The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 1996
The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 1996
Pretty much ever since I sold a spec script in 1987, I have been fascinated by them. The very idea that a writer could conceive a story concept, research, craft and write an original screenplay, then sell it to a Hollywood buyer is in and of itself a remarkable thing. When you consider that each year an estimated 25,000–40,000 stories filter through the studio acquisition system and only about 100 spec scripts sell annually, that makes it even more notable.
I didn’t start tracking all spec script sales until 1991, but then I tried my best to note the details whenever I learned about them. Over the years I often thought about those files and wouldn’t it be great to have a comprehensive list of all spec script sales in Hollywood? Here are some reasons why:
- To create an historical record of these special accomplishments by screenwriters in the movie business.
- To compare what spec scripts sold and got produced to those that never got made.
- To track buying trends in Hollywood [e.g., genre, high-concept].
- To create a resource for contemporary writers to brainstorm new story ideas.
And then this: With spec script sales being as high as they have been the last 18 months, can we consider this a new Golden Age of the Spec Script, or does it pale in comparison to the supposed gilded age back in the early to mid-90s? Is that collective memory true or perhaps incorrect?
I mulled over the possibility of collating all the information about spec sales I had amassed. Unfortunately the documentation takes the form of actual clippings from the Hollywood Reporter and Variety, as well as hard drives on a number of old computers stashed away somewhere, and a variety of other sources.
In step two hearty souls, Black List interns Mikal McLendon and Evelyn Yves who agreed to help assimilate all the data into a comprehensive spec script sales list from 1991–2007 [to go along with my lists from 2008 to present]. It took Mikal and Eveyln months to pull this information together and I thank them profusely for their help [I hope you will, too, in comments].
Please note, when I say ‘Definitive’ in the title, that means two things. First I am engaging in a bit of Hollywood hyperbole. I know there are some spec script sales that we will have missed. Every sale is covered nowadays through the trades and various tracking boards. That type of coverage was not the case back in the 90s. Which leads to the second point:
I want your help!
If you are a screenwriter who sold a spec script and you don’t see it on the list or you spot some details that are wrong or incomplete, please email me with updates.
If you are a studio exec, agent, manager, producer or movie fan who happens to know of a spec script sale that’s not listed, please email me.
Let’s see if we can round out this research project as best we can.
With that lengthy introduction, here is the list of spec script deals in 1996.
1. Title: G’s Trippin Logline: The story is about a black teenager’s fantasies during his senior year in high school. Writer: Gary Hardwick Agent: Ronda Gomez Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Production Co.: Beacon Com. Genre: Drama Fantasy Date Sold: 1996
2. Title: Quality Time Logline: Marthaa Stewart-like woman is obsessed with her career and image until her personal life disintegrates and she retreats to Vermont. Writer: Janet Kovalcik Agent: Devra Lieb, Bob Hohman, Bayard Maybank Agency: Richland, Wunsch, Hohman Agency Studio: Universal Production Co.: Bregman Productions Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/1996
3. Title: The Martian Agent Logline: N/A Writer: Michael Chabon Agent: Sally Wilcox Agency: CAA Studio: Fox Price: $200K/$400K Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 1/1996
4. Title: The Life of Christ in the 21st Century Logline: Fictional Second Coming story Writer: Christian Allman Production Co.: Renegade Films Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 1/1996
5. Title: The Third Rail Logline: Thriller in the vein of “Hand That Rocks The Cradle.” Hostage negotiator is caught in a web of intrigue when his wife is kidnapped. Writer: Richard D’Ovidio Agent: Alan Gasmer, Rob Carlson Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Cinergi Prods. Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 1/1996
6. Title: Unidentified Suburban Object Logline: Story centers on a middle aged married man, who lives in suburbia and one day discovers a spaceship buried in his backyard. The whole town subsequently goes crazy with excitement, and he becomes a celebrity. Writer: Jim Wells Agent: Rob Carlson, Alan gasmer Agency: William Morris Studio: Fox Family Films Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/1996
7. Title: Jello Shots Logline: Ensemble comedy along the lines of “St Elmos Fire,” about four women’s crazy night out in Los Angeles. Writer: David McKenna Agent: David Styne Agency: CAA Manager: Management Firm: Studio: New Line Price: $500K/$650K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/1996
8. Title: The Human Race Logline: Burned out government employee becomes desensitized to human suffering. After he gets into a car accident, he discovers he’s not human, and while being pursued by government agents, he discovers his own humanity. Writer: Howard Himelstein Agent: David Styne, Scott Greenberg, Adam Kanter Agency: CAA Production Co.: Interscope Price: Mid-six figures/high-six Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 1/1996
9. Title: The Happy Man Logline: Married couple cause turmoil in a suburban tract housing development. Writer: Eric Higgs Agent: Graham Kaye Agency: HWA Talent Production Co.: Island Pictures Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Black Comedy Date Sold: 1/1996
10. Title: Five Star Clearance Logline: Writer: Christopher Daniel Barnes Production Co.: Trident Entertainment Price: Six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 1/1996
11. Title: Dead Weekend Logline: While on tour, the Grateful Dead rock band is followed by a group of “Deadheads.” Writer: Stacey Hur Production Co.: Steven Ho Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/1996
12. Title: The Bureau Logline: Two FBI agents uncover a secret organization working nefariously within the agency. Writer: Jeff Fligelman Agent: Barry Perelman Agency: Barry Perelman Agency Production Co.: Castle Rock Ent. Price: Low-six figures/mid-six Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 1/1996
13. Title: The Longest Night Logline: Action fable set in Antarctica tells the story of plunder and deceit. Writer: John Claflin, Jamie Mayer Agent: Lawrence Mattis Agency: Circle of Confusion Studio: Fox Price: $300K/$600K Genre: Action Date Sold: 1/17/1996
