The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 2007

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 2007 after the jump. And thanks again to Mikal and Evelyn!

1. Title: Edwin A. Salt Logline: CIA officer Edwin A. Salt is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy and he eludes capture by superiors who are convinced he is out to assassinate the president. While trying to reunite with his family, he struggles to prove someone else is the traitor. Writer: Kurt Wimmer Agent: Tom Strickler Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: di Bonaventura Pictures Genre: Spy Thriller Date Sold: 1/12/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script

2. Title: Sisters of Mercy Logline: A widower father is rescued after his wife’s death by members of her book club, who soon begin running his life with their advice on parenting and dating. Writer: Steve Bloom Agency: Original Artists Management: Peter Meyer Management Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Production Co.: Overbrook Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 1/15/2007

3. Title: Source Code Logline: An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. Writer: Ben Ripley Agency: Hohman Maybank Lieb Manager: George Heller Management: Foursight Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Mark Gordon Company Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller Date Sold: 1/18/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script

4. Title: The New Daughter Logline: A single father moves his two children to a home in rural Illinois near a burial mound that may be the reason for his daughter’s increasingly odd behavior. Writer: John Travis Agent: Ava Jamshidi Agency: ICM Production Co.: Gold Circle Films Genre: Horror, Thriller Date Sold: 1/26/2007 Notes: Based on John Connolly’s short story

5. Title: Gullible’s Travels Logline: The world’s most gullible man is traveling through time on a port-a-potty in order to save the woman he loves. While on his quest, he runs into the woman in the past and the future but believes he’s meeting relatives of the woman rather that the woman herself. Writer: Ron Friedman, Steve Bencich Agent: Ryan Saul Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Manager: Ellen Goldsmith-Vein Management: The Gotham Group Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Production Co.: Landscape Entertainment Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy Date Sold: 1/31/2007

6. Title: Invaders Logline: A group of thieves are forced by a rogue U.S. government agent to retrieve a video of the president having sex with the wife of an Arab sheik. Writer: Jayson Rothwell Agent: Trevor Astbury Agency: Paradigm Management: Zero Gravity Management Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Thunder Road Films, Pierce/Williams Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 2/1/2007 Notes: 2006 Black List script

7. Title: Nottingham Logline: A less virtuous Robin Hood and a nobler Sheriff of Nottingham clash as a love triangle develops between Robin Hood, the sheriff and Maid Marian. Writer: Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris Agent: Ramses Ishak Agency: William Morris Agency Manager: Jeff Field Management: Field Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Imagine Entertainment Price: Seven Figures Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 2/1/2007 Notes: Part of a bidding war.

8. Title: Wonder Woman Logline: Centers on the super-heroine set against the backdrop of WWII. Writer: Matthew Jennison, Brent Strickland Management: Underground Management Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Silver Pictures Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 2/1/2007 Notes: First set up in January 2001. Then again in June 2003, September 2003, and March 2005. It was reported this purchase was a pre-emptive measure to take the spec off the market in order to protect themselves.

9. Title: Handsome Devil Logline: Set at a Manhattan prep school. Writer: Jacob Forman Agent: David Boxerbaum Agency: APA Manager: Stephen Crawford Management: Nine Yards Entertainment Production Co.: MTV Films, Misher Films Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Teen Thriller Date Sold: 2/12/2007 Notes: Part of a bidding war.

10. Title: Con Ed Logline: Two escaped cons hide out in college. Writer: Stephen Leeds Agent: Mike Esola Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/23/2007

11. Title: Unicorn Logline: A workaholic single father in Manhattan has to deal with his 5-year-old daughter’s desire for a unicorn of her own. Writer: Joey Aucoin Agency: ICM Management: Smart Entertainment Production Co.: Nickelodeon Movies, Smart Entertainment Price: Low against mid-six figures Genre: Comedy, Fantasy Date Sold: 2/27/2007

12. Title: The Secret Lives of Road Crews Logline: A secret group of road crew workers are the last line of defense against a subterranean alien race. Writer: Kevin Lund, T.J. Scott Agency: Gersh Manager: Jon Brown Management: Ensemble Entertainment Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Production Co.: Hal Lieberman Company Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 3/1/2007

13. Title: Tokyo Logline: Centers on three stories set in Tokyo. One story focuses on a relationship between a Japanese man and woman. Writer: Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, Bong Joon-ho Agency: CAA, Artmedia Production Co.: Comme des Cinémas Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1/2007

