The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2003
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 2008–2012]. 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].
Here’s what I have planned. I am going to roll out the list of spec script sales each day throughout June per this schedule:
June 4-June 8: Before 1991–1994
June 11-June 15: 1995–1999
June 18-June 22: 2000–2004
June 25-June 29: 2005–2009
June 30-June 31: 2010–2011
July 1: 2012
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, we take a look at spec script sales in 2003 after the jump. And thanks again to Mikal and Evelyn!
1. Title: 42.4 Percent Logline: A professional black woman surprises herself by falling in love with a sexy, white landscaper. Writer: Kriss Turner Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Focus Features Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 1/16/2003 Notes: The deal is a progress-to-production that will see the project in front of the cameras in six months or the rights will revert back to the writer.
2. Title: All the World’s a Stage Logline: Set in 1952, a wrestling promoter travels the circuit and tries to juggle the responsibilities of both his performers and his young niece and nephew. Writer: Michelle Lichter Agent: So Yun Kim Agency: Genesis, A Literary Agency Manager: Paul Canterna, Nicolas Bernheim Management: Seven Summits Pictures and Management Production Co.: Saturn Films, Aurora Productions Genre: Drama Date Sold: 1/27/2003
3. Title: Sluts Logline: A wild high school rock ’n’ roll groupie is sent to a Catholic school. While there, she tries to maintain her hard-core lifestyle or risk rediscovering her innocence. Writer: Pamela Buchignani Production Co.: Furst Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/4/2003
4. Title: Viva Lefty Logline: A Major League Baseball pitcher blows out his arm and must play in the Mexican league. There he finds love & clarity and regains his form. Writer: Barry Stringfellow Agent: Stacey Rosenfelt Agency: ICM Studio: Columbia Pictures Genre: Comedy, Drama Date Sold: 2/13/2003
5. Title: We Are Family Logline: A young woman, an outcast in her own family, decides to kidnap a guy at gunpoint in order to attend her family Thanksgiving dinner with the perfect date. Writer: Sara Endsley Agency: Original Artists Management: Octane Entertainment Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/18/2003 Notes: Preemptive pick-up
6. Title: Rippin’ Logline: Set in the world of professional motorcross and extreme freestyle dirt-biking, an ex-motocross champion reluctantly returns to the racing circuit in order to find his brother’s murderers. Writer: Erik Anderson Manager: Janette Jensen Hoffman Management: Eight Square Entertainment Production Co.: Franchise Pictures, Inc. Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 3/3/2003 Notes: Anderson was formerly VP development and acquisitions at Franchise Pictures.
7. Title: Us Logline: While clearing out their grandmother’s deserted Nevada farmhouse, a young woman and her brother discover diaries of events that lead them to conclude that aliens are taking over the world and that they are part alien themselves. Writer: Nicholas Kazan Agency: Sanford-Gross & Associates Studio: MGM Price: Seven figures Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Date Sold: 3/3/2003
8. Title: Hell Week Logline: Set on a college campus, six boys, who hope to pledge a fraternity, are harassed, humiliated and terrorized by the frat brothers. One pledge finally snaps and, disguising himself as a ghost, begins brutally killing off his tormentors. Writer: Michael Peterson, Ted Peterson Studio: MGM Price: Low six figures Genre: Horror Date Sold: 3/4/2003 Notes: First time writers
9. Title: The Wrong Element Logline: In order to save his family, a man, who is an expert incorporate security and the prevention of embezzlement, must become the person he hunts down. Writer: Joe Forte Agency: Original Artists Studio: MGM Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/5/2003
10. Title: The Greatest Escape Logline: A group of kids who think they’re going to summer camp end up in a juvenile detention facility and must escape the facility’s maniacal proprietor. Writer: William Bindley, Scott Bindley Agency: ICM Studio: MGM Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/7/2003
11. Title: Lakeview Terrace Logline: A young interracial couple moves into their dream home and are increasingly harassed by their next-door neighbor, a tightly wound black LAPD officer. When the couple decides to fight back, the feud turns deadly. Writer: David Loughery Management: Bondesen/Graup Production Co.: Artisan Entertainment, Overbrook Entertainment Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/11/2003