14. Title: Shut Up & Dance Logline: A young man uses his passion for dancing to help a woman reconnect with her former dreams. Writer: Daryl Lynn Matthews Production Co.: Mandalay/Cinewa Genre: Romance Date Sold: 1/18/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
15. Title: Rex Nolan; Male Escort Logline: Young man has so much trouble keeping a job that he decides to go in for a new profession and becomes a male prostitute. Writer: Lou Holtz Studio: Warner Bros. Price: $850K/$1.25M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/25/1996
16. Title: The Bottens Logline: When the most rotten family in America moves to a small town and causes trouble, their youngest son disappoints by unexpectantly becoming an upstanding citizen. Writer: Dan Mazur, David Tausik Agent: John Bauman (for Mazur), Peter Turner (for Tausik) Agency: Gersh, Peter Turner Agency Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Avnet/Kerner Price: $150K/$225K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/1996
17. Title: The New Jersey Turnpikes Logline: Story concerns the worst basketball team in the league known as “The New Jersey Turnpikes.” Writer: Michael Berg Agent: Elizabeth Thomas Agency: Candace Lake Agency Studio: Universal Production Co.: New Deal Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/1996
18. Title: Lonely are the Dead Logline: Psychological thriller with supernatural and horror elements. Writer: Jeff Zedlar Agent: Adam Rosenfelt Agency: Gersh Production Co.: Propaganda Price: $300K/$550K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 2/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
19. Title: Indecent Logline: Period drama tracks several friends’ coming of age against backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement. Writer: Mike Apostolina, Bob Sugalski Agent: Andrew Cannava Agency: UTA Studio: Paramount Production Co.: Scott Rudin Productions Genre: Drama Date Sold: 2/1996
20. Title: He Who Dares Logline: An anti-terrorist negotiator has to defuse a situation involving the British Embassy in the United States. Writer: Randy Feldman Agent: Steve Rabineau Agency: ICM Studio: Warner Bros Price: Mid-six figures/$1.25M Genre: Action Date Sold: 2/1996
21. Title: Chain Letter Logline: Secretary gets a chain letter and while drunk sends off copies to all her enemies. After each ends up dead, she tries to chase down one letter that she addressed incorrectly. Writer: Jana Howington, Steve LuKanic Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Touchstone Pictures Price: Low-six figures/mid-six Genre: Comedy Drama Date Sold: 2/1996
22. Title: Incognita Logline: “Working Girl,” meets “My Cousin Vinny.” Writer: Denise Halma Agent: Devra Lieb, Bob Hohman, Bayard Maybank Agency: Richland, Wunsch, Hohman Agency Studio: Turner Pictures Production Co.: Atlas Entertainment Price: $125K/$375K Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/1996
23. Title: Blades Logline: “Speed” meets helicopters. News helicopter pilot is deputized by the police after the President’s helicopter, “Marine One,” is taken over by terrorists. He has to help save the President as the terrorists try to manipulate the news media to their advantage. Writer: David Engelbach, John Wolff Agent: Rima Greer Agency: Above the Line Agency Studio: Universal Production Co.: Daybreak Prods Price: $ 1M Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 2/1996 Add’l Info: Mark Sternberg found project.
24. Title: Magnet Head Logline: Boy gets hit in the head with a baseball and gets a metal plate, which gets magnetized. Writer: John McGlaughlin Agent: Elizabeth Bagot, Lynn Pleshette Agency: Lynn Pleshette Agency Manager: Joel Goldstein Management Firm: MSI Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros Production Co.: Spring Creek Price: $400K/$700K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/2/1996
25. Title: Josiah’s Canon Logline: Heist story about a Holocaust survivor who leads the world’s foremost team of bank robbers. The criminal mastermind sets his sights on an impenetrable bank in Switzerland, which pruportedly houses money deposited by Weimar Jews killed in concentration’s camps. Writer: Jeff King Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Studio: Fox 2000 Price: $225K/$600K Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 2/7/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
26. Title: Mousehunt Logline: “Dumb & Dumber” meets “Tom & Jerry.” Two brothers inherit a house and find themselves outsmarted by a mouse who has lived there longer than they have. Writer: Adam Rifkin Agent: Joanne Roberts, Alan Gasmer, Cassian Elwes Agency: William Morris Production Co.: DreamWorks SKG Price: $650K/$900K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/22/1996
27. Title: Midvale Logline: The story about how one man deals with the death of his wife. Writer: Richard Matheson, Richard Christian Matheson Agent: David Greenblatt Agency: Endeavor Studio: Universal Production Co.: Northern Lights Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1996
28. Title: Marlowe Logline: Story centers on the intertwined lives of William Shakespeare and Sir Christopher Marlowe. Light is shed on the centuries old controversy surrounding the authorship of works traditionally attributed to Shakespeare. Writer: Alex Ayers Agent: Mary Kimmel Agency: Preferred Artists Production Co.: Spencer Entertainment Price: $350K Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1996
29. Title: Live Cargo Logline: “Midnight Run” meets “The Professional.” Story focuses on a man who tries to smuggle two female Albanian refugees from Mexico into Texas. He manages to outrun a band of ruthless Mexican policemen but inadvertently delivers the Albanians to a terrorist. Writer: Rob Wright Agent: David Lubliner Agency: William Morris Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Rastar Price: $350K/$500K Genre: Action Comedy Date Sold: 3/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
30. Title: Jackhammer Logline: Two Navy pilots are shot down in enemy territory and must make a break for freedom. Writer: Dennis Hackin, Neil Russell Agent: Mickey Freiberg Agency: The Artists Agency Production Co.: Rysher Entertainment Price: High-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 3/1996
31. Title: Fluffy Logline: A jealous cat tries to break up the romance between her owner and the owner’s new boyfriend. Writer: Jim Mattson, B.E. Brauner Agent: Millisa Brockfish Agency: Monteiro/Rose Agency Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pictures Price: $250K/$550K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/1996 Add’l Info: B.E. Brauner’s first spec sale.