14. Title: Unnatural Selection Logline: An underachiever, who picks up women out of his league by befriending them, finds his match in an old female pal from college, who’s now divorced and has a child. Writer: Cameron Fay Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Stuber/Parent Price: Mid-six-figure Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/6/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up

15. Title: The Happening Logline: A family is on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. Writer: M. Night Shyamalan Agency: CAA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Production Co.: Blinding Edge Pictures, Barry Mendel Productions Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/7/2007

16. Title: Cryptozoologists Logline: A group of scientists track mythical creatures such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster and then have to deal with the sudden appearance of the creatures in San Francisco. Writer: David Gilcreast Agency: Endeavor Agency Management: Nine Yards Entertainment Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Contrafilm Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/9/2007

17. Title: Find.Love.Frost Logline: Set in New York City. Details are being kept under wraps. Writer: J. Mills Goodloe Agency: UTA Management: Untitled Entertainment Production Co.: Castle Rock Entertainment Genre: Romantic Drama Date Sold: 3/23/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up

18. Title: The Alchemy Papers Logline: Three kids search for Thomas Edison’s formula that will turn metal into gold, with one of the kids being Edison’s great-great-grandson. Writer: Geoff Watson, Adele Griffin Manager: Joy Gorman & Bard Dorros Management: Anonymous Content Production Co.: Kopelson Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Family Date Sold: 3/23/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up

19. Title: I Want to ____ Your Sister Logline: A brother will go to any lengths to protect his sister from guys just like him. Writer: Melissa Stack Agent: Chris Smith Agency: Paradigm Manager: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Production Co.: MTV Films, Escape Artists, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Price: $300,000 against $600,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/29/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script

20. Title: Me Time Logline: A writer is working on a book about his great-great-grandmother, a frontier woman. When his pregnant wife has to go on bed rest, he must care for the house and their other child, and his confidence is shaken as he reads his ancestor’s diary, in which she describes raising a family, plowing the fields and taming the wild environs. Writer: Ian Roberts, Jay Martel Agency: CAA, Endeavor Agency Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Production Co.: Principato-Young Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/29/2007

21. Title: The Creepy Kid Logline: Described as “Big Daddy” meets “The Exoricst.” Writer: Ethan Furman, Adam Farasati Management: Magnet Management Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Production Co.: The Montecito Picture Company, Magnet Management Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/2/2007

22. Title: Master Mind Logline: A supervillain loses his joie de vivre after accidentally killing his archrival, Uberman. Writer: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Agency: ICM Manager: Brian Lutz Management: Brian Lutz Management Studio: DreamWorks Animation Production Co.: Red Hour Films Genre: Animated Comedy Date Sold: 4/3/2007

23. Title: The Rosenbergs Save Christmas Logline: A couple, with different religious backgrounds, is newly engaged and the guy’s family is forced to host Christmas. At the celebration, the two mothers’ personalities collide. Writer: Elisa Bell, Jeff Kline Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Production Co.: The Firm Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/4/2007

24. Title: Fiasco Heights Logline: A notorious hitman teams with a failed private eye in search of a missing woman and a very important briefcase. Writer: Kyle Ward Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Platinum Dunes, Benderspink Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 4/9/2007 Notes: Fist sale for Ward, who was an assistant at DreamWorks at the time. 2007 Black List script.

25. Title: The Bachelorette Party Logline: After an attractive high school teacher is left standing at the altar, decides she doesn’t want to be associated with anything bridal. When her best friend announces that he is engaged to her conservative and beautiful cousin, the woman’s life hits a new low. The friend asks her to help his bride-to-be to loosen up a little at the bachelorette party. The teacher reluctantly promises to show her a good time. But when the posh, sedate party goes off track and the cousin throws her good-girl image out the window for a night of drinking, debauchery, and maybe even one last fling, the teacher must decide if her loyalties lie with her cousin or her best friend. Writer: Matt Olson Agency: ICM Management: Art/Work Entertainment Production Co.: Regency Enterprises, Hal Lieberman Company Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/11/2007 Notes: Based on Karen McCullah Lutz’s nove

26. Title: B.F.F Logline: A nerdy freshman guy and a popular freshman girl become friends and eventually fall in love over four years of high school, four proms and one funeral. Writer: Chad Gomez Creasey, Dara Resnik Creasey Agency: CAA Production Co.: Rogue Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/17/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up. 2007 Black List script