12. Title: Untitled Wedding Project Logline: A jilted bride-to-be goes to the bridal salon to get the deposit on her wedding dress back and ends up taking the workers hostage. During the crisis, she falls in love with the negotiator. Writer: Henry Huang, Gregg Temkin Agency: UTA Management: MBST Entertainment Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/17/2003 Notes: Preemptive pick-up
13. Title: Getting to Know You Logline: High-concept romantic comedy Writer: Andrew Miller, Andrew Lowery Agency: ICM Manager: Guymon Casady Management: Management 360 Studio: Walt Disney Company Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/18/2003
14. Title: Sick Day Logline: A man calls in sick to skip work, only to have his plans for the day off go awry. Writer: Nick Marine Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Imagine Entertainment Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/21/2003
15. Title: Top Ten With a Bullet Logline: A man and his three childhood friends quit their dead-end jobs to hunt the serial killer responsible for the death of his sister in order to get revenge and earn the reward of five million dollars. Writer: Lea McCormick, Tamara Adams Manager: Karen Abouab Management: 12 Sixteen Management Production Co.: Maverick Films Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 3/21/2003 Notes: First time writers
16. Title: Made of Honor Logline: A guy’s dream girl asks him to be her maid of honor so he agrees in an attempt to win her heart. Writer: Adam Sztykiel Agency: UTA Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 4/4/2003 Notes: First time writer
17. Title: Untitled Lowell Spec Logline: A man begins a new relationship but is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife. Writer: Jeff Lowell Agency: UTA Manager: Peter Safran Management: Brillstein-Grey Management Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 4/7/2003
18. Title: Me v. Me Logline: A failed attorney decides to sue himself for mismanaging his life and shakes up the legal world while trying to win back his one true love. Writer: David Sacks, Evan Lowenstein Agency: CAA Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/8/2003
19. Title: Real Steel Logline: Set in the near future, 2,000-pound robots that resemble humans battle it out in the boxing ring. The story centers on one promoter and his prize fighter. Writer: Dan Gilroy Agency: CAA Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Price: $850,000 Genre: Sci-Fi, Action Date Sold: 4/8/2003
20. Title: The Great Hartford Elementary Heist Logline: An 11-year-old kid rallies a group of his peers to recover property wrongfully confiscated by their evil school principal. Writer: John Pardee, Joey Murphy Agency: Paradigm Studio: Universal Pictures Price: Mid to high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/10/2003
21. Title: The Von Doozers Logline: An American family travels to a singing contest. Writer: Phil Wen Agent: UTA Management: Benderspink Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $500,000 against $1M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/14/2003
22. Title: Up in the Air Logline: An unhappy human resources executive hates his job but stays with it in order to reach his ultimate goal — accruing one million frequent flyer miles. Writer: Sheldon Turner Agency: Endeavor Agency Management: Benderspink Production Co.: The Montecito Picture Company Price: $250,000 against $600,000 Genre: Drama Comedy Date Sold: 4/16/2003
23. Title: The Elvis Clause Logline: An underground company fakes the deaths of discontented celebrities and sets them up with anonymous, new lives. Writer: Mathew Carver Production Co.: Buckhead Productions Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 4/18/2003 Notes: First time writer
24. Title: Hello Charlie Logline: Centers on the world of sports anchor casting. Writer: Laurie Craig Agency: Original Artists Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/25/2003
25. Title: Revolver Logline: A woman takes a road trip through the Midwest. Along the way she realizes that she may be reincarnated and that supernatural forces have brought her there to avenge her own murder. Writer: Adam Sussman Agency: UTA Manager: Brian Lutz Management: Brian Lutz Management Production Co.: Focus Features Genre: Horror, Thriller Date Sold: 4/28/2003
26. Title: Mr. Woodcock Logline: A young man returns to his hometown to stop his mother from marrying his old high school gym teacher — the man who made his life a living hell when he was a student. Writer: Michael Carnes, Josh Gilbert Agency: Don Buchwald & Associates Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/30/2003