32. Title: City Desk Logline: Story centers on a tabloid journalist who exploits racial murder for his own gain and turns New York City upside down in the process. Writer: Raymond DeFelitta Production Co.: Steelworks Films/Carlyle Prods. Price: Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1996
33. Title: Bonjour Homicide Logline: Black female cop and a French cop team up in Miami to solve a homicide investigation. Writer: Frawley Becker Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Seaside Productions Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1996
34. Title: Blind Man’s Bluff Logline: True story of two turn-of-thecentury con artists who stage a sting operation that nearly brings down the Bank of california, the largest bank on the West coast. The swindlers claim to have found a massive diamond field in Northern California, but it turns out to be an area they had “salted” with purchased industrial diamonds. Writer: Harry Stein, Mark Allen Smith Agent: Ron Mardigian, Dodie Gold Agency: William Morris Production Co.: The Ruddy Morgan Organization Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/1996
35. Title: Any Given Sunday Logline: National Football league coach has come to the realization that the game has passed him by and the time has come for him to retire. Writer: John Logan Agent: David Styne Agency: CAA Studio: Turner Pictures Production Co.: Turner Pictures Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1996 Add’l Info: Al Turner, Matt Tolmach, Jed Blaugrund, Oliver Stone, Dan Halstead found project.
36. Title: After the Rains Logline: Lovers on the run try to geta way from their problems. Writer: Jeff Gottlieb Agent: Jason Neswick Agency: The Agency Production Co.: Kandace King Productions Price: Six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
37. Title: Beautiful Joe Logline: Man believes he has developed a brain tumor and then finds out that his wife is fooling around on him. He sets off on road trip that leads him to a down and out stripper with two kids. Writer: Stephen Metcalfe Agent: Jeremy Zimmer Agency: UTA Production Co.: Mandeville Films Price: Genre: Romance Date Sold: 3/1996
38. Title: Get Well Soon Logline: Writer: Peter Elkoff Production Co.: Stiefel/Philips Entertainment Price: Genre: Comedy Drama Date Sold: 3/1996
39. Title: Thou Shall Not Logline: Ambulance-chasing attorney is given the opportunity to redeem himself in God’s eyes after his car plunges into a lake and he dies. The only requirement is that he go a full week without breaking all ten commandment.s Writer: Alan Freedland Agent: Doug MacLaren, Matt Solo Agency: ICM Production Co.: Bubble Factory Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/4/1996
40. Title: The Hollow Gang Logline: A scary movie for children, it centers on an orphaned brother and sister sent to live in a small town where they begin to settle in and make new friends, only to learn the headless horseman has arrived and is planning to take over their town. Writer: Craig Titley Agent: Jeff Robinov Agency: ICM Manager: Warren Zide Production Co.: Family Channel Films Price: $275K/$375K Genre: Family Date Sold: 3/5/1996
41. Title: The Rig Logline: Heavy action set aboard an oil rig in the North Sea. Writer: Scott Sommer Studio: Universal Production Co.: MK Productions Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 3/8/1996
42. Title: Pancakes & Underwear Logline: Lonely little boy enlists the aid of a female environmentalist to help him track down the man who received the heart of his deceased organ donor dad. Complications ensue when the environmentalist and the boy teach the transplant recipient the significance of having a new heart. Writer: Steven Roberts Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Touchstone Pictures Genre: Date Sold: 3/11/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
43. Title: Double Vision Logline: The story centers on a Philadelphia cop in trouble with his peers for having cooperated with an Internal Affairs investigation. Cop has to look into a strange case involving a murderer who believes he is living in the world of famous paintings. Described as “Seven” meets “Serpico.” Writer: Jon Cohen Agent: Richard Green, Howard Sanders Agency: UTA Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Price: $175K/$600K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/11/1996
44. Title: The Sandman Logline: A man becomes the Sandman and gets into people’s dreams. Writer: Ronnie Christensen Agent: Michelle Wallerstein Agency: Michelle Wallerstein Company Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pictures/Banner Entertainment Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Fantasy Date Sold: 3/13/1996
45. Title: Hominid Logline: A tribe of humanoids has lived underground for the past 50,000 years owing to a natural catastrophe. Now, the tribe elects to make its first contact with human beings. Writer: Warren Selko, Kenneth Selko Agent: Agency: Endeavor Production Co.: Interscope Price: $225K/$450K Genre: Sci-fi Thriller Date Sold: 3/13/1996 Add’l Info: Writers’ first spec sale
46. Title: Sanctuary Logline: In order to save the life of her husband, a woman travels to Borneo. Writer: Damon Santos Lefano, Steve Gaghan Agent: Jim Rosen Agency: ICM Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 3/24/1996
47. Title: Fever Logline: The story centers on a medical student working as a morgue attendant who uncovers a deadly plot to infect the Third World with a fatal disease. Writer: Dave Ryan Agent: David Lubliner, Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Red Wagon Productions Price: $400K/$750K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/28/1996
48. Title: Mirror Mirror Logline: Fantasy adventure about an 11 year old who is unhappy about his new stepbrother and so wishes him banished to the South Pole. When his wish comes true and he sees how unhappy his parents are, he wishes himself there as well in an effort to get his brother back. Writer: Pamela Acuff Agent: Norman Aladjem Agency: Writers & Artists Manager: Paul Canterna, William Blaylock Studio: Paramount Production Co.: Nickelodeon Movies Genre: Adventure Fantasy Date Sold: 4/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
49. Title: Land of the Free Logline: Focus is on American militia groups and individual rights. Writer: Joe Eszterhas Studio: Paramount Price: $2M/$4M Genre: Drama Date Sold: 4/1996
50. Title: Inferno City Logline: Revamped “Dante’s Inferno.” Wrongly imprisoned ex cop goes after a serial killer inside an asteroid prison. Writer: Dirk Blackman Agent: Tony Oleshansky Agency: Don Buchwald & Associates Production Co.: Spelling Films Price: Low-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Thriller Date Sold: 4/1996
51. Title: Curve Logline: Nearing the end of his career, a major league pitcher must increase his stats to get into the Hall of Fame. Along the way, he has to bundle a number of paternity suits. Writer: Joel Silverman Studio: MGM Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/1996
