The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 1998
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 1998.
1. Title: The Mexican Logline: Reluctant bagman is in trouble with his girlfriend and crime boss. Writer: J.T. Wyner Agent: Jeff Okin Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Production Co.: Banner Ent. Genre: Drama Date Sold: 1/1998
2. Title: Liberace Logline: N/A Writer: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer Agency: CAA Manager: Peter Safran Production Co.: Independent Pics Genre: Biography Date Sold: 1/1998
3. Title: Where or When Logline: Two baseball players, one from 1939 and one from 1999, switch places through a cosmic accident and by being each other, learn to be themselves. Writer: Allen Estrin Agent: Marcie Wright Agency: The Wright Concept Production Co.: Platform Ent/Casper Van Dien Genre: Romantic Drama Date Sold: 1/1998
4. Title: Untitled Teenage Sex Comedy Which Can Be Made for Under $10 Million Which Studio Readers Will Most Likely Hate But I Think You Will Love Logline: Four high school buddies make a pact to lose their virginity by the time graduation day rolls around. Writer: Adam Herz Manager: Warren Zide, Chris Bender Studio: Universal Pictures Price: $650K/$750K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/23/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
5. Title: Alone Logline: Story is about the first manned expedition to Mars. when an astronaut is left stranded, he quickly finds out that his government might have hidden deadly secrets about the planet from him. Writer: Chuck Pfarrer Agent: Joel Millner Agency: Pleshette/Millner Literary Agency Studio: Warner Bros Production Co.: Village Roadshow Pics Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 1/26/1998
6. Title: Once Again Logline: Young man falls in love and gives up his fast pace life. After she dies, leaving him to raise a child, he prays for another shot, and gets to life live again had he never met her. Writer: Mike Petzolts Agency: Above the Line Studio: Paramount Production Co.: Wind Dancer Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/1998
7. Title: 00-Soul Logline: Ultra cool secret agent who does things his own way. Writer: Antwoine Fisher Production Co.: Robert Simonds Company Price: $1M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/1998
8. Title: The Quick Killing Logline: Former mafia hitman, who has put his criminal life behind him, is asked to pull off one more job by an old associate. He does so, against his better judgment, and finds that he’s been set up. Writer: Ken Nolan Agent: Justen Dardis Agency: APA Production Co.: Imagine Entertainment Price: High-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 2/1998
9. Title: The Mothman Prophecies Logline: After a reporter’s wife dies, he leaves his newspaper to investigate a series of strange events in a small southern town and realizes that they point to an alien visitation. Writer: Richard Hatem Agent: David Saunders Agency: APA Production Co.: Lakeshore Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 2/1998
10. Title: Make Believe Logline: Christmas story abuot a boy’s adventure with an imaginary friend. Writer: Debby Shively, Michael Hendrickson Production Co.: Sladek Entertainment Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Family Date Sold: 2/1998
11. Title: Love Gracie Logline: A 29 year old New York gal finally meets her pen pal of 18 years, only to find him in a wheel chair — but falls in love with him nonetheless. Writer: Aimee Pitta Agent: Susan Sussman Agency: Premiere Artists Agency Production Co.: First Look Pictures/Overseas Film Group Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romance Fantasy Date Sold: 2/1998
12. Title: Truax the Defender Logline: Human looking alien escapes to Earth from another planet whose inhabitants have been wiped out. Writer: Richard Rothstein Agent: Richard Rothstein Agency: Original Artists Production Co.: Ivan Reitman Productions Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 2/1998
13. Title: Darkness Falling Logline: Angels and demons fight over the lost souls of teenagers, while Los Angeles undergoes turbulent times. Writer: Scott Derrickson, Paul Harris Boardman Agent: David McIlvain Agency: Major clients Agency Studio: Tri-Star Pictures/Sony Pictures Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Date Sold: 2/1998
14. Title: Call Waiting Logline: Young woman chef, who’s engaged, meets someone over the phone who got a wrong number, and falls in love with him. Writer: Amy Anna D’Addario Agent: Nick Reed, Leora Bloch Agency: ICM Studio: Walt Disney Pics. Production Co.: Touchstone Pictures Price: $350K/$750K Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/11/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
15. Title: Solace Logline: A gritty tale that revolves around a doctor who becomes involved with a bizarre series of deaths in Manhattan. Writer: Ted Griffin, Sean Bailey Agent: Tom Strickler Agency: Endeavor Studio: 20th Century Fox 2000 Production Co.: HorsePower Ent. Price: Six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 2/23/1998
16. Title: Snollygoster Logline: A story about college. Writer: Johnny Galecki, Chris Kletzien Agent: Charlie Ferraro Agency: UTA Production Co.: Baudeira Ent. Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/24/1998
