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February 2010 Script Sales

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Novel adaptations, a few remakes, and some frankly off-beat concepts fill the first part of March. In addition, a former Script Pimp Writers Workshop “Recommend” found success with one of his scripts, “Smashed,” a suspense/thriller. Best of all, though: “Gilligan’s Island.” The movie. Believe it. And a little astounding (and humbling for those of you want to retire at 40), 94-year-old Sherwood Schwartz will co-produce with his son. Other selected script sales include: –New Line will helm a remake of the classic 1980s comedy “Police Academy.” –A feature film version of the hit HBO series “Rome,” with (possibly) the original leads. –Deepak Chopra’s comic “Beyond” will be adapted for the big screen. –Biopic of the erratic and controversial figure Herbert Hoover. –Tim Burton will co-produce an Abraham Lincoln vampire hunter script. . . . Somehow that sounds pretty awesome.

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Gersh Signs “Recommend” Writer Brian Watanabe

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Brian Watanabe, writer of Operation Endgame (aka Rogues Gallery), a former Script Pipeline "Recommend" project, signed with Gersh for agency rep. Script Pipeline execs previously linked him with manager Andrew Kersey (Kersey Management). Operation Endgame was produced in 2010 and starred Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Adam Scott (Parks and Rec), Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Emilie de Ravin (Lost), Maggie Q, Ellen Barkin, and an ensemble cast. The original project, Rogues Gallery, was brought to Sean McKittrick and Darko Entertainment by Pipeline CEO Chad Clough in 2008. SUBMIT A SCREENPLAY
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Brian Watanabe

By Exclusive Interviews

– Brian Watanabe (Script Pipeline “Recommend” writer), writer of Operation: Endgame, formerly Rogues Gallery. CC: What was the motivation behind Rogues Gallery? BW: Back in 2001, during the dot-com bust, the ad agency I was working at in San Francisco started some massive lay-offs. It was pretty brutal. Cubes emptied, factions developed, paranoia spread—it didn’t feel like we were getting fired, it felt like we were getting whacked. When I was finally let go it was almost a relief. I started to think: What if an office full of spies got downsized? What if instead of firing you they killed you? What if these trained assassins started killing each other to save their jobs? The idea had a lot of cinematic elements I loved: action, comedy, satire, a Ten Little Indians, who-will-survive structure. That was the start of the Rogues Gallery. CC: How did the project get off the ground,…

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Evan Daugherty

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– Evan Daugherty, writer of Killing Season (a.k.a. Shrapnel, 2008 Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest winner), Snow White and the Huntsman, Divergent, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and numerous studio and television projects. Due in part to his Script Pipeline win, Evan went on to become one of the most in-demand screenwriters in Hollywood. He’ll make his directorial debut in 2015 with the Dimension Films feature Ink and Bone. How long have you been writing screenplays? Did you start with scripts, fiction. . . ? I’ve been writing in one form or another for a long time: short stories, poetry, etc. But to be honest, from an early age, I was more interested in “making movies” than just “writing scripts.”  Most of my creative energy went into filming backyard movies with a digital video camera. I think I started to write my first feature script as a senior in high school. I didn’t know how…

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January 2010 Script Sales

By Script Sales

Star vehicles push January’s script sales—both old stars and rising actors—as well franchise sequels. “G.I. Joe” was apparently worthy of a second installment, as was “Paranormal Activity” (of course) and “Four Brothers,” with the sequel “Five.” A handful of scripts, three dramas and a thriller, are also headed into development with Philip Seymour Hoffman’s production company. Other selected script sales include: –Tom Hanks and Julia Robert set to star in “Larry Crowne,” revolving around a change of careers for a middle-aged man (surely it’ll be more interesting than that). Hanks will also direct. –Comedian Demetri Martin’s script “Will” is set to star Zach Galifianakis and Paul Rudd. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to produce. –A biopic of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Steven Spielberg will co-produce. –An as-of-yet untitled George Lucas CGI project

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Sean McKittrick

By Exclusive Interviews

– Sean McKittrick, producer of Donnie Darko, The Box, and Bad Words What did you do after UCLA? SM: I worked for a temp agency called Apple One. They specifically place you in entertainment related jobs. I became a full time temp at New Line Cinema and floated from desk to desk when assistants were out sick, taking vacations, etc. That actually led to my first job. When a position opened up, they were familiar with me and I hit it off with one of the executives. I ended up staying there for two years as her assistant. When did you intern for Lucas Foster? SM: I worked for Lucas when I was a Junior and Senior in College. How did it go? SM: The internship was an eye opener, you know, you’re in college, you don’t know anything. You’re working for free, doing the most menial tasks, making copies. You learn the…

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December 2009 Script Sales

By Script Sales

A relatively quiet December and early January for script sales, in comparison to previous months—as expected. Script Pimp partner Sean McKittrick and Darko entertainment will co-produce the horror/romance “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” with Lionsgate and Natalie Portman’s company. The comic adaptation bug bites again, as the franchise “Deadpool” will see a film version, and other comedies and action/thriller scripts found their way in the winter sales. Few dramas marked the landscape of genres, at least for this period ending 2009. Selected scripts include: –An as-of-yet untitled Ron Howard / Vince Vaughn romantic comedy project. –The comedy “Mail Order Groom,” which may star Tiny Fey and Steve Carell, who are producing. –A new Mel Gibson-helmed film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and centering on the Vikings. Scripted by William Monahan. –“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” a remake of the popular Swedish film of a different name.

