold" in the name.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'', Kevin, who's in Central Park, can somehow hear his father yelling at him from the hotel. Somewhat rectified when the Producer agrees to get the Plaza Hotel, which borders Central Park, for that scene, but it's clear that the Screenwriter doesn't care about whether it would be possible for Kevin to hear his father.
** {{Invoked}} in the pitch for ''Film/RRR2022''
--->'''Producer:''' Alright, Okay, so how are these guys able to do this stuff?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well Sir, do you know physics?\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well I don't '''nor do I care to learn'''!\\
'''Producer:''' Okay gotcha. It does seem more fun to just ignore all that stuff.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' It does! And so these two guys will become best friends almost instantly.\\
'''Producer:''' How?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' By ignoring physics ''together''.
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, the volcanic eruption doesn't kill anyone who's caught up in it, and only causes the queen to go blind.
** The producer seems to have picked up on this trend in the ''[[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd At World's End]]'' pitch:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Then there's gonna be this big ship battle against Davy Jones.\\
'''Producer:''' ''Oooh'', are physics gonna be a thing?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Not ''at all''.\\
'''Producer:''' Amazing!
* AsYouKnow:
** This mode of exposition is mocked in ''Film/ArtemisFowl''.
--->'''Producer''': Are we gonna have characters saying "As you know" before telling each other things they already know?\\
'''Screenwriter''': You know it!\\
'''Producer''': Oh, as you know, that's ''tight.''
** The ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting has the protagonist and his union representative quizzing each other on bits of information on vampires that never becomes relevant later.
* AsideGlance:
** The Producer gives one of these during ''Film/TheSantaClause'' episode, after the Screenwriter mentions a pitch meeting scene, prompting him to proclaim "Pitch meetings are tight".
** Variation: during ''Film/{{Cats}}'', when explaining how the film ends with Old Deuteronomy [[BreakingTheFourthWall talking to the audience about how to address a cat]], the Screenwriter [[MediumAwareness points directly at the camera]] while keeping his eyes on the Producer.
** [=MatPat=] does one of these to the viewer after saying that cameoing in ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' will be "super easy, and barely an inconvenience".
* AnAssKickingChristmas: ''Film/DieHard'' is initially pitched as a Christmas movie, and described as an extremely violent one. The Screenwriter keeps insisting that it's a Christmas movie by virtue of taking place on Christmas Eve.
* AssPull: [[invoked]]
** The ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' has the Producer notice that Diana never used her power to make things invisible before she used it on the jet.
** The ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'' has Salazar somehow possess Henry with no foreshadowing or buildup.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', the Screenwriter justifies Palpatine's [[UnexplainedRecovery resurrection]] by saying, "[[Film/RevengeOfTheSith The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities some would consider unnatural,"]] which he says translates to "get all the way off my back about that." The Producer has the following to say about Palpatine being the GreaterScopeVillain of the sequel trilogy, only for the Screenwriter to insist that he had a plan.
--->'''Producer''': It's so strange that we never hinted at this at all whatsoever in any way.
* AssuranceBackfire:
** Happens in the Film/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone pitch meeting.
--->'''Screenwriter''': So anyway, eventually Harry gets on the train to Hogwarts and he meets this kid Ron Weasley, and he's got a rat on his crotch.
--->'''Producer''': Oh, my God!
--->'''Screenwriter''': Oh yeah no, it sounds gross, but in a later movie were going to find out that the rat is actually a middle-aged man disguised as a rat.
--->'''Producer''': Oh, that's so much worse!
--->'''Screenwriter''': Oh yeah, I guess that is worse.
** Also happens in the [[Literature/BreakingDawn Twilight: Breaking Dawn]] pitch meeting after the Producer finds out Jacob imprints on Bella and Edward's child.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Oh, don't worry sir, it's not weird at all, because Jacob's gonna help raise the child before getting romantically involved with it.
--->'''Producer''': ''(sighs)'' I mean, you know that that's somehow worse, right? ''You know that.''
* ATeamFiring: In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'', the Screenwriter says that Nick Fury has little trouble surviving the ambush until the Winter Soldier shows up because the people trying to kill him have horrible aim.
* AttackTheMouth: Averted in the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheBatman2022'', in which no one thinks to shoot Batman in the mouth, which is the only part not covered by his costume. Strangely enough, Batman is merely knocked unconscious when a bomb explodes in his face, and his exposed mouth is uninjured.
* AttentionDeficitOohShiny:
** The Producer can rarely remain focused on whatever criticism he has, especially if the Screenwriter brings up the prospect of making money. In a video he also falls asleep when the Screenwriter starts explaining the lore too deeply. The ''Film/PacificRim'' episode has him constantly ignoring the Screenwriter to just imagine scenes of Jaegers and Kaijus fighting.
** In the pitch meeting for the second part of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', the Screenwriter makes it clear how important it is that Harry's eyes match his mother Lily's, but the Producer is distracted by ''VideoGame/AngryBirds''.
* AudienceSurrogate: The Screenwriter justifies his decision to add [[CanonForeigner Cole Young]] to the ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' film by saying they needed a character for the audience to identify with, and he doesn't think any of the canon characters would do.
* AudienceWhatAudience: At the end of the ''Film/WonderWoman2017'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter tells the Producer that he had a strange feeling people would be mad if he didn't say "Super easy, barely an inconvenience!" at least once. The Producer asks, "What people?"
* AwesomeMcCoolName: The Producer will point out a name that sounds too cool to be real, like saying it sounds like a ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' character or asking what the character's real name is. Amusingly, in the pitch meeting for ''Film/FaceOff'', the Producer doesn't believe that Sean Archer and Castor Troy are their real names but is fine with Pollux Troy ("Pollux! Perfectly normal name. I know, like, 14-and-a-half Polluxes!"), and the meeting is interrupted by one of their coworkers, Pollux.
* AwfulWeddedLife: The Producer appears to have one, at least from his wife's perspective.
* BadassDecay: [[invoked]] In ''Film/HalloweenEnds'', Michael Myers, who once singlehandedly took on an armed mob, is reduced to an old man who's no match for a guy who gets bullied by the marching band.
* BadPeopleAbuseAnimals [[invoked]] in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' when the Screenwriter is explaining how to make the audience despise the High Evolutionary.
-->'''Screenwriter''': He's going to be one of the most despicable, most hated villains ever! Just instantly despicable, this guy!\\
'''Producer''': Must have been hard to write a villain that's just instantly despicable.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Actually, it was super easy! Barely an inconvenience!\\
'''Producer''': Oh, really!\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, I developed this strategy that develops instant hatred in audiences. Check this out. ''(Turns his paper around to reveal a drawing of a dog)''\\
'''Producer''': Aw, a puppy!\\
''(The Screenwriter punches the drawing several times followed by a long {{Beat}})'']]\\
'''Producer''': ...[[TranquilFury I'll kill you.]]
* BaitAndSwitch:
** In the ''WesternAnimation/Frozen2013'' pitch, when the two are batting around ideas for a title for Elsa's big musical number, the Producer says that they should "let it go for now, and figure it out later."
-->'''Screenwriter''': Woah, wait, what was that?\\
'''Producer''': What?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Repeat that last thing you just said.\\
'''Producer''': I said, uh, "let it go."\\
'''Screenwriter''': Right, right, right, but the end part?\\
'''Producer''': I said "we'll figure it out later."\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, we'll figure it out later! 'Cause I can't think of anything good right now.\\
'''Producer''': Oh. The way you got excited there, I thought I sparked an idea.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, no, I just get really excited about procrastination!
** For the ''[[Film/Barbie2023 Barb]][[Film/{{Oppenheimer}} enheimer]]'' pitch meeting, the writer for ''Barbie'' is wearing a black shirt, while the writer for ''Oppenheimer'' is wearing a pink shirt.
-->'''Producer''': Okay, first of all, you guys have chosen some misleading shirts for this pitch meeting.
* BaitAndSwitchComment:
** Near the end of the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides'' pitch meeting, the Producer says that no one has grown or changed over the course of the movie, and the events haven't had any impact on anything... then says that's fine with him.
** During the ''Series/Loki2021'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter talks about how Loki falls in love with Sylvie (a Loki variant), and the Producer says he can't imagine falling in love with yourself. The Screenwriter responds that he can as he stares at the Producer with a creepy smile, before clarifying that he meant that he can imagine it because he wrote that into the script, and isn't in love with the Producer and that they aren't the same person either. [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals Because the Screenwriter wears glasses and the Producer doesn't.]]
* BaitAndSwitchComparison In the ''[[Film/Barbie2023 Barb]][[Film/{{Oppenheimer}} enheimer]]'' pitch meeting, the Producer tells the Screenwriter pair to "start with the depressing one". By which he means the one which offers a depressing reminder of how dependent modern Hollywood is on using existing intellectual property as a marketing gimmick.
* BeamMeUpScotty: [[invoked]]Referenced in the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack''. The Screenwriter says Darth Vader tells Luke, "No, I am your father". The Producer insists that "Luke, I am your father" is a great line, and the Screenwriter decides to drop the subject.
* BeCarefulWhatYouSay: During the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheFlash2023'', set in 2014, the Producer accidentally jinxes the production by saying he hopes there will be no delays or anything bad happening. After hearing out the pitch, the Producer brightly says that this film should be highly successful, unless something crazy happens, like someone on the main cast going on a crime spree.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Why would you say that?\\
'''Producer:''' It's just a hypothetical. There's no harm in saying hypotheticals.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Are you ''trying'' to get this movie cursed?\\
'''Producer:''': Ohh! Crap, curses. Maybe the universe didn't hear me say that.
* BecomingTheMask: In the ''Film/{{Cruella}}'' pitch meeting, Estella adopting the Cruella persona to attend the Baroness's party results in her permanently [[TookALevelInJerkass becoming crueler to everyone else]].
* BellisariosMaxim: [[invoked]] In the ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'' pitch meeting, after the Producer asks several difficult questions about toys coming to life, the Screenwriter asks him not to think too hard about it.
* BerserkButton: Cruelty to animals seems to be this for the Producer. In the ''Film/JohnWick'' pitch meeting, after hearing about John's dog being killed, the Producer goes into a StunnedSilence for several seconds, and then says, "...[[TranquilFury Ok, some people better die for that]]." After hearing about Doc Brown using a dog to test his time machine in the ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks, "[[BadPeopleAbuseAnimals Is Doc the bad guy]]?" He also threatens to kill the Screenwriter for punching a drawing of a puppy in the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' meeting.
* BetterByADifferentName: In the ''Film/TopGunMaverick'' pitch meeting, the Producer keeps calling the film "[[Film/StarWarsANewHope Star Wars]]" while the Screenwriter is trying to explain the plot about flying down a narrow canyon to shoot a missile into a thermal exhaust port while insisting that it's not Star Wars. Eventually, [[GotMeDoingIt Screenwriter accidentally calls it Star Wars]].
* BetterThanABareBulb: The Pitch Meeting for ''Velma'' has the Screenwriter state that much of the jokes consists of discussing sitcom tropes and how they'd play out in whatever situation the characters are in.
* BigAnimeEyes: Nearly all the thumbnails for the videos are edited stills or promotional images from the movie that's being pitched to add those, if not also warping the face into some goofy expression. The recurring exception is for ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' movies. Since Spider-Man's mask already has very large eyes, small pupils and a mouth are photoshopped on to achieve the same effect. Another exception is used for ''Film/TerminatorDarkFate''. Since the Terminator's head looks like a skull, he gets a goofy face for the same effect.
* BigHeadMode: Screenwriter Guy illustrates [=MODOK's=] disproportionately large head in ''Film/AntManAndTheWaspQuantumania'' with his head suddenly becoming stretched out. When Producer Guy incredulously asks how he did that, Screenwriter Guy claims [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower he became capable of it from doing pilates]].
* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: [[invoked]] In the ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'' meeting, the Producer is a little confused at Godzilla emitting an EvilLaugh in the middle of his fight with Kong.
** He's also baffled by the Screenwriter's description of the infamous boat ride scene from ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', asking why he's stuck such a surreal and frightening scene into the middle of what is ostensibly a kids' movie.
* BilingualBonus: In the pitch meeting for ''Series/BreakingBad'', when the scene cuts to the Screenwriter's writer friend in Mexico, the Screenwriter and Producer in the [[WarmPlaceWarmLighting yellow-tinted office]] speak several lines of untranslated Spanish, starting with the Screenwriter saying, "[[CatchPhrase Super facíl, apenas una inconveniencia!]]"
* BlackComedy:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/AQuietPlace'', which was uploaded on March 28, 2020, while people were quarantining themselves in their homes during the coronavirus outbreak. The Screenwriter then talks about how the year is 2020, and how city streets are deserted 89 days after the alien attack.
--->'''Producer''': Oh, wow, completely empty streets in 2020. Can you imagine?\\
'''Screenwriter''': I know. It's crazy, right?
** In the same video, when the Screenwriter explains how the father shows his son how the sound of a waterfall lets them shout without attracting the monsters, the producer idly wonders what kind of headspace the father had to be to have tried that the first time when in a world where monsters might kill you at the slightest sound. The screenwriter cheerfully confirms it had to be a pretty dark one.
* {{Blackmail}}: According to the producer, this is the main reason respected actors agree to appear in so many crappy blockbusters.
* BlatantLies: The Screenwriter sometimes engages in this.
** For example, when discussing ''Film/WonderWoman2017'':
--->'''Screenwriter:''' And Ares is going to be like "I will destroy you!"\\
'''Producer:''' I mean... you're going to come up with a better line than that, right?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' ''[shiftily avoiding looking the Producer in the eyes]'' Uh-huh. Yup. I will.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' episode, he claims that his idea for the movie's title was also Jurassic World, as the Producer suggested. A glance at his script cover reveals he actually planned to call the film ''Jurassic Circus''.
** In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, the Producer tells the Scriptwriter that he doesn't need the Producer's approval for the costumes unless it's "insane." The Screenwriter says that his costumes are "pretty straightforward stuff," while the camera shows the Screenwriter holding a piece of paper that says "BIG FREAKIN' NIPPLES" in large text and all capitals.
* BloodlessCarnage:
** When the Screenwriter goes over [[spoiler: Braddock killing Moncada]] in ''Film/Uncharted2022'', the Producer forces him to change the bloody mess a slit throat would be to a thin red line so as to keep the film PG-13.
** The Producer again has the Screenwriter tone down a violent scene in ''Film/Morbius2022''.
--->'''Screenwriter''': There's gonna be blood everywhere.\\
'''Producer''': PG-13.\\
'''Screenwriter''': There's gonna be blood sound effects everywhere.
** Appropriately enough, it also occurs in the ''Film/VenomLetThereBeCarnage'' pitch meeting as the Screenwriter describes Carnage's escape from prison.
--->'''Screenwriter:'''Yeah, so he just goes crazy, right? He escapes from prison and along the way he kills a bunch of guards. He tears them apart, he rips their spines out and blood spurts--\\
'''Producer:''' PG-13\\
'''Screenwriter:'''He throws some guards off-screen onto the wall; that--that probably hurts.
* BluntNo: Sometimes the author won't even try to justify his reason for certain creative decisions and will just bluntly refuse to change what the producer has a problem with.
* BluntYes:
** In ''Film/TheLastJedi'' pitch video.
--->'''Producer''': So we're really taking all the stuff that ''The Force Awakens'' set up and just throwing it out the window.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Pretty much, yeah.
** Also from ''The Last Jedi'', there's this exchange regarding Finn and Rose's subplot.
--->'''Screenwriter''': So then Finn and this new character, Rose, go on a suuuper long sidequest that doesn't work.\\
'''Producer''': It doesn't work at all?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Not even a little.
** In the ''Film/FantasticFour2005'' pitch video, after the Screenwriter explains that Sue's invisibility powers require her to undress, but she becomes visible halfway through, enabling the characters and viewers to see her in her underwear. During the bridge scene, Sue has to use her powers to get by the cops and save the people, while Reed and Johnny inexplicably manage to do the same feat without powers that are conducive to stealth.
--->'''Producer''': Was this whole thing just an excuse to show a woman in her underwear?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, absolutely.
** In the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks the Screenwriter why he didn't have the Emperor lure the Rebels into a trap with fake intelligence, rather than the real way to destroy the second Death Star, and the Screenwriter justifies the decision by saying he needs the heroes to stand a chance.
--->'''Producer''': And for them to stand a chance, you had to make the Emperor an idiot?\\
'''Screenwriter''': That's right.
** Shortly after the above, this is also the Screenwriter's response when asked why they bring C-3PO, a "big shiny gold robot," along on the Endor mission, when everyone else wears camouflage.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AQuietPlace'', the Screenwriter admits that the story is rather inconsistent about how much noise is necessary to attract the aliens' attention. When the Producer asks if it's possible to have more consistency, the Screenwriter gives a flat "No" in response.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/Aladdin2019'', the Producer asks the Screenwriter if there was anything wrong with the original ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', and the Screenwriter says no. He then says yes when asked whether they should replace Creator/RobinWilliams as The Genie, and yes when asked about whether they should make the movie again. When the Producer asks if there's any reason people can't just rewatch the original, the Screenwriter says no.
** In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides'', the Producer observes that there isn't any real reason for the audience to care what happens to the characters, and the Screenwriter says, "That's right."
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/BlackWidow2021'':
--->'''Producer:''' Oh, we're gonna do a more grounded movie about the lady who jumped off a cliff on planet Vormir after a red-faced war criminal who's now a space ghost explained that that was the only way to get her hands on the magic rock she wanted before a muscle-bound purple alien got it and completed his power glove?\\
<{{Beat}}>\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yes.\\
'''Producer:''' I love it!
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'', the Producer asks if the movie is "a sequel, or a reboot, or a soft reboot" to ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'', to which the Screenwriter answers "Yes". Later in the pitch meeting, the Screenwriter offers another one when the Producer questions Harley Quinn single-handedly taking down armed guards with martial arts.
** In the ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'' pitch meeting, the Producer points out two glaring factual errors about bees within about a minute of the start, then asks if the Screenwriter wrote a movie about bees without doing any research. The Screenwriter says yes, then adds that bee jokes will trump facts in this movie.

'''Producer''': ''(laughs once)'' [[MyGodYouAreSerious Oh my god, you're serious]].
* BondOneLiner: In the prologue of ''Film/DieAnotherDay'', the Screenwriter has Bond deliver his "saved by the bell" one-liner even though there's no one around to hear it.
* BondingOverMissingParents: In the meeting for ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'', Screenwriter guy gives that as Maleficent and the King's backstory based on the Disney logo above the office door.
-->'''Screenwriter Guy''': And they bond over...\\
'''Producer Guy''': Dead parents?\\
'''Screenwriter Guy''': Dead parents, yup, I saw that logo over the door.
* BorrowedCatchPhrase:
** In the ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' Pitch Meeting, the producer is the one who says that it will be "super easy, barely an inconvenience" to get T.J. Miller to do the voice of Meh.
** Early in the ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' review, ''[=MatPat=] himself'' of all people is the one to say it will be "super easy, barely an inconvenience" to get him a cameo in the movie.
* BrickJoke:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheTwoTowers'' begins with talking about Gandalf's death and subsequent return as Gandalf the White. A few minutes later, the Producer dies and comes back as "Producer Guy the White", with pale pink hair and clothing. He remains like that for the rest of the meeting as well as the ''Film/ReturnOfTheKing'' meeting.
** An reference to this trope taking place in-story happens in the ''Film/{{Transformers|2007}}'' pitch meeting. The Screenwriter justifies Sam's unnatural-sounding speech about how "Fifty years from now, when you're looking back at your life, don't you want to be able to say you had the guts to get in the car?" by saying that Mikaela follows up on the speech near the end.
* BrokenAesop:
** In ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'', the [[AnAesop moral]] Thorin delivers in his FinalSpeech gets undermined by the concept of the film series itself.
--->'''Screenwriter''': The moral of this trilogy of movies that we squeezed out of a single book to get a fanbase to come give us their money is, "don't be greedy!"\\
'''Producer''': I see no irony in that whatsoever.
** In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, Robin follows Batman's advice and refuses to kill Two-Face for revenge, which results in Two-Face taking Robin hostage. Later, Batman causes Two-Face to fall to his death by throwing many other coins as Two-Face throws his own coin. The Screenwriter justifies this by saying that murder is not OK, but causing someone to accidentally kill themself is fine, something the Screenwriter approves of.
** In the ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' pitch meeting, Ariel being the one to kill Ursula, rather than Eric, undermines the lesson King Triton learns about how not all humans are bad.
* BuffySpeak: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheGrayMan2022'', three of the characters went to Harvard together. The Producer exclaims, "That's the smart person school!"
* BullyingADragon: In the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, the people who try to kill Hancock, a superhero, are described as borderline suicidal for daring to take on such a risk. Granted, he was losing his superpowers during the climax, but they didn't know that.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Say what you will about the Screenwriter's downright laziness and strange sense of creative choices, he HAS written some of the most influential and successful movies in all of cinema.
* ByNoIMeanYes: In ''Westernanimation/TheLEGOMovie'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter denies that he [[invoked]][[RecycledScript recycled]] the premise of ''Film/TheMatrix'', before mentioning every single major plot element the two movies have in common.
* CallBack:
** The ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' pitch meeting mentions Jared Leto's Joker's "damaged" tattoo. Said tattoo is referenced at the start of the ''Film/Joker2019'' pitch meeting, with the Producer (who initially assumes this is going to be a ''Suicide Squad'' follow-up) asking if the Screenwriter's going to add a "Very" to the "Damaged" tattoo.
** In ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'', the Producer says that the machines should have used tall towers to put solar panels above the clouds rather than use humans as batteries. The Screenwriter mentions that the original idea was to use humans as a neural network, and when the Producer asks why he scrapped the idea, the Screenwriter reminds the Producer that he asked for the change.
** The ''Film/{{Cats}}'' pitch meeting has the Producer perplexed by the meaning of "jellicle", since the Screenwriter keeps using the word without explaining what it means. In the ''Film/JungleCruise'' pitch meeting, the Producer says that Frank has "a very jellicle motivation".
* TheCameo: The Producer suggests that they should have a film theory about ''Film/Joker2019'' and explains he has a theory guy. Theory Guy is played by ''WebVideo/GameTheory''[='=]s [=MatPat=], who has his own writer in the same pacing and visual style has Pitch Meetings.
** Creator/SimuLiu also appears as himself in a special celebrating the series' 300th episode; he's presented as a "free Canadian actor upgrade" awarded to them by "John [=YouTube=], the inventor of [=YouTube=]", for reaching this milestone.
* CanonCharacterAllAlong: In ''Film/MortalKombat2021'', the Producer is rather incredulous that Cole Young [[AvertedTrope doesn't become Scorpion]] after awakening to his latent superpowers, despite being the latter's descendant.
* CanonDiscontinuity: ''Film/SupermanReturns'' is pitched as a sequel to ''Film/SupermanII''. When the Screenwriter is asked if it's intended as a sequel to ''Film/SupermanIII'' and ''Film/SupermanIVTheQuestForPeace'', he emphatically says, "NO!"
* CaptainOblivious: In ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'' the Producer is amazed that David Dunn can't remember that he's never taken a sick day, that he nearly drowned as a child or that he gets visions when he touches people. As the Producer puts it, "This guy's oblivious to most things!"
* CaptainObviousReveal: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' pitch meeting, the Producer quickly guesses the big twist about Detective Pikachu's identity, given the evidence at hand[[note]]For example, the Screenwriter mentions that Tim's dad will often be seen, but his face won't be shown, resulting in the Screenwriter guessing that Ryan Reynolds plays Tim's dad[[/note]]. The Screenwriter unconvincingly tries to deny it.
--->'''Producer''': I don't think these twists you're setting up are going to be as twisty as you think they're gonna be.
** Also in the ''Film/TheNewMutants'', the producer immediately figures out what Dani's powers are and how they factor into the plot.
** In the ''Series/WandaVision'' pitch meeting, the Producer almost immediately guesses that Agnes is ''Ag''atha Hark''nes''s by checking his phone.
** In the ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting, the Producer is not at all surprised that Ephialtes, the guy Leonidas snubbed, ended up betraying the Spartans, especially since Ephialtes was the only one besides Leonidas who knew about the goat path the Persians use to get around the army.
** In the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes the Power Broker, then gives exactly the same description to Sharon Carter. The Producer immediately guesses that they're one and the same, and the Screenwriter tries in vain to deny it, then [[SelectiveObliviousness pretends]] that The Producer didn't easily guess his big twist.
** In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, Batman, despite being the world's greatest detective, doesn't figure out that the employee who's obsessed with him and was fond of riddles before going insane is actually The Riddler.
** In the ''Film/TheBatman2022'' pitch meeting, Batman realizes that "Falcone, the bad guy," is actually "the bad guy."
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, the Harfoots find a "tall magical man" with a beard and a robe. The Producer immediately guesses that the man is Gandalf.
* CardboardPrison:
** In the ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'' pitch meeting, Daredevil's promising to be waiting for Kingpin when the latter gets out of jail is described as rather hollow, since it will result in an endless cycle of Daredevil sending the Kingpin to jail and the Kingpin getting out.
** In ''Series/MsMarvel2022'', the Clandestines are arrested by the DODC and brought to a high security prison where they "just kinda break out immediately".
* CastingGag:
** When Producer Guy asks what the Vulture is like so he can start casting for ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming'', Screenwriter Guy describes him as "[[Creator/MichaelKeaton a]] [[Film/BirdmanOrTheUnexpectedVirtueOfIgnorance bird...]] [[Film/BatmanFilmSeries man]]".
** The ''Film/{{F9}}'' pitch meeting has this be the reason for casting Creator/JohnCena as Jakob Toretto, who was never [[invoked]]''[[MemeticMutation seen]]'' in the past movies despite being Dom's brother.