27. Title: The Weatherman Logline: A divorced TV weatherman, about to leave Chicago for New York, tries to reconcile with his estranged wife and kids. Writer: Steve Conrad Agency: BKCS Management: Lasher, McManus, Robinson & Kipperman Production Co.: Escape Artists Price: Low six against high six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/1/2003 Notes: Part of a bidding war
28. Title: Backyard Resistance Logline: A boy and his friends fight to keep an evil British kingpin and his ninja henchman from using the power of an ancient Chinese urn. Writer: Holly Brix Management: Benderspink Studio: Columbia Pictures Genre: Action Date Sold: 5/2/2003
29. Title: Yet Another Superhero Movie Logline: Satire of the current trend in caped-crusader movies. Writer: Frank Longo, John Wyn Production Co.: Romano Shane Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/5/2003
30. Title: Hergatory Logline: A 30-year old woman is unlucky in love, until a wish of hers comes true and she gets to go back and re-date her old boyfriends. The wish turns ugly when her ex-boyfriends come back at the ages they were when she dated them, including an 8 year old. During the course of the dates, she finds true love with the one person she least expected. Writer: Susan Brightbill Agency: Genesis, A Literary Agency Manager: Jeremy Bell, George Heller, Michael Lasker Management: Foursight Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/7/2003 Notes: First time writer
31. Title: Meet Mr. Id Logline: A young bachelor’s life becomes problematic when he meets the woman of his dreams, because his invisible, 3-foot-tall libido, has the sole purpose of keeping his human host single. Writer: Chris Pappas, Mike Bernier Agent: Nick Yellen Agency: NYCA Agency Manager: Darryl Taja Management: Catch 23 Management Production Co.: Revolution Studios Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/8/2003
32. Title: Newlywed Feds Logline: Two FBI agents who, despite hating each other, are forced to pose as newlyweds in order to bring down a crime ring. Through the course of their ruse, the agents fall in love. Writer: Andrew Jacobson, Adam Epstein Agency: UTA Management: Benderspink Production Co.: Lionsgate Price: Low six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 5/8/2003
33. Title: Double Destiny Logline: Identical twin brothers are separated as infants by a mother who could only return with one child to Nazi Germany while the other remained with his Jewish father to grow up in Trinidad. On her deathbed, the mother desperately wants to reunite the twins, and their participation in a landmark study of identical twins raised in different environments provides this opportunity. The twins are thus able meet to meet years later. Writer: Anthony Leigh Adams, Christina Adams Production Co.: Echelon Studios Price: Six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/19/2003
34. Title: The Legendary McClouds Logline: Set in 1904, a family of adventurers journey across the globe in search of their lost father and a treasure. Writer: Joe Ballarini Agency: ICM Management: Foursight Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Genre: Family Adventure Date Sold: 5/21/2003
35. Title: The Rivals Logline: Centers on the catfight between 19th century stage stars Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. Writer: Robin Swicord Agency: UTA Studio: Dreamworks Pictures Price: Seven figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/22/2003 Notes: Preemptive pick-up
36. Title: Street Logline: An NBA coach is forced to rebuild his franchise with playground and street basketball players after his players become too greedy to accept the pay raises he’s offering. Writer: Matt O’Neil Studio: MGM Price: Low six figures against low six figures Genre: Sports Drama Date Sold: 5/23/2003
37. Title: Untitled DiStefano Thriller Logline: A young New York cop finds out that he is the descendant of the Sherlock Holmes. When his heritage becomes tabloid fodder, a copycat criminal emerges and re-enacts many of the crimes Holmes once solved, putting the descendant to the test. Writer: Mark DiStefano Management: Benderspink Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/23/2003
38. Title: Something in the Air Logline: A sleepy Irish town is revived when the smoke from a recently built Viagra plant begins to seep into the air and the lives of the townspeople. Writer: David McGrath, John O’Driscoll Agent: Linda Seifert Agency: Seifert Dench and Associates Production Co.: Maverick Films Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/28/2003
