SCRIPT
PIMP MARCH NEWSLETTER
(http://www.scriptpimp.com)
Contents:
(1) Script
Pimp 2009 Writing Competitions – Additional Notes Only $40
(2) Recent
Script Sales – February
(3) Box
Office Report – February 27- March1st
(4)
Script Pimp Recommends: Big Bear Lake Screenwriting Competition
(5) Ask
the Script Pimp Expert – Flashbacks in a Script
(6) Script
Pimp Endorses: Cinestory “Finding Your Thematic” Event
(7) 2009
Horror Screenplay Contest
(8) Consultations
with Senior Story Analyst – Final Month for Discounted Rate
(9)
Script Pimp Success Stories
(10)
Recent Feedback - Writers Workshop / 2008 Competition
(11)
Script Pimp in the News
(12)
Technical Edits on Scripts and Novels
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(1) Script
Pimp 2009 Writing Competitions – Additional Notes Only $40
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The 2009 Script Pimp Screenwriting and TV Writing Competitions are now accepting entries: http://www.scriptpimp.com/writing_competition/home.cfm
Regular deadline: May 1st. 58 days left to submit. . . .
**NEW FOR 2009: WRITERS MAY REQUEST FEEDBACK ON THEIR SCRIPT FOR AN ADDITIONAL $40. General analysis includes comments on all major components of your screenplay, including dialogue, characterization, plot, structure, and in some cases, marketability of the material. Plus, ALL notes are given by Script Pimp’s veteran Workshop readers or senior analysts. Notes may only be added by submitting via the Script Pimp site.
All genres and lengths of feature film scripts accepted. International, non-U.S. writers are welcome to enter as well. Scripts are accepted through the Script Pimp site or through Withoutabox (www.withoutabox.com).
And Script Pimp is pleased to announce that judges for the TV contest include:
Mike Kelley, creator of “Swingtown”
Brian Keith Etheridge, writer “South Park”
Michael Morris, producer “Brothers and Sisters”
The ‘08 contest has already netted option and representation agreements with many of the finalist writers. Even more production companies, agents, and managers will be reading the 2009 winning scripts, along with $50,000 in prizes possible for anyone who enters, and $16,000 cash for the finalists.
The following are a selection of companies that have requested to review the finalists:
3 Arts Entertainment, 3 Ring Circus Films, AEI, The Alpern Group, Anthem Entertainment, Andrew Lauren Productions, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Cedar Grove Agency, Cinematic Instinct, Energy Entertainment, The Greenblatt-Janollari Studio, Gersh LA, Hi-Def Entertainment, IndieShares, The Jerry Leider Company, JT Entertainment, London Pictures, Pierce/Williams Entertainment, Polsky Films, Principal Entertainment, Symbolic Entertainment, Underground Films, Wonder Entertainment.
For details: http://www.scriptpimp.com/writing_competition/home.cfm
*All new Writers Database members get one FREE entry into the competition!
And thanks to long-time sponsor Final Draft for their continued support of the Script Pimp competition. For further info on Final Draft, visit www.finaldraft.com.
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(2) Recent
Script Sales – February
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One of the more notable developments this year so far: the musical “Damn Yankees” is set for a remake, with Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaall confirmed as leads. As anticipated, “Friday the 13th” will see a second incarnation, and for those interested in further reliving the 80s, “The Neverending Story” has been given the green light, though no writer is attached as of yet.
Other selected sales include:
--The drama/comedy “Downsizing,” with Reese Witherspoon, Sasha Baron Cohen, and Paul Giamatti to star.
--“Rape: A Love Story,” based on the Joyce Carol Oates novella. Abigail Breslin, Samuel L. Jackson, and Maria Bello attached. 3 Arts Entertainment to produce.
--The DC Comics story “Suicide Squad”
--“Little Fockers,” the third installment of the Stiller/DeNiro comedy series.
And as Hollywood has been infected with the remake bug, expect to see a fresh, new, “improved” version of the Schwarzenegger classic “Total Recall.”
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(3) Box
Office Report – February 27th-March 1st
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The ever-successful Tyler Perry continues his hot streak, as “Madea Goes to Jail” remains number one for the second weekend in a row. The Perry comedy edged out Academy Award winner “Slumdog Millionaire” and Disney’s monstrous teenage creation Jonas Brothers, with their new 3-D film, to claim the top slot. Rather impressive considering “Slumdog,” though first released months ago, is currently playing in more theaters nationwide than “Madea.” And in limited release, “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” seems to have proven that the arcade classic may have had a better shot in the nineties—the film finished in eighth with $4.7 million, while “Taken” has crossed the $100m mark.
