The Definitive Spec Script Deals List (1991–2012): 2009
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 2009 after the jump. And thanks again to Mikal and Evelyn!
1. Title: The Field Logline: Set in an endless field, a group of strangers wake up with seemingly random items and must find a way out. Writers: Seth Wathen, Josh Dobkin Prod. Co: Stone Village Pictures Genre: Thriller Date: 1/14/2009
2. Title: Isaac Gray, W.D. Logline: A witch doctor uses his power to free patients from evil curses. Writer: Todd Berger Agency: Kohner Agency Management: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Prod. Co: Reliant Pictures Price: $300,000 Genre: Adventure Comedy Date: 1/23/2009
3. Title: The Sitter Logline: Described as a cross between “Superbad” and “Adventures in Babysitting.” Writers: Brian Gatewood , Alessandro Tanaka Agency: UTA Management: Industry Entertainment Studio: Fox Atomic Prod. Co: Michael De Luca Productions Genre: Comedy Date: 1/28/2009 Notes: Bidding war.
4. Title: Conviction Logline: A mastermind bank robber serves five years in prison following a botched heist and then is forced by an FBI agent to entrap his protege, who’s in the midst of a multimillion-dollar job. Writer: Jonathan Herman Agency: WMA Management: Luber Roklin Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Silver Pictures Price: Low-six figures Genre: Heist Date: 2/10/2009
5. Title: Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery Logline: A down-on-his-luck private eye accompanied by his loyal dog sets off to solve a missing persons case. The story is told from the vantage point of Chet, a dog that flunked out of K-9 school. Writer: Jeff Lowell Agency: UTA Management: Management 360 Studio: Universal Pictures Prod. Co: Film 360 Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date: 2/10/2009
6. Title: Inception Logline: Set within the architecture of the mind. Writer: Christopher Nolan Agency: CAA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Syncopy Films Genre: Science Fiction Action Date: 2/11/2009
7. Title: The Adventurer’s Handbook Logline: A quartet of pals go on a global adventure. Writers: Jonah Hill, Matt Spicer, Max Winkler Agency: UTA Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Price: Seven figures Genre: Comedy Adventure Date: 2/13/2009 Notes: Bidding war. Inspired by the book by Mick Conefrey.
8. Title: Book Smart Logline: After realizing the only thing they haven’t accomplished is having boyfriends, two overachieving high school seniors resolve to find ones by the prom. Writers: Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins Agency: WME UTA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Prod. Co: Handsome Charlie Films Genre: Comedy Date: 2/20/2009
9. Title: Old Timers Logline: Two sixtysomething conmen reunite their old gang for one final night to do everything they’ve ever wanted to do before one of them meets his demise. Writer: Noah Haidle Prod. Co: Sidney Kimmel Entertainment Genre: Comedy Drama Date: 2/20/2009
10. Title: Shimmer Lake Logline: A sheriff investigates a series of murders as well as the disappearance of a bank robber, The clues lead back to a heist the robber committed. Writer: Oren Uziel Studio: Fox Atomic Prod. Co: Josephson Entertainment Genre: Murder Mystery Date: 2/25/2009
11. Title: Within Logline: A couple’s marriage is threatened when the baby surrogate they have hired becomes obsessed with wanting the husband and the baby for herself. Writer: Jack Olsen Agency: UTA Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Prod. Co: Screen Gems Genre: Thriller Date: 3/2/2009
12. Title: Medieval Logline: Described as “The Dirty Dozen” set in the Middle Ages and centers on seven imprisoned men — a gypsy, a thief, a samurai, a knight, a monk, an Arab and a Viking. Writers: Alex Litvak, Michael Finch Agency: Endeavor Agency Prod. Co: New Regency Productions Price: $800,000 against $1.6M Genre: Action Date: 3/3/2009
13. Title: Grandma vs. Grandma Logline: Two grandmothers with very different styles of child-rearing babysit their grandkids for a month and compete for their affections. Writers: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg Agency: CAA Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Prod. Co: Red Wagon Productions Genre: Comedy Date: 3/4/2009
14. Title: Once Upon a Time…. Logline: Described as in the vein of “Shrek” and “The Princess Bride.” Writers: Charles Vignola, Kevin Marcus , Bradley Marcus Agency: Bohrman Agency Management: Epidemic Pictures and Management, Inc Studio: MGM Prod. Co: Epidemic Pictures and Management, Inc. Genre: Comedy Date: 3/5/2009