** {{Inverted}} in the ''Film/JungleCruise'' pitch meeting, which reveals that Creator/DwayneJohnson insists on being in every jungle-centric movie, and apparently thinks he was in ''Film/TheJungleBook2016'' as Baloo. The ''Film/RedNotice'' pitch meeting reveals that this extends to putting jungle scenes in his non-jungle-centric movies as well.
* CharacterCatchphrase: So many of them it has [[CharacterCatchphrase/ScreenRantPitchMeetings its own page.]]
* CatchphraseInterruptus:
** This happens in the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' pitch meeting, when referring to how easily Billy's mother abandoned him. Not long afterward, the catch phrase is used without interruptions.
--->'''Producer''': I didn't know abandoning a child was so easy.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh yeah, it's super easy, barely an-\\
'''Producer''': Hold on a second. ''([[BlackComedy calls his wife to discuss abandoning their son]])''
** In the ''Film/MortalKombat2021'', the Producer is about to say that "getting your soul sucked is tight," but the Screenwriter stops him, saying he understands that he has to say that CatchPhrase OnceAnEpisode but it can be gross sometimes, so the Producer should get it out later when the Screenwriter is not around. The Producer says, "Getting it out later when you're gone is tight."
** During the ''{{Film/Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, the screenwriter describes the climax of the film:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' They want to bust out of jail and shoot Hancock as revenge for the [[ItMakesSenseInContext hand and butt stuff]].\\
'''Producer:''' Ohhhh, hand and butt stuff is t--\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Nope.\\
'''Producer:''' [[ThatCameOutWrong Yeah, good catch]].
* CelebrityCameo: The "Random Celebrity Names Hat", from which the Screenwriter draws names of celebrities. He uses it in:
** ''Series/TheMandalorian'' S3: Creator/JackBlack, Music/{{Lizzo}}, Creator/ChristopherLloyd
** ''Film/FastX'': Creator/PeteDavidson
* CelebrityParadox: Pointed out in the pitch meetings for ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', & ''Series/WandaVision'' respectively, where the studio executive questions the [[ShoutOut Shoutouts]] the two MCU entries make to ''Film/HotTubTimeMachine''[[note]]With [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier Sebastian Stan]].[[/note]] & ''Film/TheBigLebowski''[[note]]With [[Film/IronMan Jeff Bridges]].[[/note]] in the former, and ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''[[note]]With Creator/BryanCranston, who appeared in Film/Godzilla2014 with Creator/ElizabethOlsen & Creator/AaronTaylorJohnson respectively.[[/note]] in the latter.
* CharacterFilibuster: Near the end of ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', Sam lectures some senators and tells them not to call the Flag-Smashers "terrorists,"[[note]] Despite The Producer pointing out that Karli "used violence and intimidation against civilians in pursuit of political gains" which is the dictionary definition of a terrorist[[/note]] a speech that lasts for four to five minutes.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheLastJedi'', the Producer is the one who came up with the idea of Leia surviving being blown into space, and using the Force to return to the ship, after the Screenwriter had proposed a beautiful death scene for Leia. While there are situations in which he puts his foot down and convinces the Screenwriter not to do something, the Producer seldom intervenes beyond vetoing a very bad idea, so it's rare to see him overrule a relatively sensible idea from the Screenwriter.
* ChekhovsGun:
** ''Literature/NewMoon'' having Edward mention the Volturi, a committee of vampires that a vampire asks for permission to die, is described as a particularly blatant and unnatural example.
** ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'' shows that the Screenwriter doesn't understand how the trope works when a character is blatantly shown with a cool-looking saw but never actually uses the saw.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' If in the first act, you show a gun on the wall, then in the second act, just kinda have a good time.\\
'''Producer:''' That's not how that goes.
** ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' has the Screenwriter deliberately avoiding the trope, giving one of the main characters irritable bowel syndrome, mentioning the IBS a lot, and then not paying it off.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' So then KC sacrifices himself and saves the day.\\
'''Producer:''' Wow, does he crap his pants?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' What? No.\\
'''Producer:''' Sorry, I figured you were gonna pay off the IBS thing somehow.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' What, like, Chekhov's Bowel?\\
'''Producer:''' I figured. I don't know.
* ChekhovsHobby: In the ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter uses Teddy's interest in planes as all the necessary narrative justification for how he somehow knows how to fly one.
* ChickMagnet: {{Inverted|Trope}} to DudeMagnet with Kamala in ''Series/MsMarvel2022'', as all the young male characters (aside from her brother, to the Producer's relief) have "a little crush on her".
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: In the ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' meeting, the Producer asks about Carol Marcus, who joined the ''Enterprise'' crew at the end of the previous film, ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness''. The Screenwriter claims to have never heard of her. When it's mentioned that Jaylah joins the ''Enterprise'' at the end of ''Beyond'', the Producer asks whether she too will disappear by the next movie.
* ClarkKenting:
** In the ''Film/{{Cruella}}'' pitch meeting, the Baroness doesn't recognize Cruella as her employee Estella, despite the latter making no real effort to hide her identity.
** In the ''Film/SupermanReturns'' meeting, the trope namer is discussed. The Producer asks why no one connected Superman's disappearance with Clark Kent's disappearance, but the Screenwriter handwaves it by pointing out that a pair of glasses can fool most people.
* ClicheStorm: [[invoked]] The ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter describe the film as being cobbled together from parts of classic movies, in hopes of a surefire success. Every time a scene is derived from another movie, the two discuss what movie it came from.
* ClipShow: "The Catchphrase Pitch Meeting" has the Screenwriter reminisce about the duo's catchphrases by transitioning to montages of numerous previous pitch meetings where they say them. The Producer finds it very annoying that they're doing a clip show, since that's "the laziest kind of comedy episode there is".
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}:
** The Screenwriter, full stop. As he's the brains behind any flaw the two are discussing. In the show's premise, these are always active, deliberate choices on his part. These can veer into odd directions when they stem from some particular fascinations of his. For example, in ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', Nala and Simba's romance entirely stem out of his obsession with animal incest. In ''Series/GameOfThrones Season 8'' most of his story decisions are motivated by his steadfast refusal to make more episodes. He's also unable to tell [[Creator/ChrisPratt actors]] ([[Creator/ChristinaApplegate and actresses]]) [[Creator/ChrisEvans named]] [[Creator/ChrisPine Chris]] [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth apart]] [[Creator/ChristopherPlummer and]] thinks politician Chris Christie, Christ Mas (Christmas) and Christian Mingle (A dating website) are actors.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' [[UsefulNotes/MacOS Siri]], define "logic."\\
'''Producer:''' That's not a phone, that's your wallet.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Haha, it is.\\
'''Producer:''' Did you really think that was a phone?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Sometimes my brain doesn't work so brain.\\
'''Producer:''' That actually explains a lot.
** Invoked in the ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' pitch, where the Screenwriter states that the main cast are all incredibly insufferable people but he'll be "playing the Quirky card" with them so that their glaring personality flaws instead become endearing eccentricities.
* CluelessDetective: The Screenwriter describes [[Series/{{Wednesday}} Wednesday Addams]] as a great detective, except every single guess she makes turns out wrong.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint:
** Occurs very frequently during pitch meetings, often as a way for the Screenwriter to accidentally evade a question from the Producer ("There won't be any stakes." "That's fine, because I'm vegan anyway.") or to just get a joke in ("We make another one, but we add 'The' to the title." "Yeah, yeah, yeah. ''[[Film/TheSuicideSquad Suicide Squad The]]''!").
** As the Screenwriter explains it, the inspiration for the first ''Film/HomeAlone1'' film came from an incident where [[AFamilyAffair his wife and brother "accidentally" left him behind while they went on a vacation to Paris]]. The Producer expresses his sympathy, but the Screenwriter is completely oblivious and just remarks on how much fun he had being home alone.
* CompressedAdaptation: The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' has the Screenwriter and Producer agree that taking hours of storytelling in [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender the original series]] and condensing it into a 90-minute movie is a good idea, even if it results in the characters losing all semblance of personality.
* ConflictBall: The Producer will often point out when characters are grabbing this for the sake of manufacturing cheap, easily-avoidable conflict.
** For example, in the ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'' Pitch Meeting, conflict is created between Newt and the female lead because of a newspaper misprint announcing that Newt was getting married (it was actually his brother who was getting married). Rather than say one sentence to her to quickly clear the misunderstanding up he lets the conflict run for almost the entire film.
** In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' pitch meeting, the MeleeATrois between Will, Jack and Norrington is caused by their conflicting goals for the Heart of Davy Jones- Will wants to free his father, Jack wants to save himself from the Kraken, and Norrington wants to become a "douchey officer" again. The Producer points out that some of those goals might overlap- the implication being that if Davy Jones dies, Will can save his father and Jack won't have to worry about the Kraken.
* ConnectedAllAlong: In one episode, the Producer suddenly reveals to the Screenwriter that they're third cousins. Like the film that's getting pitched (''Film/{{Prometheus}}''), the familial connection reveal has no bearing on the rest of the story, and after a moment of uncertainty, the Screenwriter just goes on with the pitch.
* ContentWarning: Due to the quick lead time it takes for each Pitch Meeting video that's produced, almost every one that's done for either a new release or series finale less than 5 weeks after its debut will include a spoiler warning at the beginning almost regardless of the work's artistic quality and how they'll poorly age in the long run.[[note]]Some notable exceptions for this have included the respective 2019 remakes of ''Aladdin'' and ''The Lion King'', as well as ''Zack Snyder's Justice League''.[[/note]]
* ContinuityLockout: InUniverse. The Producer doesn't think that actors like Creator/AlfredMolina making appearances in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' is all that significant until after the Screenwriter makes him watch [[Film/SpiderMan1 the]] [[Film/SpiderMan2 five]] [[Film/SpiderMan3 Spider]][[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan -Man]] [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2 films]] Sony produced before working on the MCU Spider-Man films.
* ContrivedCoincidence: The Screenwriter frequently relies on these to advance the plot. When the Producer calls them out his usual defense is simply "because the plot needs to happen" which tends to be enough for the Producer to let it go.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', involves the Screenwriter describing a string of these that summarizes the entire plot, and saying that they could HandWave it as being "the will of the Force."
** During the pitch for ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'', the Producer keeps having trouble with Kevin constantly running into the Wet Bandits and one particular lady Marv has creeped on several times while in New York. Especially when Harry and Marv were arrested in Chicago, so for their escape to happen to take them to New York at exactly the same time makes this even less likely. Apparently, this is because the Screenwriter thought that New York City only had a population of about 200 people, only to be informed that ''7 million'' people live there, but he decides not to change his script to reflect that.
** In the ''Film/BatmanBegins'' pitch meeting, Batman happens to be waiting for Jim Gordon on the one night he takes out the trash. The Producer then speculates that Batman must have been watching Gordon very closely to know when he would take out the trash, and that Jim would be the one to do it.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Transformers|2007}}'', the car Sam buys just happens to be an Autobot sent to Earth to protect him.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'', one example sets the plot into motion.
--->'''Producer''': Wow, pretty wacky coincidence that Jack did the thing that releases [[BigBad Salazar]] just before meeting Henry, who just met Salazar, who told him to tell Jack that he(Salazar) would kill him(Jack).\\
'''Screenwriter''': ''Extremely'' wacky, sir; what are the odds?\\
'''Producer''': [[LampshadeHanging Impossibly slim, I'd imagine]].
** In the ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'' pitch meeting, Barry just happens to wind up in the apartment rented by the tennis players he encountered just before the rainstorm.
** In the ''Film/{{Batman 1989}}'' pitch meeting, the Joker happens to become obsessed with Batman's LoveInterest, purely by chance.
** In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'' pitch meeting, Moonwind's actual body just so happens to be in New York, blocks away from the place where Joe died.
--->'''Producer''': He could've been anywhere on the planet but he's a couple of blocks away from them?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Y-yeeeah.\\
'''Producer''': That works for me.\\
'''Screenwriter''': OK, thank God.
** In the ''Film/RRR2022'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter explains that the woman that Bheem spots and falls in love with happens to be a family member of the evil British family who kidnapped Malli. When the Producer asks what the odds of that are, the Screenwriter says he doesn't know or care. Later, Bheem finds out about Raju's true intentions after a random woman who finds and takes Bheem in turns out to be Raju's fiancée. When asked about those odds by the Producer, the Screenwriter tells him to get off his back about odds and statistics.
** In the ''Film/TheBatman2022'' pitch meeting, Batman is able to figure out the Riddler's plan because one of the cops he's with just happens to have an uncle in the carpet business, [[ItMakesSenseInContext and thus can identify one of the Riddler's murder weapons as a tool used to tuck in carpets]].
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, Galadriel just so happens to meet the man who eventually becomes Sauron in the middle of the ocean after jumping off her ship.
* ConversationCut: A point of discussion the ''Film/{{Tenet}}'' [[https://youtu.be/t23ZEKqGHzs?t=104 pitch meeting]]. The Screenwriter makes multiple location changes during the pitch, and at one point, he abruptly stops talking, calls an Uber back to the office, and tells the Producer to wait seven minutes before they can resume their conversation.
* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Sillier and nicer than most, but some of what we know about Producer paints him as a borderline supervillain including, but not limited to his intention to buy Canada, willingness to sell off his grandmother, and apparently he worships Satan, complete with the VoiceOfTheLegion. Also his favorite hobby is throwing coins at poor people to see how they react.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Taking lives while music plays is going to be a really big part of [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 this film]].
-->'''Producer:''' Death is great. Hail Satan.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' [[FlatWhat What?]]
* CostumePorn: In the ''Film/{{Cruella}}'' pitch meeting, Cruella's plan to upstage the Baroness through her outfits earns the Producer's approval, since it justifies this trope.
* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: The Producer will frequently bring up how the entire plot of the movie could have been avoided if not for the characters making one, or several, totally illogical decisions in order to drive the events of the film forward.
* CoveredInGunge: The Producer and the Screenwriter agree that much of the humor in ''Film/MenInBlack'' should involve characters covered in alien bodily fluids.
* CrazyPrepared:
** In the ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'' pitch meeting, the Producer insists that Galactus is [[AbsurdPhobia scary like a cloud]] and shows a slideshow of scary clouds to demonstrate. The Screenwriter wonders why he has this presentation ready.
** In the ''Series/MsMarvel2022'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter explains that loads of people have "expository presentations" ready to use at any time in the MCU.
* CreatorCameo: During the ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' review, the Screenwriter phones [=MatPat=] of WebVideo/GameTheory to ask him to cameo in the movie, with him noting that it will be "super easy, and barely an inconvenience". [=MatPat=] then gives an AsideGlance and lampshades how fanservice-y him saying the Screenwriter's CharacterCatchphrase is.
* CreatorProvincialism: In the ''Film/TheTomorrowWar'' pitch meeting, the draft to fight a war in the future only seems to happen in America, which the Producer says is fair since America is making the movie.
* CreatorsApathy: [[invoked]] During the ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'' pitch, every time the Producer asks why a plot point goes some way or a character does something, the Screenwriter answers, "I don't care" with increasing annoyance and moves on. Eventually, the Producer just puts his hands up defensively and doesn't ask again.
* CurseCutShort:
** The Screenwriter does this when confronted about a ContrivedCoincidence in ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks''
--->'''Producer''': Wow, what are the odds of that?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, odds don't matter when [[invoked]][[AssPull I'm pulling all of this out of my...]] ''(interrupted by the Producer, who changes the subject)''
** When discussing what role Creator/PatrickStewart should play in ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', the producer says "I don’t know, maybe the piece of sh-" only to be cut off by the end of the episode.[[note]] There was another use of "shit" earlier in the episode, but it was self-censored out of fear of demonetization and the mouthing of the word was covered by a respective shit emoji.[[/note]]

[[folder:Tropes D-L]]
* DamnedByAFoolsPraise: The series often indirectly mocks various ideas by having the Producer praise them for stupid reasons.
* DamnedByFaintPraise:
** The series will often have the Producer react to returning characters that the creator isn't fond of (or at least thinks weren't used well when they were brought back) by saying, "I remember him! He was in the first/previous movie!", implying that he can't think of any more meaningful compliments.
** In the ''Film/{{Old}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer notes that the Screenwriter's dialogue, such as having Trent ask the other beachgoers their names and occupations, as well as having a doctor say that [[CaptainObvious a dead dog was only just alive]], ''almost'' sounds like what real humans might say. The Producer gives the same description to Anakin and Padme's romantic lines to each other in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'' and ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: The Screenwriter, hence some of his more disturbing ideas.
--> '''Producer:''' What kind of awful stuff happened to you as a kid?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' You couldn't possibly imagine.
* DarkerAndEdgier:
** The ''Film/ManOfSteel'' pitch video discusses the film's status as a "dark, gritty origin story" for ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'', and how it isn't the best idea for an IdealHero like Superman.
** ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' repeatedly kills off characters, often with little focus on the repercussions of their deaths, so the Screenwriter can do "big boy" stuff with the story.
** The ''Film/BatmanBegins'' pitch describes the film as a dark and gritty version of Batman's origin story, which is even referenced in the video's title. The Producer, however, finds it strange that they'd go this route for a superhero who dresses up as a bat and trained to be a {{ninja}} in the film.
** The ''Film/TheBatman2022'' pitch meeting not only describes the film as having a darker tone than previous movies, but also having darker lighting. The Screenwriter proposes eventually making a film in total darkness and reading a Batman audiobook, and the Producer is enthusiastic about the money he'll save on that idea.
* DeadStarWalking: In the ''Film/Godzilla2014'' pitch meeting, the Producer is disappointed to learn that the character played by Creator/BryanCranston is killed off in favor of his much less interesting and charismatic son, who has less of a personal stake in finding out the truth.
* DeathIsCheap:
** The Screenwriter decides to say that "death is just another portal" in the ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' pitch meeting, so that they can make sequels despite killing off the villains in this movie.
** In the ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter undoes the deaths of characters so he can have "impactful" moments without the actual impact.
** When they discuss Kingpin's UncertainDoom in ''Series/Hawkeye2021'', it's pointed out that the movies have brought up many of the death-reversing methods the comics had, and questioning if mortality and stakes can still be relied on.
* DeliberatelyBadExample: In the ''Film/{{Cruella}}'' pitch meeting, the Baroness's purpose is to make Cruella seem sympathetic by comparison.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: In ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'', King Magnifico remarks "I let you live here for free, and I don't charge you rent," with the Producer saying they mean the same thing.
* DescriptionCut: Almost EveryEpisodeEnding (with a few exceptions, many of which instead qualify as an AnswerCut) ends with a cut to a Screen Rant story headline that either contradicts or exacerbates the final lines.
* DesignatedHero: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting, the Producer has a hard time accepting the Spartans as the heroes after how horribly they treat their children.
** In the ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that the film begins with the Avengers murdering people and cracking jokes.
** In the ''Film/{{Batman 1989}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer isn't impressed with how Batman refuses to stop a mugging and after scaring the muggers for "free publicity," doesn't even return the stolen items. He's horrified when a "stone cold sober" Bruce [[QuestionableConsent sleeps with a drunk Vicki Vale]]. He finds it even worse when Batman only tells Vicki about how to stop the Joker's poison, all while people are dying.
--->'''Producer''': Okay, I'm just gonna say it. I think this guy's kind of a monster.\\
'''Screenwriter''': ''(looking at the script)'' Uh, it says right here he's a hero.
** In the ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'' pitch meeting, Thor's status as this is discussed.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, and so then, our hero-- you know, the guy with an army of {{child soldiers}}-- attacks the bad guy-- who's, you know, the guy who thinks gods should be nicer to people.\\
'''Producer''': That's... I don't- don't phrase it that way.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Right, okay, the good guy fights the bad guy.\\
'''Producer''': Definitely keep it vague, that sounds better.
** In the ''Film/SupermanReturns'', Superman abandons Lois and their son, causing Lex Luthor to be acquitted, and stalks them at night with his X-Ray vision
** In ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', the Producer is first a bit unnerved by the implications of Steve Trevor [[GrandTheftMe stealing a stranger's body]], but then becomes far more so when Diana and Steve [[QuestionableConsent become physically intimate using his body]]. He even notes that the problem could easily be solved by having Steve just appear as himself, instead of possessing somebody, only to be flatly told no by the Screenwriter.
** In ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', the Producer becomes increasingly fed up with Grandpa Joe's selfish behavior and asks several times whether he's the bad guy.
* DesignatedVillain: [[invoked]]
** In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'', the Producer describes Sid's treatment of his toys, from blowing them up to grafting parts onto other toys, as "creative." He doesn't fully get why Sid's the villain, since Sid doesn't know the toys are alive.
** In ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', John Walker is described as being unfairly condemned for his actions, especially killing someone who'd killed his friend, despite the fact that both Bucky and Sam have killed people before.
* DespairEventHorizon: In the ''Film/{{Old}}'' pitch meeting, upon being told that a pair of six year old children are going to [[RapidAging rapidly grow to adulthood]] and have sex, and the girl is going to get pregnant and gives birth in about an hour only for the baby to spontaneously die, the Producer gives a ThousandYardStare and mutters about how his grades were good enough that he could have become a doctor. He stays in this funk until the Screenwriter tells him that the movie is based on a graphic novel rather than being an original idea.
* {{Determinator}}: The screenwriter uses a description showcasing how persistent Film/{{Captain Marvel|2019}} was, referencing Music/{{Chumbawamba}}'s "Tubthumping", with the producer asking about the various drinks listed.
* DidntThinkThisThrough:
** The Producer realizes that it's a terrible idea for the Abbot family in ''Film/AQuietPlace'' to have a "screaming baby" while they're being stalked by aliens that hunt based on sound.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' has this as the Producer's reaction to Syndrome immediately getting knocked out by the Omnidroid in the middle of his EngineeredHeroics.
** In ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'', Scott's daughter tries to go save her friend at the last minute, despite the fact that a nuke will be launched in an hour and they probably won't be able to make it back to the helicopter.
** In the ''Film/Mulan2020'' pitch, Screenwriter Guy explains that Mulan has to take her father's place since he is old and might die in the war. The next sentence he says that the commander is very strict and sends back anyone who doesn't meet his expectations. Producer Guy immediately points out that this means her father would have been sent back and therefore would have never been in danger. Screenwriter Guy is stunned into silence by the revelation.
* DisabilityAsAnExcuseForJerkassery: Implied in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', where the writer states that by playing "The Quirky Card" with the cast, their glaring personality flaws will be implied to be vague disorders that make them funny sitcom characters rather than the insufferable people they'd likely be in real life.
* {{Dissimile}}: When asked about the characters in ''WesternAnimation/{{Velma}}'', Screenwriter Guy states that "they're the same old gang that the fanbase knows and loves, [...] except, you know, [[InNameOnly completely different in almost every way]]."
* DisposableWoman: In the ''Film/JohnWick'' pitch meeting, the title character's wife "dies of being the wife of a main character in an action movie", to which the Producer remarks "that can be deadly."
* DisproportionateRetribution: In the ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer is shocked by Bullseye killing the old woman next to him on his flight for talking too much, and describes Bullseye as "pure evil."
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' pitch, the Producer threatens to kill the Screenwriter guy, promises him he'll never work in this or any town again, and then declares that he's going to set his mailbox on fire and nuke his house, all for the "crime" of punching a drawing of a puppy to illustrate how he's going to get everyone to hate the High Evolutionary.
* DistinctionWithoutADifference:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', the Screenwriter introduces members of the Justice League: Cyborg has a big car accident scene, and the Flash has a big car accident scene. The Producer asks if they're "just kind of sprinkling in some car accident scenes for everybody", and the Screenwriter assures him, no, because that'd be repetitive. Aquaman gets a ''boat'' accident scene. The Producer is convinced, exclaiming, "Oh, that's a ''completely'' different mode of transportation!"
** During the ''Film/JohnWickChapter3Parabellum'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says there's going to be a big final showdown in a house of mirrors, and the Producer remarks that they already did that in the [[Film/JohnWickChapter2 previous movie]]. The Screenwriter changes the location to a "house of glass panels that reflect stuff".
* DistractedByTheSexy:
** In the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' episode, the Producer is refusing to let go of how stupid & contrived Luke's plan to rescue Han is until the Screenwriter mentions Leia's gold bikini and he immediately forgets all his objections.
** Inverted: when the Producer expresses concerns over the necessity of ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'' having Doctor Manhattan's junk uncensored just because the comic did so as well, the Screenwriter questions his concerns by asking if he would be distracted if he held up a picture of said junk while they talked... which he does. Not only is the Producer ''[[FanDisservice extremely]]'' put off by the picture, but he completely tunes out of the Screenwriter's explanation of Doctor Manhattan's powers due to being unable to stop staring at the picture.
* DreamWithinADream: In the pitch for ''Film/TheWolverine'':
-->'''Producer:''' Ahh, a dream within a dream, ya got me! \\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, you thought he was done dreaming, but he's not! \\
'''Producer:''' My concept of reality has been shattered and I don't know how to feel any more!
* DontExplainTheJoke: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'', this is mocked when the Producer says that all of the Joker's tattoos, from the laughing mouth on his hand to "JOKER" on his chest make sense "because he's the Joker".
* DownerBeginning:
** At the start of the ''Film/XMen1'' pitch meeting, the Producer talks about how fun superhero movies are, only to hear that the film starts in a concentration camp.
** In the ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' movie, the Producer's surprised that the film begins with a "very depressing" first twenty minutes, which leads into MoodWhiplash after the "super bubbly and over-the-top" Lucy is introduced.
** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' begins with Peter Quill's mother dying and him being abducted shortly afterward. The Producer, having been told the movie would be funny, thinks this is supposed to be a joke until the Screenwriter says otherwise.
** ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'', despite being LighterAndSofter than the rest of the DCEU begins with Billy being abandoned by his mother.
** ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' follows the prologue with Indy old and grumpy after losing his son and being separated from his wife. The Screenwriter says that it's a rule that a beloved character must be miserable after being brought back much older.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: In ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'', the government doesn't know who Sam is and Sam has trouble getting a job despite having saved the world twice.
* DullSurprise: The default reaction the Screenwriter has to the Producer revealing his criminal activities, sexual proclivities or supernatural abilities is a quick and stoic "Ohmygod" before swiftly moving on.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
** The episode featuring ''Film/TheLastJedi'' is far slower paced, and has the Producer asking what the Screenwriter's plans are for specific characters rather than just having the latter say his pitch. Unlike later pitch meetings, the Screenwriter talks about various elements of the movie out of order rather than providing a rough summary of the movie's plot. It doesn't open with the usual "So you have a (x) for me?". Ryan also uses the same voices for both characters.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06SxBWnXytI Justice League Pitch Meeting]]", the very first video using the Screenwriter and the Producer on Ryan George's channel before the series went to Screenrant, is only 24 seconds long.
** In early episodes, the Producer in particular tends to be more serious and more skeptical-looking, without the SureLetsGoWithThat tendencies that he acquires later on.
** Discussed in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=murR2PWCpII Justice League Pitch Meeting - Revisited (1 Million Subscriber Special)]]. Ryan notes that he cringes at some of his earlier content, but notes that during this time, he was figuring things out. He brings up how ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'' had a similar process of finding itself in the first season.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' pitch meeting, the Producer, not the Screenwriter, says "super easy, barely an inconvenience," since it was still early in the series, and Ryan hadn't established it as a Screenwriter catchphrase.
* EasilyForgiven:
** In the pitch for ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', the producer wonders if Mantis can still be likable after being complicit in Ego [[spoiler: killing all of his children]], to which the screenwriter responds that no one will care due to her being naïve and cute.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' has the Producer express disbelief that Marty's father would hire Biff, the man who tried to sexually assault his wife, to wax his car.
** ''Film/{{Eternals}}'' has Sersi use her remaining power to grant Sprite's wish to grow up by turning her human, even though Sprite had run her through with a dagger minutes earlier.
* EasilyImpressed: The Producer. The Screenwriter uses that often to plaster over any objection or criticism he has.
* EndingFatigue: [[invoked]]
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'', the Producer is under the impression that the main characters leaving the island is the end of the movie, only for the Screenwriter to interrupt him and bring up the part in San Diego. He says that he'd thought the movie was over, and that he found the entire San Diego sequence "unnecessary".
--->'''Producer:''' Is it done now? Do you have any other short films you want to tack on to the end of this thing?
** And then there's the ''Return of the King'' example which even he didn't think would ever end.
* ElectricityKnocksYouOut: While pitching ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', the Screenwriter says that during the fight between Barbara--"who, by the way, is a cat now"--and Diana, Barbara will get electrocuted and go to sleep. When the Producer assumes Barbara dies, the Screenwriter says no, when cats get electrocuted, they just get "a little sleepy". He recalls when his childhood cat chewed through an electrical cord, his dad said that the cat went to sleep and then [[DogGotSentToAFarm went to live on a farm]] and he never saw him again.
* EsotericHappyEnding: [[invoked]]
** ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' ends on a relatively happy note, with Kirk revived and Khan defeated, completely ignoring how tens of thousands of people probably died when Khan crashed the ''Vengeance'' into San Francisco.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' sequel, the Producer is incredulous that after the symbol of the revolution murders the leader of said revolution, everything turns out fine in a few years.
** ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' ends with a happy ending despite the moon-related disasters having killed off much of humanity.
** ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' has the Producer point out that [[spoiler:with Mike's aunt's dead body at the house and Mike having brought a cop with a stab wound to the hospital]], Mike will likely be facing criminal charges.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: At the start of the ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes the Spartans inspecting babies for any signs of weaknesses and killing those that don't meet their standards. The Producer says this is a great way to introduce the villains, and is horrified when the Screenwriter says that the Spartans are the heroes.
* EstablishingShot: Almost every episode of the series has opened with the same glass door that leads into the producer's office, with the only difference being that of the logo on the doorway changing to reflect the studio and/or distributor of the films/shows that they're being pitched to.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep:
** The Producer guy introduces himself as "Studio Executive Guy" in the end slate for the ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' pitch video, [[HisNameReallyIsBarkeep and the Screenwriter guy takes it a step further by revealing that "Screenwriter Guy" is his actual legal name]].
** Screenwriter guy called the Producer "Producer Guy The White" after he dies and returns to life in ''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings The Two Towers]]''. Producer Guy agrees that it is what people used to call him.
* EveryoneHasStandards:
** The Producer is usually very willing to accommodate the Screenwriter, even the more insane and nonsensical ideas. In the ''Film/It2017'' Pitch Meeting, however, when the Screenwriter talks about putting the child orgy scene from [[Literature/{{It}} the book]], the Producer looks absolutely ''livid'', and Screenwriter wisely chooses to leave it out of the movie.
*** In the same video, when discussing the novel's revelation that the reason the Loser's Club can escape Pennywise so easily is because they're being protected by "a cosmic turtle-god that vomited out the Universe", both the Producer ''and'' the Screenwriter immediately agree that they'd be better off just avoiding the subject in the movie entirely.
** While the Screenwriter's the source of all those terrible ideas, even he questions whether it's a good idea to reboot Spider-Man again in the video about Spider-Man leaving the MCU.
** The Screenwriter, despite being responsible for many of the questionable creative decisions in ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', is hesitant to include a kiss between Rey and Kylo Ren, since he doesn't think they had any romantic chemistry, but backs down when the Producer badgers him into including a kiss.
** The Producer will almost always willing to go along with the Screenwriter's WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief, no matter how insane they may be. But during the pitch for ''Film/TheHappening'' the Screenwriter describes a scene in which the main characters manage to "outrun the wind," and the Producer's only reaction is a flat "You're an idiot."
** During the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'', the Screenwriter is against making a sequel to the movie, since it would be a mere cash grab that would cheapen the original.
** Zig-zagged in the ''Film/{{Twilight}} Breaking Dawn'' pitch. The Producer is ''very'' put off by Jacob "imprinting" on Bella's newborn baby, and the implications of what it entails. The Screenwriter does manage to [[RunningGag distract him with thoughts of money]], but he is later shown clearly struggling and actively forcing himself to focus on that when the imprinting comes up again, grimacing and muttering "money, money, money, money," to himself.
** In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter, who's usually enamored with his terrible ideas, admits he isn't all that invested in the romantic subplot between the missionary and the mermaid, but says they need a young couple.
** In the ''Film/{{Old}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer is rendered speechless by the Screenwriter's most disturbing proposal- having an aged-up six-year-old boy and girl have sex, resulting in the latter quickly getting pregnant, giving birth and soon losing her baby- and how it will end up in the final movie. The Producer sighs, shakes his head and regrets the life choices he made that led him here... [[SubvertedTrope until he hears that the movie was based on an existing intellectual property]], which causes him to cheer up.
** In the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'', the Producer is disturbed by the idea of a 20-year-old man sleeping with a 17-year-old girl, and when the Screenwriter brings up the legal justification, he says [[StatingTheSimpleSolution he could just make the girl 18]], and questions why the screenwriter has such detailed knowledge of this specific law.
** In the ''Series/SquidGame'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter, who has a tendency to cut corners when making shows and movies, is offended by the Producer's embracing the trend of casting Caucasian actors to play Asian characters in films and TV shows.
** In the pitch meeting for the second part of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'', the Screenwriter disapproves of not only dividing the movie into two halves, but dividing the second half into two, the fourth fourth into another two movies, ad infinitum. He politely says that at this point, they're "kinda tapped out here," much to the Producer's disappointment.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/SpaceJam'', The Producer is disturbed by The Screenwriter's obsession with sexualizing a cartoon rabbit. He does begrudgingly agree to let The Screenwriter go through with it, but adds, "only if you promise never to come near my kids". The Producer also ''really'' didn't want to see the Screenwriter's ideas for how human-bee mating would work in the ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'' pitch meeting, and insists that he burn the drawings as soon as possible.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'', the Screenwriter rejects the Producer's idea to re-title the movie "Spaceman from Pluto".
** Even though he did green-light it, The Producer couldn't pretend to have particularly high expectations for ''Film/TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial''. He bluntly tells the Screenwriter that, after it's released, they will likely spend decades trying to pretend like it never existed.
** The Screenwriter is usually fine with cash-grab sequels ruining emotional beats from the original, but in the pitch meeting for ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', he insists that Marvel not cheapen the impact of Tony Stark's sacrifice by bringing him back in a later movie.
* EverythingExceptMostThings: During the ''Film/JungleCruise'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter is very insistent that the movie has nothing to do with the ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' movies, then proceeds to list over half a dozen similarities to said movies, to the point the Producer calls him out on it multiple times.
* EvilVersusEvil: In the pitch video about Spider-Man leaving the MCU, both the Producer and his counterpart from Sony are both portrayed as greedy, even if the former comes off as marginally more stubborn. Downplayed in that while they aren't monstrously evil, they're both almost equally unsympathetic.
* ExcusePlot: The ''Film/MissionImpossible'' plot is generally used to justify the insane stunts needed to accomplish the missions.
* ExecutiveMeddling:
** [[invoked]] Generally surprisingly averted by the Producer. While he's often prone to find ways to milk money out of a work (for example through {{Sequelitis}}), he rarely causes much change to whatever the Screenwriter's pitch is. His attempts to point out flaws in the premise tend to be ignored or simply justified over by the Screenwriter (often with thin logic) and as the Producer is both an ExtremeDoormat and has [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny a very poor attention span]], he'll rapidly just move on. There are however a few moments here and there where he adamantly insists something nonsensical be included in the movie that even the Screenwriter seems hesitant about.
** Outright defied in the pitch for ''Film/JohnWick'' where the Producer Guy tries to order common studio mandates (adding a love interest, going into too much exposition) only to be shot down by the Screenwriter Guy. He outright says that he's having a hard time ruining the movie because of this.
* ExtremeDoormat:
** The Producer will back down from any objection the moment the Screenwriter shows the slightest bit of opposition. The only exceptions are when these involve specific (and often esoteric) pet peeves of his.
** Generally the Screenwriter almost always gets the Producer to back down by telling him to get off his back, which always makes the Producer relent.
* FailedASpotCheck: In ''Film/{{Cruella}}'', the Baroness doesn't notice hundreds of people behind her as Cruella tricks her into "killing" Cruella in front of witnesses. It's "justified" by none of those witnesses saying a word or making a sound, which is just as improbable.
* FailureToSaveMurder: In ''Film/BatmanForever'', Two-Face becomes obsessed with killing Batman due to Batman not saving him from an acid attack despite how improbable it would be for Batman to be in the courtroom at the time.
* FakeShemp: In the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' episode, the Screenwriter promises to end the film by showing Superman "in all his glory," but after learning that Creator/HenryCavill will not be available, he amends it to showing Superman "from the shoulders down."
* FascinatingEyebrow: In the ''Film/JungleCruise'' pitch, the Producer says Creator/DwayneJohnson "has eyes and ears everywhere" and seems afraid of him, specifically bringing up his famous raised eyebrow.
-->'''Producer:''' Nobody knows why, but he's very aggressive about it. He's gotta be in jungle movies. [...]\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh- okay, it's not like he can sue you or anything, though.\\
'''Producer:''' No, but he'll raise an eyebrow at me, and I don't like how that makes me feel.
* FauxActionGirl: In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'', Gamora, "the deadliest woman in the galaxy," loses most of her fights and has to be saved multiple times.
* FlashbackEffects: In "The Catchphrase Pitch Meeting" (the 200th episode), the Producer expresses irritation when the screen fades, transitioning to a ClipShow of past episodes featuring their {{Character Catchphrase}}s.
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, why are you looking off into the distance like that?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' In fact, I say it kind of a lot.\\
'''Producer:''' Kind of feels like you're trying to transition into a montage clip show, and I did not sign up for that- Oh, oh, oh, it's happening.\\

'''Screenwriter:''' And then of course there's that thing you always say...\\
'''Producer:''' Look, I know I say that things are "tight" a lot, okay? We don't have to cut away to me saying- it's happening again.
* FlatCharacter:
** A recurring gag is that the Screenwriter will introduce the merest bare bones of a character's role in the movie, such as "And then we meet the hero's girlfriend, Alice", prompting the Producer to ask "And what's her deal?" and be met with "I just told you."
** In the ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' episode, the Screenwriter says that since a film is only as good as its villain, he made sure to give Colonel Quaritch "a really compelling backstory and multi-layered character development." He then says he was kidding, and that Quaritch is "just a really mean military guy," so as to keep the runtime down.
** The entire cast of ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' is defined by their occupations and skillsets, and the Screenwriter doesn't even know what a character arc is.
** When the Producer is told that ''Film/{{Eternals}}'' will have ten central characters, he states that a film wouldn't have enough time to develop them all and the concept seems more suited for a TV series. The Screenwriter thinks it'll be fine.
* FlatWhat: When Screenwriter is talking about Joe in ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'' and how great his life is, only to then say he dies, Producer stares for a few seconds before offering a "what."
* FollowTheLeader:[[invoked]] The Producer is into ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' because he thinks it sounds like ''Film/HarryPotter''. The Screenwriter has to correct him when he refers to Percy Jackson as "Harry Potter" and Camp Half-Blood as "Hogwarts."
-->'''Screenwriter:''' This isn't ''Harry Potter'', sir.\\
'''Producer:''' For financial reasons, I'd sure like it to be.
* ForeignRemake: The Producer's first instinct upon hearing a [[Film/RRR2022 pitch]] from UsefulNotes/TheOtherwoods is to make an American ripoff.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' It's over on the Tollywood side of things, so I was thinking we could, you know --\\
'''Producer:''' Just grab the concept and remake it shot-for-shot but with American actors?
* ForegoneConclusion:
** In the ''Film/{{Cruella}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer questions why people would want to see a movie about a woman who will eventually become a puppy-skinning villainess.
** In the ''Film/BlackWidow2021'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter has Natasha survive several attacks that she logically shouldn't, stating that she can't die because her death has already been shown in ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', which takes place later in the timeline.
** In the ''Film/{{Eternals}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer hears that the Eternals purpose is to keep humanity growing until a Celestial developing within the Earth could consume them and break out. He then asks why the Eternals wouldn't break their AlienNonInterferenceClause to fight Thanos as his mass genocide directly hindered this happening. The Screenwriter tells him that they couldn't have done it because they hadn't been introduced into the MCU at [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar that]] [[Film/AvengersEndgame time]].
* {{Foreshadowing}}: In ''Film/{{Old}}'', the family discussing their interest in seeing the kids when they're older and how important it is to appreciate the moment is shown as a particularly clunky example of foreshadowing the beach's RapidAging properties.
* ForgotAboutHisPowers:
** In the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that the SevenDeadlySins will forget to use their ability to turn into mist during the climax, as well as be surprisingly gentle toward their child opponents.
** The ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' pitch meeting has the Producer notice how stupid it was to imprison Earthbenders in a place with a lot of earth, which they can manipulate with their earthbending. The Screenwriter admits that in canon, they were imprisoned on a metal ship out at sea, and that he changes things without understanding why he does so.
** In the ''Film/FantasticFour2015'', it's mentioned that Doom doesn't use his instant-kill moves on the eponymous heroes, despite having used them on all his other foes.
** In the ''Film/IronMan3'' pitch meeting, Killian forgets about his ability to [[BreathWeapon breathe]] [[PlayingWithFire fire]] during the final battle.
** In the ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022'' pitch meeting, Sonic forgets about the fact that he's so fast he can make [[TimeStandsStill Time Stand Still]] in favor of having a DanceOff to get the map back.
** In the ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'' pitch meeting, Thor forgets about commanding Stormbreaker to return to his hands after Gorr steals it.
** In ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'', the reason Obi-Wan is able to escape his first fight with Vader is because Tala starts a fire, despite the fact that Darth Vader used the Force to extinguish a fire moments ago.
* FormulaBreakingEpisode: [[MilestoneCelebration In the 200th episode]], rather than doing another pitch for a movie or TV Show, the Screenwriter and Producer try to get to know each other personally as well as recap their {{Catch Phrase}}s.
* FranchiseOriginalSin: [[invoked]] Discussed in the follow-up to the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' pitch meeting. Ryan says that one criticism of Marvel is characters making quips in emotional moments, and that ''Guardians'' is no exception. Ryan notes that ''Creator/JamesGunn'' is good at including heart in silly movies and TV series, but that the success of ''Guardians'' caused the creators of other MCU movies to try to follow its example, but with less success.
* FreudianExcuse: It’s implied a lot of the Screenwriter’s issues stem from his weird, messed up childhood. For example, the origin for Bruce and Rachel reminiscing about condensed milk in ''Film/BatmanBegins''.
--> '''Screenwriter:''' You remember when you were a kid and you'd say “Mother, could I please have some sweet, sweet condensed milk?”\\
'''Producer:''' Uh....\\
'''Screenwriter:''' And then she’d say [''in a suddenly disturbed tone of voice and with a KubrickStare''] “Not until you’ve brushed Mother’s hair. Not until you've brushed it well.”\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, I think you might have had a weird childhood.\\
'''Screenwriter:'''[''back to his normal cheery tone''] Oh, did I? Dang it, that explains some stuff!
* FreudianSlip:
** In the ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that as Tim and Pikachu search for Tim's father, they will visit "Franchise/{{Pokemon}} [[ProductPlacement products]]." He tries to correct himself, but the Producer liked it better the first time.
** In the ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'' pitch meeting, as the Screenwriter discusses Matt's father being murdered in an alley, he calls Matt "[[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Bruce]]".
** The ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' pitch meeting has a few references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe early on, so at the end, the Screenwriter says the SequelHook will involve the Avengers Initiative, when he means the Monarch Initiative.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch, the Screenwriter denies that he based Claire's assistant Zara (the woman who gets tossed around like a chew toy by some pterodactyls before being EatenAlive by the park's mosasaur) on his ex. Later on, when he's explaining how the Indominus Rex is killed, he cheerfully states that "the bad dinosaur gets eaten by the same shark thing as my ex-girlfriend."
* FriendshipMoment: After the Producer points out a ''major'' plot hole in the narrative of ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1''[[note]]Namely, if Buzz thinks he's a Space Ranger, and not a toy, then he should be moving around even if Andy is in the room.[[/note]], the Screenwriter ''deflates'', realizing this breaks the plot. The Producer, worried, then tries to explain that the audience most likely won't notice, but when the Screenwriter begins repeatedly hitting himself[[note]]"''Stupid, stupid, STUPID!''"[[/note]], the Producer suggests moving on past that.
* FridgeLogic: [[invoked]]
** Discussed in the ''Film/AQuietPlace'' pitch meeting, when the Producer keeps asking about things the family should have done differently to protect themselves from the aliens. The Screenwriter lampshades this trope.
-->"Listen, the more you think about this concept, the more survival solutions you're gonna find, and I'm gonna need you to get off my back about all of them."
** Much of the ''WesternAnimation/TheBossBaby'' pitch meeting rips apart the things that don't make sense about the movie, such as babies running a corporation or puppies replacing babies somehow.
* FunWithHomophones: At the start of the ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes Sirius Black as a dangerous criminal who apparently wants to kill Harry and ratted his parents to Voldemort. The Producer responds, "Sounds like it's pretty serious", to which the Screenwriter remarks that he's decent looking, sure.
* GambitRoulette: In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', the Producer notices that the Joker's plans rely on people doing exactly as he expects them to, no matter how improbable.
* GenderBlenderName: Originally, Rey from the new Star Wars trilogy was going to be called "Raymond". According to the Screenwriter, he consulted the rest of the office, and according to him, "Series/EverybodyLovesRaymond".
* GenericDoomsdayVillain: The pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' decides to remedy this trope applying to Steppenwolf in the original by having him in service to Darkseid... who qualifies for this trope himself.
* {{Gesundheit}}: In the meeting for ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', the producer says "bless you" in response to hearing the word "Ragnarok", and later the writer says the same thing upon hearing the name Creator/TaikaWaititi.
* GiftGivingGaffe: In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'', it's suggested that the toys shouldn't be that scared of being replaced, since Andy's friends give him gifts like bed sheets and a lunchbox, with Buzz Lightyear being the only good gift. The Screenwriter even admits that Andy's friends are horrible at giving gifts.
* TheGlassesGottaGo: In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes Barbara as a pathetic nerd that nobody likes. When she wishes to be more like Diana, she gets new clothes and super strength, and she removes her glasses, which makes people automatically more attractive.
* GodzillaThreshold: In the ''Film/{{Captain Marvel|2019}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer wonders why Fury only decided to contact Carol at the end of ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', and didn't consider the crises in the previous two films to be enough of an emergency to ask for her help[[note]]Though official WordOfGod from Creator/KevinFeige implies that he did, but the Avengers took care of the situations before she got there[[/note]].
* GoodAllAlong:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' sequels, the Producer is rather skeptical about Plutarch being a "good guy" all along, especially considering he was responsible for ordering public executions.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'', the Producer is surprised that the moon turned out to be on the humans' side despite having been used to cause all the disasters in the movie.
* GotMeDoingIt: While the Screenwriter is explaining the mission in ''Film/TopGunMaverick'', the Producer says thrice that it sounds like they have to do "a ''[[Film/ANewHope Star Wars]]''", and the Screenwriter insists that it has no similarities with ''Star Wars''. He then goes on with, "Mav has a couple of weeks to train these pilots to do a ''Star Wars''--" and catches himself too late.
** In the ''Film/{{Cats}}'', pitch meeting, the Screenwriter repeatedly describes things as "jellicle"; by the end of the meeting, the Producer is doing it too, much to his confusion.
--->'''Producer:''' Wait, did I just say jellicle? Why'd I say jellicle?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[HypnoFool The jellicle hypnosis has taken effect]].
* GrammarNazi: In ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', the Screenwriter accuses the Producer of being one when the latter says he should call the heroes "Spider-men" rather than "Spidermans."
* {{Greed}}: Both the Producer and Screenwriter are motivated primarily by money. Pitches for movies and shows based on existing IP and/or have merchandising opportunities get them excited, and explicit ProductPlacement and [[invoked]]PanderingToTheBase are included to make them more money. During pitches that make the Producer deeply uncomfortable, such as ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' and ''{{Film/Old}}'', the Screenwriter just has to remind him about the money that they'll get from doing these movies.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: In the ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'' pitch meeting, when [[spoiler:Wanda kills Captain Carter]], the latter is said to be "50% off."
* HalfwayPlotSwitch: The pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' mocks the film's use of this trope, basically treating the parts of the movie before and after Mary's introduction as two different films.
* HandWave: Frequently utilized by the Screenwriter.
** For example, in the pitch meeting for ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'', he says that "space reasons" preclude more practical solutions for preventing the eruption.
** In the ''Film/{{Old}}'' pitch meeting, he claims that the RapidAging caused by the beach doesn't affect dead cells, despite the fact that [[PlotHole he also has a dead body decompose more quickly]], so they don't have to get wigs for the actors.
* HardTruthAesop: In the ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'' pitch meeting, the moral of Ralph learning to be happy in his role as a villain despite hating it is that people should accept their lot in life, no matter how bad it is.
* HarsherInHindsight: {{Invoked}} in the ''Film/TheHungerGames Sequels'' video (released January 31st 2021, but presumably set circa 2012).
-->'''Screenwriter:''' So they want to storm the capital!\\
'''Producer:''' Storming the capital is tight!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yay yay yay!\\
''(Beat)''\\
'''Producer:''' That's gonna age well right?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' What is?\\
'''Producer:''' That sentence I just said? That's going to age okay?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Why wouldn't it age well?\\
'''Producer:''' I don't know I just got this weird feel- It's probably okay.
* HeelFaceTurn: In ''Film/XMenApocalypse'', the Screenwriter points out that Apocalypse's Four Horsemen's main role is to betray him[[note]]Except for Archangel, who dies in the fight with the X-men[[/note]]. Likewise, Magneto is EasilyForgiven for killing countless people because he helped the good guys at the end.
* HehHehYouSaidX: The ''Film/FantasticFour2015'' has this after the Producer claims that superhero movie audiences like exposition more than action, adding that he's sure of that, "Unless I read the results backwards. ''(chuckle)'' I ''do'' do that sometimes." The Screenwriter points out the Producer's unfortunate word choice, at which point the Producer reminds the Screenwriter that this is why he's the one writing the screenplays.
* HeldGaze: Screenwriter uses this in ''Film/TheNewMutants'' between Mirage and Wolfsbane so he can indicate that they're in love without having to write anything. [[HomoeroticSubtext Screenwriter and Producer then spend several seconds staring at each other without saying anything.]]
* HeroicBSOD:
** The Producer suffers two during the ''Twilight: Breaking Dawn'' pitch meeting, first at the revelation that Jacob imprints on Bella's baby in the romantic sense, and later when the sole exciting part of the whole four movie trilogy, a climactic battle, turns out to be a vision and nothing at all actually happens. Both times he falls silent and works his jaw for several seconds before expressing his dissatisfaction. The Screenwriter successfully refocuses him on all the money they'll make.
** He blue-screens pretty hard when the Screenwriter describes a particularly unsettling plot point in ''Film/{{Old}}'', namely that the RapidAging field surrounding the beach in the movie will cause two six-year-olds to instantly grow into young adults, after which they have sex and produce a baby which is born within 20 minutes and dies almost immediately.
--->'''Producer:''' ''[heavy sigh]'' ... I could have been a doctor.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' What?\\
'''Producer:''' I could have been a doctor. I had good grades, I was a good student.