39. Title: Made in Italy Logline: A modern businesswoman falls in love with a perfect Italian man while abroad on business. Their relationship is complicated when she learns the extent to which his mother in still involved in his life. Writer: Agency: The Jim Preminger Agency Management: Anonymous Content Studio: The Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group Price: Low six against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/29/2003
40. Title: The Kids Logline: A divorced mother brings home a new man, but her kids decide that they will not accept him into their lives. They succeed in driving him away but soon realize that he was the right person for their mother and must now do everything they can to bring him back. Writer: Jeffrey Kahn Agency: BWCS Manager: Shelly Aronson Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/29/2003
41. Title: Driving While Infatuated Logline: Follows the adventures of two teenage girls, a mad crush and the car neither of them has permission to drive. Writer: Elizabeth Allen, Kyle Long Agency: Endeavor Agency, Gersh Manager: Brooklyn Weaver Management: Bondesen/Graup, Energy Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/2/2003
42. Title: It’s Not Unusual Logline: Set in 1969, a high school boy falls madly in love with his beautiful housekeeper. Writer: Jeff Franklin Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/2/2003
43. Title: Buzz Kill Logline: Described as being in the same vein as “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Writer: Tom Astle, Matt Ember Agency: ICM, Genesis, A Literary Agency Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/3/2003
44. Title: Four Christmases Logline: A young newlywed couple, who’s both sets of parents are divorced and re-married, has four family households to visit over the course of Christmas Day. Writer: Matt Allen, Caleb Wilson Agency: CAA Manager: Jonathan Hung Management: MBST Entertainment Production Co.: Spyglass Entertainment Group Price: $650,000 against $1M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/4/2003 Notes: Preemptive pick-up
45. Title: Town Creek Logline: Two brothers experience a haunting. Writer: Dave Kajganich Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Horror Date Sold: 6/9/2003 Notes: Deal also included a blind script commitment.
46. Title: Mulligan Logline: An overweight 30-something football fanatic tries to become a field goal kicker for the Washington Redskins. Writer: Sean McGinly Agency: CAA Studio: Fox 2000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/19/2003
47. Title: Dali Logline: Famous artist Salvador Dali and his mentally unstable wife Gala conquer America with sex, sin and surrealism only to succumb later to worldwide scandal and misfortune. Writer: Jeremy Walters Agency: Becsey Wisdom Kalajian Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Simon West Productions Price: Low mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/23/2003
48. Title: Grown Ups Logline: The overly protective parents of a 13-year-old awake to find themselves turned into 13-year-olds as well. They enroll at their son’s school in attempt to become his constant companions, but the pressure to conform in junior high school causes havoc in their lives. Writer: Ian Deitchman, Kristin Rusk Robinson Agency: Original Artists Studio: Columbia Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/24/2003
49. Title: Drawn Logline: A man’s obsession with artistic success leads him to make choices that may trigger the emergence of ultimate evil. Writer: Rand Ravich Agency: CAA Management: 3 Arts Entertainment Production Co.: Lionsgate Genre: Horror Date Sold: 6/27/2003
50. Title: Greatness Logline: A man’s quest for fame and success is endangered when he discovers someone is trying to steal his glory. Writer: Brad Follmer, Lauren Iungerich Agency: BWCS Production Co.: Icon Productions Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/27/2003
51. Title: Good Luck Chuck Logline: A man breaks up with his longtime girlfriend only to see her get engaged to the next guy she dates. The same pattern occurs with his next girlfriend and continues to repeat. All of a sudden, he finds himself becoming a lucky charm for women, who all want to date him. Writer: Josh Stolberg Manager: Matt Luber, Dave Phillips Management: Nine Yards Entertainment, Edmonds Management Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/30/2003
52. Title: Tangled Up in Blue Logline: A tough female bank robber from the big city has a hit is put out on her, so she is forced to hide out in an idyllic small town, but the town’s effect on her is in some ways more dramatic than the death threat. Writer: Lou Berney Agency: Origin Literary Manager: Brooklyn Weaver Management: Energy Production Co.: Focus Features Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Drama, Comedy Date Sold: 7/7/2003 Notes: Sale marks a first-look deal between Origin and Energy, with an eye toward nurturing and breaking up-and-coming writers