17. Title: Manhattan Transfer Logline: A top-rated New York radio shrink, who during the week before he is scheduled to make his TV debut, suddenly takes on the afflictions of his radio callers and all those around him. Writer: Gary Goldstein Agency: Don Buchwald & Assocs. Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Davis Ent. Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/25/1998
18. Title: Guinevere Logline: A young woman becomes the protege of a volatile photographer in San Francisco. The old man becomes her lover and teaches the twenty-one-year-old about life and art. Writer: Audrey Wells Agency: Endeavor Production Co.: Millenium Price: Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/1998
19. Title: Down With Noah Logline: Two white-bred black kids go to South Central LA to learn how to be black. Writer: Don D. Scott Studio: Warner Bros Price: $125K/$325K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/1998
20. Title: Anything For You Logline: A man dumps his girlfriend and eight months later realizes he made a big mistake. To win her back, he must endure a series of tasks his jilted lover has set up for him. Writer: Tom Flynn Studio: Universal Pictures Price: High-six/seven figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/1998
21. Title: Charley Needles Logline: A noir thriller. Writer: Robert Schwentke Agent: Hans Schiff Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Phoenician Films Price: High-five/low-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/11/1998
22. Title: Faithful Logline: A husband receives a blackmail threat alleging that he has been having an adulterous affair. The allegation is untrue, but the man’s otherwise happy marriage starts to fall apart. Writer: Jennifer Hoppe, Nancy Fichman Studio: Warner Bros/Paramount Production Co.: Samuelson Prods. Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/18/1998
23. Title: The Dead Man Logline: A detective whose wife is fatally wounded by a young man possibly has the power to heal. Writer: Yuri Zeltser Agent: Sandy Weinberg Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Polygram Film Ent. Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/18/1998
24. Title: The Last Word Logline: An aging, former lawman has parlayed his years spent in the saddle into a career as a pulp fiction novelist, writing about crimes of gun-toting outlaws. He is thrust back into action after hearing of a robbery that has a familiar smell to it, which leads him on a hunt for his famous nemesis, a legendary outlaw who has also been called to action for one last job. Writer: Trey Callaway, Gary Glasberg Agent: Ann Blanchard (for Glasberg), David Lubliner (for Callaway) Agency: William Morris Production Co.: TriStar Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Western Action-Adventure Date Sold: 3/19/1998
25. Title: One For the Ages Logline: A college football couch goes for an interview for an NFL job when he discovers that he has lost his entire team in a plane crash. The plot revolves around the choices he makes after that crash. Writer: David Murray Agent: Frank Wuliger, Sandra Lucchesi, Lee Keele Agency: Gersh Studio: MGM Price: High-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/23/1998
26. Title: No Strings Attached Logline: An independent woman in her mid-thirties who wants to be a mother. Rather than wait to adopt, or roll the dice at a sperm bank, she talks to younger brother’s slacker best friend into impregnating her. The unusual pair ends up falling in love along the way. Writer: Jeff Rake Manager: Lenny Bekerman Management Firm: Gallin Morey Studio: MGM Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/30/1998
27. Title: Tristan & Isolde Logline: Adaptation of “Tristan,” the romantic tale of Tristan and Isolde — two doomed lovers who must fight against royal politics. Writer: Dean Georgaris Agent: Alan Gasmer, Joanne Roberts Wiles Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Polygram Film Ent. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Drama Date Sold: 4/1998
28. Title: The In Between Logline: A man has the ability to see when his loved ones are in danger and about to die. When his powers tell him that death is after his son, he embarks on a desperate race to save the boy. Writer: Sid Quashie Agent: Alan Gasmer, Rob Carlson Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Morgan Creek Prods. Price: Low-six figures Genre: Supernatural Thriller Date Sold: 4/1998
29. Title: The Guest Logline: A young man agrees to house-sit for his boss one night, but the evening turns into a nightmare. Writer: David Dorfman Studio: New Line Cinema Price: $1M (include another screenplay) Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/1998
30. Title: Goat Cheese Logline: Two geeky high school kids form a rock band to make themselves more attractive to the opposite sex. Even though they can’t play or sing, the duo takes on and eventually out-performs more accomplished rivals. Writer: Daniel Shere Manager: Rogers Hartmann, Ragua Nervik Studio: United Artists Production Co.: Sandollar Prods. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
31. Title: Evermere Logline: The first in an intended trilogy of fantasy epics dealing with a seventeen-year old orphan who discovers that in an alternate unvierse he is heir to a throne. He is then transported to the other side and must battle his uncle, who has usurped the throne. Writer: David Goyer, James Robinson Agency: Endeavor Manager: Missy Malkin Price: $1M Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy Date Sold: 4/1998