** The Screenwriter also has one when he notices ''Series/{{Wednesday}}'' kind of botched the core of Wednesday Addams' character.
* HeroicSacrifice: In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', the Producer briefly thinks that Steve jumping on the fake grenade at boot camp is proof that he's suicidal, rather than self-sacrificing.
* HisNameReallyIsBarkeep: The Screenwriter’s name is Screenwriter Guy, though he once claimed to be Creator/MNightShyamalan.
* HistoryRepeats: The ''Film/BlackWidow2021'' makes sure to note one InNameOnly Marvel interpretation that somehow applied to two characters.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' This villain called Taskmaster. I thought we could do a Deadpool kind of thing.\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah, [[Film/Deadpool2016 bringing a character people love to the big screen in an enjoyable way]], sure!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No, I meant a Deadpool in ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' kind of thing.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, turning the character into a mind-controlled killing machine with no speaking lines or personality traits. Yeah, that works too!
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: In the ''Film/{{Transformers|2007}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer is surprised when Sam kills Megatron by shoving the Allspark into Megatron's chest.
-->'''Producer''': The thing he was trying to get his hands on immediately kills him when he touches it?
* HumorDissonance:[[invoked]] Most of the jokes from whatever's being pitched are either made out to be much funnier than they are by the Screenwriter, or don't exactly land as intended.
** The Producer is deeply underwhelmed by the opening scenes of ''Christmas with the Kranks'', and can't believe it's nothing but Tim Allen being drenched with water over and over. After hearing that Luther deliberately freezes a cat with a hose and makes his own walkway slippery, then having one-scene jokes described to him like "the Kranks get seen in bathing suits by their priest" and "Luther gets botox", he asks the Screenwriter if he's [[RandomEventsPlot "just kinda doin' stuff"]].
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Okay, okay, so Luther needs to go into this store to buy something for Nora, right? But it's pouring rain, and he forgot his umbrella!\\
'''Producer:''' Okay, yeah.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' And so HE... just gets WET!\\
'''Producer:''' Uh-huh, uh-huh.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Like, really... like, super... just, just, just ALL wet, just COMPLETELY wet.\\
'''Producer:''' ''[gesturing for him to continue]'' Yeah, yeah, sure.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' And, and, and... you know, he's not happy about it, being wet; he w-wishes he wasn't, for sure.\\
'''Producer:''' Sure, sure, yeah, no, of course.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' So, you know... I got to be honest, sir, I thought you'd be laughing by now.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh! Oh, that was the ''funny'' thing.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah-yeah-yeah, he gets all WET!\\
'''Producer:''' Well, comedy's hard.\\
[...]\\
'''Screenwriter:''' So we're gonna get a good five minutes out of ''that'' gag.\\
'''Producer:''' Five minutes?! Wow, okay, really... really going in on that 'it's currently raining' bit.
** As mentioned above, one of the many gags the Screenwriter mentions for the trick arrow scene in ''Hawkeye'' is the truck of goons being shrunk down to toy size and carried off by an owl. The Producer is more disturbed than anything, [[WhatMeasureIsAMook imagining the owl tearing the tiny men apart with its beak]], and calls it one of the most horrifying ideas in the MCU. "I'm gonna have ''nightmares!"''
* HypnoFool: In the ''Film/{{Cats}}'' meeting, the Producer clearly does not want to bankroll the movie, but is hypnotized into doing so (along with rolling his shoulders "seductively") by [[spoiler:repetition of the word "Jellicle"]].
* {{Hypocrite}}: In the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' pitch meeting, Harold Addiger doesn't want the Transformers to fight his battles for him... so he teams up with a Transformer to hunt them down.
* HypocriticalHumor:
** The Screenwriter and the Producer makes fun of Gollum for [[TalkingToThemself talking to himself]] in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers''.
---> '''Screenwriter:''' This guy is frickin' nuts. I mean, at a certain point in the movie, he's just having a full-on conversation with himself.\\
'''Producer:''' He's just talking to himself and replying as if he was two different people?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, he's frickin' nuts!\\
'''Producer:''' Oho, this guy's got problems!\\
[Both of them laugh awkwardly]
** When Daniel Craig is cast for ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'', both the Screenwriter and the Producer (both, of course, played by Ryan George) call him weird for having TwoFirstNames.
** During the ''Series/MoonKnight2022'' pitch meeting, the Producer insists that multiple characters played by the same actor is terrible, ''especially'' if they spend a lot of time talking to each other.
** During the ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch meeting, the Producer reacts to John Hammond showing his guests a video of himself introducing the park and interacting with it by saying, "What kind of an idiot makes a video talking to himself and tries to pass that off as entertainment?"
* IdiotBall:
** In the ''Film/ArtemisFowl'' pitch meetings, Artemis Fowl takes off the sunglasses protecting him from the elves' mind control while asking if he can trust them.
** In the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'', Mirage, despite having initially contacted Mr. Incredible through "a super secret tablet thing," calls the Parr family residence the second time. The Screenwriter tries to HandWave it by claiming that Mirage "got lazy," only to be told that it sounds more likely that he did.
** In the ''Series/{{Wednesday}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that Wednesday suspects Xavier of being the monster even after getting DNA evidence that he's not.
* IdiotPlot: {{Invoked}} a few times.
** Much of the pitch for ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'' is dedicated to pointing out how everyone involves needs to be an idiot for the movie to ever happen[[note]]That a family of 14 has ''1'' alarm clock between them which no one checks before going to bed so they rush to the airport again. That Kevin's dad casually gives Kevin his bag containing his wallet when Kevin asks for batteries rather than tell him it can wait till they are not running because they are late. That the airport staff have no questions about Kevin asking to board a plane, and don't make sure he sits with the person he identified as his dad. That the hotel concierge is suspicious enough of Kevin to sneak into Kevin's room to see if his dad is there, but not suspicious enough that he'd just deny Kevin's attempt to rent the room in the first place. As the producer says for the later "Best case scenario in that guy's mind, he's breaking into a lone child's room and finding that child all alone?"[[/note]].
--->'''Producer:''' So we're taking another break from Logic so this can happen?
--->'''Screenwriter:''' We're going to be taking LOTS of those.
--->'''Producer:''' I guess we have to.
** The pitch for ''Film/HomeAlone3'' is so stupid that the Producer's ears start smoking from "a bunch of his brain cells giving up at once".
** The pitch for ''Film/AlienCovenant'' has the Screenwriter blatantly say the movie doesn't work if anyone ever does something smart. At one point the Producer asks if every member of the cast has brain damage.
** The pitch for '[Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' has the "antagonists" use strange wording when the protagonist is eavesdropping on them to make him misunderstand their objective, then somehow they think an AI smart home voice is a grandmother staying at home, then when they see the protagonist talking with an old woman at church assume she's the grandmother and yet don't try to explain things to her as they think she only speaks German, and during the trap sequence one of them somehow doesn't realize that he's wearing a VR headset and believes he's actually been transported to the top of a cliff, and when they're able to talk to the protagonist they don't mention that they just want the doll (which is their property anyway and he never actually took) until after all the traps are through.
* IgnoranceIsBliss: In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that Barbara gets electrocuted and goes to sleep, which is what happens to cats when they're electrocuted. When the Producer tries to inform the Screenwriter that that's not what happens, the Screenwriter recalls when he was a child, his dad told him that their cat went to sleep after chewing an electrical cord, and then [[DogGotSentToAFarm he went to live on a farm]] and was never seen again. The Producer decides not to press further.
* IgnoredEpiphany: On many occasions, one or both of the duo will directly realize that whatever they're saying makes no sense, and then simply go "...huh", before launching into the next segment of the plot, making no effort to change the story they've just realized has a massive, easily-plugged plot hole.
* IllNeverTellYouWhatImTellingYou: In ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'', Elrond responding to his boss's questions about the dwarves mining mithril by saying he swore an oath of secrecy only serves to confirm the former's suspicions.
* ImmediateSelfContradiction: The Screenwriter is prone to weakening his statements with contradictions, sometimes within the same sentence.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', the Screenwriter tells about how Norman Osborn never imagined that he would end up dying the way he did... of a rare disease that only affects the Osborn family and which Norman started suffering from when he was his son's age.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', the Screenwriter says that Diana is still heartbroken over Steve Trevor's death. "You gotta understand. This was a really good guy she knew for a couple of days seven decades ago."
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', the Screenwriter explains how the Eternals help develop and inspire human technology immediately after saying that they're not allowed to interfere in human events unless Deviants are involved.
** After the Screenwriter explains that the Doc in ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' uses animal testing to see if his time machine works, the Producer asks if Doc is the bad guy. The Screenwriter replies, "Whoa, what would make you think he's the bad guy? So anyway, then the terrorists he's been dealing with show up."
* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy:
** The stormtroopers' inability to hit anything in the TropeNamer is mocked, especially after Obi-Wan's remark that the laser shots fired at the sandcrawler were too precise to come from the Tusken Raiders.
** In the ''Film/{{F9}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer says that the good guys will have "45,000 bullets fired at them throughout the movie, and not a single one is gonna touch them" and says this is okay because he'll have one of the protagonists make [[LampshadeHanging self-aware quips]] about how they might be invincible.
** In the ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting, the bad guys who surround the protagonists but are unable to kill them are described as "alternative stormtroopers."
* InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals: According to one episode, everyone on the planet except for film actors look the same, hence why there are countless identical Screenwriter guys and Producer guys. The ''Film/CasinoRoyale2006'' episode introduces the British version of the pair, played by a different actor so presumably everyone in England looks like this guy. [[WebVideo/GameTheory MatPat]] apparently exists in this world as two people as well.
** The pitch meeting for ''The Meg'' offers an alternative explanation by revealing the Producer used plastic surgery to look exactly like the Screenwriter for no other reason than because he could afford to. The Screenwriter never questioned it because he assumed he was going insane.
** In the pitch meeting for Spider-Man leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Producer from Sony looks exactly the same as the other Producer, apart from a different-colored shirt.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' has Larry, a subordinate of the Producer's who looks and dresses like the Producer, save for not wearing a jacket.
* InfoDump: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/DayShift'', the Screenwriter says Bud and a union rep are going to do an "exposition battle" where quiz each other on things both already know because he "has a bunch of worldbuilding [he wants] to dump on the audience". He then dumps that info on the Producer in the next half-minute, who is seen taking notes.
* InformedAbility: In the ''Film/Shazam2019'' pitch meeting, Billy, despite getting the wisdom of Solomon, is goofier in his hero form than as a teenager. [[LampshadeHanging The Producer asks if "the wisdom thing was pretty much nothing," and the Screenwriter says yes]].
* InformedAttribute: In ''Film/{{Captain Marvel|2019}}'', Yon-Rogg repeatedly criticizes Carol for being too emotional despite her barely showing any emotion.
* InNameOnly: In ''WesternAnimation/{{Velma}}'', the main cast's names and outfits are the only things they have in common with the source material.
* InsaneTrollLogic: In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', when the Producer says that Steve, who was a pilot in World War I, shouldn't know how to pilot a modern airplane, the Screenwriter says that, "[[ShapedLikeItself A plane is a plane]]."
* InSpiteOfANail: The ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting points out how it doesn't make sense for some aspects of the new version of 1985 to stay the same as before in spite of everything Marty changed by time traveling. Examples include the family staying in the same house as before despite Marty's father being successful, Marty's brother staying with his folks despite having a good job in this timeline, and Marty himself having the memories and experiences of his old life in the new timeline.
* InstantExpert:
** This trope is lampshaded in the pitch meeting for ''''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'''', when Billy's foster siblings learning how to use their powers during the climax, despite just having received them, is described as "super easy, barely an inconvenience." By comparison, Billy spent most of the movie learning how to master his powers.
** In the ''Series/{{Ahsoka}}'' pitch meeting, Sabine almost flawlessly uses the Force in the climax, despite having struggled with it for the entire series.
* InterruptedByTheEnd:
** Near the end of the ''Film/JurassicParkIII'' pitch, the Producer is a little surprised that the movie ends abruptly and says, "Oh, abrupt endings are ti-" before the video abruptly cuts to Ryan George's end-of-video spiel.
** The ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch has an OverlyLongGag where the Producer [[TemptingFate has a very difficult time imagining Will Smith reacting to someone saying words with violence]], and as he goes on explaining how Smith couldn't possibly behave in such a way, he gets interrupted by the DescriptionCut at the end of the video.
* IrrelevantSidequest: The concept is referenced whenever the Screenwriter calls sequences that are mostly irrelevant to the plot "sidequests," like Canto Bight in ''Film/TheLastJedi''.
* IsntItIronic: After Screenwriter mentions a desire to have "Zombie" by Music/TheCranberries play towards the end of ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'', Producer responds negatively by asking "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrington_bombings Wasn't that song written in response to a tragedy where some children were killed?]]"
-->'''Screenwriter''': Well, that's a good point, but ''counterpoint'': It has the word "zombie" in it.\\
'''Producer''': [[VerbalBackspace Well, yeah, no, that is a good point, too.]]
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: The ''Pitch Meetings'' pitch meeting ends on the producer predicting it will be good for 3-4 episodes, as it'll turn old pretty fast. It then cuts to a screen thanking the viewer for watching episode 100.
* JackassGenie: The genie from ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' is interpreted as a BlueAndOrangeMorality take on this, with him not actually making Aladdin a prince despite this being his first wish. Yet he's also able to create thousands of living, loyal servants and riches out of thin air but somehow not giving him a country.
* JerkassBall: In ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'', Thorin's "dragon sickness" is the reason why he turns into a "greedy jerk" who makes "frustrating, nonsensical decisions for 90% of the movie."
* JerksAreWorseThanVillains: [[invoked]] In the ''Series/BreakingBad'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter predicts viewers will "hate (Skyler) more than the violent criminals on the show" just because she nags Walt and wants to find out the truth behind his lies.
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: Anakin's sudden shift in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' from being conflicted over defending Palpatine from Mace Windu to [[JumpedAtTheCall immediately agreeing]] to [[WouldHurtAChild slaughter children]] is lampshaded and explained as "he's decided to be evil now."
* KangarooCourt: In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'', the other toys quickly turning on Woody for supposedly causing Buzz's death without even giving Woody time to explain himself is described as this.
* KarmaHoudini:
** In the ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' pitch meeting, it's mentioned that Magneto somehow doesn't end up in prison despite being a wanted terrorist.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'', Jack is said to face no consequences for his attempt at stealing Christmas.
** In ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'', Alfrid never learns anything or gets any comeuppance for his greedy ways.
** In ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'', Warner Brothers suffers no consequences for making an algorithm that nearly traps thousands of people inside a virtual world.
** In ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'', Queenie faces no consequences for joining Grindelwald, and even gets to marry the man she loves.
** In ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'', Henry Wu does a HeelFaceTurn and faces no consequences for killing countless people through creating the dinosaurs.
* KickTheDog: In the ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'', Luther is said to not only not have a PetTheDog moment like other unlikable protagonists, but he even goes so far as to [[BadPeopleAbuseAnimals accidentally step on and even freeze his cat]].
** The Pitch Meeting for ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' calls the film out for weaponizing this trope in order to make the High Evolutionary as hateable as possible. The Screenwriter even demonstrates his strategy for "instant hatred" to the Producer by punching a drawing of a puppy, enraging the Producer so much that he threatens to ''nuke the Screenwriter's house''.
* KilledMidSentence: In the meeting for ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', the writer disintegrates in the middle of his catchphrase.
* LamePunReaction:
** While discussing ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'', the Screenwriter says he wants Creator/JohnCena for the role of Peacemaker, which prompts this exchange:
--->'''Producer:''' Oh, you know what? I can't ''see'' him in that role. <{{Beat}} as the Screenwriter looks unimpressed> [[DontExplainTheJoke Because of his catchphrase]].\\
'''Screenwriter:''' I understand the joke, sir, I just hate it.\\
'''Producer:''' That's fair.
** In the ''Film/CocaineBear'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter plays with his catchphrase:
--->'''Screenwriter''': And so then everyone's going to end up at this cliff with, like, a waterfall, and it's dark, and Cocaine Bear's gonna show up!\\
'''Producer''': Uh-oh, gonna be tough to get away from Cocaine Bear now!\\
'''Screenwriter''': Actually, it's gonna be super easy, ''bear''ly an inconvenience!\\
''[the two [[AwkwardSilence stare at each other awkwardly]] for ten seconds]''\\
'''Producer''': ...[[SubvertedTrope That was really good.]]
* LampshadeHanging:
** In the ''Film/Halloween1978'' pitch meeting, both the Screenwriter and Producer realize it makes no sense for Michael Myers to know how to drive despite having spent most of his childhood, as well as his entire adolescence and adulthood, in a sanitarium. The Screenwriter decides to have the characters note how strange this is without explaining it "because a character pointed out it makes no sense, it's okay."
** In ''Film/Deadpool2'', the Screenwriter threw in a joke about "lazy writing" in order to cover up the various lazy choices he makes throughout the script.
* LazyBum: One interpretation of why the Screenwriter makes as many mistakes as he does. In numerous pitch meetings, he notes that he didn't bother doing any research because he didn't feel like it.
** In the ''Film/Venom2018'' pitch meeting, the Producer suggests a way to make the movie less convoluted- switch the Riot and Venom symbiotes around so that the former starts the movie inside the lab where it needs to end up, and the latter starts ''outside'' the lab where it can bond with Eddie. The Screenwriter, however, refuses, since despite the fact that filming hasn't started yet, he doesn't feel like changing it.
** In the ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' pitch meeting, the inconsistencies with ''Film/Transformers2007'' are because the Screenwriter forgot about the latter film and has no desire to rewatch it, albeit because he [[SkewedPriorities destroyed his DVD player while cooking a bagel]].
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: In the ''Film/TheMeg'' Pitch Meeting, the Producer acknowledges the fact that he looks identical to the Screenwriter. Apparently this was the result of plastic surgery.
* LeaveBehindAPistol: In the ''Film/MazeRunnerTheScorchTrials'' pitch meeting, Winston's companions doing this for him is considered a remarkably stupid move, considering that they left behind their only usable gun.
* LeaveTheCameraRunning: The ''Film/Halloween1978'' film suffers from a lack of a budget, so the Screenwriter proposes having long drawn-out shots of scenes to pad the runtime.
* LetMeGetThisStraight: Used in the ''Film/HomeAlone1'' pitch meeting.
-->'''Producer''': So just to be clear, we need to have all those extremely unlikely scenarios[[note]]Kevin comes from a huge family, he starts a fight so he gets sent to sleep in the attic, his plane ticket gets thrown out by mistake, a storm takes out the phone lines and electricity so the only alarm clock in the house stops working, Kevin somehow manages to sleep through over a dozen people all frantically running around the house trying to make it to a flight, a small kid comes up to mess up the headcount that the parents are doing, and not a single person notices that Kevin is missing until after the flight has taken off[[/note]] play out, one after another, just to get this kid alone at home by himself?\\
'''Screenwriter''': [[BluntYes That's right]].\\
'''Producer''': And this um, suspension...\\
'''Screenwriter''': Suspension of disbelief.\\
'''Producer''': Right. With that, people will be okay with all of that?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Pfft, apparently, yeah.\\
'''Producer''': Allll of that. ''All of that''.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, pretty cool, right?\\
'''Producer''': Well, then awesome.
* {{Leitmotif}}: In ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', the screenwriter shows Wonder Woman's, which plays whenever she's on screen and whenever the Amazons do something. For the rest of the pitch meeting the screenwriter plays the song whenever he mentions her name.
* LighterAndSofter: ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' is said to be an attempt at a course correction after the rest of the gritty [[Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse DCEU]] movies. This, however, doesn't stop the Screenwriter from having an angsty teen protagonist or a main villain who murders his father, brother and several other people on-screen.
* TheLoad: In ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'', Kate exists to get everyone else on the team killed.
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: In the pitch meeting for ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' sequels, Katniss is not let in on the plan to escape the dome in ''Catching Fire'' until after the plan is carried out because it makes for a better twist.
* LOL69:
** The Screenwriter says that ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' being R-rated means they can show lots of gore and say things like "69" and "splooge", to which the Producer brightly responds, "69, that's the funny number! And the other stuff is gross! ''Very'' fun!"
** On being told that the Screenwriter's new film is called ''Film/SixtyFive'', the Producer observes that it is four away from the funny number.
* TheLongList:
** The producer comes out with one of these when mentioning the product placement he already has lined up for ''Film/JurassicWorld'':
--->'''Producer:''' Just a couple like Beats By Dre, Starbucks, Converse, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Pandora, Margaritaville, Hilton, Triumph, Verizon Wireless, Columbia, Nissan, Nike, Oakley, IWC, Ben and Jerry’s, Brookstone, IMAX, Mike and Ike, and like a crapload of Mercedes.
** In the ''Film/DieAnotherDay'' pitch meeting, the Producer gives a long list of everything Gustav Graves accomplished in the fourteen months since he barely survived the opening sequence and got a new identity, from earning billions to becoming an Olympic-level fencer to being knighted, with the Screenwriter cheerfully adding to the list.
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter rattles off a list of everything the characters in the film survive.
* LowSpeedChase: When pitching the chase scene in ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'' involving "colorful Vespa scooters", the Screenwriter cheerily proclaims that "it'll be ''super'' slow-paced!"

[[folder:Tropes M-S]]
* MacGuffin:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', the item Hope needs to buy from Sonny Burch is said to serve no purpose apart from bringing him into the movie.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', the Matrix of Leadership is referred to as one of many "thingies" in the movie, [[BuffySpeak the Producer's term for this trope.]]
** In the ''Film/ArtemisFowl'' pitch meeting, when the Screenwriter describes a "[[BuffySpeak super-powerful magical thingamajig that can do things]], just one of those story things that everybody wants, a thing to kinda drive the plot forward", the Producer name-drops the trope.
** In ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', the heroes need a "thing" to reach Palpatine, which requires them to find another "thing" first, something the Producer likens to "fetch quests."
** It also comes up in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', with the Guardians running around the galaxy to try and locate the code to disable Rocket's implanted kill-switch.
* MadeOfIron: {{Zigzagged}} in ''Film/SpiderMan2''. The Screenwriter says that Doc Ock can tank multiple punches from Spider-Man, but Aunt May hitting him with an umbrella hurts him.
* MagicPants:
** In ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', Wolverine's pants remain intact despite the rest of his clothes being destroyed in order to keep the film at a PG-13 rating.
** In ''Literature/NewMoon'', the Screenwriter says that while Jacob has to go around shirtless because his werewolf transformations destroy his clothes, his pants are unaffected. He says that the Producer should "get all the way off (his) back" unless he wants to talk about "the technicalities of werewolf junk."
* ManOfSteelWomanOfKleenex: Brought up indirectly in ''Film/FantasticFour2005''. The Producer wonders how Johnny bangs his nurse when she's just measured his internal temperature at roughly 200 degrees.
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, physically impossible lovemaking is TIGHT!
* AMatchMadeInStockholm: "UsefulNotes/StockholmSyndrome" is namedropped when referring to Belle's romance with her captor, the Beast, in ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'', when she falls in love with the Beast after he's nice to her a handful of times.
* MathematiciansAnswer: During the pitch meeting for Disney's live-action ''Film/{{Pinocchio|2022Disney}}'' film, the Screenwriter says that they'll show that Gepetto's house is full of clocks [[CompanyCrossReferences featuring Disney characters]], "just a ton of references!" The Producer asks if these are "Easter Eggs or overindulging in self-promotion", and the Screenwriter answers, "Yes."
* MeaninglessMeaningfulWords: In ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', Karli Morgenthau's charisma is due to saying vaguely inspiring things such as "Our movement is strong, it's time to make ourselves heard," which inspire people despite not meaning anything.
* {{Metaphorgotten}}: The Screenwriter is prone to this, as seen in ''Film/TheMeg'' episode. Often to confuse the Producer into agreeing.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' People say you can't have your cake and eat it too.\\
'''Producer:''' Right, my point exactly.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' But we're talking about a 70 foot shark here. This thing can eat anything it wants to!\\
'''Producer:''' I guess that makes sense.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Trust me. It does.\\
'''Producer:''' Fantastic!
* MinimalistCast: The cast is just Ryan George playing two guys and occasional third characters who drop in. One episode has a brief interlude in England where another actor plays the British Producer and Screenwriter guys. Another episode has [[WebVideo/GameTheory Matthew Patrick]] playing another two guys, and Creator/SimuLiu briefly replaces the Screenwriter in a special that celebrates the series reaching 300 episodes. Other than that, it's entirely a one man show.
* AMinorKidroduction:
** The ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting mocks this trope, with the Producer saying that showing a young Kirk and Spock will prove that the two were once children, rather than being born as fully-grown adults.
** In ''Film/FantasticFour2015'', the Producer asks whether it's necessary to show Reed and Ben as children. The Screenwriter says that showing the heroes as kids has been a required part of superhero origin stories ever since ''Film/BatmanBegins'', even if it forces them to hire more actors.
* MisappliedPhlebotinum: A major point in the ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' pitch meeting is pointing out that Starfleet's transwarp beaming can apparently teleport someone a good chunk of the way across the galaxy to the homeworld of its greatest nemesis, and rather than simply using it to help Khan make a getaway, Starfleet should consider that they've essentially made spaceships obsolete. Naturally, the two of them agree to simply ignore the implications of this.
* MisplacedRetribution: In the ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' pitch meeting, Smaug attacks Laketown in revenge for the dwarves invading his lair, despite the fact that the dwarves aren't even from Laketown. The Producer calls him "a strangely-motivated lizard."
* MissingTrailerScene: [[invoked]]Multiple times during the ''Film/Morbius2022'' pitch meeting, [[ExecutiveMeddling the Producer decides to insert references]] to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse and ''Film/Venom2018'' because those are "interconnected thing[s] that [they] can do, and it'll be good in the trailer", and they don't actually have to put those elements in the movie, just the trailer.