15. Title: Untitled Chris McCoy Project Logline: An untitled college-set comedy script by newcomer scribe Chris McCoy. Writer: Chris McCoy Agency: CAA Management: Anonymous Content Prod. Co: Double Feature Films Genre: Comedy Date: 3/8/2009
16. Title: Rites of Men Logline: A working-class single dad, whose only son is murdered, must set out on a quest to solve the killing. Writer: Jonathan Herman Agency: WMA Management: Luber Roklin Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Drama Thriller Date: 3/19/2009
17. Title: Nonstop Logline: The passengers on Flight 209 are mysteriously abducted by an alien ship. Writer: Michael Gilvary Agency: ICM Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Genre: Science Fiction Thriller Date: 3/24/2009
18. Title: Celeste and Jesse Forever Logline: A young divorcing couple tries to maintain their longstanding friendship while pursuing other relationships. Writers: Rashida Jones, Will McCormack Agency: UTA Gersh Management: Brillstein Entertainment Partners Studio: Fox Atomic Prod. Co: Team Todd Genre: Romantic Comedy Date: 3/26/2009
19. Title: Elevator Men Logline: Centers on the dark, sinister version of what really happens to people when they decide they want to get close to vampires. Writer: Marc Haimes Agency: WMA Management: Benderspink Prod. Co: Summit Entertainment Genre: Dark Thriller Date: 3/27/2009
20. Title: Good Looking Logline: In the future, a dating service matches soulmates around the world without fail, but one guy has the audacity to reject the person chosen for him. Writer: Chris McCoy Agency: CAA Management: Anonymous Content Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Prod. Co: Double Feature Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date: 3/30/2009
21. Title: The Many Deaths of Barnaby James Logline: A teenage apprentice in a macabre circus for the dead yearns to bring his true love back to life, but not before encountering the many dangerous and mysterious gothic characters that stand in his way. Writer: Brian Nathanson Agency: CAA Management: Benderspink Prod. Co: Appian Way Genre: Dark Fantasy Date: 4/1/2009
22. Title: The Highest Bid Logline: In “Bid,” an art auctioneer moonlights by capturing criminals and auctioning them off to rival crime bosses. He runs into trouble, though, when a mysterious character from his past unites criminal factions against him. Writer: Gary Spinelli Agency: Original Artists Management: Manus Entertainment Prod. Co: Intrepid Pictures Genre: Action Date: 4/15/2009
23. Title: Danny Graves’ Man Cave Logline: The story line follows a suburban husband and father going through a midlife crisis who discovers a mysterious man-cave in his basement. The fantasy world provides his version of the perfect life, which ultimately gets called into question. Writers: Jacob Isser, Paul Lutz Management: Brillstein Entertainment Partners Studio: Sony Pictures Prod. Co: Roth Films Genre: Comedy Date: 4/16/2009
24. Title: The True Memoirs of an International Assassin Logline: After a publisher changes a writer’s debut novel about a deadly assassin from fiction to nonfiction, the author finds himself thrust into the world of his lead character, and must take on the role of his character for his own survival. Writer: Jeff Morris Management: Art/Work Entertainment Prod. Co: The Film Department Genre: Action Comedy Date: 4/21/2009
25. Title: Kristy Logline: A young female college student trapped on a deserted campus is attacked by intruders. Writer: Anthony Jaswinski Agency: WMA Management: Circle of Confusion Prod. Co: Dimension Films Genre: Thriller Date: 4/22/2009
26. Title: Forever 21 Logline: Being kept under wraps. Writers: Mike Culbert, Mike Pellettieri Agency: CAA Management: Underground Management Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Prod. Co: Brownstone Productions Genre: Comedy Date: 4/23/2009
27. Title: Odysseus Logline: Legendary hero Odysseus, famed king of Ithaca, returns to his island after 20 years of fighting the Trojan Wars, only to find his kingdom under the brutal occupation of an invading force. Odysseus single-handedly defeats every last man and takes back his wife, his son and his kingdom. Writer: Ann Peacock Agency: CAA Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Hollywood Gang Productions Genre: Action Drama Date: 4/24/2009 Notes: Bidding war.