32. Title: Burn Logline: The story is a contemporary one about politics that takes place as the United States is on the brink of war with Iraq. Writer: Dennis Cooley Agent: Lee Keele Agency: Gersh Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Blue Horizon Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 4/4/1998
33. Title: American Beauty Logline: A darkly humorous story set in the suburbs, following the tragic results of one man’s obsession with his daughter’s best friend. Writer: Alan Ball Agent: Andrew Cannava, Sue Naegle Agency: UTA Studio: Dreamworks SKG Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/14/1998
34. Title: Love, Jenny Logline: The story is about a man whose wife dies in a car accident. He learns she has come back in the body of another woman. Knowing she’s due to die as well, he must save her while he woos her. Writer: Marc Klein Agent: Brian Sher Agency: William Morris Studio: Universal Production Co.: Overbrook Ent. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Drama Date Sold: 4/21/1998
35. Title: The Mile-High Club Logline: A male airport security guard goes undercover to bust a prostitution ring in the sky. Writer: Rebecca Hughes Agent: Graham Kaye, Rob Carlson, David Lubliner Agency: William Morris Production Co.: Working Title Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/22/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
36. Title: Wild About Harry Logline: The story centers on a New York-based ad exec named Harry, who’s involved in a confused love story. Writer: Isaac Mizrahi Agency: CAA Production Co.: Sonnenfeld/Josephson Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/28/1998
37. Title: Mary Jane’s Last Dance Logline: An attractive, popular, and drug-addicted college co-ed befriends a shy, but intelligent fellow student from the other side of the popularity tracks. As their bond grows, the smart wallflower ends up insinuating herself into every aspect of the coke-sniffer’s life, including her illicit habit. When the girl overdoses and dies, the popular girl must grapple with the guilt and blame over death. Writer: Victoria Strouse Agent: Ramses IsHak Agency: William Morris Studio: MGM Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 4/30/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
38. Title: Nazi Gold Logline: A commercial producer becomes involved in a plot to steal Nazi bullion from a Swiss vault, a heist undertaken while the producer is supposedly shooting a commercial in the bank. The thieves’ intent is to give the gold bars to the descendants of Holocaust victims. Writer: Brian DePalma, Jay Cocks Agent: Richard Lovitt Agency: CAA Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/1998
39. Title: This Means War Logline: Two seemingly steadfast best friends have not let anything come between them, until a young woman moves into their spare room. Not only does she divide them, but as they fight for her affections, New York City literally is left demolished in their wake, including such landmarks as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Writer: Marcus Gautesen Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: $400K/$650K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/1998
40. Title: Gigantic Logline: A story of a ship that rivaled the great Titanic, but, bbecause it was two-and-a-half inches shorter, received no publicity on its equally tragic maiden voyage. Soon after cutting off the Titanic and sending it on its infamous collision course with an iceberg, the hapless Gigantic sank, too, after stirking a coral reef. Writer: Mike & Chris Bender Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/1998
41. Title: Boomerang Logline: An egomaniacal film star storms off a set in Australia and promptly crashes his private plane in the Outback. Stranded amid a tribe of aborigines who are thoroughly unimpressed with his celebrity status, he is found/rescued by a headstrong woman studying that tribe. In their subsequent adventures together, he begins to reclaim himself as a human being. Writer: Alida Van Gores Agent: Stu Robinson Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Itasca Pictures Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic action-adventure Date Sold: 5/1998
42. Title: Trillion Logline: The last man on the bench of a professional basketball team who, despite not being the tallest or the most agile, has succeeded because of his determination and hard work. He discovers that he has a heart condition but can’t bear to quit the sport. When management tries to buy out his contract, the player insists on one final season. Writer: Mark Mullen Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder-Kurland-Webb-Uffner Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/4/1998
43. Title: Knox Logline: A group of would-be robbers enlists in the military to get an inside understanding of the famed location and its personnel. The team uses that intelligence to figure out the best way to steal the gold reserves. Writer: Richard Eid, Gavin Harris Agent: David Unger Agency: ICM Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Kopelson Ent. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 5/4/1998
44. Title: Bitch, Bitch, Bitch Logline: The story centers on a miracle of science that transforms a mousy teenager into the most popular, beautiful girl on campus, allowing her to take revenge on her clique-ish classmates. Writer: Kayla Alpert Agent: Gregory McKnight Agency: William Morris Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six figures Genre: Date Sold: 5/6/1998 Add’l Info: Donna Langley, Cindy Guidry found project. Writer’s first spec sale