* MondegreenGag: Along with ComicallyMissingThePoint, sometimes, the Producer or Screenwriter will mishear what the other is saying, leading to a humorous misunderstanding.
** ''Film/TheNewMutants'' pitch meeting:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' This is gonna be called ''The New Mutants''!\\
'''Producer:''' Uhh, I'unno, I feel like they're gonna have to be clothed.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No, ''new''.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, okay, that's probably fine.
** ''Film/Uncharted2022'' pitch meeting:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' I'm so excited for this one: ''Uncharted''!\\
'''Producer:''' Oh. You should probably get yourself cleaned up.
** The actor pitch meeting for Creator/ChrisPratt opens with the Producer thinking he's being pitched a crisp rat (ignoring the Screenwriter who's trying to explain):
---> '''Producer:''' How did this rat get so crispy?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, no, that's not-\\
'''Producer:''' Did you barbecue a rat?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' I didn't barbecue a rat, no. Chris Pratt is-\\
'''Producer:''' I'll be honest, I don't really know what kind of movie I can use a crisp rat in.
* MonochromeCasting: In the ''Series/{{Friends}}'' Pitch:
-->'''Producer:''' And I'm guessing since it's in New York, there's gonna be a lot of diversity.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Everyone will be white.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh.
* MonochromePast: The pitch for ''Film/TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial'' takes place in the late 1970s and has a brownish tinge.
* MonsterMisogyny: In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why the Demogorgon kills Barb but not Will, and the Screenwriter says he doesn't know, and denies that his ex-girlfriend was named Barb.
** The same gag occurs in the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch meeting when the Screenwriter describes poor Zara's [[CruelAndUnusualDeath drawn-out]] and [[RasputinianDeath brutal demise]].
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Claire's assistant, this British lady named Zara, gets tossed around by pterodactyls like she was a ragdoll and shoved into the water and then she's eaten by a giant dinosaur shark and it's super scary and she dies.\\
'''Producer:''' Jesus! What did she do to deserve that?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Uh ... nothing, I guess.\\
'''Producer:''' Wasn't your ex-girlfriend a British woman named Zara?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[BlatantLies I mean, I don't see what that has to do with anything.]]
* MonumentalDamage:
** The Producer hates the Golden Gate bridge and demands it be destroyed in his movies. According to the Screenwriter, it's common among all Producers.
** The ''Film/IndependenceDay'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter propose that the aliens destroy landmarks "'cause it's gonna look cool in the trailer."
* MoodWhiplash:
** Discussed in the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 Shazam!]]'' pitch meeting, when, after discussing Billy's fooling around with his superpowers, the Screenwriter brings up [[BigBad Dr. Sivana]] brutally killing his father and brother, along with the rest of the board of directors. The Producer then lampshades the massive tonal shift, asking whether the film is a kids' movie or a horror movie.
** In the ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions a fun sequence involving Quicksilver, followed by Havoc dying, much to the Screenwriter's surprise.
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that unnecessarily graphic scenes of Rocket's friends being abused and eventually murdered are intercut with light-hearted scenes of the characters bickering.
* MoralityPet: In the ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' episode, the Screenwriter says that Ian's daughter will sneak onto a trailer so that he'll have someone to care about and rescue and serve as his motivation. The Producer then reminds him that Ian was originally going to Isla Sorna to save his girlfriend, so this is unnecessary.
* MotiveDecay: In ''Film/HomeAlone1'', the burglars eventually forget about their initial goal of robbing the [=McCallister=] house and decide to [[WouldHurtAChild murder Kevin instead]].
* MrExposition:
** In the ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'' pitch meeting, Ego the Living Planet is initially called "Exposition," because 90% of his dialogue is exposition.
** In the ''Film/FiveNightsAtFreddys2023'' pitch meeting, Vanessa's primary role in the film is to deliver exposition, and as a result, Mike doesn't figure out anything on his own. Surprisingly, though, she neglects to tell him the most important information.
* MyGodYouAreSerious: Happens in the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting:
-->'''Screenwriter''': Anyways, [[AssShove so he takes a guy's head and shoves it up another guy's butt.]]
-->'''Producer''': ''(laughs)'' Yeah, right-''wait really?''
-->'''Screenwriter''': Yeah, [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer that's a real scene in this movie]], Hancock's gonna put a man's head inside another man's butt.
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, about Galadriel jumping overboard:
--->'''Producer''': Is she planning to swim back to Middle Earth?\\
'''Screenwriter''': ''(laughs)'' Yeah, that's the plan.\\
'''Producer''': ''(laughs once)'' Oh my god, you're serious.
* NamelessNarrative: The two on-screen characters don't have names, they're just the Producer guy and the Screenwriter guy. [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in one episode where the Screenwriter guy reveals that his actual legal name is... [[HisNameReallyIsBarkeep Screenwriter Guy]]. The same appears to be true with Producer Guy (or sometimes "Movie Executive Guy").
* NegativeContinuity:
** In the ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' episode, Screenwriter reveals that he has Ditto-esque eyes underneath his glasses which make him look completely normal, yet for some reason in the ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode, he's seen taking off his glasses, but has completely normal-looking eyes.
** In the ''Film/GhostRider2007'' pitch meeting (among others), the Screenwriter says that he's never met a real woman, but he starts the ''Film/HomeAlone1'' pitch meeting by talking about his wife (whose infidelity he's oblivious to).
* {{Nepotism}}:
** The reason why Johnny was brought on board in ''Film/FantasticFour2015'' despite the fact that building his own car isn't that impressive of an achievement; he just happens to be the son of the man in charge.
** The Producer thinks that Creator/JadenSmith starring in ''Film/AfterEarth'' with [[Creator/WillSmith his father]] (skipping auditions for Kitai's character) sounds like a "pretty intense case of nepotism".
* NeverTrustATitle:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', the Producer is surprised to hear that the film takes place over "a couple of days," and asks the Screenwriter if he knows what "age" means.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/ClashOfTheTitans2010'', the Producer notices that there are no titans in the movie- just humans, Greek gods and some monsters.
** In the ''Film/MazeRunnerTheScorchTrials'' pitch meeting, the Producer realizes that the characters aren't running in a maze, there are no trials, and there isn't even any "scorching," and [[OverlyLongGag even "the" isn't really in the movie]].
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands:
** The Screenwriter likes to avoid defining the powers a person or object holds such as [[Series/Loki2021 Loki]], [[Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer Doctor Doom and the Silver Surfer]], or [[Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings the Ten Rings]] so he can have them do whatever he needs for the sake of the plot.
** In ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', Diana turns the stolen jet invisible to escape the authorities, with the Producer pointing out, "Well, thank God she has that ability we never once mentioned or referenced".
** In ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', Sersi is able to use the last of her enhanced power to make Sprite human despite never having done something like that before.
* NoEnding: In the ''Film/Halloween1978'' Pitch meeting, the producer asks what's going to happen after Michael gets stabbed and shot a bunch of times and then falls out of a window, only to disappear and leave no body behind. The Screenwriter replies by saying that, according to his calculations, that's where the production will completely run out of money so the film will just sort of stop there.
* NomDeMom: In the ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' pitch meeting, the Producer gets confused by this trope, noting that kids usually take their fathers' names.
* NonIndicativeName: ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' mainly has dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period, but the Screenwriter hates how "Cretaceous Park" sounds.
* NoSocialSkills: The reason that the screenwriter included a scene of Roxanne checking a magic 8-ball during a date where she was stood up (in ''Film/{{Ghost Rider|2007}}'') is because he's "Never been on a date before, nor [has he] ever met a human woman."
* NotHisSled: The ''Film/Glass2019'' pitch winds up being a subversion of the usual video formula at the end: once the Screenwriter is done, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness the Producer brings up that he has some notes about the questionable decisions made with the plot]]. What happens next?
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Well, screw you, then. ''[[[ScrewThisImOuttaHere leaves]]]''\\
'''Producer:''' [[DidntSeeThatComing What?]]\\
''[hard cut to Screen Rant article [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney discussing how M. Night Shyamalan personally financed the film]]]''
* NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer:
** In a LeaningOnTheFourthWall manner, when the Producer suggests, instead of calling ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' that title, [[MythologyGag they go with "Spaceman from Pluto"]], he says:
--->'''Producer''': Yeah yeah yeah, [[https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/2016-08-30/back-to-the-future-almost-had-a-really-bad-title/ that is a real note that a Hollywood studio executive is giving.]]
** The Screenwriter says that ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' will include a scene where Hancock [[AssShove shoves a guy's head up another guy's butt]]. When the Producer expresses incredulity, the Screenwriter confirms, "Yeah, that's a real scene in this movie. Hancock's gonna put a man's head inside another man's butt."
** In the ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting, an exchange like this occurs when Heather points out that "vampires don't pee or poo."
--->'''Screenwriter''': That is an actual- that is a real line from this movie that I've written here ''(points at script)''.\\
'''Producer''': ''(gives a thumbs up)'' And I'm signing off on it!
* NotSoAboveItAll: As it happens, the stipulation in ''[[WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress The Polar Express']]'' song about hot chocolate that you ''mustn't'' let it cool happened in part because of Screenwriter's '''severe''' insistence on drinking hot beverages hot:
-->'''Producer''': You need ta- you gotta let it cool a little bit.
-->'''Screenwriter''': ''NOPE, NOPE, YOU DRINK IT '''SCALDING HOT'''.''
* NotSoDifferentRemark: In the ''Film/NoTimeToDie'' Pitch Meeting, the producer mentions how villains love telling heroes how they're not so different from each other.
* NoYou: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', when the Screenwriter insists that since he needs the plot to move forward, not everything will end up making sense.
-->'''Producer''': Feels like you should have stuff make sense.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Feels like ''you'' should have stuff make sense.
* ObligatoryJoke: [[invoked]] Towards the end of the Film/{{F9}} pitch meeting, the Producer calls into question that [[RememberTheNewGuy the film is going to reveal that Dom has a brother]], despite that never coming up before then:
-->'''Producer''': It's just, how is it possible that we've never ''seen'' this guy before, you know, how's that possible?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Maybe we get creative with casting!\\
'''Producer''': ''What?''\\
(hard cut to the Screen Rant article [[MemeticMutation revealing]] Wrestling/JohnCena [[ActorAllusion got cast]])
* ObviouslyEvil:
** The Producer immediately realizes who the BigBad of ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' is after the Screenwriter mentions the villain's motives, despite the Screenwriter's attempts to deny that the character is a villain.
** In ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'', Matt needs his LivingLieDetector abilities to find out that the rapist on trial is lying, even though he's barely trying to hide his guilt.
* OhCrap: Both the Sony Screenwriter and the Producer get a major one when they see the online reactions regarding their decision to withdraw Spider-Man from the MCU.
* OnlyInFlorida: After the Producer expresses concern that ''Series/TigerKing'' is too implausible and unrealistic sounding to be a real documentary, the Screenwriter states it's filmed in rural Oklahoma and Florida. That instantly assuages the Producer's unease.
* OnlySaneMan: The two characters generally alternate between this, oftentimes trying to shoot down a particularly outlandish suggestion to no avail. It's usually the Producer guy who is the one trying to shoot things down. The episode on ''Series/GameOfThrones'' Season 8 plays this the straightest, where the Producer guy (representing Creator/{{HBO}}) is entirely reasonable and completely steamrolled by the Screenwriter. In the ''Film/{{Twilight}} Breaking Dawn'' pitch, the Producer sigh and goes silent when the Screenwriter bring up Jacob bonding with a baby. When the Screenwriter says Jacob will first help raise the baby before entering in a romantic relationship with it, the producer sighs again and goes "You know that's somehow worse right? You know that?". Sadly the screenwriter distracts him by reminding him how much money they'll make.
* OnlyTheAuthorCanSaveThemNow: [[invoked]] Implied in the pitch meeting for ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', when the Screenwriter, when pressed, explains that he had to "make the Emperor an idiot" so the protagonists would be able to win.'
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Anything that can make the Producer lose his {{Perpetual Smile|r}} counts
** For example, learning that the dog dies in ''Film/JohnWick''. After several seconds of StunnedSilence, the Producer very seriously states that people better die for that. He gets even angrier when the Screenwriter punches a drawing of a puppy to illustrate how he's going to get the audience to hate the BigBad of ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', first threatening to kill the Screenwriter, then blacklist him, and then nuke his house after setting his mailbox on fire.
** Similarly, it takes an ''extremely'' stupid writing choice for him to actually put his foot down and give any negative feedback.
** In the ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'' pitch meeting, he's completely serious while hearing about the tribute to ''Creator/ChadwickBoseman'', and the "Wow" while hearing about Shuri failing to save her brother sounds [[SincerityMode like he means it for once]].
* OrcusOnHisThrone: In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'', the Screenwriter hypes up Thanos and says he "will do some real damage"... [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar in 2018]].
* OutOfCharacterMoment: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'', the Producer notes that Dumbledore, usually a calm character, angrily yells and shakes Harry when his name comes out of the goblet. The Screenwriter says that he was projecting his own anger issues onto the character.
* OverlyLongGag:
** In the ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter repeatedly says "And then Kong makes a helicopter crash" until the Producer begs him to stop.
** The ''[[Film/Barbie2023 Barb]][[Film/{{Oppenheimer}} enheimer]]'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter repeatedly say some variation of "The patriarchy is bad" to the point the Producer insists that "it's kind of a lot". Then the Screenwriter hits him in the head with a piece of paper that says "Patriarchy not good", causing the Producer to ask if he was "just literally hit across the head with the message".
* {{Padding}}: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that if the Producer wants to make the movie last longer than ten minutes, they'll have to resort to this trope. This includes adding shots of characters staring, inserting long dramatic pauses into dialogue, having characters take a long time to explain things and making David slow to realize that he's never taken a sick day before
--->'''Producer''': Oh, unnecessary dramatic pauses in the middle of sentences are... ''(pauses for seven seconds)'' ...tight.
** The ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting has the film repeatedly go into slow motion in order to reach a feature film's runtime.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Series/StrangerThings'' Season 4, the Producer notes that much of the Russia subplot involves the characters repeatedly escaping from prison, being re-captured, and escaping again.
* PerfectlyCromulentWord: In the ''Film/{{Cats}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer is confused that the Screenwriter's decided to keep "saying the made-up word 'Jellicle' and not provide any context or explanation".
* PermanentPlaceholder: {{Invoked}} On a few occasions a particularly cliché bit of dialogue is described as being a placeholder the Screenwriter put in but never bothered changing, sometimes obviously lying about his intention to change it to the producer. For example, on "[[Film/RevengeOfTheSith from my point of view, the Jedi are evil!]]"
-->"It '''was''' placeholder dialogue, but I lost the login information for my laptop so we're kind of stuck with it now."
* PerpetualSmiler: Both characters. While the smile was more subdued in the beginning, a few years into the series, they're constantly beaming from one ear to the other. This is lampshaded in the ''Pitch Meetings'' pitch meeting, where the Producer points out that all this smiling will make the characters look unhinged.
* PersonAsVerb: In the ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' pitch meeting, the Producer says that the BigBad, who got bonked on the head by a passing metal thing while on a train, got "Dennis Hoppered," and should have died like Hopper's character did after suffering the same thing in ''Film/{{Speed}}''.
* PerverseSexualLust: In the ''Film/SpaceJam'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter is clearly turned on by his own creation of WesternAnimation/LolaBunny. At one point, [[FreudianSlip he says Lola kisses "me" when he meant to say that she kisses Bugs Bunny]]. He is also weirdly into the idea of Simba and Nala hooking up in ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', despite the fact that they're at least cousins, if not half-siblings.[note]Since Simba and Nala are from the same pride, she's either Mufasa or Scar's daughter.[/note]
* PetTheDog: Invoked a few times by the Screenwriter, usually as a defense of a protagonist who should otherwise be unlikable but he insist is fine because of a minor good deed early in the film.
** In the ''Film/Hellboy2004'' episode, he calls those a "save the cat" moment so he has Hellboy... [[LiteralMinded rescue a bunch of cats]]. He doesn't think it's a problem that by keeping them next to him during the fight with Samael, he's putting them in danger.
** In the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan'' episode, it's Peter defending a kid from a bully and Screenwriter guy assumes that this absolves Peter's behavior for the rest of the movie.
** Defied in the ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'' pitch video, in which the Screenwriter says [[WorldOfJerkass the entire cast is unlikeable]], after being asked if there's any obligatory "save the cat" moments.
* PillarOfLight:
** Since ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' is a CGI-heavy blockbuster film, the Producer expects the final battle to involve a "sky beam" (asking what color it'll be) and is crestfallen and dubious when the Screenwriter says the threat will be an alien starfish.
** He also expects ''Film/Joker2019'' to have a CGI sky beam solely due to it being a comic book movie, and calls the Screenwriter crazy when he tells him it doesn't have one.
* ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything: In ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', despite Boba Fett and Fennec Shand becoming crime bosses, they don't do a single crime, with them instead trying and failing to gain the respect of the town.
* PlanetOfSteves : When asked about the name "Pollux" during the Pitch Meeting for ''Film/FaceOff''.
* PlotArmor:
** At times the Screenwriter will only explain why a character survives with "it's a main character". The pitch meeting for ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' name-drops the trope as the Screenwriter describes Cole's newfound power: clothes made "entirely out of plot armor".
** In the pitch for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter notes that the villains murder a man in the first episode simply for interacting with Eleven, while Hopper, one of the protagonists, becomes a much bigger liability for them, but they don't kill him.
** This is a bit of a RunningGag in the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, in which characters survive many things, from plane crashes to plunging into freezing cold water, because they're the main characters.
** In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' pitch meeting, the Kraken can devour a ship without any named characters almost instantly, but it takes five to ten minutes if the main characters are on it.
* PlotHole: In the pitch meeting for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter explains that the Demogorgon is attracted to blood and abducts Will Byers, who wasn't bleeding.
** During the ''Film/Mulan2020'' pitch, the Screenwriter explains that Mulan joins the army in her father's stead because his age and bad leg make him unfit to fight. He then says that the army commander will send home anyone who can't keep up with the training, meaning that if her father had gone, he'd just have been sent home, rendering Mulan's whole arc and the movie pointless. When the Producer points this out, the Screenwriter is briefly stunned into silence.
* PlotIrrelevantVillain:
** In ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', Sonny Burch's role amounts to serving as the leader of "a group of punching bags" that let the heroes have car chases and fights without the FBI getting involved.
** In ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', Cad Bane is supposed to be the BigBad but isn't introduced until the penultimate episode and is barely fleshed out, so only the fans who watched ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' will really know what his deal is.
* PopCulturalOsmosisFailure: In the ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' pitch meeting, the Producer isn't particularly excited about the actors from the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' and ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries'' that the Screenwriter wants to bring in, because he hasn't seen them. The Screenwriter comments that he should have had a more enthusiastic reaction and pushes him to watch all five. He is ''much'' more enthused after that.
* PoliceAreUseless: In the ''Film/DieHard'' pitch meeting, the police are made unbelievably stupid because if they were competent, the movie would come to a premature end.
* PoorCommunicationKills: In ''Film/DragonBallEvolution'', Goku breaks into Roshi's house and doesn't tell him what he's doing there so they can have a fight scene.
* PrecisionFStrike: In ''Film/{{Old}}'', the Screenwriter utters a bleeped-out "Shit!" when the Producer points out a PlotHole in his attempt to explain the big twist of the movie- it's impossible to cover up the disappearance of hundreds of people on the beach, including a famous rapper, unless none of them told anyone where they were going on vacation. He soon recovers his composure enough to insist that the Producer get all the way off his back, though.
* ProductPlacement:
** In the ''Film/PowerRangers2017'' pitch, when the Screenwriter says the power crystal the heroes need to find is in an unremarkable building, the Screenwriter cuts in to say it's a Krispy Kreme store, and characters will mention Krispy Kreme, and Rita will eat a doughnut.
** The generous amount of product placement throughout the Film/TransformersFilmSeries is given a nod in the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' pitch, when the Screenwriter says that with the Transformium MacGuffin in the baddies' hands, they can transform the stuff "into any product placement we want".
** ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' is highlighted for being one for Warner Bros.
--->'''Screenwriter''': In practically every scene there's gonna be recognizable Warner Bros. property or someone saying Warner Bros!\\
'''Producer''': Amazing! Sounds like the cinematic equivalent of scrolling through our Wikipedia page!
** During the pitch meeting for ''Film/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings'', the Producer interrupts the Screenwriter to specify that they drive "a beautiful BMW" to get to Ta Lo.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Okay, seems like you're getting a lot of money to specify that.
** The protagonist of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' goes to sit in the "family car" for alone time, but the Producer forces the Screenwriter to turn it into a painfully blatant BMW commercial.
--->'''Producer''': Okay, there you go! That sounds a lot more... money.
** In the ''Film/RedNotice'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter includes Coca-Cola as part of a plot point, and the Producer remarks that sure, they'll give them money to be included in the movie. The Producer also sounds a little unimpressed with the inclusion of Ryan Reynolds' gin brand and Dwayne Johnson's tequila brand in the film.
** The ''Film/GhostbustersAfterlife'' pitch meeting has the Producer and Screenwriter play "Product Placement Mad Libs" to identify a store and a product that will give them a lot of money for their inclusion in the movie.
** The Producer makes the Screenwriter include a clue and a fight scene in a Papa John's in ''Film/Uncharted2022'', despite it not making a whole lot of sense.
--->'''Producer:''' A very exciting action scene brought to you by Papa John's!
** ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' includes blatant product placement for Lexus by showing the characters switching modes in their brand new car to outrun villains in a car chase. The Producer cheerfully remarks that Lexus will give them money to include that.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch, the Producer lists off every single company and product that he wants included in the movie.
--->'''Producer:''' [[LongList Just a couple like Beats By Dre, Starbucks, Converse, American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Pandora, Margaritaville, Hilton, Triumph, Verizon Wireless, Columbia, Nissan, Nike, Oakley, IWC, Ben and Jerry’s, Brookstone, IMAX, Mike and Ike, and like a crapload of Mercedes.]]
* ProlongedPrologue: [[invoked]] The Producer says that the flashback to Diana's childhood at the start of ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' would be a good way to quickly establish one of the movie's themes, only to be told that the scene is 11 minutes long.
* RandomEventsPlot: The Producer seems to think that most of ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'' is one.
-->'''Producer:''' Hey, can I ask you something?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Of course!\\
'''Producer:''' What the hell's going on?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Exactly!\\
'''Producer:''' Right.
* RapidFireComedy: Much humor comes from the Screenwriter enthusiastically pitching a movie to the Producer, and oftentimes they'll barely stop at a joke before moving on. ​
-->'''Producer:''' But if they're never in any actual danger, it feels like the action sequences won't have any stakes whatsoever.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, well, that's fine because I'm vegan anyway.\\
'''Producer:''' What?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' And so they're also gonna run into this bad guy...
* RapidFireNo: During the ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'', the Producer assumes that Anastasia is "super sexy with a great personality" since Christian instantly falls in love with her. The Screenwriter rapidly says no over and over, gradually slowing down until the Producer awkwardly moves on.
* RealitySubtext: [[invoked]] Right from the very outset, the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheMatrixResurrections'' lampshades the film's own use of it by having Screenwriter (passive-aggresively) explain the film starts with the main character being forced to make a fourth installment to his completed trilogy series.
* RebootSnark: Pitch meetings for any of Disney's live-action reboots of classic animated films accent how much of a blatant cash-grab such films are, beyond the normal level for the pitch meetings.
* RecycledScript: [[invoked]]
** ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019'' is described as this to ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''. For a moment, the Producer is disappointed/concerned when the Screenwriter promises something totally original, but is relieved when the Screenwriter admits to having been kidding. The Screenwriter proposes making a copy of the previous film except for the parts that can't be done with real life animals.
** The Screenwriter claims that he was able to write the script for ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'' in 20 minutes by taking "every single story beat and plot point" from the first movie and making them more intense and elaborate.
** The ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter state that the hero's father doesn't approve of his child's yearning for adventure, and tasks a reluctant advisor with keeping tabs on the child, while the king's evil sibling tricks the child into a dangerous situation as part of a scheme to become ruler of the kingdom. As the Screenwriter is saying this, B-roll from ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019'' plays.
** ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheDialOfDestiny'' has Creator/HarrisonFord's character be separated from his wife, lose his son and play second fiddle to a female newcomer with a British accent, something the Producer recognizes as a retread of Han Solo's arc in the sequel trilogy of ''Franchise/StarWars''.
* RecycledInSpace: ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' is described as "''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'' but in space with some big blue kitty cats."
* ReleasedToElsewhere:
** In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter justifies electricity causing the now catlike Barbara to fall asleep by saying that it's what happens to cats. The Producer points out the cat probably died, the Screenwriter says no, his father told him that when his cat chewed through an extension cord, he fell asleep, then went to live on a farm.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/MazeRunnerTheScorchTrials'', the Screenwriter says every so often, some kids in the mysterious facility are selected by Mr. Janson and then vanish.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' They're being told that they're going off to live on a nice farm.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, going off to live on a nice farm is tight! ''[realizing]'' Oh wait, that's always a code for death.
* RememberTheNewGuy:
** In ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, Harry is said to be a long-time friend of Peter's despite never having been mentioned in the first movie, which also dealt with Oscorp. The Producer points out that Peter's memory is horrible.
** In ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', the Producer is confused as to why Ghost wasn't shown earlier if she was part of SHIELD for many years.
* RhetoricalQuestionBlunder:
** In the pitch meeting for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones''
--->'''Screenwriter''': I mean, who has a better story than Bran?\\
'''Producer''': I mean, arguably any other character.