52. Title: CO. Logline: Story focuses on CIA agents from the start of their careers up until there is a crisis at the agency. Writer: Alexandra Seros Studio: Dreamworks SKG Price: Up to seven figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 4/1996
53. Title: The Chill Factor Logline: American terrorist group’s attempt to steal a toxic chemical weapon and the efforts of some small town citizens to foil them. Writer: Drew Gitlin, Mike Cheda Agent: Dino Carlaftes, Nick Mechanic Agency: The Agency Production Co.: Morgan Creek Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 4/1996
54. Title: Bankroll Logline: A Treasury Department agent,w ho is assigned to what seems to be a straightforward robbery at Washington’s Bureau of Printing and engraving, discovers that the crime is the first of a trio of related robberies, all connected to a CIA organized schreme to produce untraceable counterfeit currency. Writer: Robinson Young Agent: Peter Donaldson Agency: Susan Smith & Associates Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pictures/Simpson Bruckheimer Prods Price: Low-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 4/1996 Add’l Info: Hollywood Pics Exec on Deal: Mike Stenson Simpson Brukcheimer Exec Who Found Project: Jennifer Krug
55. Title: Waterboy Logline: Broad comedy in the vein of “Tootsie” centers on a blue collar water delivery boy in Manhattan and his lighthearted obsession with a supermodel. Writer: Simon Black, Marita Black Manager: Daniel Rappaport Management Firm: 3 Arts Entertainment Production Co.: Interscope Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/1/1996
56. Title: The Gambler Logline: Love story between a novelist and his stenographer, who is helping him deliver his novel within 30 days. Writer: Jeremy Leven Studio: Sony Production Co.: Mandalay Price: Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 4/10/1996
57. Title: The Bamboo Man Logline: Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s transition in year 1997 from British to Chinese rule. Searching for his missing buddy in Hong Kong, an American ex physicist and the pal’s Chinese girlfriend discover a man involved in the illicut sale of nuclear weapons to Taiwain. Writer: Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris Agent: Adam Shulman Agency: APA Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: $375K/$550K Genre: Drama Date Sold: 4/10/1996
58. Title: Pillar of Fire Logline: A former military man has to drive a convoy through dangerous political terrain in North Africa, where an oppressive government tortures and kills its people. He finds himself entangled with an American woman who works for a local embassy. Writer: Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz Agent: Adam Kanter, Bob Bookman, Leslie Castanuela Barnes Agency: CAA Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: $750K/$1.25M Genre: Action Date Sold: 4/11/1996
59. Title: Overtime Logline: Copywriter secretly works for competing advertising agencies on competing projects. Writer: Howard Gould Agent: Matthew Snyder, Joe Cohen Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Production Co.: Telvan Productions Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 4/17/1996
60. Title: The Retirement Package Logline: To keep the woman he loves, a private investigator comes up with a very intricate kidnapping scam. Writer: Stan Seidel Agency: Hohman/Maybank/Lieb Studio: Universal Production Co.: Imagine Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2nd week of 4/1996
61. Title: Rock, Scissors, Paper Logline: Group of ex cons who, after failing in the real world, decides to pull off one last heist. The target is their former prison. Writer: Henry Griffin Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Black Comedy Date Sold: 5/1996
62. Title: Ryder Logline: Story is about a bounty hunter who unravels the thought processes of those he is hunting. Writer: Preston Whitmore II Agent: Richard Arlook Agency: Gersh Studio: MGM Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 5/1996
63. Title: Scary Dates Logline: Story is about a young lawyer who dumps his perfect fiancee to enter the 90’s dating scene once again. After hearing about four horrific dates from his single friends, he begins to realize the huge mistake he has made. Writer: Ken Rance, Dallas Jackson Studio: Fox Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/1996
64. Title: The Somnambulist Logline: Story of a sleepwalking scientist, who, fearing the worst, must determine where he has been going and what he has been doing. Writer: Keith Alan Bernstein Agent: Jessica Swirnoff Agency: Sanford, Gross & Associates Production Co.: Cinema Line Films Price: $150K/$300K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/1996
65. Title: Ninety Miles Logline: A young politician is assigned to the State Department’s Cuba desk as the Castro government falls. He witnesses the death of Castro and the overtaking of Cuba. Writer: Craig Randelman Agent: David McIlvain Agency: Major Clients Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Red Wagon Productions Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/1996
66. Title: The Newlyweds Logline: Two people travel across the country are mistaken as newlyweds. For various reasons they must keep up the charade, even though they both vow they will never marry. Writer: Robert Kuhn Agent: Marcie Wright Agency: The Wright Concept Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/1996
67. Title: The Lie Logline: Honest guy lies and calls in sick to work for the first time in his life. When no one can find him, all hell breaks loose and his entire life changes. Writer: Don Calame, Chris Conroy Agent: Peter Donaldson Agency: Susan Smith & Associates Studio: Universal Production Co.: Lawrence Gordon Productions Price: $200K/$500K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/1996
68. Title: Unconditional Love Logline: A story about unconditional love which centers on a single mother in the middle of a divorce and her son. They get a dog that magically becomes the missing man in their lives. Writer: Amy Jones Agent: Barry Mendel Agency: UTA Studio: Turner Pictures Price: $1.25M/$1.75M Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/1996
69. Title: Tsunami Logline: Maverick oceanographer is pitted against the short-sighted military industrial complex as a giant tidal wave sweeps across the Pacific and heads for San Francisco. Writer: Gregg Martin Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pictures/Tapestry Films Inc. Price: Low six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 5/1996
70. Title: Hill Adventure Project Logline: Victorian explorer in Antarctica. Writer: John Hill Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Production Co.: TriStar Price: $1M (including one other script) Genre: Adventure Date Sold: 5/1996