The Top Ten*
(domestic totals in parentheses, with the number of weeks in theaters as of March 1st)
1. Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail ($64,525,548) – Week #2
2. Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience ($12,510,374) – Week #1
3. Slumdog Millionaire ($115,024,121) – Week #16
4. Taken ($107,796,273) – Week #5
5. He's Just Not That Into You ($78,661,321) – Week #4
6. Paul Blart: Mall Cop ($128,107,912) – Week #7
7. Coraline ($61,112,744) – Week #4
8. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li ($4,721,110) – Week #1
9. Confessions of a Shopaholic ($$33,806,050) – Week #3
10. Fired Up ($10,038,772) – Week #2
*ranked by top weekend box office films from February 27th - March 1st
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(4) Script
Pimp Recommends: Big Bear Lake Screenwriting Competition
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The 2009 Big Bear Lake International Film Festival Screenwriting Competition is now accepting entries.
Our goal is to provide screenwriters with exposure for their writing and an avenue for making Hollywood contacts that can advance their career goals. As such, all Finalists are read by Hollywood professional agents, managers, producers, and those same jurors are at our festival to provide general advice about the industry.
For anyone whose script does not yet make it to the Finalist level, ALL entries receive brief written feedback from at least THREE separate readers—at no extra cost. Past finalists have gotten sales, agents, managers, writing assignments, and a nomination for an Academy Award from contacts made here.
Final deadline: April 1. For information and forms: www.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com.
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(5) Ask
the Script Pimp Expert – Flashbacks in a Script
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As this question has been asked recently. . . .
Why
in so many screenwriting and filmmaking books are flashbacks looked down upon?
The reason why emerging writers are strongly discouraged from using flashbacks
in their work is that many use this device as a kind of quick fix for
plot/character holes. Rather than
finding a subtle way to reveal story information, the writer simply resorts to
a flashback scene. As a result, the
scene tends to seem out of the blue and inorganic.
While many great scripts and films incorporate flashbacks, the thing to
remember is that it's actually very difficult to include flashbacks in a way
that doesn't feel contrived.
Before including a flashback in a script, consider whether there is another way
to convey this information. If so, do it. Keep the reader/viewer in the here and now of
the story. Only use flashbacks if
essential and if they fit with the overall tone of the story.
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(6) Script
Pimp Endorses: Cinestory “Finding Your Thematic” Event
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Finding Your Thematic: The Role of a Writer’s Emblematic Core Story in Cinematic Storytelling
Let industry pros including Jodie Foster’s former producer, Meg LeFauve, and the Academy Award® nominated writer of CHILDREN OF MEN and IRON MAN guide you in discovering those core Thematic elements that will produce your best storytelling for the screen.
You may not know your Thematic yet. But once you do it will change the way you approach storytelling forever.
Finding Your Thematic will provide an in-depth examination of how a writer's core themes can influence his or her entire body of work. This one-night, limited seating event consists of two sessions:
--An interactive demonstration of how each attending writer can explore his/her personal theme
--A panel discussion with pro screenwriters who examine how Thematic has helped direct their choices and influence their entire body of work
Date and time: 7-10pm, Tuesday March 24th
Location: Santa Monica
Tickets: $45 general admission, $35 CineStory Alumni/Students – go to www.cinestory.org for details.
CineStory gratefully acknowledges the support of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for this special event.
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(7) 2009
Horror Screenplay Contest
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www.HorrorScreenplayContest.com
Presented by www.ScreenplayContests.com –
The #1 choice for screenplay contests.
The 2009 HORROR SCREENPLAY CONTEST: Now accepting entries
*Over $5,000.00 in cash and prizes
*Winner's Material Requested by over 50 producers, studios, agents and managers
*Limited to the first 600 entries!
*Online submissions accepted
For more information and to enter: www.HorrorScreenplayContest.com
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(8) Consultations
with Senior Story Analyst – Final Month for Discounted Rate
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*One-On-One Phone Consultation with Senior Story Analyst:
http://www.scriptpimp.com/script_coverage/index_ww2.cfm
Direct advice and one-on-one interaction over the phone or in-person. Iron out the issues in your script in the most efficient way possible. Script Pimp story analysts are available for one-on-one meetings to go through your script line by line. As with our Development Notes service, if your script is at the point where it should be shopped around town, we will give you suggestions for the companies that would be most interested in your script.