** Inverted in the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, where the Producer asks a serious question that the Screenwriter mistakes as rhetorical.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' We're bringing back original beloved characters many years later!\\
'''Producer:''' Is there any other way to make money these days?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' I know, right?\\
'''Producer:''' No, seriously, is there? 'Cause we're rapidly running out of iconic characters to bring back. Please help.
* RogueAgent: The ubiquity of the agent-gone-rogue trope is mocked in the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheGrayMan2022'', in which the main character becomes an enemy of his agency.
-->'''Producer:''' So the CIA asset is gonna have his own agency turn against him? ''[concentrating]'' Wha- what- what- what movie did I see that in?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Ohhh, yeah, what was tha- what was- which one was that? That was, ah... Oh. That was all of them.\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah, that's right. It was every single one of them.
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: Parodied in the ''Film/RogueOne'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer briefly thinks it's ''Rouge One'', and references how many people online get the two terms mixed up.
* RousingSpeech: In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'', the Screenwriter writes so many inspirational speeches for the show that he ends up launching into one when the Producer calls him out on it.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' It ''is'' a lot of speeches. But what, are we supposed to stand around and not listen to a bunch of speeches? No! Today is when we take our stand!
* RubberOrifice: The Producer, listening to the Screenwriter making a pitch for ''Film/{{Hancock}}'', points out that [[AssShove Hancock shoving a guy's head up another guy's butt]] will kill both victims. The Screenwriter says that he "checked the script, and turns out that's not deadly", and later, both guys are indeed alive, and they want to get revenge on Hancock.
* RuleOfCool: [[invoked]] Many of the Screenwriter's decision outright stem from this.
** Outright name dropped in the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' and ''Film/PacificRim'' videos.
** During the meet for ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', the Producer questions how Peter's DNA getting mixed up in the dimensional portal machine caused several characters who are not him to cross over. After several offered explanations are rejected, the Screenwriter points out the alternative is to ''not'' have a bunch of fun, alternate versions of Spider-Man in the movie; the Producer gets off his back because he definitely does want that.
** During the ''Film/KongSkullIsland'', the male lead asking for five times what he'd been offered, plus a bonus if he makes it back alive, is described as just being there to show how cool he is. The producer points out that the part about the bonus doesn't make sense, since he doesn't need money if he dies, but the Screenwriter tells him to get off his back.
** In Season 4 of ''Series/StrangerThings'', Eddie distracts the bats in the Upside Down by playing his guitar on a rooftop, instead of standing right in front of the door he needs to get through. The Screenwriter explains that doing it on the roof looks a lot cooler.
** When discussing ''Film/JohnWickChapter4'', Screenwriter Guy invokes the RuleOfCool as it's apparently an ancient law in Hollywood the Producer must adhere to.
--->'''Screenwriter Guy''': There exists an old tradition in Hollywood that if a scene looks cool you must allow the screenwriter to get there by any means necessary.\\
'''Producer Guy''': ''(Deep Sigh)'' You're really going to invoke the Rule of Cool right now?\\
'''Screenwriter Guy''': I am.
* RunningGag:
** The Screenwriter saying that because the movie is an origin story, they have to show the character as a kid. Usually in response to the Producer pointing out the childhood scene didn't reveal any information that couldn't have been given elsewhere in the film and requires hiring more actors to play the child versions of the characters.
** The Producer on the fly coming up with an interesting plot development only for the Screenwriter to agree and [[invoked]][[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot say they are not going to do that.]]
** In the ''Film/ReadyPlayerOne2018'' pitch meeting, whenever the Screenwriter feels as though he's losing the Producer, he brings up a pop culture reference to distract him.
** The producer is pretty adept at pointing out inconsistencies in plot, characterization, or even if the work is unsuitable for adaptation to a new medium. But he folds like a deck of cards the moment the Screenwriter mentions a movie's potential money-making ability.
** The Screenwriter's defense for an inadequately explained element is often "because I wrote it," or because the plot requires it to happen.
** The series often makes fun of overly complex magical elements of a story (e.g. the fountain of youth from ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides''), particularly how the people involved know the specific steps required to use them properly.
** When the Screenwriter discusses a particularly horrible idea that somehow meets with the Producer's approval, the latter will say "yes, and I'm going to spend actual money to commit it to film".
** In the ''Film/Venom2018'' pitch meeting, after a brief discussion on how "symbiote" is supposed to be pronounced, the Producer switches "be" and "buy" around.
** In the ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter keeps answering the Producer's questions on why things happen with "I don't care."
** The Producer having to distract himself from how much he hates the ''Twilight: Breaking Dawn'' pitch with how much money the movie will make.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', the Producer keeps bringing up both how horrifying the movie is and that Grandpa Joe is super sketchy.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' has the Screenwriter play Wonder Woman's theme from his smartphone every time her name is mentioned or the Amazons do anything.
** The pitch meeting for ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' sees the Screenwriter repeatedly talking about how terrible [[invoked]][[UnintentionallySympathetic John Walker]] is and how sympathetic [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic Karli]] is despite the plot showing the exact opposite. Such as Walker being terrible for killing the man who helped kill his partner but "Karli is doing her absolute best to kill Sam because she's a sympathetic character".
** The Producer can never guess what the next ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' film will be named while the Screenwriter always thinks the answer is obvious, even though the naming convention is all over the place.
** The ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' pitch meeting has a twist on the "He's from the previous movie!" catchphrase, in which the Producer references obscure works featuring the characters (''Film/TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial'' for Luke), works in which the characters have minor appearances (''Film/RogueOne'' for Leia), or works in which they don't even appear at all (''Series/TheMandalorian'' for Darth Vader[=/=]Anakin Skywalker).
** In the ''Film/Pinocchio2022Disney'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mispronounces Pinocchio's name a different way each time he says it.
** In the ''Film/TopGunMaverick'' pitch meeting, the Producer keeps bringing up how the movie is basically Star Wars. Eventually when the Screenwriter insists it isn't, the Producer just gives a mocking laugh.
** During the ''Film/FastX'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter makes it very clear he's not remotely invested in the script. Besides openly stating he doesn't care, he wrote part of it using Mad Libs, picked the location of the final showdown by throwing a dart at a map, and chooses cameos by picking names out of a hat.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/TheMarvels2023'', after the Producer remarks that he hopes Dar-Benn isn't another bland and forgetabble villain, he continuously forgets who she is any time the Screenwriter mentions her.
* RussianReversal: At the end spiel of the ''Film/BatmanReturns'' video, Ryan tells the viewer to "Like that Smash button!" and then berates himself for getting the phrase wrong.
* SanityBall: Whether the Screenwriter is an incompetent lunatic and the Producer is the straight man whose sound advice is ignored, the Screenwriter is a good writer who is forced to dumb down his scripts by the meddling Producer, or both are hopelessly inept depends on whatever [[RuleOfFunny Ryan thinks is funnier.]]
* SanitySlippage: The Screenwriter is left slightly unhinged by attempting to turn ''Theatre/{{Cats}}'' into a movie.
* SavedByCanon: In the ''Series/ObiWanKenobi'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why Obi-Wan doesn't kill a defeated Darth Vader after realizing that his friend is truly dead, to which the Screenwriter explains is because "Vader needs to appear in several movies after this". It also comes up in the pitch for ''Film/BlackWidow2021'', when the Screenwriter explains that he's going to have Natasha survive multiple car crashes and falls that should kill her because she can't die until ''Film/AvengersEndgame''.
* SavedByTheAwesome:
** Mocked in the ''Film/FantasticFour2005'' pitch meeting, in which the Screenwriter justifies the police's decision to let Ben go despite planning on arresting him for the chaos he caused on the bridge, simply because the onlookers clapped for him.
** Also mocked in ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'', in which it's pointed out that Indy's heroism clearing him of suspicion of working for the Communists is rather hard to swallow when there isn't even any proof of that heroism.
* SayMyName: During the ''Film/JohnWickChapter4'' pitch meeting, the Producer is doubtful that Caine and John saying each other's names to each other for the duration of the movie could be very cool. The Screenwriter demonstrates by saying, "Producer Guy," and the Producer responds, "Screenwriter Guy," and immediately agrees that that ''was'' cool. Later in the pitch, after the Screenwriter invokes [[RuleOfCool an old Hollywood tradition]], there's an extended back-and-forth of the two saying each other's names with increasingly serious expressions.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: The pitch meeting for ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' shows the Producer's assistant, Larry, show up in the middle to deliver something to him. Only problem? He shows up when the Screenwriter explains Marty's plan to get George and Lorraine to fall in love with each other at the dance, with the ''[[NotWhatItLooksLike worst]]'' [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant word choices possible]].
-->'''Larry''': (enters the room with some papers; clears throat) Sorry, sir, can I just, uh-
-->'''Producer''': Just a minute, Larry. (to the Screenwriter) So, what's- what's the plan?
-->'''Screenwriter''': Well, he's gonna pretend to force himself on his own mother, and then his father is gonna come in and beat him off, and that's really gonna impress the mom, and then she's gonna want to hook up with him instead of her own son.
-->'''Larry''': [[StunnedSilence (stands silently)]] ... ... ...okay, I'm gonna go?
-->'''Producer''': You sure? You can stick around.
-->'''Larry''': (awkwardly leaves) No no, [[FreudianSlip I incest- I insist.]]
-->'''Producer''': (to the Screenwriter) Not sure what that guy's problem was.
* ScrewYourself: Defied in the ''Series/Loki2021'' pitch meeting-- the Producer asks if the Screenwriter can imagine falling in love with yourself, and the Screenwriter answers he can with a smile. The Producer immediately shoots him down, and [[MistakenForFlirting the Screenwriter clarifies]], "I ''can'' imagine it, obviously, since I wrote it. Also, [[InexplicablyIdenticalIndividuals we're not the same person]]. I have ''glasses''."
* SelfDeprecation: During their ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch, the Screenwriter says that Hammond will interact with a recorded version of himself. The producer asks what kind of idiot would try and pass off a video of him talking to himself as entertainment.
** In the "Pitch Meetings" pitch meeting, the Screenwriter has a list of several different actors who could portray the screenwriter and producer characters, all of whom are Ryan George with a different shirt and glasses (Bryan Peorge, George Ray-on, Gryan Lorge, Creator/ChristianBale, Flyin' Rorge, and Rayan Giorgee). The Producer hates all of them and says they have punchable faces, then asks why they're all smiling so much and says it makes them look like crazy people. The same pitch also mercilessly mocks basically everything else about the series: the dated catchphrases, its low-budget nature, the fact that Screenwriter and Producer don't age, and Ryan (supposedly) being in bad shape.
--->'''Screenwriter:''' I'm not gonna start de-aging myself, this isn't a Marvel movie.\\
'''Producer:''' That's a good point. If this was a Marvel movie, you'd be in much better shape.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, that kinda hurts my feelings.\\
'''Producer:''' I mean, you're no Creator/ChrisEvans.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[SweetTooth Sugar tastes good, what am I supposed to do?]]
* SelfInsert: Bill from ''Film/ItChapterTwo'' being a Screenwriter making a horror movie for Warner Bros. is played as this; the Screenwriter even slips up and calls him "me."
* SelflessWish: Defied in the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' pitch meeting, in which, after being questioned by the Producer, the Screenwriter admits that the story only works if every single one of the billions of people around the world universally wishes for something "selfish and violent," and not selfless wishes or even understandable ones (being cured of their disease, feeding their starving child, world peace, etc.)
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: Namedropped in the second part of the ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' pitch meeting, when the Producer proposes that the Slytherins being treated as the "evil" house results in most of them being evil.
* SequelHook:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' makes fun of the decision to tease a sequel by introducing Azula at the end of the movie, in spite of how terrible the finished product ended up being.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'' has Martian Manhunter show up and tell Batman that he's "here for any sequels you might be making," in a scene that the Producer says "feels tacked-on."
* {{Sequelitis}}: [[invoked]]{{Lampshaded}} in the pitch meeting for ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'', the sixth installment of the [[Film/HomeAlone franchise]], by having a [[ContinuityCameo cameo]] from Buzz [=McCallister=] which prompts this exchange:
-->'''Producer''': He's from the [[Film/HomeAlone1 first movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yeah he is!\\
'''Producer''': And the [[Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork second movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': I think so!\\
'''Producer''': And the [[Film/HomeAlone3 third movie!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': No, wasn't in that one I don't think.\\
'''Producer''': The [[Film/HomeAlone4TakingBackTheHouse fourth movie?]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Yes, but [[TheOtherDarrin played by a different actor]].\\
'''Producer''': Still pretty cool. The [[Film/HomeAloneTheHolidayHeist fifth movie?]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': No.\\
'''Producer''': The sixth one?\\
'''Screenwriter''': That's this movie.\\
'''Producer''': He's from this movie!\\
'''Screenwriter''': He sure is, sir!\\
'''Producer''': Oh, being from this movie is tight!
* SignatureLine: "Super easy, barely an inconvenience."
* SeriesContinuityError: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', the Screenwriter protests that as popular as Professor [=McGonagall=] is, she hasn't yet been born as of her cameo in the movie. He's forced to give in when the Producer threatens to set Quebec on fire after he completes his plan to buy Canada, and agrees to [=McGonagall=]'s cameo.
* ShapedLikeItself:
** In the ''Film/ThreeHundred'' pitch meeting.
--->'''Producer''': Tight thongs are tight!
** During the pitch for ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'':
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Anyway the elves need this stuff [mithril] or they're gonna die.\\
'''Producer:''' Why?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' 'Cause they'll die if they don't get it.
** ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians: The Sea of Monsters'':
--->'''Screenwriter:''' Turns out [Luke] didn't die at the end of the last movie, he's completely fine.\\
'''Producer:''' Oh! How did he survive?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' By not dying.\\
'''Producer:''' That'll do it.
** In the ''Film/DayShift'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks why vampire fangs are worth a lot of money, and the Screenwriter answers it's because of how much money they're worth.
* ShipperOnDeck: In the ''Film/{{Batman 1989}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer isn't thrilled when Alfred tries to ship Bruce with Vicki Vale, especially because Alfred got Vicki drunk, resulting in Bruce having sex with her.
* ShootTheShaggyDog: In ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'', Kate gets everyone else killed while trying to save her friend Geeta, only for Geeta to presumably die in the helicopter crash at the end.
* ShoutOut: Pitch Meeting was inspired by Creator/JohnMulaney's stand up on rewatching ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'', and describing what the pitch must've been like. So several jokes from the ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting reference some of the jokes Mulaney makes (Such as how Marty's friendship with an elderly disgraced scientist is never explained or expanded upon).
* ShowDontTell:
** Inverted in ''Film/TheLastAirbender'' pitch meeting, in which the Screenwriter mentions having the protagonists free several villages offscreen, narrating about Sokka and Yue falling in love and telling about the Moon Spirit in extensive detail. It is then parodied by some out-of-nowhere narration detailing how Screenwriter Guy and Producer Guy apparently save the world from aliens and become co-Presidents of the United States off-screen.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Well, I'm following the first rule of screenwriting, sir; tell, don't show.\\
'''Producer''': Oh, I think you got that backwards.
** The Screenwriter uses the same phrase in the ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' pitch meeting, when describing why he decides to have much of the exposition come from Jake giving video reports.
** Played straight in ''Film/JohnWick'', in which it's mentioned that the film hints at elements of how the criminal underworld works rather than telling about them outright. Ryan expressed appreciation for the film's use of this trope when revisiting the pitch meeting.
* ShownTheirWork:
** In ''Film/TheMatrix'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter describes his idea about how the machines are using humans as a neural network, only for the Producer to not understand the concept and make him change it to the humans being used as batteries so the audience can understand it. This is actually what happened when the Wachowskis pitched ''The Matrix'' to Warner Bros.
** In the ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'' pitch meeting, the Producer suggests calling the movie "Spaceman From Pluto". This really was the title that then-CEO of Universal Sid Sheinberg wanted to call the movie.
** In the ''Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet1984'' pitch meeting, he brings up the original ending of the movie, which would have heavily implied that the events of the film were all just a bad dream that the main character had.
** The ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch opens up right out of the gate with Screenwriter stating his initial name for the film is ''Tonight, He Comes'' (with the joke being how dirty the name sounds, [[DiggingYourselfDeeper and how the final title doesn't sound better]]). [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer This is actually]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancock_(film)#Development the original title.]]
* SincerityMode: The Producer is capable of this on occasion. For example, in the ''Film/PointBreak1991'' Pitch Meeting, he asks why Bodhi would abandon his safe and effective "gone in 90 seconds" plan and go after the bank's vault in the final robbery of the film. When the Screenwriter replies that it's because this is the climax and he has to raise the stakes, the Producer replies by saying "That's fair" with complete sincerity.
* SkewedPriorities:
** Dieter from ''Film/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' gets called out for wandering off into a dinosaur-infested forest because he needs to pee.
--->'''Producer''': Risking your life so nobody sees your ding-dong is tight.
** Hank [=McCoy=] in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' testing a serum to disguise his (at that point very mild) mutant disfiguration the night before an important mission is described as such. "Is he worried the bad guys are going to make fun of his weird feet?"
** In the ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he can't rewatch the first one because he put a bagel in his DVD player, put both of them in the oven and set it to broil... because he still wanted the bagel, destroying an expensive piece of technology for a bagel that costs a dollar or less.
** In the ''Film/{{Moonfall}}'' pitch meeting, the protagonist refuses to join an effort to save the world because he has more important things to do. It is also revealed that the project to make an EMP to end the nanobot threat was scrapped due to budgetary concerns.
* SlowPacedBeginning: [[invoked]] Inverted in the ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' pitch meeting, when the Screenwriter says that the movie will be all downhill after the intense beginning, and the Producer agrees, saying that once they get the audience's attention, they can stop trying.
* SmartBall: Depending on the situation, especially how funny it would be, the Producer or Scriptwriter may suddenly become a lot smarter than usual.
** During the ''Film/JohnWick'' meeting, the Producer actually thinks to look up Baba Yaga, the namesake for John's nickname, and wonders why he's being named after a hideous crone when his name's supposed to be a synonym for "the boogeyman."
** During the ''Film/Aladdin2019'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks the Screenwriter why they're remaking a beloved animated film despite the fact that they're unlikely to improve upon it.
** During the ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter, who usually forgets basic information established in previous films and/or the source material he's adapting, points out the SeriesContinuityError caused by [=McGonagall=]'s cameo.
* SoftWater: Discussed in the ''Film/TheTomorrowWar'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer asks if falling hundreds of feet into a swimming pool would be deadly, but the Screenwriter insists the people who landed in the pool are fine.
* SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX: When the Producer calls the Screenwriter out on his portrayal of people with mental health issues in ''Film/BirdBox'', the Screenwriter insists that one of his best friends is mentally ill and is fine with it. The Producer notes that this doesn't work that way.
* SpecialEditionTitle: Actually Special Edition Thumbnail. The thumbnails for each episode are pictures of the main characters with enormously enlarged eyes. For ''Film/BirdBox'', they went with a picture of Creator/SandraBullock blindfolded because that's how she spends most of the film, but gave her enormously enlarged lips instead. With the Spider-Man pitches, they add cartoony pupils and a mouth to Spidey's mask in the thumbnails since it already has oversized eyes.
* SpectacularSpinning: In the final episode of ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', one of the cyborg kids will do a spin before shooting, which is "gonna look very cool, possibly". When the Producer questions the practical purpose of a spin move that'll make him dizzy, the Screenwriter tells him to get off his back.
* SpoilerTitle: Subverted with the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' title. The Producer assumes that the title means that the heroes fail to accomplish the mission, but the Screenwriters points out that they're successful nearly every time.
* SpoofedWithTheirOwnWords: As part of the AccentuateTheNegative aspect of pitch meetings, any especially cheesy or hackneyed dialogue is repeated during pitches, sometimes accompanied by a NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer.
** The Producer inserts a post-credit scene in ''Film/Morbius2022'' where [[spoiler:the Vulture winds up in Morbius's universe]], to the Screenwriter's confusion. The dialogue that the Producer includes in the scene is quoted from the movie. The Screenwriter even asks if the Producer wants him to spruce up any of dialogue, which the Producer declines.
** For ''Series/GameOfThrones'' Season 8, the Screenwriter says that Daenerys "kind of forgot about the Iron Fleet and Euron's forces, but they certainly haven't forgotten about her", a line taken nearly word-for-word from one of the creators explaining Daenerys's forgetfulness.
* SpotlightStealingSquad:
** When asked whether Cole Young and his family from ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' will take time away from the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' characters fans came to see, the Screenwriter says, "Oh, most definitely! A ton of it!"
** When the Producer asks if Wolverine is being sent back in time just as an excuse to make him the main character in ''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast'', the Screenwriter says, "You're damn right!"
* StalkerWithoutACrush: The Producer is unnerved when the Screenwriter tells him that [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 Sonic]] spent an entire decade stalking the citizens of Green Hills, until he's told that Sonic did it "in a cute way, it's not horrifying". Then, during the pitch for [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022 the sequel]], the Screenwriter tells the Producer, who now says that "[[HypocriticalHumor watching people from a distance is tight]]", that it's creepy when he does it but Tails watching Sonic from across the universe is fine because he's cute.
* StalkingIsLove:
** After the Screenwriter brings up how Peter stalked Gwen Stacy every day while they were broken up in ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', the Producer describes stalking as "a super romantic gesture," and the Screenwriter agrees, as long as the stalker isn't [[AbhorrentAdmirer ugly]].
** In the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'', Sally's stalking an oblivious Jack is described as "romantic," and Jack constantly ignoring her is described as "super romantic."
* StartXToStopX:
** In the ''Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban'' pitch meeting, Dementors, foul creatures that will suck the souls of anyone who get close to them, are sent to track down an escaped convict to prevent him from killing Harry, thus endangering the students in order to protect a student.
** In the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, Mary tries to prevent Hancock from exposing her identity to her husband by getting into a superpowers fight with Hancock, resulting in the fight eventually spilling over to just in front of Ray's workplace.
* StatingTheSimpleSolution: Comes up often. Usually, the Screenwriter will describe characters doing something elaborate and dramatic but totally nonsensical when there is a much more straightforward solution to the problem that the Producer will point out.
** A variation of this happens in the ''Film/Venom2018'' Pitch Meeting, only directed at the Screenwriter himself as opposed to the characters in the film. At the beginning of the film, the two Symbiotes land in Malaysia, and Venom is taken back to the lab, and Riot escapes. The Screenwriter then talks about all the legwork he had to do in order to get Eddie Brock into the lab so that he could bond with Venom as well as get Riot into the lab so that it could bond with Drake.[[note]]So a scientist working for Drake goes and talks to Eddie Brock to report about Drake performing experiments on Homeless people, and helps him break into the lab so that he could take pictures of it, as opposed to simply taking the pictures herself. Then Eddie finds the Venom Symbiote and bonds with it. Meanwhile, Riot latches onto an elderly woman in Malaysia and spends six months aimlessly wandering around before latching onto a young girl who is about to fly to America. The young girl then somehow gets into the secure lab so that Riot can bond with Drake.[[/note]] The screenwriter even says that it will probably be the "least fun" part of the movie but he needed to somehow get everyone into their positions so that the plot could get going in earnest. The Producer points out that he could eliminate the need to do all that legwork by simply having Venom be the one who escapes at the beginning. He refuses to change it because he "doesn't want to."
** In the ''Film/RedNotice'' Pitch Meeting, the Producer points out how needlessly convoluted the plan is to find the third golden egg and asks if Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot could've just followed Ryan Reynolds to the egg. The Screenwriter has a moment of StunnedSilence before awkwardly saying no and moving on.
** For the ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' Pitch Meeting, when the Screenwriter states Peter keeps wanting the spell to be changed, the Producer suggests Strange just stop casting for a minute so they can talk out the details.
** In the ''Film/BatmanReturns'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter explains Max Shreck's convoluted plan to secretly take over Gotham's power system, and the Producer asks why he doesn't just buy the current power plant.
** In the ''Film/SpaceJam'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter explains how Bugs Bunny will trick the aliens by putting a fake note into a rulebook which says they can't take the Looney Tunes captive without giving them a chance to defend themselves. The Producer then asks why Bugs doesn't just add a note saying they can't take the Tunes captive at all. The Screenwriter answers, "Because the movie has to happen."
** In the ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' Pitch Meeting, after the Screenwriter mentions that the Justice League will get a cameo, the Producer points out that they could probably rescue [=LeBron's=] son if he just asked them.
* StealthInsult:
** During the ''Film/StarWarsHolidaySpecial'' pitch, when the Screenwriter is describing in detail the weird scene where Chewbacca's father watches a VR video of his "fantasy":
--->'''Producer:''' So we're saying- we're saying that this fantasy is...\\
'''Screenwriter:''' [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext A space lady in a kaleidoscope singing about making a moment last forever.]]\\
'''Producer:''' Well, you certainly are accomplishing that last part.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Thank you!
** When the Screenwriter asks the Producer what he thinks of ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', he has this to say:
--->'''Screenwriter:''' So, what do you think?
--->'''Producer:''' Well, it sounds like it could be a fantastic series!
--->'''Screenwriter:''' This is-this is a movie.
--->'''Producer:''' ''I said what I said.''
* StealthPun: When discussing the creepy and misogynistic behavior of the cast of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', the Producer says that he hopes that there won't be a social movement to hold people accountable for that kind of behavior. The Screenwriter says "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_Too_movement Me too]]."
* StealthyColossus: In the ''Film/JurassicPark1993'' pitch meeting, the T-rex manages to sneak up on the raptors at the end even though its footsteps caused mini-earthquakes earlier on in the film. The Producer asks if the T-Rex's "character arc" is about learning how to be sneaky, and the Screenwriter says yes.
* StrangledByTheRedString: [[invoked]] In the pitch for ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Screenwriter is unsure why Mike has a crush on Eleven, other than being "really into powerful women."