53. Title: Bad Hair Day Logline: A young woman on a crucial day of meetings, events and dates experiences one hair emergency after another. Depending on the kindness of strangers, creditors and astrologers, she manages to get a job and maintain a shred of dignity despite the destructive forces let loose on her hair. Writer: Jill Pierce Manager: Stuart Berton Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/15/2003
54. Title: My Velouria Logline: Two FBI agents investigate the death of an adult film star. Along the way, they discover the murder is far from conventional, as it is the handiwork of a sect of 2,000-year-old vampires. Writer: Marc Wolff Agency: UTA Management: Benderspink Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 7/15/2003
55. Title: Letting Go Logline: Two boomer parents experience severe empty nest syndrome after dropping off their son at college. Instead of dealing with it the hard way, the mother gets deeply involved with her son’s life at school, imagining he is the target of a plot and venturing up to the ivory tower to “rescue” him. Writer: Jason Katims Agency: CAA Studio: Fox 2000 Production Co.: N/A Price: $1.25M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/17/2003
56. Title: Click Logline: A workaholic advertising executive overlooks his family in favor of his career. One day, he comes across a universal remote that allows him to perform TiVo-like functions on his life, such as pausing events or fast-forwarding over them. When the remote begins creating its own memory and choosing what to fast-forward over, the man sees how much of his personal life has passed him by and realizes the importance of spending more time with his family. Writer: Steve Koren, Mark O’Keefe Agency: CAA, UTA Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: $1.75M Genre: Comedy, Drama Date Sold: 7/24/2003
57. Title: Devil’s Crew Logline: In 1718, a Royal Navy officer volunteers for a suicide mission to track and kill the notorious pirate Edward Teach — aka “Blackbeard” — in the waters off the Carolinas. Writer: Ravi Bains, Alex Harakis Manager: Bob Sobhani Management: Zide/Perry Management Studio: MGM Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/29/2003 Notes: Optioned. Bains and Harakis were discovered via their writing sample sent to Ryan Williams of Scriptshark.
58. Title: A Lot Like Love Logline: A couple in their 20’s find each other at the wrong time. Writer: Colin Patrick Lynch Agency: ICM Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Beacon Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/31/2003
59. Title: Say Uncle Logline: While visiting his brother and sister-in-law, a “Maxim” magazine-bred bachelor unexpectedly finds himself having to take care of their young children for several nights when the brother’s wife goes into labor and the duo desert him for the hospital. Writer: Scott Bindley Agency: ICM Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Karz Entertainment Genre: Family Comedy Date Sold: 7/31/2003 Notes: Preemptive pick-up
60. Title: Neon Junkies Logline: Described as being in the vein of “Go” and “Pulp Fiction.” Writer: Mike Le Management: MBST Entertainment Production Co.: Catchphrase Productions Genre: Comedy, Thriller Date Sold: 8/4/2003
61. Title: Into the Sun Logline: A retired special agent is drawn into the treacherous world of the yakuza in order to protect his family. Writer: Steven Seagal, Joe Halpin Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Franchise Pictures, Inc. Price: Mid six figures Genre: Drama, Action Date Sold: 8/13/2003
62. Title: One Time Logline: An urban couple pose as police officers and begin robbing major drug lords around Southern California. Writer: Jason Towne Manager: Zach Tann Management: Zide/Perry Management Production Co.: Billy Goat Productions Genre: Urban, Action, Drama Date Sold: 8/21/2003 Notes: Optioned
63. Title: Mad Dogs and Englishmen Logline: At the Indianapolis 500, a U.K. intelligence agent protects a witness who must evade his enemies while trying to get back to England. Writer: Martin Wheeler Agent: Boyd Hancock Agency: Innovative Artists Management: Lloyd & Kass Entertainment Production Co.: Gold Circle Films Genre: Action Date Sold: 8/26/2003
64. Title: The P.T. Johansen Field Guide to North American Monsters Logline: The son of a Sasquatch hunter defends his evidence against a skeptical Cub Scout. Writer: Andrew Mudge Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Hypnotic Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/9/2003 Notes: Spec won the Chrysler Million Dollar Film Festival award, which included a $1 million production deal with Universal