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November 2009 Script Sales

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Comedies, anyone? A slate of comedies—some traditional, some off-beat— make up the script sales for December. A handful revolve around (surprise) vampires, some concerning astronauts, and others two “classic” characters once appearing on “In Living Color” and “Martin.” Other scripts include an adaptation of the civil rights march in Selma, a Greenpeace dramatic project, a remake of “The Black Hole,” and three—yes, three—Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”) projects. Selected script sales: –Mindy Kaling (“The Office”) will be co-writing the romcom “The Low Self Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie.” –And the vampire craze wears on. Amy Heckerling will direct “Vamps,” which will center on two female vampires who find love in New York. . . no, really. But veteran Heckerling should pull it off brilliantly. –Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx team up as Shenaheh and Wanda, their female characters from the bygone nineties, playing two rather hideous bank robbers. –Remake of the…

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October 2009 Script Sales

By Script Sales

Biopics and stories revolving around real-life stories and figures, as well as higher-profile comedies, are littered among dramas, horrors, and thrillers across October’s script sales. The hit Japanese manga comic “Ghost in the Shell” will see a big-screen adaptation, as will “Warcraft,” based on the popular game. The “Spider-man” sequel, “Venom,” is currently in the process of rewrites. “Vacation,” a sequel to the 1983 Chevy Chase comedy, sees a grown up Rusty Griswold take his own family on vacation—a writer is currently being sought. Selected/notable sales include: –A $150 million budgeted project centered on the Prophet Mohammed –“Men in Black 3,” with Ethan Cohen penning the script and Barry Sonnenfeld directing –An untitled George Gershwin biopic –The romantic comedy “Jack and Jill.” Adam Sandler will star as both Jack and Jill (not a typo) Lastly, TV comedy fans rejoice: “Arrested Development” is coming to theaters. And yes, everyone who’s awesome…

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September 2009 Script Sales

By Script Sales

As always, sequels and remakes are scattered throughout September’s script sales, as well as a biopic on the post-presidential life of Teddy Roosevelt (“River of Doubt”), a mid-nineties Wall Street crime/drama, a fantasy basketball camp comedy featuring NBA star LeBron James, the comedy “Super” starring Ellen Page and Rainn Wilson, and an as-of-yet untitled Barry Manilow project focusing on his fans. Other selected/notable sales include: –Building upon the successful franchise, a new edition of “Spy Kids” in 3-D –A fresh look at the classic “A Star is Born” –Nicholas Cage will reprise his role in “Ghost Rider 2” –A remake of “The Fly,” with David Cronenberg possibly writing and directing –Live-action “Barbie” film—no writer attached as of yet –Another re-imagining of “The Three Musketeers”

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August 2009 Script Sales

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Popular movie franchises will see further episodes, with “Hancock 2,” “Spider-man” (5 and 6), “Mission: Impossible,” “X-men: Origins,” and a new Jason Bourne film in the works. Beatles-related projects are also planned, including a biopic of manager Brian Epstein. Rounding out August were a number of urban/street stories, “Q School” (a golf comedy), a questionable sequel to “White Chicks,” and a remake/adaptation of “Brewster’s Millions.” Other selected/notable sales include: –Rob Zombie will continue his streak of gritty horror remakes with his rendition of “The Blob.” –A adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” –The (possibly) Steven Spielberg-directed project “Pirate Latitudes,” based on the Michael Crichton novel. David Koepp pens the Spielberg-produced script. –The life of music biz icon Brian Epstein, who discovered and managed The Beatles, in “A Life in the Day.” –Walt Disney’s almost sure-to-be poignant film, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” –Bryan Singer may take the helms of the…

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2009 TV Writing Contest Finalists

By TV Writing Contest Results

Grand Prize Winner Dexter – “The Rites of Spring” by Todd Lepre Finalists 30 Rock – “Tracey Jordan, MD” by Paul Malewitz & Matt Manser 30 Rock – “Cut and Run” by Enzo Mileti It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “Dog Show” by John Adler Bones – “The Student in the Stacks” by Helen Shang Breaking Bad – “Mr Clean” by Clark Childers Eastbound and Down – “Waiting for Bus Cook, Super Sports Agent” by Luke Ricci Mad Men – “A Fire Inside” by Clark Childers Skipland by Jessica Dolan & Sean Mach Two Harbors by Jim Macak

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