28. Title: Boss Logline: A 21-year-old becomes his father’s boss when he gets promoted. Writers: Tony Lord, David Cohen Agency: ICM Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Prod. Co: Scott Rudin Productions Genre: Comedy Date: 4/29/2009
29. Title: Everybody Loves Whales Logline: In October 1988, three California gray whales are found trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle. The subsequent rescue attempt becomes a huge global event, as scores of journalists converge on the nearby Eskimo town of Barrow, Alaska, and the U.S. and Soviet government enjoy a rare moment of collaboration. The two-week drama plays out at a time of geopolitical change, with Mikhail Gorbachev in the midst of his glasnost initiative and Ronald Reagan preparing to leave office after his second term. During all of this a nonprofit aid worker and a government worker fall in love. Writers: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler Agency: WMA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Anonymous Content Genre: Drama Date: 5/4/2009 Notes: Based on a true story.
30. Title: Repeat After Me Logline: No details given. Writers: Brad Bredeweg, Peter Paige Agency: CAA Management: Anonymous Content Prod. Co: Single Cell Pictures Genre: Drama Comedy Date: 5/5/2009
31. Title: Personal Security Logline: A tough NYC police detective is forced into bodyguard duty for a spoiled teen heiress who is receiving kidnapping threats. Writer: Matt Lieberman Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Prod. Co: Seed Productions Genre: Drama Date: 5/5/2009
32. Title: The Gunslinger Logline: An ex-Texas Ranger will stop at nothing to find and punish the men who killed his brother and rescue his nephew. Writer: John Hlavin Agency: UTA Management: Benderspink Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Mad Chance Genre: Action Drama Date: 5/13/2009
33. Title: The American Can Logline: John Keller, an ex-Marine, orchestrates the rescue of 244 of his New Orleans neighbors after their building, the American Can Co., is flooded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The five-story structure sits in eleven feet of water after the breach of the levees. Writer: John Lee Hancock Agency: CAA Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Prod. Co: Overbrook Entertainment Genre: Drama Date: 5/21/2009
34. Title: Umbra Logline: N/A. Writer: Steven Karczynski Management: Marty Shapiro Management Prod. Co: Relativity Media Genre: Thriller Date: 5/26/2009
35. Title: Trans Am Logline: Set in the deep South, a disgraced sheriff’s deputy and a getaway driver must elude a federal manhunt when they join forces to bring an escaped bank robber to justice. Writer: Matt Johnson Agency: UTA Management: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Action Date: 5/29/2009
36. Title: The Originals Logline: A group of twentysomethings reconvene for a weekend in New York after learning that the teacher who shaped their childhoods has fallen into a mysterious coma. Writers: Bryce Dallas Howard, Dane Charbeneau Agency: ICM Management: Management 360 Prod. Co: Imagine Entertainment Genre: Drama Date: 6/9/2009
37. Title: Diver Logline: A disturbed ex-cop is recruited into the Diver program, a secret project based in New Orleans where the cop and others enter the minds of the recently dead to experience their final thoughts and perceptions in order to solve the most heinous crimes. Writer: Diane Ademu-John Agency: The Alpern Group Prod. Co: Intrepid Pictures Genre: Thriller Date: 6/12/2009 Notes: Based on an original, unproduced spec TV pilot by Ademu-John.
38. Title: Beautiful Girl Logline: A shy but brainy high school girl returns for senior year after having slimmed down six dress sizes. She finds herself flirting with the handsome English lit teacher, but the mutual crush turns deadly when the teacher’s obsession with the student compels him to exact maniacal revenge on everyone who was cruel to her. Writer: Michael Cunningham Agency: CAA Prod. Co: Screen Gems Genre: Thriller Date: 6/12/2009
39. Title: Hellified Logline: Centers on a journey to hell. Writer: Andy Burg Agency: ICM Management: Justin Silvera Management Studio: Paramount Pictures Prod. Co: di Bonaventura Pictures Genre: Supernatural Action Date: 6/26/2009 Notes: Preemptive purchase.