27. Title: Ink Logline: Set in the world of tattoo artistry. Writer: Harris Wilkinson Manager: Justin Silvera Management: New Wave Entertainment Studio: Paramount Vantage Production Co.: Riche Productions, Mandalay Pictures Price: Low- against mid-six figures. Genre: Horror Date Sold: 4/20/2007

28. Title: Ninja Gold Logline: A ninja warrior, part of a centuries-old legacy and bloodline, is forced to confront the reality of covert warfare in the modern world. Writer: Warren Spector Agency: CAA Studio: Fox Atomic Production Co.: Lion Rock Productions Genre: Action Date Sold: 5/29/2007 Notes: Intellectual property from video game creator Warren Spector.

29. Title: Say Goodbye to Hollywood Logline: A Hollywood agent gives up his successful career and high profile marriage to run away with his assistant. Writer: Lance Barton, Mike Mathews Manager: Trevor Engelson Management: Underground Management Production Co.: Masaryk Towers Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/30/2007

30. Title: All About Adam Logline: The biblical Adam follows Eve to modern-day New York after they have a lover’s quarrel. Adam discovers Satan was behind the breakup. Writer: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Agency: ICM Management: Brian Lutz Management Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Scott Rudin Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/4/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up

31. Title: Dolce’s Inferno Logline: A hardnosed L.A. gossip columnist falls in love and watches his world spin out of control. Writer: Mark Staufer Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Fear of God Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/5/2007

32. Title: Untitled Adult Treasure Hunt Logline: A group of childhood friends reunite in their early 30s to seek out a treasure that they tried and failed to find as kids. Writer: Amy Pocha, Seth Cohen Management: Benderspink Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Benderspink, Offspring Entertainment Genre: Comedy, Adventure Date Sold: 6/6/2007 Notes: Based on an idea by Mason Novick.

33. Title: Tester Logline: A young war veteran suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is recruited for a secret clinical trial that promises to cure his symptoms. He soon discovers that the chip implanted in his brain is not medicine but an advanced neurotechnology designed to control his body as a weapon of war. Writer: Colin Trevorrow Agency: UTA Manager: Greg Walter Management: 3 Arts Entertainment Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Production Co.: Parkes/MacDonald Productions Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/7/2007

34. Title: Party Up Logline: A group of kids plan to throw the biggest high school party ever, but their resourcefulness is tested when the party’s location falls apart at the last minute. Writer: Corey Harrell Agent: Benderspink Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Benderspink Genre: Urban Comedy Date Sold: 6/15/2007

35. Title: The Occasionally Interesting Anti-Adventures of an Unnamed Girl Logline: An imaginative young girl, stifled by her boring suburban life and strict parents, runs away to a fantastical world that proves to be darker than she had hoped for. Writer: Brian Nathanson Agency: ICM Manager: Langley Perer Management: Benderspink Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Scott Rudin Productions Price: Low-six figures Genre: Fantasy Date Sold: 6/15/2007

36. Title: Bull Rush Logline: A 20-somthing self-starter’s life begins to unravel as he tries to gain a foothold in the murky business of hedge funds and participates in weekly anarchy-infused street football games. Writer: Matt O’Neil Agency: UTA Manager: Brian Lutz Management: Brian Lutz Management Production Co.: Newmarket Films, Vertigo Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/19/2007

37. Title: The $40,000 Man Logline: A legendary astronaut and true American hero becomes horribly injured in a car accident and is rebuilt by the government to be a bionic man, on a budget of $40,000, which makes him not that bionic. Writer: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein Agency: Gersh, Endeavor Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Benderspink Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Comedy, Spoof Date Sold: 6/19/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script

38. Title: Dubai Logline: A young economist is set up by Iranian operatives in Dubai. They use him in a plot to instigate the collapse of the U.S. economy and he’s forced to go on the run to prove his innocence. Writer: Adam Cozad Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Co.: di Bonaventura Pictures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/25/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script

39. Title: Exempt Logline: A high school kid gets kicked out of his school and is sent to a posh boarding school for troubled teens, but finds himself in bad trouble when he falls in with a group of “diplobrats,” foreign teenagers with diplomatic immunity from the law. Writer: Ian Shorr Management: Benderspink Production Co.: Overture Films, Benderspink Price: Low-six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 6/26/2007

40. Title: Transit Logline: A family on a road trip is stalked by criminals who stashed stolen money in the family’s car. Writer: Michael Gilvary Agency: ICM Production Co.: Thousand Words Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/28/2007

41. Title: Near Death Logline: Set in the world of near-death experiences. Writer: Carter Blanchard Agency: UTA Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Production Co.: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Price: Low six against mid-six figures Genre: Psychological Thriller Date Sold: 6/29/2007 Notes: Option. Fox Searchlight put in a bid while several other studios were still interested.