65. Title: Friends Again Logline: A New York fishmonger and a director, who were childhood friends, find themselves back together for less-than-friendly reasons when the director steals his old friend’s idea for his next movie. Writer: Neal Gumpel Manager: Darby Parker Management: Stronghold Entertainment Producer: David Permut Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/15/2003
66. Title: Cat Thief Logline: A female private eye becomes romantically involved with the globetrotting master thief she’s supposed to capture. Writer: Stephen Feder Production Co.: Raw Progressive Films Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/19/2003 Notes: Optioned
67. Title: The Pugilist Logline: Set in the 1970s, it’s about a rebellious boxer-turned-policeman who discovers that a string of brutal NYPD cop killings are part of a larger conspiracy. Writer: Angus Fraser Production Co.: Raw Progressive Films Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/19/2003 Notes: Optioned
68. Title: 911 Logline: A 911 operator, grieving over the death of her sister, begins to receive spooky emergency calls about murders 24 hours before they’re committed. As she begins to fear for her sanity, a detective helps her unravel the situation. Writer: Brandon Camp, Mike Thompson Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: BWCS Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: High six against low seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 9/22/2003
69. Title: Land of Pleasant Living Logline: A woman is emotionally devastated by the death of her boyfriend. Fifteen years later, battling depression and trying to maintain a failing marriage, she meets her dead boyfriend’s ghost in the form of his little brother, who has grown up to be just like him. Writer: Mark Lord Management: The Firm Production Co.: Focus Features Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/24/2003
70. Title: Penelope Logline: A young woman, plagued by a curse, sets out on a journey of self-discovery. Writer: Leslie Caveny Agency: ICM Production Co.: Type A Films Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/24/2003
71. Title: Somerset Square Logline: A family of low-level gangsters has a tenuous place in the oppressive downtown Kansas City crime scene. Writer: Mark Mallouk Agency: Original Artists Production Co.: Raw/Progressive Films Genre: Crime Drama Date Sold: 9/24/2003 Notes: Optioned
72. Title: The Silence of Six Logline: A man is paid to ask a cryptic question during a presidential forum and then finds himself running for his life. Writer: Stephen Hauser Agency: ICM Studio: Miramax Films Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 9/29/2003
73. Title: Fat Man Logline: An 800-pound man drops 600 pounds with the help of a nurse that he is attracted to. Writer: Mike Reiss Agency: Original Artists, The Rothman Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: $675,000 against seven figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/30/2003
74. Title: Dan in Real Life Logline: A widower finds out the woman he fell in love with is his brother’s girlfriend. Writer: Pierce Gardner Management: D-No Entertainment Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/7/2003
75. Title: Arrested Development Logline: A narcotics officer faces life outside the halls of high school when he hits the department’s mandatory retirement age of 30. Writer: Johnny Rosenthal Agency: Paradigm Management: Foursight Entertainment Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/8/2003
76. Title: Night Girls Logline: Describe it as “Risky Business” meets “Parenthood.” Writer: Craig Moss, Steve Schoenburg Management: Benderspink Production Co.: New Regency Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/9/2003
77. Title: What a Man’s Gotta Do Logline: A man overly in touch with his feminine side, learns to be a real man from an older Brooklyn car mechanic to win the girl he loves. Writer: Dudi Appleton, Jim Keeble Agency: Gersh Manager: Alan Greenspan Management: International Arts Entertainment Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/16/2003
78. Title: Between the Covers Logline: Two writers meet and have an affair on a book signing tour — a free-spirited woman and a married man considered to be America’s leading expert on marital problems. Writer: Robin Schiff, Ken Levine Agency: BWCS Studio: MGM Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/17/2003
79. Title: Hooligans Logline: A wrongfully expelled Harvard undergrad moves to London and makes friends with a man who introduces him to the violent underworld of football hooliganism. Writer: Dougie Brimson, Josh Shelov, Lexi Alexander Production Co.: Odd Lot Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/20/2003