40. Title: Get a Job Logline: A college graduate and his friends are compelled to lower their life expectations when they leave campus for the real world. Writers: Kyle Pennekamp, Scott Turpel Agency: CAA Prod. Co: CBS Films Genre: Comedy Date: 7/1/2009
41. Title: Vatican Tapes: The story centers on a series of events that unfold after a tape gets leaked from the Vatican displaying an exorcism that goes wrong. Writer: Chris Borrelli Agency: UTA Management: H2F Management Studio: Lionsgate Prod. Co: Lakeshore Genre: Supernatural thriller Date: 7/11/2009
42. Title: The Violent Kind Logline: A group of young bikers find themselves tormented by mysterious and gory goings-on in a secluded farmhouse. Writers: Mitchell Altieri, Phil Flores Agency: Gersh Management: Spectacle Entertainment Group Prod. Co: Trancas International Films Genre: Horror Date: 7/17/2009
43. Title: One Night Stan Logline: When a man learns his fiancee has had more sexual partners than he, he gets her blessing for one night to play catch-up. Unfortunately, his plans for a sex buffet don’t come together quite the way he had hoped. Writer: Josh Friedlander Agent: Ava Jamshidi Agency: ICM Prod. Co: Lionsgate Genre: Comedy Date: 7/17/2009
44. Title: Prisoners Logline: A small-town man’s daughter is kidnapped and responds in a vigilante fashion by imprisoning a neighbor he suspects committed the crime, while a big-city cop investigates the crimes. Writer: Aaron Guzikowski Agency: WME Management: Madhouse Entertainment Prod. Co: Alcon Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures against just over $1M Genre: Dark Thriller Date: 7/27/2009
45. Title: Babe in the Woods Logline: A female freshman from the Midwest arrives at Yale and becomes a target of the New Jersey mob. Writer: Mike White Agency: UTA Studio: Columbia Pictures Prod. Co: Rip Cord Productions Genre: Action Comedy Date: 8/5/2009
46. Title: Change Up Logline: A husband gets swapped with his best friend, a lazy man child. Writers: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Pictures Prod. Co: Big Kid Pictures Genre: Comedy Date: 8/7/2009
47. Title: Central Intelligence Logline: An accountant is thrown into the world of international espionage after reconnecting with an old friend through Facebook. Writers: Ike Barinholtz, Dave Stassen Agency: Agency for the Performing Arts Management: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Comedy Date: 8/12/2009
48. Title: Doc & Howie Whack a Granny Logline: Two men inadvertently kill a frail elderly woman when they neglect to help her carry groceries up stairs. On the plus side, the incident puts them in position to get closer to the woman’s attractive granddaughters. Writer: Steve Leff Agency: UTA Management: Rain Management Group Prod. Co: The Montecito Picture Company Genre: Comedy Date: 8/14/2009
49. Title: Supermax Logline: Set in a maximum security prison for the supernatural, a guard must join forces with a lethal inmate after a riot ensues in order to fight his way through various monsters and mad-men in order to survive. Writer: Christopher Allen Nelson Mitch Rouse Agency: Gersh Management: Lighthouse Entertainment Studio: Columbia Pictures Prod. Co: Broken Road Productions Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Horror Date: 9/8/2009
50. Title: Mercy Logline: A family tries to protect their dying mother and their individual financial interests from the violent wrath of a religious sect. Writer: Chris Sparling Agency: UTA Management: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment Prod. Co: Gold Circle Films Genre: Thriller Date: 9/25/2009 Notes: Preemptive purchase.
51. Title: Rubicon Logline: Described as a female-driven revenge thriller set in a Mexican border town. Writers: Ric Roman Waugh, Michael Alan Lerner Agency: ICM Management: Management 360, Anonymous Content Prod. Co: Relativity Media Genre: Thriller Date: 9/28/2009
52. Title: Rehab Logline: A man fakes going to rehab to reconnect with a former high school sweetheart, now a rock star and in rehab for her excesses. Writer: Sam Laybourne Agency: UTA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Prod. Co: Chernin Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date: 10/19/2009
53. Title: The Black Phantom Logline: A double-crossed Caucasian mob hitman turns for help to an unlikely source…the Black Phantom, an African-American hitman who was hired to kill him. Writers: Dave Lease, Megan Hinds Agency: Gersh Management: Circle of Confusion Prod. Co: Screen Gems Genre: Comedy Date: 10/19/2009
54. Title: F***ing Engaged Logline: a raunchy comedy about a couple who make a pact to have sex every day leading to their wedding so they don’t turn into their crusty old parents. Writer: Julia Brownell Agency: CAA Management: Manage-Ment Prod. Co: FilmNation Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date: 10/28/2009.