71. Title: A Fare to Remember Logline: Writer: Robert Reece Studio: Fox 2000 Production Co.: Imagine Price: Low-six figures Genre: Date Sold: 5/1996
72. Title: Dead Run Logline: Man wakes up in a motel room with no memory alongside two dead bodies and has to find out who he is while staying one step ahead of his deadly pursuers. Writer: Michael O’Kelley Agent: Peter Donaldson, Susan Smith Agency: Susan Smith & Associates Production Co.: Lakeshore Entertainment Price: Low-six figures/$375K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/1996
73. Title: Vertical Limit Logline: Young climber who retired after a climbing accident with his father must overcome his fear and scale K2 in order to save his sister who is trapped in a cave. Writer: Robert King Agent: Lucy Stille Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 5/9/1996
74. Title: Mothership Logline: Kid has robots for parents. Writer: Jeanne Mackel Studio: Fox Family Films Production Co.: Stone Road Productions Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Comedy Family Date Sold: 5/10/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
75. Title: Lucky Strikes Logline: Disillusioned young man travels with his best friend from New York to Chicago to select a wife from among four college chums. Writer: Douglas Tirola Production Co.: Redeemable Features Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/28/1996
76. Title: Lucifer Logline: Story of a businessman who makes a Faustian deal with the devil and ends up losing the deal because of his own wife. Writer: Michael Davis Agent: Nick Reed Agency: ICM Studio: MGM Price: $400K/$750K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/28/1996
77. Title: Rock of Ages Logline: Child hating, failed rock star is forced to take a job in a toy store. After recording a couple of kid friendly toe tappers, the former headbanger finds himself ont he road to becoming an Elvis for the playpen set and giving Raffi a run for his money. Writer: Bill Barol Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/31/1996
78. Title: Shark Island Logline: “Count of Monte Cristo” set during the Civil War. Lieutenant is falsely accused of killing LIncoln and is sent to a prison on Shark Island in the Florida Keys. He escapes and seeks revenge on those who falsely accused him. Writer: Marvin Diskin, Shonna Diskin Production Co.: TriStar Pictures Genre: Adventure Date Sold: 6/1996
79. Title: Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human Logline: An anthropologist from an alien planet provides voice-over commentary for a documentary look at human courtship Writer: Jeff Abugov Production Co.: Trimark Pictures Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/1996
80. Title: Love & Other Tragedies Logline: Unusual romance between a 25 year old widow and a 60 year widower. Writer: Jullian Garey, Bronwen Hruska Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: $250K/$500K Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/1996
81. Title: The Junior Miss America Story: A Documentary Logline: A fake documentary which takes a look behind the scenes of a Junior Miss America pageant in Minnesota. Writer: Lona Williams Agent: Jay Sures Agency: UTA Studio: New Line Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/1996
82. Title: High Boys & Low Boys Logline: Similar to “Get Shorty,” but set in the antique world. Writer: Joe Forristal, Dirk Wittenborn Agent: Andrea Newman & Sara Margoshes Agency: Amsel, Eisenstadt & Frazier Studio: Fox Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/1996 Add’l Info: Writers’ first spec sale
83. Title: Evil Empire Logline: Based on a true story, plot revolves around a Russian mob’s plan to launder money in the United States. Writer: Joe Eszterhas Studio: Paramount Production Co.: Price: $2M/$4.5M Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/1996
84. Title: Aftershock Logline: Large-scale political thriller which unfolds against the backdrop of a major earthquake that hits Manhattan. Writer: Tim Day Agent: Nicholas Staff Agency: ACME Talent Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pictures/Simpson/Bruckheimer Productions Price: $150K/$300K Genre: Political Thriller Date Sold: 6/1996 Add’l Info: Michael Stenson, Jason Reed found project.
85. Title: Baja Triangle Logline: A bounty hunters goes to Baja to rescue a client’s wife from kidnappers and finds that the plot is a ruse orchestrated by the bounty hunter’s brother designed to bilk $ 2 million dollars from client. Writer: Sharon Cobb Production Co.: Stir Fry Productions Price: Low-six figures Genre: Film Noir Comedy Date Sold: 6/1996 Add’l Info: Andrew Gallerani found project.
86. Title: Blood Relatives Logline: A young graduate student in genetics accidentally stumbles across the fact that he has been adopted. In attempting to track down his real parents, he meets his grandfather and discovers that his relative is the head of the Mafia family. Writer: David Griffifths, Peter Griffifths Agent: Bruce Kaufman Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/1996
87. Title: Bad Moon Rising Logline: Gang of werewolf bikers nivades a small town. Writer: Scott Rosenberg Agent: Barbara Dreyfus Agency: ICM Production Co.: Dimension Films Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/1996
88. Title: Low Lifes Logline: The plot pits the low lifes of the first floor of a department store against the third floor bitches who are in designer clothes. Writer: Thomas Romero Agent: Jason Wright Agency: The Wright Concept Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/3/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
89. Title: Judge Mental Logline: While he’s on the lam, a con man impersonates a judge. Writer: Glen Freyer, Ron Fassler Agent: Jordan Bayer, Matt Leipzig Agency: Original Artists Studio: Fox 2000 Production Co.: Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/6/1996 Add’l Info: Writers’ first spec sale
90. Title: Red Harpoon Logline: Mysterious half human monster rampages through a huge Russian fishing ship. Writer: Mark Kasdan, Terry Swann Agent: Marty Bowen, Risa Gertner Agency: UTA Production Co.: Beacon Com. Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/14/1996
91. Title: A Dog in Love Logline: A dog in love turns on the notion of a boyfriend who finds himself unwillingly sucked into a conspiracy to kill his girlfriend’s dog. The hero loves his girlfriend; he just can’t stand her dog. Writer: Adam Barr Agent: Agency: Endeavor Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Prufrock PIctures Price: Six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/17/1996
92. Title: 1066 Logline: Film is about the friendship between William the Conqueror and Prince Harold of England. The two bond while fighting for the future of the country. Writer: Robert Cochran Agent: David Saunders, Lee Dinstman Agency: APA Production Co.: Propaganda Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 6/27/1996 Add’l Info: Alex Madigan found project.
