Through annual competitions, Script Pipeline discovers and develops writers of all levels for film and television, connecting them to producers, agents, and managers. Since 1999, several produced films and over $6 million in screenplay and TV pilot spec sales from alumni are credited to Script Pipeline’s unique, intensive process of long-term writer-to-industry facilitation. Contest finalists and winners work with Script Pipeline’s senior executives year-around, getting broader exposure for their work in addition to continuous, one-on-one development assistance.
Recent success stories include competition alum Evan Daugherty selling Snow White and the Huntsman to Universal for $3 million and later taking the lead on studio projects Divergent, Ninja Turtles, and the upcoming Rose Red from Disney and Earthseed from Paramount. Evan was previously attached to write the limited series Esmeralda for ABC Studios, GI Joe 3 for Paramount, an adaptation of Myst for Hulu, and the Tomb Raider reboot. His contest-winning script Killing Season (formerly Shrapnel) was produced and starred Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro and John Travolta.
Tripper Clancy, another former Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest winner, sold the road comedy The Ambassadors to 20th Century Fox and the pitch Winter Break to QED International, and was previously attached to write the comedy Stranded for Sony. Tripper is currently writing the animated comedy Shedd for Paramount, in addition to Hacker Camp for Hasbro. In April 2016, he sold the spec Stuber to Fox for the mid-six figures, and in May 2017 was brought on board for an adaptation of the bestselling novel The Art of Fielding.
Micah Barnett, whose work was developed through Script Pipeline coverage services, sold The Rabbit to Warner Bros. for six-figures and a TV pilot, Ricochet, to NBC. Screenwriter Brian Watanabe had his Script Pipeline “Recommend” action/comedy, Rogue’s Gallery (later titled Operation: Endgame), also initially developed by Script Pipeline, produced by Michael Ohoven (Capote) and Sean McKittrick (Get Out). The film starred Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Adam Scott (Parks and Rec), Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent), Maggie Q, Ellen Barkin, Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), and an ensemble cast. The Living Wake, Script Pipeline’s first produced film starring Academy Award-nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and comedian Mike O’Connell (Dr. Ken), received high praise when it made its festival debut in 2010.
In October 2017, production will begin on the 2015 Script Pipeline contest-winning screenplay Militia, written by Henry Dunham. Henry will make his directorial debut with the crime/thriller. The film is set to star Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) and Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire). Madhouse Entertainment signed Henry a few weeks after he was announced as the winner of the competition, with UTA following suit.
Jen Goldson, another 2015 contest selection, saw her romantic comedy Off the Menu produced in 2016, starring Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Dania Ramirez (Devious Maids). Jen was introduced to director Jay Silverman at a Script Pipeline event, and the screenplay went into production in less than a year. The film will be released in 2017.
A number of original feature and TV projects are in various stages of development, and well over 100 writers have signed with representation or had their work optioned as a result of facilitation. With Script Pipeline execs actively expanding their industry network on a daily basis, the company is continuously on the hunt for quality material to co-produce or help put into production.
By the end of 2017, it’s estimated that 15,000 screenplays, pilots, and original pitches will have been reviewed through the competitions, making Script Pipeline the leading review outlet for writers worldwide.
*Industry requests to review material from Script Pipeline writers can be made here.
Chad Clough
CEO / Executive Director
In 1999, while working in feature film development, Chad saw a flaw in the process: hundreds of spec scripts would be left unread in production company and studio offices. He envisioned a matchmaking service between up-and-coming writers and film executives to better serve both parties. For the writer, their material could be reviewed by an impartial third party, while the industry could receive quality projects via a trusted filter. In 2000, Script P.I.M.P. (Pipeline Into Motion Pictures) was formed and has since offered annual writing competitions and other services to discover new writers for film and television.
Chad played a critical role in the funding of two independent features. The Living Wake, starring Academy Award-winner Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), garnered Script Pipeline's first production company credit and received critical praise, with Variety calling it a "stunning feature debut. . . . Eisenberg is note-perfect." A year later, Chad produced the action/comedy Operation Endgame, a screenplay originally submitted through Script Pipeline and later produced on a $5 million budget. The film featured an A-list cast including Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Adam Scott (Parks and Rec), Ellen Barkin, Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), and Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul). Chad has also served as a creative consultant on other independent films.
Over the last several years, Chad has been instrumental in creating a synergy between writers with proper representation and production contacts, such as Robert Nelms on the film Between and connecting Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman, Divergent) with manager Jake Wagner (Benderspink). In total, Chad has assisted over 100 writers sign with agents, finds reps, and sell their scripts.
Beyond running Script Pipeline, Chad wrote Creative Screenwriting's "Production Spotlight" article for six years. He has led seminars at the Screenwriting Expo in Los Angeles, lectured on screenwriting and entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California and UCLA, acted as a USC mentor, and has taken part in the Big Brothers LA mentorship program for past eight years.
Through the Circus of Joy at the Hollywood Improv and other venues, Chad has promoted comedy shows across Los Angeles, which have featured Drew Carey, Louis CK (Louie), Daniel Tosh, Natasha Leggero, Chris Fairbanks, Brian Keith Etheridge, and actor/comic Craig Robinson (The Office). Circus of Joy was later rated one of the top monthly comedy shows in Los Angeles by LA Weekly.
With Script Pipeline, Chad's goal to assist the budding writer with an array of resources on how to improve their craft and give them exposure in a highly competitive marketplace continues, as the company is one of the leading outlets for writers to connect with Hollywood.
Matt Misetich
Senior Executive
Matt has worked almost exclusively in development as a script analyst and story consultant for production companies, managers, writing competitions, and filmmakers for the past 15 years. He has been a core executive at Script Pipeline since 2008 and has helped a number of writers launch their careers, including contest winners Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman, Myst), Tripper Clancy (Henry the Second, The Art of Fielding), Henry Dunham (Militia), and several more discovered through Script Pipeline. Across that span, it's estimated he has reviewed over 20,000 pitches and scripts, which has allowed him to gain incredible insight into every style and genre of writing.
With a prowess in finding emerging writing talent, Matt oftentimes fosters projects from concept to final draft. In addition, he plays a critical role in matching material with the proper companies in Script Pipeline's network of execs. Other primary roles include establishing new relationships with partners in film and TV and further expanding Script Pipeline's role as a writer-to-industry facilitator.
Jeffrey McCrann
Creative Executive
Jeff grew up working in theatre (Boston, NYC, and national tours) before moving to Los Angeles in 2006 where he worked for the CEO of Lionsgate Entertainment. A passionate genre fan, Jeff joined the team at FEARnet Television where he managed Development and Programming for four years before moving to Participant Media to work in Acquisitions for their cable network, Pivot. Jeff is thrilled to bring his years of industry experience (on both sides of the table) to Script Pipeline and further foster relationships between writers and those looking for fresh and innovative content.