42. Title: Six Month Curse Logline: A bride discovers that she was cursed at birth so that her romantic relationships have six-month expiration dates. So, she tries to save her marriage by heading to the Brazilian rain forest to reverse the curse. Along the way, she falls in love with her river guide. Writer: Julie Golden Agency: Gersh Management: Jaret Entertainment Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Apartment 3B Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/11/2007

43. Title: Nothing But The Truth Logline: A Washington D.C female newspaper reporter outs a CIA agent and is imprisoned for refusing to reveal her source. Writer: Rod Lurie Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Yari Film Group, Battle Plan Productions Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/19/2007

44. Title: Relativity Logline: On the eve of a couple’s 35th wedding anniversary, they bring their children together to disclose a secret which sends shockwaves through the household. Writer: Peter Craig Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Walden Media Genre: Family Comedy Date Sold: 7/25/2007 Notes: Optioned. 2007 Black List script.

45. Title: Mental Logline: A desperate orderly has 10 hours to transport a seemingly-stable mental patient from Pasadena to Santa Monica in order to get $3 million dollars of the patient’s inheritance. What should have been an easy task turns into the roadtrip from hell as the patient’s multiple disorders cause one disaster after another. Writer: Baer Aderhold, Tom Sullivan Agency: Paradigm Manager: Brad Kaplan Management: Evolution Management Production Co.: Summit Entertainment, Mandalay Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/26/2007

46. Title: Summer’s End Logline: A group of teens in a small Oregon town survive a deadly virus that wipes out the adult population and must fight for their lives when the military attempts to quarantine the area. Writer: Jeremy Passmore Management: Industry Entertainment Production Co.: Rogue Pictures, Platinum Dunes Price: Low-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 8/3/2007

47. Title: Kept Men Logline: Three down-and-out pals are looking for a shortcut to riches so decide to flaunt their youthful assets at a charity auction in hopes of becoming kept men. Writer: Amy Snow Agency: Endeavor Agency Management: Nine Yards Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Co.: Double Feature Films, Nine Yards Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/6/2007 Notes: Snow came out of the Disney Fellowship writers program.

48. Title: The Hole Logline: Two brothers discover a mysterious hole in the basement that leads to their worst nightmares. Writer: Mark L. Smith Agency: ICM Production Co.: Bold Films, Benderspink Genre: Supernatural Thriller Date Sold: 8/10/2007

49. Title: Fratboy Logline: A man brought up in a frat house, raised by generations of house brothers, is reunited with his birth mother where he wreaks havoc on her chic home furnishings company with his rowdy, ill-behaved ways. Writer: Scott Rothman Management: Infinity Management International Studio: Warner Independent Pictures Production Co.: Karz Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/14/2007

50. Title: The Darkest Hour Logline: A group of young people struggle to survive an alien attack. Writer: Leslie Bohem, M.T. Ahern Agency: UTA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Production Co.: Regency Enterprises, Jacobson Productions Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 8/23/2007

51. Title: Contractors Logline: Two underachieving contractors build a dream house for a millionaire and his fiancee, one of the builders’ ex-girlfriends. Writer: Bob Fisher, David Hemingson Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Relativity Media, Landscape Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/30/2007

52. Title: Baster Logline: A 40-year-old unmarried woman decides to become pregnant by inseminating herself using a turkey baster and sperm from a married friend. Writer: Allan Loeb Agency: CAA Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Bona Fide Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/18/2007 Notes: Based on a short story by Jeffrey Eugenides

53. Title: Stallions Logline: Three friends, all with new babies, struggle with the pressures of being a modern dad: lack of sex, annoying in-laws, changes of lifestyle and identity. Meanwhile, their womanizing bachelor friend, envious of his pals’ seemingly more meaningful lives, comes down with an unlikely case of baby fever. Writer: Steve Sobel, Alan Wieder Agency: ICM Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Principato-Young Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/19/2007