93. Title: Pudley (I Know a Place) Logline: An American businessman travels to a small English town. Writer: Barton Randall Agent: Ramses Ishak, Rob Carlson, Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Trimark Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/1996
94. Title: Reign of Terror Logline: N/A Writer: Oliver Butcher, Tim John Production Co.: Spelling Films/Trilogy Ent. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 7/1996
95. Title: Sid’s Inferno Logline: Man finds out he’s adopted and that his father, the Devil, wants to leave him the family biz. Writer: John Fishman, Patri Collins Agent: Richard Arlook Agency: Gersh Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Touchstone/Caravan/New Crime Prods. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/1996
96. Title: Standing Knockdown Logline: An eco terrorist group thwarts the plans of a former championship boxer for another title shot. Writer: Mario Van Peeples, Dennis Haggerty Studio: MGM Genre: Drama Action Date Sold: 7/1996
97. Title: The Ten Logline: By using the ten biblical plagues, a paramilitary group plans to attack ten major cities in the U.S. Writer: Scott Rosenberg Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $850K/$1.5M Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/1996
98. Title: There Goes the Hood Logline: White trash guy and his family move into an upper middle class black neighborhood. Writer: Darryl Quarles, Colby Carr Agent: Bruce Kaufman, Emile Gladstone (for Carr), Abram Nalibotsky (for Quarles) Agency: Gersh, Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Studio: Universal Production Co.: Robert Simonds Company Price: $400K/$750K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/1996
99. Title: The Last Producer Logline: Story is about a veteran Hollywood movie producer who finds a script that he believes will become his next major hit until he encounters a brash young studio executive who tries to steal the script from him. Writer: Clyde Hayes Agent: John Levin Agency: CAA Production Co.: Island Pictures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
100. Title: Intrepid Logline: Stolen Tomahawk missiles are sitting on the bottom of the Red Sea while a CIA operative tries to retrieve him. Writer: Michael Alan Eddy Studio: MGM Price: $225K/$600K Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 7/1996
101. Title: Hard Knox Logline: A military security expert gets a dream job of testing the security countermeasures at Fort Knox. To complete his job, he must break into the facility; however, once inside, he realizes that his best friend has turned on him and conspired with a group of mercenaries, a rogue faction of the army, to steal the Fort Knox gold and cripple the global economy. Writer: Chris Bertolet Agent: Martin Spencer, Rob Paris Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Production Co.: Daybreak Productions Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/1996
102. Title: Countdown Logline: U.S. military takeover of the White House. Writer: Jonathan Brett Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Hollywood Pics Price: $100K/$975K Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/1996
103. Title: Blackout Logline: Thief and his gang rob casino and thief buries the loot, but later, he forgets where it’s stashed. After he falls in love and starts to remember where the money is, he has to beat his ex partners to it. Writer: John Dahl Agent: Marty Bauer, John Lesher Agency: UTA Production Co.: Miramax/Phoenix Pics Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/17/1996
104. Title: Oversight Logline: Character study of a Senate investigator, who, despite a lifetime of service, suddenly finds himself obsolete in his job. When he suffers a mental breakdown during a Senate inquiry, he stumbles onto a major conspiracy. Writer: Michael Piller Agent: Lucy Stutz Agency: The Rothman Agency Studio: Paramount Production Co.: Mirage Productions Price: Low-six figures/$750K Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/19/1996
105. Title: Elf Logline: Boy is raised by Elves in the North Pole. In order to find his real parents, he must travel to Manhattan. Writer: David Berenbaum Agent: Lisa Lieblein, Nicholas Staff Agency: Acme Talent & Literary Production Co.: Motion Picture Corp. of America Genre: Fantasy Date Sold: 7/23/1996
106. Title: Fire in the Hole Logline: Story takes place in an underground geothermal energy plant with an “Aliens”-like twist. Writer: Bob Conte, L.R. Lindbergh Agency: Endeavor Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Thriller Date Sold: 7/29/1996
107. Title: The Crew Logline: Mix between “Goodfellas” and “Diner” about a band of thieves who pose as drug agents to rip off dealers. Writer: Marshall Todd Agent: Paul Kelmenson Agency: Unlimited Management Studio: Universal Production Co.: Lawrence Gordon Prods Price: Mid-six figures/$1M Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/30/1996
108. Title: Omega Logline: A doctor discovers a greedy drug company is waiting for a disease to reach an epidemic stage before releasing a miracle cure. Writer: Patrick Lynch Studio: Universal Production Co.: Joseph Singer Prods. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 8/1996
109. Title: Real Time Logline: The manipulation of time is behind this sci-fi tale. Writer: Brannon Braga, Joe Menosky Production Co.: Lighstorm Ent. Price: Low-six/high-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 8/1996
110. Title: Minute Men Logline: In the tradition of movies such as “The Dirty Dozen,” Minute Men is about the first mission of the United Nations strike force which the nine soldiers taking part all come from the different countries in the U.N. Security Council. Writer: Charles Fletcher Agent: Jim Berkus Agency: UTA Studio: Paramount Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 8/1996
111. Title: Man in the Maze Logline: N/A Writer: Michael Elias, Clancy SIgal Agent: Stuart Robinson Agency: Paradigm Manager Production Co.: Icon Prods. Price: Mid-six figures/high-six Genre: Action Drama Date Sold: 8/1996
112. Title: China Story Logline: Documentary filmmakers in China get caught up in the student revolt at Tianenman Square. Based on a true story. Writer: Debbie Gates, John Perry Production Co.: Chuck Fries Productions Price: low-six Genre: Drama Date Sold: 8/1996
113. Title: Atlantis Logline: Deadly predators are found living in the lost city of Atlantis. Writer: Michael Luckner, Chris Parker Studio: Fox Family Films Price: Low-six figures/mid-six Genre: Action Date Sold: 8/1996
114. Title: About Face Logline: A top Washington political advisor loses his job and is hired by a women’s magazine. After he puts a computer generated image of an ideal female on the magazine’s cover, he discovers that this ideal really exists. Writer: Marsha Robertson Studio: Warner Bros Production Co.: Baltimore Pictures Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 8/1996
