SkyRock Venture acquires thriller spec script “Picture Book” from writer Benjamin Magid. From Variety:

Picture Book” centers on the mysterious happenings in the mansion of a famous children’s author. The story is reminiscent of 2001′s “The Others,” with a supernatural twist.

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Energy is producing found-footage project “Thirteen,” which Universal bought pre-emptively last month and set up with U-based Strike Entertainment. WME and Energy also teamed last month’s spec sale of scribe Brad Ingelsby’s actioner “Run All Night” to Warner Bros. in a pre-emptive deal.

Article fails to note one important fact: “Thirteen” was written by Ben Magid which means he has sold two spec scripts within a month.

Magid is repped by WME and Energy Entertainment.

By my count, this is the 12th spec script sale in 2012.

Last year at this time, there had been 4 spec deals.

Sales are up year-to-date 200%.