54. Title: Fury Logline: Described as an action thriller with supernatural overtones about a group of special forces. Writer: Leonard Hartman Agency: ICM Management: Flashpoint Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Stuber/Parent Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 9/27/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up

55. Title: Dr. Sensitive Logline: A doctor with the world’s worst bedside manner undergoes a transformative experience that makes him overly empathetic. Writer: Ben Frahm Agency: CAA Management: Underground Management Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Shady Acres Entertainment, Underground Films Price: $250,000 against $500,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/28/2007 Notes: First time writer

56. Title: Sensei Logline: A drunk, washed-up sensei at a rundown dojo is challenged to a rematch of a famed 1984 fight by his opponent — an informercial star who’s franchised “Karate Pilates” and opened one of his workout franchises across the street. Writer: David Caspe Management: Magnolia Entertainment Production Co.: Summit Entertainment, Benderspink Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/28/2007

57. Title: Hangover Logline: Three pals lose the groom at his Vegas bachelor party, 40 hours before the wedding. They have to retrace their inebriated bad decisions to figure out what happened. Writer: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore Agency: CAA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Green Hat Films Price: $2M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/5/2007 Notes: 2007 Black List script.

58. Title: Big Eyes Logline: Painter Margaret Keane toils in relative anonymity in the Bay Area, while her husband Walter, who takes credit for her work, lives the high life. Writer: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Bureau of Moving Pictures, Bona Fide Productions Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/16/2007 Notes: Optioned

59. Title: Darkling Cove Logline: A woman moves to a small beach town to recover from a traumatic event and winds up unearthing a crime. Writer: Caroline Case Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/17/2007

60. Title: Jennifer’s Body Logline: A cheerleader with a perfect life becomes the girl from hell when she gets possessed and begins killing boys in a small town. Her best friend must then find a way to stop her. Writer: Diablo Cody Agent: Sarah Self Agency: Gersh Studio: Fox Atomic Production Co.: Benderspink Genre: Comedy, Thriller Date Sold: 10/23/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up. 2007 Black List script

61. Title: Upside/Down Logline: A successful thirtysomething woman watches her life turn upside down when she meets a free-spirited 24-year-old man. Writer: Susan Brightbill Agency: Creative Artists Agency Management: Foursight Entertainment Production Co.: Kopelson Entertainment, Mosaic Media Price: High six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/30/2007

62. Title: Black Box Logline: A plane goes down off the coast of Texas and a certain FBI agent refuses to believe it w as an accident. Writer: Brad Holloway Agency: United Talent Agency Management: Management 360 Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: di Bonaventura Pictures Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 10/31/2007 Notes: Preemptive pick-up. 2007 Black List script

63. Title: Strange Magic Logline: A supernatural crime fighter battles the occult in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. Writer: Adam Torchia Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment, Sleeping Giant Entertainment Genre: Action Date Sold: 11/8/2007 Notes: First sale for writer, who was an assistant story editor at Universal Pictures at the time.

64. Title: Man That Rocks the Cradle Logline: An overworked husband and father of four decides the solution to all his problems is a live-in nanny, so he hires Marion Delacroix, a reputed “kid whisperer” from the South. Writer: Josh Cagan Management: H2F Entertainment Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Uppity Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/29/2007

65. Title: Hurt Logline: A group of estranged best friends are reunited after another commits suicide. Gathering ends up becoming a bloodbath because the meeting was set up as retribution. Writer: Anthony Grieco, Jeff Drongowski Management: Industry Entertainment, UFUSE Entertainment Production Co.: Trancas International Films, Left Hook Entertainment, Yellowsand Pictures Genre: Horror, Thriller Date Sold: 12/3/2007

Analysis

* Notable Sales: Source Code, Hangover, The Happening.

* Top Dollar Sales: Hangover [$2M], Nottingham [seven figures].

* Interesting Storylines: Edwin A. Salt eventually did a gender-bend and the Protagonist became a female, eventually leading to the hit movie Salt.

* Sales for three years running hit around the 60 mark, basically one-third of what spec sales were like a decade previous. Here is the 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

2004: 75

2005: 58

2006: 59

2007: 64

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?

Next: 2008.

Special thanks: Sales details are included with permission from Done Deal Pro (www.donedealpro.com).

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