115. Title: The Affair of the Necklace Logline: A woman fights for something that belongs to her during the French Revolution. Writer: John Sweet Production Co.: Meyers/Shyer Co. Genre: Drama Date Sold: 8/1996
116. Title: Dreamland Logline: Nickname for Area 51, where the government is rumored to be studying captured flying saucers. Writer: Paul Finelli, Jack Capece Agent: Nicholas Staff Agency: Acme Talent & Literary Production Co.: Devon Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 8/13/1996
117. Title: Splicers Logline: A 21st century soldier must find his missing wife. Writer: Robert Wolfe Agent: Writers & Artists Studio: Fox Family Films Price: A possible mid-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Action Date Sold: 9/1996
118. Title: True Blue Logline: A young detective tries to disprove corruption charges against his father, a 30-year veteran of the NYPD, only to learn that the allegations may be true. Writer: Charles Suran, Dean Georgaris Production Co.: Ruddy Morgan Organization Genre: Action Drama Date Sold: 9/1996
119. Title: Woodstuck Logline: While on their way to a fishing vacation, a conservative family gets stuck in a Woodstock traffic jam. Writer: Kostas Iannios, Frank Dietz Studio: Fox Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/1996
120. Title: Human Seeking Same Logline: White woman falls for a younger black man when she answers wrong personal ad. Writer: Shonda Rhimes Agent: Justen Dardis Agency: APA Studio: New Line Production Co.: Eagle Point Productions Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 9/1996
121. Title: Boyfriends Logline: Gay fraternity is organized at a conservative college university and causes an uproar. Writer: Michael J. Norton Studio: Warner Bros Production Co.: New Regency, Vision Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/1996
122. Title: Blind Faith Logline: Set a decade into the future, story centers on invasive new police technologies. Writer: Michael Schiffer, Randall Fried Agent: Justin Connoly Agency: CAA Production Co.: Interscope Price: Seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 9/1996 Add’l Info: Scott Kroopf, Tom Engleman, Diane Nabatoff found project.
123. Title: Before Billy Logline: A woman takes Chinese herbs to retain her youthful appearance but suddenly finds that she is just 10 years old. Writer: Maria Veltre, Jack Sekowski Studio: Universal Production Co.: Lawrence Gordon Prods Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/1996
124. Title: Kaplan Elfont Romantic Comedy Project Logline: Edgy comedy about everything men want to know about women but don’t. Writer: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont Agent: Jeff Robinov, Amy Ferris Agency: ICM Manager: Warren Zide Studio: Universal Production Co.: Zucker Brothers Price: $400K/$750K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/16/1996
125. Title: Human Nature Logline: A businessman is cryogenically frozen and brought back to life in the future — a place where humans have evolved to such a degree that 20th century man is now regarded as an animal and treated like a lab specimen. Writer: Jeff Welch Agent: Doug MacLaren, Nick Reed Agency: ICM Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 9/17/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
126. Title: Brand New Man Logline: After promising his wife that he’ll go straight, a former criminal gives into his temptations by once again getting mixed up with the mob. Writer: Robert Pucci Production Co.: Miramax Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Drama Date Sold: 9/30/1996
127. Title: Paulie: A Parrot’s Tale Logline: When a young girl and her best friend, a parrot who can actually communicate, become separated, the bird sets out to reunite with his pal. Writer: Laurie Craig Production Co.: Dreamworks SKG Price: Mid-six figures/$750K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1996
128. Title: Quinn’s Way Logline: Takes place in the West and involves extreme sports, such as ice climbing, whitewater kayaking and parasailing. Writer: Rob Schultheis Agent: Jon Levin Agency: CAA Price: Six figures Genre: Romance Adventure Date Sold: 10/1996
129. Title: Ravenous Logline: Set in the Old west, story deals with cannibalism. “The Thing” meets “The Shining.” Writer: Ted Griffin Agent: Steve Rabineau Agency: ICM Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Horror Date Sold: 10/1996
130. Title: Saving Grace Logline: A 40-ish record producer is surprised to learn that he has become a father and a grandfather on the same day. Writer: Dan Cohn, Jeremy Miller Production Co.: Cinema Line Price: $300K/$600K Genre: Romance Date Sold: 10/1996
131. Title: A Season in Hell Logline: Story of flaming tornadoes that threaten to annihilate a major American city. Firefighters have to battle to control flames given off by liquefied natural gas, a tankful of which contains the equivalent of an atomic bomb. Writer: Shane Salerno Agent: Martin Spencer, Matthew Snyder, Ken Stovitz Agency: CAA Production Co.: Dino De Laurentiis Co. Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 10/1996
132. Title: Submerged Logline: Story takes place twenty years after a massive earthquake has leveled Los Angeles, leaving the city at the bottom of the ocean. The remains of the city have been turned into “L.A. Below,” a domed underwater theme park. Writer: Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer Agent: Rob Carlson, Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Studio: MGM Production Co.: Pacific Western Productions Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Action Adventure Date Sold: 10/1996
133. Title: Strangers Logline: A man who wishes he had never gotten married wakes up to find his wish has come true. Realizing he wants his wife back, he has to meet her all over again. Writer: Don Rhymer Agent: Ken Neisser Agency: Gersh Studio: Paramount Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/1996
134. Title: The Hairy Bird Logline: Secret club of girls at a failing boarding school plots revenge after learning that the school is about to merge with an all male institution. Writer: Sarah Kernochan Production Co.: Redeemable Features Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/1996
135. Title: Rules of Engagement Logline: Special operations force must go into the African jungle to rescue a teacher and group of native refugees. Writer: Pat Cirillo, Alex Lasker Agent: Ronda Gomez, Greg Fields Agency: Broder/Kurland/Webb/Uffner Studio: Universal Production Co.: Lobell/Bergman Price: $300K/$800K Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 10/1/1996