55. Title: Someone in the Dark Logline: Being kept under wraps. Writers: Richard Blaney, Gregory Small Agency: Original Artists Management: 59 Management Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Prod. Co: Pariah Genre: Teen Thriller Date: 10/29/2009
56. Title: Rule #1 Logline: About a New York woman who befriends a Puerto Rican girl with attention deficit disorder. Writer: Terrel Seltzer Agency: Paradigm Management: Manage-Ment Studio: Fox Searchlight Prod. Co: Type A Films Genre: N/A Date: 10/29/2009
57. Title: Dirty Old Men Logline: An aging playboy finally meets the love of his life, but then his best friend and wingman for the past 40 years tries to do everything to break up the new couple. Writers: Josh Cagan, Greg Coolidge Agency: WME CAA Management: H2F Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Revelations Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date: 11/2/2009 Notes: Pre-emptive purchase.
58. Title: Jitters Logline: A dysfunctional family struck by the recession moves into a new neighborhood and is terrorized by super-bugs. Writers: Marc Haimes Agency: WME Management: Benderspink Studio: Paramount Pictures Genre: Family Action Date: 11/2/2009
59. Title: I Am My Family’s Secret Logline: Revolves around two very different brothers who discover their parents have been hiding a life-changing secret for more than two decades. Writer: Derick Martini Agency: ICM Management: Principato Young Entertainment Studio: Paramount Prod. Co: Montecitio Picture Company Genre: Comedy Date: 11/3/2009
60. Title: Desperados Logline: A woman sends an indignant e-mail to her new boyfriend when he goes silent after they have sex. When she discovers he’s comatose in a Mexican hospital, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the e-mail before he recovers. Writer: Ellen Rapoport Agency: CAA Management: Management 360 Studio: Universal Pictures Prod. Co: Mark Gordon Company Genre: Comedy Date: 11/6/2009
61. Title: Last Stand Logline: A cartel leader uses a Gumpert Apollo, a race car used by drug smugglers, to break out of a courthouse. As he speeds to the Mexican border, the only thing standing in his way is a border-town sheriff and his inexperienced staff. Writer: Andrew Knauer Agency: WME Management: Energy Prod. Co: Lionsgate Genre: Action Thriller Date: 11/17/2009 Notes: Preemptive purchase.
62. Title: The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie Logline: The story of a woman whose lack of self-worth has limited her choice in men to losers until her life takes an unexpected turn when she is pursued by the hottest guy ever. Writers: Brent Forrester & Mindy Kaling Agency: UTA Management: 3 Arts Entertainment Studio: Lionsgate Prod. Co: Mandate Pictures Genre: Rom-Com Date: 12/1/2009
63. Title: Invasion Logline: The survivors of a subway accident in Los Angeles emerge to find a city in ruins and are forced to deal with mobs and a dangerous slime. Writer: Ben Magid Agency: WME Management: Energy Prod. Co: Summit Entertainment Genre: Science Fiction Action Date: 12/2/2009
64. Title: The Panopticon Logline: A salesman receives a pre-recorded message from himself that tells him the world is about to end and only he can save it. Writer: Craig Rosenberg Agency: UTA Prod. Co: Lionsgate Genre: Science Fiction Thriller Date: 12/17/2009
65. Title: Cancun Logline: An out-of-place college kid travels with a girl to Cancun on a break. While there, the girl and her friends are taken hostage by a drug cartel and he is forced to save them. Writers: Eric Champnella, Grant Thompson Agency: ICM Management: Mosaic Media Group Prod. Co: Summit Entertainment Genre: Action Date: 12/18/2009
66. Title: Untitled Fogelman Comedy Logline: A father’s life unravels while he deals with a marital crisis and tries to manage his relationship with his children. Writer: Dan Fogelman Agency: WMA Manager: Eryn Brown Management: Industry Entertainment Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Prod. Co: Carousel Productions Price: $2M against $2.5M Genre: Comedy Date: 12/18/2009
67. Title: The Further Adventures of Doc Holliday Logline: Centers on the famous 1800’s gunfighter who was friends with Wyatt Earp. Writer: Chad St. John Agency: ICM Studio: Paramount Pictures Prod. Co: di Bonaventura Pictures Genre: Action Adventure Date: 12/18/2009
Analysis
* Notable Sales: Inception, Untitled Fogelman Project.
* Top Dollar Sales: Untitled Fogelman Project [$2.5M], Medieval [$1.6M].
* Interesting Storylines: That untitled Dan Fogelman project? It became Crazy, Stupid, Love.
* Sales declined in ’09 marking 7 consecutive years in which the total number of spec deals was substantially less than 100. Trendline here:
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
2008: 87
2009: 67
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: 2010.
Special thanks: Sales details are included with permission from Done Deal Pro (www.donedealpro.com).
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