** It's also invoked in the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch, when the Screenwriter states that Claire and Owen are suddenly going to kiss in the middle of the pterodactyl attack. When the Producer asks why, the Screenwriter states that it's because they're both attractive.
* StrawmanHasAPoint: [[invoked]] In ''WesternAnimation/Wish2023'', the Producer acknowledges that King Magnifico maybe has a point that the main character's grandfather's wish to inspire people is too vague and potentially harmful, but the Screenwriter doesn't want people to agree with him.
* StrictlyFormula:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'', both the Producer and the Screenwriter agree that since it's a ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'', they already know how the plot's going to go. Though the Producer asks the Screenwriter to elaborate anyway.
** The idea that a [[Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse Marvel movie or TV series]] has to end with either a big fight against a faceless, generic army, a special-effects heavy climactic battle between two characters, and/or a sky beam, is discussed in multiple meetings.
** ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'''s third act falls under the formula that the screenwriter describes as, first, "Our standard absolute visual mess," then "[[StuffBlowingUp Things explode]], [[HumongousMecha metal punches metal]], [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin good guys win]], [[MoreDakka guns]], [[MsFanservice boobs]], {{America|SavesTheDay}}, victory."
* StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: When Loki in ''Series/Loki2021'' manages to move an entire skyscraper with his mind, the Producer asks if he could always do that, prompting the Screenwriter to admit he just makes Loki as strong or as weak as he needs for the plot.
* StunnedSilence:
** The Producer goes silent after hearing that in ''Film/JohnWick'', the villains kill the eponymous character's dog.
** In the ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' pitch meeting, this is the Producer's reaction when he learns that the awesome fight sequence at the climax was just a vision.
** After hearing in ''Film/NoTimeToDie'' "So, Bond dies.", the Producer spends several seconds in silence before asking "[[FlatWhat ...what?!]]"
** The Screenwriter is stunned into silence for a moment when the Producer points out a major plot hole in ''Film/Mulan2020'': Mulan steals her father's armor and joins the army in his stead because his bad leg means that he's unfit to fight, only for the army commander to establish a few scenes later that anyone who can't keep up with the training will be sent home. This being the case, Mulan's father would most likely have been invalided out almost immediately, meaning that she didn't need to bother with her plan in the first place.
* StupidSacrifice:
** In the ''Film/AQuietPlace'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides to have Lee perform a HeroicSacrifice to draw the alien's attention rather than throw his axe to cause a noise somewhere else and distract it, because sacrifices are dramatic.
** In ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', Leta Lestrange's HeroicSacrifice in the climax is said to amount to her offering to handle a situation that she ''can't'' handle, then getting herself killed.
** In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', the producer asks why Captain Marvel, the most powerful hero on the battlefield and the one with the highest chance of survival, doesn't just use the gauntlet and snap away Thanos' forces when she has the chance. The screenwriter says that she doesn’t so Tony Stark can have his HeroicSacrifice.
** In ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'', Steve crashing the plane into the ocean is described as a plot device to get him frozen so that he can return in the present day.
** In ''Film/KongSkullIsland'' one soldier sacrifices himself for no apparent reason, [[SenselessSacrifice and ends up accomplishing nothing]].
** In ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'', in ancient times, several Primes (the only ones who can kill the Fallen) sacrificed themselves to seal the Matrix of Leadership ("the key to the Fallen's death machine") right next to said "death machine."
** In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' Season 4 pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that Eddie dies heroically by distracting a horde of bats that probably didn't need to be distracted at that time.
* SubvertedCatchphrase:
** During the ''Film/ManOfSteel'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he doesn't want to deal with the consequences of Metropolis being destroyed because it would be "super difficult, very much an inconvenience", the opposite of the series' best-known line.
** Subverted for the ''Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy'' pitch:
--->'''Producer:''' It's gonna be hard for audiences to feel any stakes if the scoring is arbitrary.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Actually...yep.\\
''[later]''\\
'''Producer:''' It's gonna be hard to end on a happy note with [[spoiler:Bugs Bunny dying]].\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Actually it's gonna be super easy, barely an inconvenience.
** The pitch meetings usually begin with the Screenwriter saying, "Yes, sir, I do," in response to the Producer asking if he has a movie to pitch, At the start of the ''Film/{{Transformers|2007}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter instead says, "Actually, no, sir, I don't," then explains that he was told the producer was looking for "feature-length commercials with kind of a storyline." The Producer then tells the Screenwriter that's what he calls "movies."
* SuckySchool: During the ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks if the teachers are going to step in and help when a dragon breaks loose and starts chasing Harry. The Screenwriter assures him they won't, which the Producer admits matches their track record. Later when Cedric dies, the Producer casually states he's honestly shocked it took four years for a student to die at Hogwarts.
* SupermanStaysOutOfGotham:
** In the ''Film/IronMan3'' pitch meeting, not even the Screenwriter knows why the rest of the Avengers didn't help Tony out in this film.
** In the ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, this is discussed. The Screenwriter wanted to include the other Avengers, but the Producer overrules him, saying they don't have the budget for it. The Screenwriter laments that it will be difficult to make solo movies from here on out.
** The ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' pitch meeting has the Producer asking about the various living Avengers that can help Spider-Man fight these new Elemental enemies, and the Screenwriter points out that they can't because this is Spider-Man's movie.
** The ''Film/AquamanAndTheLostKingdom'' has Arthur respond to Black Manta threatening to destroy the world by getting his evil brother Orm rather than the rest of the Justice League "Because!"
* SuperpowerLottery: In ''Film/XMen1'', Senator Kelly being hit by Magneto's mutation machine gives him the power to liquefy himself and slip through the bars of his cell. The Screenwriter says that Magneto couldn't have predicted what powers Kelly would get, or else he would have responded accordingly. He admits that if Kelly had somehow become strong enough to kill Magneto, "Magneto would have died."
* SureLetsGoWithThat:
** In the meeting for ''Film/JurassicWorld'', the writer asks the producer to imagine the next step up from a park, and the producer suggests "I don’t know, ''the world''?". The writer then says that yes, the new movie is called ''Jurassic World''...while holding a treatment titled ''Jurassic Circus''.
** In the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFeZx3Xkvgg Disney+ pitch meeting]], the screenwriter tries to explain that the "+" in the title isn't to appeal to nerds, and that it just means "more," from the Latin "plūs". When the producer thinks it's the ''Latin'' that is appealing to nerds, the screenwriter starts to correct him again, but then [[VerbalBackspace stops himself mid-sentence]]:
--->'''Producer:''' Ohhhh, okay. I see what you're going for.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, you do?\\
'''Producer:''' Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nerds also love Latin-- we're gonna have them in the palms of our hands.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, no-- ... okay. ''[smiles]''
* SurpriseIncest: Lampshaded in the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' pitch meeting. After hearing that Leia will be revealed as Luke's sister, the Producer says "that kiss they shared is real weird now," and the Screenwriter cheerfully agrees.
* SurvivalMantra: In the ''Literature/BreakingDawn'' pitch, the Producer is disturbed by Jacob "imprinting" on a newborn baby. The Screenwriter reminds him that this movie will make a lot of money, and he relents. When the imprinting topic is revisited later, the Producer is clearly having a hard time accepting it and mutters "money-money-money-money-money" to himself to focus on that.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' draws similarities between different characters from it and ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'', namely Deadshot and Bloodsport, and Killer Croc and King Shark.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', the Producer immediately asks if Spectre is the villainous organization in the film. The Screenwriter asks if the Producer has the rights to legally use Spectre, and when the Producer says no, the Screenwriter has Quantum, "a completely different organization with the exact same concept," be the villain in the film.
** In the pitch meeting for season four of ''Series/StrangerThings'', the Producer assumes the BigBad is Voldemort. When the Screenwriter insists that Vecna is nothing like Voldemort, even if he's a powerful evil magic guy who hates non-magic people, was defeated by the teenage cast years ago and has returned seeking revenge.
--->'''Producer:''' Does he have a nose?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Shit!
* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: Frequently. Lampshaded in the video for ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'';
-->'''Screenwriter Guy:''' This way we get to show off our new [=CGI=] technology that does ''not'' make [[invoked]][[UncannyValley humans look like rubber]] in any way! \\
'''Studio Executive Guy:''' Kinda suspicious of you to specify that unprompted...
* SustainedMisunderstanding: In the ''Film/IndependenceDay'' pitch, the Producer doesn't understand that dogfights don't involve actual dogs. Screenwriter decides to stop trying to clarify and move on with the story, and at the end, when asking the Producer how he feels about the movie, the Producer says he likes it except the confusing part with the dogs.
* SwappedRoles:
** After the Screenwriter mentions in the ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' pitch that his dream pitch for the main character is Creator/TJMiller, believing such casting is impossible, the ''Producer'' is the one to state how it would be "[[BorrowedCatchphrase super easy, barely an inconvenience]]".
** Late in the ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' pitch meeting, after the Screenwriter and Producer mention how Kirk's HeroicSacrifice is a role reversal of Spock's from ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', you can see the Producer wearing the Screenwriter's clothes and sitting in his place, while the Screenwriter has the Producer's clothes and is in his place, showing that the two characters switched spots.
* SwissCheeseSecurity:
** The computer room in the ''Film/MissionImpossible'' has all sorts of security devices, but no one thought to put in a security camera.
** In ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'', Namor inexplicably bypasses all of Wakanda's advanced water-based security to meet with Shuri and Ramonda.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tropes T-Z]]
* TakeAThirdOption: In the ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' pitch meeting, James' ability to [[SadisticChoice not only save the girl but also survive]] in the climax is said to be "super easy, barely an inconvenience."
* TakeThat: The videos not only take shots at the movies being covered, but frequently give the same treatment to other movies, creators and various unrelated targets.
** The episode for ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'' starts out strong with the revelation that the Screenwriter never bothered to actually ''write a plot''.
--->'''Producer''': So, what's the story?
--->'''Screenwriter''': [[FlatWhat The what?]]
--->'''Producer''': The story, like, what's the movie about?
--->'''Screenwriter''': (unsure) Oh, yeah, uh, (flips through papers) yeah, no, I-I've got a bit of that in here...
*** And then, later on, it's revealed that the reason why the movie is laden with ProductPlacement (with the characters going through the apps on the phone) is because the Screenwriter more or less gave up after the first act.
---->'''Screenwriter''': Do you think people will be bothered by the product placement?
---->'''Producer''': No, people love product placement!
---->'''Screenwriter''': Oh, well, that's great, 'cause I literally have nothing planned for the second act of the film.
** In the episode for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', the Screenwriter's comment that Daenerys "forgot about the Iron Fleet" in "[[Recap/GameOfThronesS8E4TheLastOfTheStarks The Last of the Starks]]," is frequently mocked by way of bringing forgetfulness up as an excuse for various plot holes.
** In ''Film/TheLastJedi'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter defends his decision to discard the plot threads set up in ''The Force Awakens'' by saying that Creator/JJAbrams didn't know the answers himself. When asked why he thinks that, he brings up ''Series/{{Lost}}'' as an example.
** Not only does the ''Film/SuicideSquad2016'' pitch meeting make fun of Jared Leto's Joker, the ''Film/Joker2019'' pitch meeting has the Producer assume the film is a follow-up to ''Suicide Squad'' and ask if the Screenwriter's going to add a "very" to the "damaged" tattoo on the Joker's head. [[EveryoneHasStandards Notice that the Screenwriter, of all people, seems to think this is a terrible idea]].
*** The pitch meeting for ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' returns to this point, with the Screenwriter saying that the main characters all have sad backstories and the Producer thinking that they'll all have forehead tattoos to make that clear.
** The pitch meeting for the ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'' doesn't waste any time getting to the Take That, describing the film as "an obligatory sequel to a moderately successful superhero movie." It's never a good sign when even the Producer is less than enthusiastic from the get-go.
** In the ''Film/ArtemisFowl'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter admits that he only has a vague idea what the books are about, and it's revealed that the only reason Creator/JudiDench's agent got her into both this film and ''Film/{{Cats}}'' is because the agent hates her.
** The ''Film/BatmanBegins'' pitch meeting doesn't shy away from making fun of the DarkerAndEdgier approach to a superhero who dresses as a bat, but the biggest TakeThat is saved for the article at the end. At the end, when the Producer cautions the Screenwriter against going too dark, the Screenwriter asks, "What could go wrong with that, though?" Cue AnswerCut to an article about ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'' being critically panned, with the implication being that the film being even more dark and edgy than the Dark Knight trilogy was one of its flaws.
** In the ''Film/DarkPhoenix'' meeting, Creator/SophieTurner is cast as Jean Grey because she's popular due to playing Sansa Stark on ''Series/GameOfThrones'', a series that the Screenwriter says is associated with good writing. [[TemptingFate The Producer says that will always be true, and he can't wait for the last season]].
** The ''Film/IronMan3'' pitch meeting mocks the idea of "subverting expectations," which the Screenwriter sets out to do by having Tony not use his Iron Man suits for most of the film, and have the Mandarin turn out to be an actor.
--->'''Screenwriter''': It doesn't matter if they enjoyed it. What matters is that I subverted their expectations.
*** The ''Series/{{Wandavision}}'' pitch does something similar once the Producer immediately figures out the Agatha Harkness twist the moment Screenwriter mentions Agnes, implying that certain subversions the series took[[note]]namely [[spoiler:Pietro turning out to be someone else entirely]][[/note]] were done out of spite for the audience theorizing things.
---->'''Producer''': Well, listen, if you give people some downtime, they're ''gonna'' theorize, that's just how that works.
---->'''Screenwriter''': Mmmm. (glances at notes; quietly) [-I'm gonna make you pay for that.-]
** The ''Film/TransformersTheLastKnight'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter admit that he consulted his five-year-old nephew for ideas on the story. The Producer then says that the Russians taught him how to use "[[{{Blackmail}} Kompromat]]" to get famous actors to star in bad movies, then lists a lot of bad movies, most involving ''Creator/RobertDeNiro''.
** The ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'' video covers the entire trilogy in only four minutes and especially takes shots at second and third movies, stating the former is like a RomCom but without any romance, comedy, or likable characters. The summary of the third movie is simply "They're married now so they go on a honeymoon... and... yeah."
** The ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'' movie is described as "a bunch of explosive action scenes with some dialogue in between that kind of explains why they're happening."
** The ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'' pitch meting, not even the Producer thinks much of the Screenwriter's plan to have Carina turn out to be Barbossa's daughter, disdainfully noting that he seems rather enamored with that plot element and asking him about it at the end. The news article at the end brings up how Rey turns out to be Palpatine's granddaughter in ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker''.
** During ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'' pitch someone off-screen is heard saying "That's perfect, I love it!" It turns out this is Creator/MNightShyamalan, who routinely eavesdrops on the pitch meetings looking for story ideas. The scene being described is the Ents assault on Isengard, so Shyamalan's idea is for a movie [[Film/TheHappening where trees start attacking people]], which both the Screenwriter and the Producer agree is going to be terrible.
** In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, the Producer claims to have gotten affected by an intelligence-draining ray like the one the Riddler used, and says he likes cartoons more now.
** The ''Series/SquidGame'' pitch meeting has the Screenwriter represent the South Korean team who's working on the show, likely to explain why the Caucasian Ryan George is pitching a Korean show. When the Producer remarks that the Screenwriter looks like someone he'd cast to play an Asian character in a movie, the Screenwriter replies, "...Yeah. And please stop doing that kind of thing."
** Upon hearing that [[spoiler: Super Sonic]] seemingly kills [[spoiler: Robotnik]], the Producer responds with this gem.
--> '''Producer:''' [[spoiler:Sonic]] just straight up kills a guy? Even Batman ''pretends'' to not do that.
** After the Producer repeatedly points out how characters in ''Film/Morbius2022'' keep making decisions only to immediately contradict said decisions, the Screenwriter insists that those don't matter because they were in different scenes.
--> '''Screenwriter:''' You keep referencing things characters said or did earlier in the movie. ... Pretty much every scene is a clean slate here.
** In the ''[[Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower The Rings of Power]]'' pitch meeting, the Producer hates hearing how the show pronounces names like Galadriel, Numenor and Valinor.
** In the ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' pitch meeting, the Producer decides to stop pretending to be creative after hearing yet another pitch for a live-action remake and acting like it's the first time.
* TakeThatAudience: In ''Velma'', the Screenwriter states that the series takes potshots at adults watching animation despite being the target audience. The Producer then turns to the camera and tells the viewer to suck it, only to quickly break character and apologize as he states that he genuinely appreciates his audience.
* TakingTheFightOutside: [[invoked]] [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in the ''Film/TheMatrixResurrections'' Pitch Meeting. Producer Guy asks Screenwriter Guy if he wants to take this outside when he notices the RealitySubtext in the movie, but it turns out the two of them just got some fresh air.
* TapOnTheHead: The ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'' pitch meeting has the Producer ask whether Will's master bashing Jack on the head and knocking him unconscious will cause brain damage, but the Screenwriter says it causes the "wacky" kind of head trauma without permanent damage.
* {{Technobabble}}: If a movie makes use of this, there's a good chance the pitch meeting will {{lampshade|hanging}} it.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' [James Bond] gets approached by the CIA to help find this Russian scientist guy who helped develop a bioweapon involving [[{{Nanomachines}} nanobots]].\\
'''Producer:''' Nanobots?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Yeah, see, nanobots are this thing where if you write "nanobots" in the script, they can do whatever you want and you don't really have to explain it.\\
''[later]''\\
'''Producer:''' Well, I guess [James Bond] could try using that EMP watch to disable [the poison nanobots].\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No, he can't do that.\\
'''Producer:''' Why not?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, 'cause... ''[stammering]'' nanobots!
* TeensAreMonsters: When the Producer hears that the bullies in ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' hit a disabled kid with their car and then kick him in the stomach, he says, "Those aren't bullies- those are literal psychopaths."
* TemptingFate:
** Almost every video ends with the Screenwriter and/or Executive saying something [[DescriptionCut that will get proven wrong by a screenshot of an article in the next shot.]]
** It's fairly common for the Producer to offer feedback (usually positive) on one of the Screenwriter's ideas for a character or plot element under the assumption that it will be important to the story, only to find that the Screenwriter has virtually no plans to use what they'd just discussed.
** The Producer will often express the hope that certain elements of the plot won't be criticized, or that problematic elements of older films will age well.
** In the ''Film/{{Hancock}}'' pitch meeting, the Producer has a hard time grasping Creator/WillSmith playing a man with a HairTriggerTemper who becomes violent when he gets angry. Fast forward to 2022, when Will Smith slapped Creator/ChrisRock at the Oscars.
** For ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'', the Producer has Grindelwald recast so as to avoid the film being associated with Creator/JohnnyDepp's controversial baggage, only for Creator/EzraMiller to get arrested twice in Hawaii.
** The Writer for ''Film/Meg2TheTrench'' dismisses the idea of an unrealistic portrayal of the protagonist swimming unprotected deep in the ocean because audiences will be unaware of the concept of cush depth. The Producer comments that something "really wacky" would have to happen for a mass education on the subject; the film was released less than two months after the [=OceanGate=] submersible implosion put exactly that subject into the news.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/AquamanAndTheLostKingdom'' has the Producer and the Screenwriter confident that the DCEU will not be coming to an end. This time, there isn't one screenshot of an article, but ''more than a dozen'' of the various problems plaguing the DCEU.
* ThatCameOutWrong: The Producer frequently declares that something is tight in a way that sounds incredibly gross or suspicious, which usually elicits a squicked-out reaction from the Screenwriter.
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', this happens when discussing Janet's quantum powers.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Janet is going to make Ghost feel better by using her (Janet's) fingers.\\
'''Producer''': ''(excited)'' [[GirlOnGirlIsHot Ohhh!]]\\
'''Screenwriter''': Not like that.\\
'''Producer''': ''(disappointed)'' Oh.
** Happens again in the pitch meeting for ''WesternAnimation/ThePolarExpress''.
--->'''Screenwriter''': But when he gets into a stranger's vehicle in the middle of the night, his whole life is going to change.\\
'''Producer''': (horrified) Oh god!\\
'''Screenwriter''': No, like in a fun, Christmas-y way.\\
'''Producer''': Oh thank god.
* ThatMakesMeFeelAngry: Generally if the Producer straight up announces how a given plot development makes him feel, you can rest assured it's either an IntendedAudienceReaction that [[DramaticIrony didn't work in real life]], or it's not what the Screenwriter was going for at all.
* TheoryOfNarrativeCausality: Frequently the Producer will question why something happens, and the Writer can only respond with "Because", "That's what we are going with!", etc. to point out things that happen solely because of plot necessity.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: InUniverse:
** Producer Guy thinks that Huntress should be the main character of ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'', but relents on making Harley Quinn the protagonist instead when Screenwriter Guy points out that Huntress has not proven to have mass market appeal yet.
** Producer Guy thinks that Kro, the lead Deviant villain from ''Film/{{Eternals}}'', sounds interesting and would be cool to see more fleshed out, but the film's time constraints mean he just gets killed off in the third act.
** The producer points out that in ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'', Jacob's subplot and presence makes no sense and achieve little, but having the Qilin at the end kneel before Jacob would fix this by making Grindelwald and his follower confront the idea that a muggle can be pure of heart, and pay off why Dumbledore insisted Jacob come along because he's fundamentally a good person.
** In ''Film/RebelMoon'', the Producer is fascinated by the robot that does a HeelFaceTurn near the start, but is disappointed when the robot runs away and doesn't appear again until the end of the movie.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: InUniverse:
** Producer Guy thinks that Rosalie's tragic backstory from ''[[Literature/Eclipse2007 Eclipse]]'' sounds like a much more interesting movie than the one they're making and wonders if that's a bad sign.
** The Producer is much more interested in the Japanese and American pilot putting aside their differences to survive against King Kong and becoming friends than he is in the rest of ''Film/KongSkullIsland''.
** In the ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'' pitch meeting, Hux being TheMole for The Resistance intrigues the Producer, but the Screenwriter says that this was done due to Hux suffering BadassDecay in ''Film/TheLastJedi'' and needing a more competent replacement.
** In the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'', the story cuts away before Bucky's old Japanese friend reacts to hearing the news that Bucky killed the man's son during Bucky's days as the Winter Soldier. The Screenwriter is rather disappointed that a plot thread that was built up for the entire season never gets resolved.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides not to make the movie about the dinosaurs overrunning the world, but about what he thinks the fans want- "a kidnapping plot and a bug problem."
** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'', the Producer finds The Great Before to be more interesting than the misadventures used to pad the runtime at the midway point.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'', the Screenwriter brings up how Peach recognizes Mario as a fellow human and that she was brought to the Mushroom Kingdom as a baby, but refuses to elaborate on that.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: At the end of the pitch for ''Film/{{Cruella}}'', the Screenwriter confidently and enthusiastically announces that they're going to spend a ton of money on music for the movie -- "It's gonna cost you a fortune!" The Producer utters an "Oh... uh oh, oh no" before a cut to an article saying ''Cruella'' reportedly cost $200 million.
* TimeSkip:
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/{{Solo}}'' makes it clear that the Screenwriter has no interest in showing Han's time in the Imperial army, and it's just an excuse to pass enough time for Q'ira to join up with Dryden Voss.
** The pitch meeting for ''Film/BirdBox'' has the Producer skeptical about how nothing apparently happened in the five-year timeskip.
* TitleDrop: Whenever the Screenwriter mentions the name of the work while pitching it, the Producer will exclaim, "That's the name of the ''movie''!" For example, in the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMenTellNoTales'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter justifies having Salazar spare Henry to send a message to Jack because Salazar can't leave the general area and "dead men tell no tales." The Producer comments, "[[LampshadeHanging He said the name of the movie]]!"
* ToiletHumor: The Screenwriter says that ''Film/DayShift'' will have a RunningGag of Brad peeing his pants out of fright throughout the movie, and the Producer loves the idea.
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, peepee!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Peepee!\\
'''Producer:''' Peepee ''very'' funny! What about poopoo?\\
'''Screenwriter:''' No poopoo. No poopoo.\\
'''Producer:''' No poopoo? Just peepee? Okay.
* TokenRomance: In the ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch:
-->'''Screenwriter''': Anyway, so then Claire and Owen kiss in the middle of this big attack.\\
'''Producer''': What? Why?\\
'''Screenwriter''': Oh, well, they're both attractive, so...they're in love now.\\
'''Producer''': Right, makes sense.
* TomTheDarkLord:
** In the ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger'' pitch meeting, the Producer complains that calling the Red Skull by his actual last name, Schmidt, is a lot less cool.
** In ''Film/QuantumOfSolace'', the Producer considers Dominic Greene's name to be rather boring compared to other James Bond {{Big Bad}}s.
* ToneShift: The Screenwriter is prone to those. For example in ''Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie'' he describes the lighthearted ''Pikachu's Vacation'' short before immediately following with "[The movie] begins with an omnipotent murder clone having a homicidal existential crisis". Many of those shifts make the Producer give an emphasized "Oh my god."
-->'''Producer:''' Oh, my god. You really shifted the tone there. It's Jarring!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Oh, Whoops!\\
'''Producer:''' Whoopsie!
* TooDumbToLive:
** In the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter decides to "fix" the problem of MJ ending up in danger by having Gwen go straight into danger herself. He also mentions that New Yorkers form crowds to watch Spider-Man as he fights dangerous supervillains.
--->'''Producer''': [[LampshadeHanging Wow, the people of New York have no sense of self-preservation]].
** ''Film/AQuietPlace'' points out how, after Lee averted a disaster by taking the batteries out of his son Beau's toy, Beau later put the batteries back in and activated it, causing his death. It's pointed out that the rest of the family helped cause this by their negligence and poorly thought-out decision to bring Beau along, even though they've survived for three months. [[DidntThinkThisThrough Evelyn getting pregnant and "bringing a screaming baby into the world"]] also is mentioned as being particularly foolish.