136. Title: The Protector Logline: While working in the desert, a wildlife coyote expert meets a mysterious woman who convinces him to team with her and stop an invasion of alien convicts. Writer: Geral DiPego Agent: Marti Blumenthal Agency: Writers & Artists Studio: Universal Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 10/11/1996
137. Title: Moriarty Logline: American Pinkerton detective travels to London in hopes of finding the one man who can help him become a great detective. Writer: Michael Auerbach Agent: Caren Bohrman Agency: Caren Bohrman Agency Studio: Universal Production Co.: Larry Gordon Prods. Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 11/1996
138. Title: Men’s Room Attendant Logline: Men’s room attendant falls in love with a woman and then enlists his best friend’s help to foil murder plot against her. Writer: Josh Sternin, Jeff Ventimilia Agent: Matt Solo, Stuart Fry Agency: ICM Studio: Fox Family Films Production Co.: Horizon Pictures Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1996
139. Title: Martian Holiday Logline: Two busy people are brought together by an alien able to manipulate time. Writer: Danny Rubin Production Co.: Jim Henson Pictures Price: Low-six/high-six figures Genre: Date Sold: 11/1996
140. Title: Killer Dentist Logline: Dentist ends up in a volatile situation after helping out his brother, who’s the black sheep of the family. Writer: Richard Raskind Production Co.: Morgan Creek Genre: Action Comedy Date Sold: 11/1996
141. Title: Change of Heart Logline: Lonely 37 year old Manhattan lawyer decides to woo an old college crush. Unbeknownst to the lawyer, his old flame has become a lesbian. She encourages his attentions, hwoever, beacuse she and her domestic partner are shopping for a surrogate father. Writer: Susan Shaffer Agent: Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Horizon Pictures Price: Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 11/1996
142. Title: Bad Death Logline: Insurance investigator falls in love with a man who faked his own death to cash in on life insurance policies. Writer: Laurie Craig Agent: Jordan Bayer, Matt Leipzig Agency: Original Artists Manager: Linne Radman Studio: Universal Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1996
143. Title: Heartless Logline: Ordinary woman’s husband is scheduled for a rare heart transplant. When the heart that’s slated for her husband is suddenly bought by a rich philanthropist, she steals it and goes on the lam to get it to her spouse. Writer: Tom Parker, Jim Jennewein Agent: Risa Gertner Agency: CAA Production Co.: TriStar/Prufrock Pictures Price: Mid-six figures/high-six Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 11/5/1996
144. Title: Imagining Nathan Logline: Man sees world as a cartoon. Writer: Gustin Parker Agent: Jeff Robinov, Rosalie Swedlin, Kristin Jones Agency: ICM Studio: Universal Production Co.: Price: $750K/$1.2M Genre: Drama Animation Live Action Date Sold: 11/6/1996 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
145. Title: Almost Human Logline: Intertwining lives of two men — one, the son of wealthy society parents; the other, a barely human wild man — who meet for the first time deep in the forest as boys. Their relationship spans fifty years, from the 1920s to the 1970s. Writer: Sarah Paley Agent: Jon Klane Agency: The Jon Klane Agency Studio: Universal Production Co.: Beacon Com. Price: $ 400K/$1M Genre: Adventure Date Sold: 11/20/1996
146. Title: One Free Murder Logline: Story focuses on the relationship between a mobster and a mob reporter. Writer: Rory O’Connor, Jack Newfield Agent: N/A Studio: Production Co.: N/A Price: Mid-six figures/high-six Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/1996
147. Title: Prenup Logline: Planning a prenuptial agreement causes friction between a couple Writer: Gigi Levangie Agency: Paradigm Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 12/1996
148. Title: Rough Diamonds Logline: N/A Writer: Clyde Ware Production Co.: George Litto Prods. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/1996
149. Title: Scramjet Logline: Tense drama set in the world of high tech super secret military aviation. Writer: Robert Roy Pool Agent: Ross Fineman Agency: Major Clients Agency Production Co.: UA/Silver Street Productions Price: Low-six/high-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 12/1996
150. Title: The Secret Game Logline: Clandestine basketball game in 1944 during which Duke University Varsity lost to an all black team from North Carolina College for Negroes. Writer: Andrew Lipsitz Agent: David Styne, Sonya Rosenfeld Agency: CAA Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Kennedy/Marshall Price: Six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/1996
151. Title: Shores of Tripoli Logline: Ex con tries to follow straight and narrow path but his former criminal associates have different plans for him. Writer: Roberto Pucci Agent: Jeff Field, Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Miramax Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/1996
152. Title: Fire in Heaven Logline: African adventure romance set in 1880 in which a Civil War hero becomes a hired gun brought in to fight the Zulu. Writer: Clyde Ware Production Co.: Don Johnson Prods. Price: Genre: Adventure Date Sold: 12/1996
153. Title: Blood Moon Logline: “The Birds” but with bats. Writer: John Logan Production Co.: MPCA Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/1996
154. Title: Blastoff Logline: Former NASA astronaut and scientist attempt to diffuse a situation in which Mission Control is taken hostage, only to learn that a plan is afoot to hijack a space shuttle. Writer: J.D. Shapiro, A. William Dozier Agent: Nick Reed, Doug MacLaren Agency: ICM Production Co.: Interscope Price: $950K/$1.3m Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 12/1996 Add’l Info: Michael Helfant was the exec on deal.
155. Title: Second Skin Logline: Female ex con takes on a new identity of a recently murdered woman. Writer: Martin Jones Production Co.: Constantin Films Price: Low-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/18/1996
Analysis:
- Another huge year in spec script sales. And again, lots of $1M+ plus deals and first-timers.
- Agents and managers refer to an era when studios spent “stupid money” on spec scripts. One need only look at the two Joe Eszterhas specs for confirmation of that: “Land of the Free”, $2M, not produced; “Evil Empire”, $2M, not produced.
- The trendline for sales:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 102
1995: 173
1996: 155
Finally your opinions: Which one of these loglines strikes you as the strongest and why?
For the rest of The Definitive Spec Script Deals List, go here.