Special discounts off consults through March 31st, 2009:
$150 OFF for non-members ($500)
$220 OFF for members ($430)
To take advantage of the discount, offer code SPCD1.
If you would like to set up an appointment, please E-mail Matt at matt@scriptpimp.com.
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(9)
Script Pimp Success Stories – 2008 Competition / Workshop
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With the help of our mentors, Chadwick and Matt have Script Pimp 2008 finalist screenplays out to scores of producers and agents and are looking forward to the next 20 finalists for the 2009 Competition.
The top 20 scripts have sparked interest from managers, agents, and production companies worldwide.. Former Workshop Recommends are also finding success with their screenplays and already produced films.
Most recent updates. . . .
Former Script Pimp Recommend screenplay STRENGTH AND HONOR and writer/director Mark Mahon continue to rack up festival awards worldwide, including Best Picture at the New York International Film Festival and Boston Film Festival. Pic stars Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, and Richard Chamberlain.
Aaron J. Patton, a former Script Pimp Recommend for his screenplay UNHINGING ROWE is now being represented by Gallagher Literary Management.
James K. Watts’ script BECKWOURTH, a 2008 Script Pimp Screenwriting Competition finalist, is currently under option.
Former Script Pimp Recommend screenplay WORM by Marc Samson has been optioned by Sandcastle Studios.
Evan Daugherty, finalist and Grand Prize winner in the 2008 Script Pimp Screenwriting Competition, has secured literary writer representation from Jake Wagner at Energy Entertainment with his script SHRAPNEL. His script also made The Blacklist, for one of the best unproduced screenplays of 2008.
More to come. . . .
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(10)
Recent Feedback - Writers Workshop / 2008 Competition
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Script Pimp's Writers Workshop has served a number of writers to start 2009. As always, thanks to all the writers who took the time to send in their comments.
Some recent quotes:
“My feedback notes are amazing--really insightful and very inspiring.” – Louise G. (2/12)
“I couldn't be more pleased with the insights you provided. Thank you so much.” – Bettie S. (2/9)
“I thank you guys for the notes. It's a great help to receive such a professional and accurate notes for the script. I'm grateful for your comments.” – Tony S. (1/29)
“Thanks for the quick turnaround. As far as rating the quality of the reader's comments, 10s across the board. I feel their comments were fair and also very thorough.” – Todd E. (1/23)
“Just a quick email to thank you for the notes. I have to say I'm impressed with the quality and clarity of the suggestions that were made - they will definitely help me with the next draft.” – Tim M. (1/17)
And some responses from our 2008 Writing Competition. . . .
"Looking forward to future dealings with Script P.I.M.P. Thank you again for your support and help. Also had a very enlightening conversation with [the finalist mentor consultant]. He was most gracious, very insightful, and open to hearing about my future efforts as well." – Ed Cound
"Many thanks for hosting the awards event! It was a great opportunity to meet the other writers. Thanks as well for setting up the phone meeting with [a finalist consultant]." – Suzan Flamm
"Really enjoyed talking with you and sharing war stories with the other writers [at the awards party]. Always good to connect with more film folks." – David O'Donnell
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(11)
Script Pimp in the News
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To view all Script Pimp company credits, visit: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0173374
View all Script Pimp Press:
http://www.scriptpimp.com/features/creative_screenwriting.cfm
Script Pimp's "Rogue's Gallery":
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if7b717939831cbe299581383a70dea5a
Script Pimp's feature film "The Living Wake" reviewed by Variety: http://www.scriptpimp.com/newsletters/variety.cfm
Script Pimp on TV (Peter Bart's Sunday Morning Shootout) Script Pimp Newswire:
http://www.scriptpimp.com/news/home.cfm
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(12)
Technical Edits on Scripts and Novels
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Script Pimp offers copyediting for screenplays, teleplays, and novels. Editing includes a thorough check for grammar, formatting, and, if applicable, sentence structure and suggestions to improve narrative pacing and flow in the hopes of improving the readability (and thus the marketability) of your work.
Rates start at $.03/word and vary depending on the individual writer's needs. We will also perform a FREE one-page "sample" edit for you to determine if the service will meet your needs.
For more info, or to request a free sample edit and price quote, please E-mail matt@scriptpimp.com and write "Editing Services" in the subject line.