80. Title: Accepted Logline: A high school senior finds a unique way to resist parental pressure to attend college. Writer: Mark Perez Manager: Brian Lutz Management: Brian Lutz Management Studio: Universal Pictures Price: $1.25M against $1.75M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/23/2003
81. Title: Labor Pains Logline: A woman prevents herself from being fired by faking a pregnancy but must then live out the lie for the next nine months. Writer: Lara Shapiro, Stacy Kramer Management: Benderspink Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/23/2003
82. Title: The Juice Project Logline: A mom, who is overly attached to her son, must give him up to his wife and their new baby. The mother then informs her son that his father, whom he thought was dead, is alive and running a chain of juice bars in Encino. Writer: Michael Golding Studio: Columbia Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/27/2003
83. Title: The Pool Guy Logline: A TV writer, who feels his advancing age is hurting his career, decides to use his young pool boy as his front for selling scripts. The plan works for awhile, but eventually ends up backfiring on the writer. Writer: Vince McKewin Agency: UTA Studio: MGM Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/28/2003
84. Title: Jive Turkey Logline: A young African-American man and his white girlfriend go home for Thanksgiving. Through a series of accidents, the couple’s families end up spending Thanksgiving together even though both sets of parents have no idea their kids are even dating. Writer: Wayne Conley Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Manager: Darryl Taja Management: Catch 23 Management Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/14/2003
85. Title: Twist Logline: A man goes on vacation in the body of another person — an agent for the CIA. Writer: Ernie Altbacker Agent: David Boxerbaum Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Manager: Anna Barber Production Co.: Regency Enterprises Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/21/2003
86. Title: The Weatherman Logline: A divorced TV weatherman is about to leave Chicago for New York and tries to reconcile with his estranged wife and kids. Writer: Steve Conrad Studio: Paramount Pictures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/24/2003
87. Title: Corporate Retreat Logline: A happy-go-lucky guy’s first day on the job at an efficiency consultancy coincides with the company’s corporate retreat in Bora Bora. Writer: Brad Copeland Agency: UTA Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/1/2003
88. Title: Premonition Logline: An extremely agoraphobic man finds he can see into the future. Writer: Jon Glascoe Agency: Gersh Manager: Adrian Loudermilk Production Co.: The Bedford Falls Company Price: Low six against mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/3/2003
89. Title: The Girl Who Could Fly Logline: An 11 year old girl discovers she can fly and is then detained by the Ministry of Anomalous Developmental Needs and Extra-normal Social Services (aka Madness). She then is sent to the Institute of Normality, Stability and Non-Exceptionality (aka Insane), and forms a revolt among her similarly gifted classmates/inmates. Writer: Victoria Lakeman Agency: ICM Studio: Paramount Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Fantasy Date Sold: 12/16/2003
UPDATED: 3/21/13
90. Title: Queen Lara Writer: Nicholas Thurkettle Logline: In this darkly comic high school re-working of Shakespeare’s King Lear, a bitch-queen cheerleader brings a brutal comeuppance on herself when she tries to bequeath her trappings of power on a trio of successors. Genre: Comedy Agency: Jim Preminger Agency Buyer: Room 9 Entertainment Date: 11/2003.
Analysis
* Notable sales: Real Steel, Up in the Air, Mr. Woodcock, Four Christmases, Accepted.
* How about this: Yet Another Superhero, described as a “satire of the current trend in caped-crusader movies.” This is 9 years ago. And some people thought the superhero trend was played out then!
* A big drop in spec sales in 2003:
Here is that trendline:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 101
1995: 173
1996: 155
1997: 141
1998: 110
1999: 83
2000: 92
2001: 101
2002: 114
2003: 89
Now it’s your turn to do some analysis. Who’s willing to get the stats on these questions:
* Breakdown of sales by studios.
* Breakdown of sales by genre.
* Which of these scripts were produced as movies and what percentage of the total does that represent?
Finally your opinions: Which one of these loglines strikes you as the strongest and why?
Tomorrow: 2004.
Special thanks: Sales details are included with permission from Done Deal Pro (www.donedealpro.com).
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