** In ''Film/Godzilla2014'', the military starts the timer on the atomic bomb ''before'' it reaches its final destination, just so the movie can have higher stakes.
** In ''Film/KongSkullIsland'', the helicopter pilots respond to Kong destroying a helicopter with a thrown tree by flying in close to him and shooting at him. Predictably, he destroys them all.
** In ''Film/AlienCovenant'', the cast is so dumb that the Screenwriter openly states how the movie would fail if anyone wasn't stupid. It gets to the point that when a cast member does something suicidally stupid (such as sticking their face into a xenomorph egg), the Producer just mutters "Okay".
** In ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsPart1'', Harry and his friends hide from the Death Eaters by going to the Weasley's house, which was destroyed by the Death Eaters in the previous film.
* TookALevelInDumbass:
** In the pitch meeting for Season 8 of ''Series/GameOfThrones'', the formerly intelligent Tyrion makes decisions like having the noncombatants hide in the crypts when the Night King(who can raise the dead) attacks, because the Screenwriter "need(s) things to happen really fast."
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/ThorLoveAndThunder'', Thor is "dumber than ever."
* TotallyRadical: When pitching ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', the writer is fairly sure he’s got a handle on "cool young people talk".
* {{Touche}} : During the "Spider-Man leaves the MCU" Pitch Meeting, the Marvel producer points out to the Sony producer that Sony "doesn't know how to make a Spider-Man movie anymore, but when we do it we make a billion dollars." The Sony executive is quick to point out that they also made ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' which "is, like, a masterpiece!" to which both the screenwriter and the Marvel producer admit that it is indeed an awesome movie. When the Sony producer says that they also made ''Film/Venom2018'' which is "just as great," however...
-->'''Screenwriter Guy:''' [[invoked]][[SoOkayItsAverage Well...]]\\
'''Marvel Producer:''' [[SoBadItsGood Well...]]\\
'''Sony producer:''' [[CriticalDissonance Well...]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: In the ''Film/Venom2018'' pitch meeting, it's discussed when they mention the final scene and how it will be advertised.
-->'''Producer:''' If there's one thing people want to see in a movie trailer, it's the final scene of a movie.
* TriviallyObvious:
** As mentioned in DamnedByFaintPraise, the Producer brings up how a returning character was in the previous movie when he doesn't have anything more positive to say about the character's implementation in the sequel.
** During the pitch for ''Film/MortalKombatAnnihilation'' (an ImmediateSequel to ''Film/MortalKombatTheMovie''), the Producer tells the Screenwriter that they had a "great response" to the first movie.
--->'''Producer:''' You know, of all the movies that came out in 1995, everybody agreed that that was one of them!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Well, fantastic, 'cause this one's gonna pick up right after the end of the last movie, and it's also, you know, a movie, technically, kind of.
** When the Screenwriter asks what the Producer thinks of ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'', the Producer comments, "Well, it sounds like a movie."
** Similarly, he says that ''Film/TheLittleMermaid2023'' "sounds like another live-action remake."
** In the ''Film/MazeRunnerTheDeathCure'', the Producer responds to Theo's reappearance and death by saying that he's one of the characters in the film.
** In ''Film/RebelMoon'', the Producer says, "it sounds like some content, that's for sure."
* TurbineBlender: The Producer is rather disturbed to hear that two people end up dying this way in ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1''.
* TwitchyEye: During the ''Film/Morbius2022'' pitch, the Producer excitedly reminds the Screenwriter that they're "basically in the MCU now, did you know?", and the Screenwriter points out that yes, everyone in the Sony offices keeps reminding him that, with a big smile on their faces "but with one eye twitching for some reason". The Producer responds by repeating that they're basically part of the MCU now, with a big smile and one eye twitching.
* TwoPartTrilogy: Lampshaded repeatedly in ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'' pitch, where the fact that the first ''Matrix'' was a fine standalone movie and the two sequels are basically the one sequel split up:
--> '''Producer Guy''': It does sound like a solid part one.
--> '''Screenwriter Guy''': Well, technically it's part two.
--> '''Producer Guy''': Of course, but also, absolutely not.
--> '''Screenwriter Guy''': Right.
* UncannyValley: [[invoked]]
** The Screenwriter announces that alongside the mice and cockroaches with human faces, the cats in ''Film/{{Cats}}'' are going to look like "if Snapchat filters came to life and had an ''extreme'' thirst for blood".
** During the pitch for ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'' the Screenwriter goes in-depth on how he wants Sonic to have this sort of appearance instead of the cartoonish look he has in the games. Despite the Producer's doubts about it, he insists that it will work... until they see the internet's unanimous dislike of the design.
* UncertainAudience: [[invoked]]
** When the Producer tells the Screenwriter that the fans of the books might not be happy to the changes he's made to ''Film/ArtemisFowl'', the Screenwriter responds by saying that they aren’t making the movie for them. When the Producer asks him who they ''are'' making the movie for, he dodges the question.
** The Screenwriter decides to include "fully exposed duck boobs" twice at the beginning of ''Film/HowardTheDuck''. The Producer asks if this movie with a talking duck is for kids, and the Screenwriter says he can't say; he's going to be all over the place with it. Later, when the Screenwriter describes a [[InterspeciesRomance romantic scene between Beverly and Howard in bed]], the Producer, appalled, asks who this movie's for.
** After the Screenwriter finishes describing the plot of ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', the Producer declares that it sounds like a great horror movie, only to be informed that it's for [[BuffySpeak "the little humans"]].
* UncertainDoom: In the ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter is disappointed to realize that it's never shown whether Kate's friend, whom she ran off to rescue, thereby getting everyone else killed, survived the helicopter crash at the end, although she's presumed dead.
* UnexplainedRecovery: In Season 4 of ''Series/StrangerThings'', Dr. Brenner comes back despite appearing to have been killed in Season 1. The Screenwriter explains that he survived by virtue of not explicitly dying onscreen.
* UnfortunateImplications: [[invoked]] The series often mocks the various ways movies and TV shows fall into this trope, often followed by a "Whoops!" "Whoopsie!" exchange.
** One example is ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' pitch meeting, in which the Producer realizes that making fun of Raj being Indian might be racist, insinuating that he and Howard are a gay couple and playing those insinuations for laughs might be homophobic, and making Penny less intelligent than the guys might be sexist.
** Another example is ''Film/BirdBox''. The Producer remarks that having criminally insane people not die from being exposed to the monsters, and instead try to show them to others is insensitive and problematic, and doesn't buy the Screenwriter's [[SomeofMyBestFriendsAreX excuse that his insane best friend was fine with it]].
* UnfortunateNames:
** In ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'', the Producer questions why the protagonist's father, a black police officer, is called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Davis Jefferson Davis]], president of the Confederate States of America.
** The race that Dom takes Letty to in ''Film/Furious7'' is called Race Wars. The Producer asks if they should rethink the name of that race.
* UnintentionallySympathetic: [[invoked]]
** During the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter insists that John Walker is a terrible person for killing someone who helped kill his best friend, the Producer however points out not only that given the context of the scene, John Walker killing that person seemed like a reasonable reaction to the murder of his best friend, but also that both Sam and Bucky have killed plenty of people before and were never portrayed as terrible people for doing so like Walker is here after killing just one person.
** The "antagonists" of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' are a couple who are forced to sell their home just before Christmas as the husband lost his job, and the only way to get the money to save their home is by selling a rare doll that they think the protagonist stole during their open house. The Producer repeatedly returns to the point that they just want to keep their kids out of homelessness and he doesn't want bad things to happen to them.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: [[invoked]]
** In the ''Film/DieHard'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks whether the tragic part of Powell mistakenly shooting a kid in the backstory is that a kid died or Powell "lost his cop mojo". After hearing that it's the latter, the Producer says "Interesting", and upon hearing that Powell's character arc involves him becoming able to kill people again, flatly says, "Well, good for him."
** In ''Film/{{Unbreakable}}'', the Producer feels more sympathy for the woman on the train who rejects David Dunn (who's trying to cheat on his wife) than he does for David himself, despite the fact that the scene is trying to make the latter more sympathetic.
** In ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'', the Producer is skeptical that Emma's last-minute sacrifice was enough to atone for her actions that nearly got millions of people killed.
** In the ''Series/WandaVision'' pitch meeting, the series ends with Wanda walking out of Westview, with the citizens angry with her for what she put them through, only for Monica to point out that they don't know what she sacrificed for them. The Producer points out that Wanda mentally tortured them, and when the Screenwriter counters that she had to say goodbye to her "imaginary boyfriend," the Producer gives an unconvinced "ehh, okay" in response.
** During the ''Series/TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier'' pitch meeting, the Producer repeatedly asks if they're going to stop pretending Karli Morgenthau is sympathetic, such as when she blows up a building full of innocent people or tries to murder Sam. The Screenwriter keeps insisting that she's very sympathetic.
** The protagonist of ''Film/HomeSweetHomeAlone'' is a rude and disrespectful kid who hates his family for no real reason, steals toys from his church's charity donation, and during the third act continues to assault the "antagonists" despite them begging him to stop as they genuinely don't mean him harm and just want to talk.
* UnlimitedWardrobe: In the ''Film/{{Spectre}}'' pitch meeting, James and Madeleine having new outfits in each scene is said to be due to them shopping while offscreen.
* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist:
** ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' has the Screenwriter describes the principal cast as awful people and specifically calls Sheldon "just the worst" while stating that since they'll be "playing the Quirky Card" the audience will accept it.
** The Screenwriter describes the cast of ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' as a group of high-functioning sociopaths, with Kramer being the least high-functioning of them all.
** The titular character of ''Velma'' is described as a selfish know-it-all who's constantly insulting everyone around her. The producer notes that such a character would be hard for the audience to connect with, to which the Screenwriter answer that as the protagonist they won't have a choice.
* {{Unobtainium}}: In the ''Film/{{Avatar}}'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter calls the sought-after mineral Unobtanium because the humans are having a hard time obtaining it. The Producer assumes that it's a placeholder name, and the Screenwriter will come up with a less ridiculous name, to which the Screenwriter says, "[[BlatantLies Yep! For sure! I will]]!"
* VanHelsingHateCrimes: In ''Film/DayShift'', after it turns out that not all vampires are evil, the Producer asks how many innocent vampires Bud killed.
* VerbalBackspace:
** In the ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' pitch meeting, the Producer is concerned about the holes in Luke's plan to free Han, which the Screenwriter tries to HandWave with "the Force".
--->'''Producer''': We're gonna have to address the fact that Luke's plan is insane.\\
'''Screenwriter''': Princess Leia's going to be in a golden bikini along the way.\\
'''Producer''': ''(without missing a beat)'' Plan's probably fine as-is.
** In the ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter suggests that Jean Grey will destroy Wolverine's clothes with her Phoenix powers, only for the Producer to remind him that it's a PG-13 movie. At that point, the Screenwriter hastily says that she'll destroy his shirt and leave his pants intact.
** [[invoked]] Variation: After finishing up the pitch for ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020'', Producer asks if he's ''sure'' they should stick with [[UncannyValley Sonic's realistic design]] for the film, to which Screenwriter insists the fans will love it. [[OnceAnEpisode After cutting to a Screen Rant article]] [[InstantlyProvenWrong detailing how the Internet has mocked the design:]]
--->'''Screenwriter''': [[OhCrap (laughs) Whoops!]]
--->'''Producer''': [[IToldYouSo Whoopsy!]]
--->(cut to Screen Rant article announcing the film's delay and Sonic's redesign)
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/CocaineBear'', the Producer gets more and more insistent on getting away from the human characters to see more of the bear.
--->'''Screenwriter''': Well you see, sir, the bear is going to be CGI so every time it's onscreen, that's gonna cost you money.\\
'''Producer''': ...So tell me more about these human characters.
* VillainDecay:
** In the ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter pretends that Galvatron(aka Megatron) has a chance of winning against the Autobots despite the heroes having defeated him in the previous three movies.
** In the ''Series/StrangerThings'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that the villains aren't messing around at all in the first episode, after which they become fairly incompetent.
** In the ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting, this is alluded to, as the Producer, after learning that the bad guy from Part 1 has been resurrected, asks if the heroes will be able to defeat a guy they killed once before.
* VillainExitStageLeft: In the pitch meeting for ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'':
-->'''Screenwriter''': And so then, Grindelwald kind of retreats and jumps off a wall.
-->'''Producer''': Where does he go?
-->'''Screenwriter''': Into the sequel, if this makes money.
* VillainTeamUp:
** Discussed in the ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' pitch meeting, in which Electro and the Green Goblin team up to fight Spider-Man in the climax, only to take turns doing so, with Green Goblin attacking after Electro is defeated.
** In the ''Film/BatmanAndRobin'' pitch meeting, Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy team up despite their goals- freezing the world and covering it with plants, respectively- being at odds with each other.
* VillainTeleportation: In the ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' pitch meeting, Bootstrap Bill somehow teleports back to the Flying Dutchman after giving Jack the black spot, an ability that is never explained or used again.
* VisualPun:
** In the ''Twilight: Eclipse'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that they have to name the movie as such because the book has that name and their hands are tied. Cue both Screenwriter and Producer holding up their hands to show that their hands are literally tied together.
** At the end of the ''Film/RebelMoon'' pitch meeting, Ryan George mentions wanting to be "transparent" with the viewers. He remains silent for a few seconds, as he slowly turns invisible, then signs off.
* VocalDissonance: During the ''WesternAnimation/FrozenII'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter demonstrates the haunting voice Elsa hears in a high soprano. The Producer {{Lampshades}} it by complimenting his beautiful singing voice.
* VocalEvolution: In the early episodes, Ryan George played the characters with his normal voice. Around mid-2018, he began shifting the characters' voices to have a cheery tone, and in mid-to-late 2019, he deepened the characters' voices and added a boisterous edge.
* WarmPlaceWarmLighting: In the pitch meeting for ''Series/BreakingBad'', the Screenwriter asserts that they can film scenes taking place in Mexico in the U.S. by adding a yellow tint in post, since "Everything in Mexico is yellow". He even calls up his writer friend in Mexico to demonstrate. Said writer friend is in the same office with the same producer at the moment (both played by Ryan George), and the scene is yellow and both speak Spanish.
* WatsonianVersusDoylist: The Screenwriter frequently has Doylist reasons for his writing decisions if questioned by the Producer: "Because the movie is almost over and we have to speed things up", "We can sell more toys by including these characters", "I accidentally locked myself out of my laptop, so I can't change the script now", and so on. Sometimes, he'll just go with one after his Watsonian explanation fails.
-->'''Screenwriter:''' So why didn't [[Film/{{Eternals}} they]] help out when [[Film/AvengersInfinityWar Thanos attacked]]?\\
'''Producer:''' Ah, well see, they were instructed to only fight these Deviants and to not interfere with human affairs.\\
[...]\\
'''Producer:''' So if that's how new Celestials are born, it definitely feels like it would've been in their interest to get involved in the Thanos situation of wiping out half of all populations.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Maybe, but see the thing is we [[RememberTheNewGuy already didn't introduce the Eternals into the Avengers movies]], so I'm gonna need you to get all the way off my back about this.
* WaxingLyrical: In the Barbenheimer Pitch Meeting, the ''Film/{{Barbie|2023}}'' screenwriter and producer recite lyrics from Music/{{Aqua}}'s "Barbie Girl".
* WellDoneSonGuy: During the ''Film/PowerRangers2017'' pitch meeting, the Producer decides that the building the MacGuffin power crystal is in is a Krispy Kreme store, explaining that his father's on the board of directors at Krispy Kreme and he just wants to get his dad to tell him he loves him, just once.
* WhatTheHellIsThatAccent:
** Near the end of ''Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague'', Mera shows up in the nightmare scene and suddenly starts talking in a British accent.
** When the Producer asks if Creator/RayWinstone can do a [[FakeRussian Russian accent]] for his role in ''Film/BlackWidow2021'', the Screenwriter says that it doesn't matter.
* WhatYearIsIt: In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting, the Producer suggests that if Nero had known he traveled far enough back in time to save his homeworld, he might not have become evil.
* WhosOnFirst:
** The first 40 seconds or so of the ''Film/It2017'' pitch meeting involve the Producer getting confused as to what the title of the book that inspired the film is.
** In the ''Pitch Meetings'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says he'll include a catchphrase in each video: "Super easy. Barely an inconvenience". The Producer asks what the catchphrase will be.
* WhyDoYouKeepChangingJobs: While the Screenwriter is presumably a freelancer, the Producer works for a different studio every episode... although his office always looks oddly familiar save for a studio logo on the door.[[note]]Although in the "Spider-Man Leaving the MCU Pitch Meeting" two different producers (one for Sony and one for Marvel Studios) with slightly different clothes appear and talk to each other and the Sony producer takes Screenwriter Guy to his office down the street which is identical to the Marvel producer's studio so we could be seeing different producers every time.[[/note]]
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: In the ''Film/BatmanForever'' pitch meeting, the Producer notes how stupid it is for the Riddler to not let Two-Face kill Bruce(aka Batman) when Bruce survives being shot in the face.
* WildCardExcuse: In ''Film/NoTimeToDie'', the Screenwriter explains that the use of nanobots as the villain's bioweapon is because that way he can write "nanobots" in the script and the weapon can do whatever the plot requires with no further explanation.
* WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief: [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] by the Screenwriter to justify some of his more egregious leaps in logic and realism, to the point where he believes the trope itself is less of a description of how viewers might choose to overlook certain unrealistic aspects of a work for the sake of their own enjoyment, and more a get-out-of-jail-free-card that lets him do whatever he wants with a script with no regard for whether it makes any sense. He namedrops the trope in the ''Film/HomeAlone1'' pitch meeting and openly says that he intends to take full advantage of it.
* WingdingEyes: Hearing about "[[Series/TheMandalorian Baby Yoda]]" makes dollar signs come out of Producer Guy's eyes. He and Screenwriter Guy are extremely weirded out after it happens, leading to Produer Guy postponing the pitch meeting for three days to go see a doctor, a therapist, and finally a support group for people who have had similar experiences.
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatHotness: As the screenwriter explains the process by which Film/{{Morbius|2022}} becomes a vampire, the character's physical transformation comes up:
-->'''Screenwriter:''' Then he turns himself into a vampire, so now instead of being all sick and thin, he's jacked and muscular, you know, like a bat!\\
'''Producer:''' That's not really what bats are known for, but I'm glad you're excited.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' Dude's freakin' shredded now, he's got like a six-pack, looks like a Calvin Klein underwear model, you know, like a bat.\\
'''Producer:''' ''[slightly weirded out]'' Okay, cool... what kinda bats you been looking at, though?
* WizardBeard: While revisiting the ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'' pitch meeting, Ryan draws a wizard with a beard, and notes that wizards stop shaving after getting to a certain level.
* WontTakeYesForAnAnswer: Right from the get go, at the start of the ''Film/{{Sharknado}}'' pitch meeting, we get the implication that the Screenwriter had tried pitching this movie prior to this meeting, with the title alone being the deal breaker:
-->'''Producer''': [[OnceAnEpisode So, you have a movie for me?]]
-->'''Screenwriter''': [[OnceAnEpisode Yes sir, I do.]] It's called ''Sharknado''...
-->'''Producer''': (interested) Okay, I'm listening.
-->'''Screenwriter''': (apologetic) I completely understand, thanks for your t- [[DoubleTake (shocked)]] ''[[DoubleTake Wait, you're listening?!]]''
* TheWorfEffect: {{Downplayed}} with Doctor Strange in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', first when Spider-Man defeats him rather easily in the Mirror Dimension ''which he controls'', and later when Ned is able to master using the sling ring almost instantly after learning he's able to use it, while Strange had a very difficult time with it in his [[Film/DoctorStrange2016 origin film]].
* WorldOfJerkass:
** ''Film/ChristmasWithTheKranks'' is said to have an entirely unlikeable cast, and the Screenwriter doesn't even make the bare minimum effort to remedy this.
** In ''Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017'', the Producer concludes that "everyone we've met so far is just awful," after hearing about how much Belle hates living in her village and how her fellow residents hate her in return.
* WouldHitAGirl: In ''Film/{{Daredevil|2003}}'', the Producer complains about how Matt's willingness to fight a girl doesn't make him look very good, and neither does Elektra's willingness to fight a blind man.
* WouldHurtAChild:
** The ''Film/MenInBlack'' being willing to hire the one candidate who thought to shoot the girl with the quantum physics books and ignored any possible reasons she might have for carrying them is described as proof that they operate under this principle.
** In the ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'' pitch meeting, the Producer asks whether Lucius Malfoy plans on using a death curse on Harry, who is eleven, and when the Screenwriter says yes, describes Lucius as "hardcore."
* WriterOnBoard: The ''Film/JurassicWorld'' pitch meeting posits that Zara's [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath horrible, drawn-out death]] that she clearly doesn't deserve was written in purely as a way for the Screenwriter to get back at his ex-girlfriend. Another sign of this being the case? Zara was the only character in the pitch to already have a name.
* WritersCannotDoMath: The Screenwriter has trouble with numbers. From calculating probabilities to calculating how many eyeballs three people have in total.
** There's the sand path in ''Film/AQuietPlace''. The Producer says that filling his kid's sandbox takes 100 pounds of sand, so making a path into town would require literally ''tons'' of sand.
** For ''Film/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'', he estimated that New York City is only populated by about 200 people, only to be informed that the actual population is around 7 million at the time the film was made. Kevin's father is furious with him for spending $967 on room service, despite the fact that he'd paid to fly 14 people across the country twice, implying that the Screenwriter doesn't know how much those plane tickets would cost.
** In the ''Film/{{Sharknado}}'' Pitch Meeting, when the producer asks what the odds of Finn jumping out of a helicopter and into a random shark's mouth and that just so happening to be the same shark that ate his friend earlier in the movie are, Screenwriter Guy replies by saying that the odds are "50 percent, either it was or it wasn't."
** In the ''Film/WonderWoman1984'' Pitch Meeting, the Screenwriter insists that a selfless wish, especially one like "World Peace" or "Curing all disease" would be OneInAMillionChance, only for the Producer to point out that there are ''billions'' of people in the world.
** In the ''Film/Godzilla2014'' pitch meeting, the Producer calculates that if Ford wants to get a nuclear bomb 20 miles from the city in five minutes, he will have to go 240 miles per hour, showing that the Screenwriter gravely underestimated how fast he would have to go in order to manage the task.
** In the ''Film/ArmyOfTheDead'' pitch meeting, the Producer notes that $200 million in $100 bills would probably weigh thousands of pounds.[[labelnote:Calculations]]Since a $100 bill weighs about a gram, there are 2 million $100 bills, and thus 4,409 pounds worth of money[[/labelnote]] The Screenwriter "solves" this problem by having the protagonists use backpacks.
** In the ''Film/JurassicWorldDominion'' pitch meeting, dinosaurs have overrun the world [[TimeSkip four years]] after 50 dinosaurs escape at the end of the previous film.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness:
** In the ''Film/RogueOne'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says that he kills off all the characters when they serve their purpose.
--->"If someone's no longer useful to me, why would I keep them alive, right?"
** Discussed during ''Film/TheHungerGames'' pitch meeting. Saying how the enemy team recruited Peeta just so he could track Katniss. But even after finding her, the writer still keeps the team from killing him, and even listening to his ideas, despite him having served his purpose.
* YouKillItYouBoughtIt: The ''Film/TheSantaClause'' pitch meeting has the Producer force the Screenwriter to tone down his original plan to have Scott Calvin kill Santa with a gun, and instead have Scott accidentally startle Santa. Even so, the Producer wonders what would happen if a "meth-head" killed Santa and put on his clothes, and the Screenwriter hopes that "the meth-head has a lot of Christmas spirit."
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: During the ''Film/AvengersEndgame Re-Release''
-->'''Screenwriter:''' We could have a Creator/StanLee tribute\\
'''Producer:''' Oh, lure [the audience] in with sadness, I love it.\\
'''Screenwriter:''' That's not how I saw it. That sounds evil.\\
'''Producer:''' ''[hyped]'' We're gonna make ''so'' much ''extra'' money off their sadness!!\\
'''Screenwriter:''' ''[clearly dejected]'' Okay...
* YourMom: In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' pitch meeting, the Producer is incredulous that after dozens of attempts to try to anger Spock, the young Vulcan bullies never think to insult his mother until the incident shown early on in the movie.
* YouSayTomato:
** In the pitch meeting for ''Film/Venom2018'', the Screenwriter and Producer argue over how "symbiote" is pronounced. The Screenwriter says "sim-bee-ote" and the Producer says "sim-buy-ote." Out of spite, the Producer switches the pronunciations of the words "be" and "buy" for the rest of the meeting.
** In the ''Film/BlackPantherWakandaForever'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter says there is no wrong way to pronounce "Namor." However, when the Producer pronounces it "Nyamour," the Screenwriter says maybe there is one wrong way.
[[/folder]]

** In the ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2022'' pitch meeting, Sonic forgets about the fact that he's so fast he can make [[TimeStandsStill Time Stand Still]] in favor of having a DanceOff to get the map back.

* VisualPun: In the ''Twilight: Eclipse'' pitch meeting, the Screenwriter mentions that they have to name the movie as such because the book has that name and their hands are tied. Cue both Screenwriter and Producer holding up their hands to show that their hands are literally tied together.

** The Pitch Meeting for ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'' calls the film out for weaponizing this trope in order to make the High Evolutionary as hateable as possible. The Screenwriter even demonstrates his strategy for "instantly hatred" to the Producer by punching a drawing of a puppy, enraging the Producer so much that he threatens to ''nuke the Screenwriter's house''.