45. Title: Tigerland Logline: Set at a Southern Army training camp in the early 1970s, the story follows a discharge-seeking young recruit whose superiors view his rebelliousness as leadership potential. Seeking to avoid a trip to Vietnam, the recruit embarks on a campaign to get every other draftee in his company ejected from the army. Writer: Ross Klavan, Michael McGruther Agent: Irv Schwartz Agency: Renaissance Agency Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: New Regency/Haft Ent. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/8/1998 Add’l Info: Writers’ first spec sale
46. Title: Something Wicked Logline: A power hungry executive schemes to blackmail her corporate rival. When she informs the competition of her plans, the nemesis pushes her in front of a bus. Finding herself in an afterworld limbo, the dead woman talks her way back to earth in the form of a cocktail waitress. Given a second chance, she takes a job at the bottom of her company’s ladder and begins working her way up, realizing along the way that she was living her life completely wrong. Writer: Anya Kochoff Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Davis Ent./Equus Ent. Price: $400K/$800K Genre: Fantasy Date Sold: 5/19/
47. Title: Seven Days Logline: A record producer marries a high society lady, but later realizes that he’s really in love with his best friend, a woman who writes for a hip-hop music magazine. Writer: Mike Elliot Manager: Warren Zide Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Co.: Magic Johnson Ent. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Drama Date Sold: 5/20/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
48. Title: Noel Logline: Four stories of people desperate to avoid the loneliness of the holidays on Christmas Eve in New York. In one strand, a young street hustler gets a neighborhood tough to break his hands so he can spend Christmas in the hospital; in another, a jealous policeman gets a life lesson from a local crazy person who swears the copy si the reincarnation of his long-lost wife. Writer: David Hubbard Agent: Rich Freeman Agency: Writers & Artists Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 5/20/1998
49. Title: My Romance Logline: An ordinary woman is mistaken for a billionaire’s mistress. The man then hires her to masquerade as his mistress to protect the other woman’s identity from the media. Writer: James Mattson, B.E. Brauner Agent: Milissa Brockish, Fredda Rose Agency: Monteiro-Rose Agency Studio: 20th Century Fox 2000 Production Co.: Davis Ent. Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/21/1998
50. Title: Proteus Logline: Described as “Das Boot,” meets “The Shining.” Story is set aboard an American submarine during WWII that is under attack from above by monsters from below. Writer: Darren Aronofsky, Lucas Sussman Production Co.: Dimension Price: $300K/$600K Genre: Sci-fi Date Sold: 6/1998
51. Title: Serial Dater Logline: A guy looking for his dream girl goes on a series of horrific dates before eventually finding the girl of his dreams in the most unlikely of places. Writer: John Harmon Feldman Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/1998
52. Title: The Siegemaster Logline: Action period piece that centers on a great warrior in the Middle Ages who is not only brave and deft in battle but also wise. The knight travels Europe’s countryside, helping people in need. In particular, he is an expert at freeing honest folks under siege by evil forces. Writer: Chris Morgan Production Co.: Beacon Pictures Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 6/1998
53. Title: Teenage Idol Logline: Biopic of the life of Ricky Nelson as the youngest son of “Ozzie & Harriet” fame through his tragic death in an airplane crash in 1985. Writer: Floyd Mutrux Production Co.: Carsey-Wener Moving Pics. Genre: Biography Date Sold: 6/1998
54. Title: Monster’s Ball Logline: A prison guard breaks a lifelong cycle of racism and familial abuse through a relationship with the widow of a death row convict he helped execute. Writer: Milo Addica, Will Rokos Agent: Lucy Stille Agency: Paradigm Management Firm: Atlas Production Co.: Immortal Films Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/1998
55. Title: A Leonard Cohen Afterworld Logline: Two nineteen-year-old friends during the weekend of Kurt Cobain’s 1994 funeral use the Nirvana frontman’s memorial vigil in Seattle as an excuse to escape from their lives in Las Vegas. As they make their way, they meet an unusual cast of characters and come to terms with life, death and what it means to be an outsider in ’90s America. Writer: Scott Rosenberg Agent: Barbara Dreyfuss Agency: ICM Studio: New Line Cinema Price: $1.7M (inc. producing fees) Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/1998
56. Title: Chicklets Logline: Four outsider high school girls form a rock band and play music that expresses their particular brand of teenage angst. Writer: Lamar Damon Agent: Valarie Phillips, Matt Bedrosian Agency: Paradigm Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/1998
57. Title: The Art of Settling Logline: A commitment-phobic bachelor meets a woman just as commitment-phobic as he is. Writer: Simon Goltsman Agent: Sheryl Petersen, Richard Sanky Agency: Premier Artists Agency Manager: Steven Helvey Peter Meyer Studio: MGM Production Co.: Trilogy/Entertainment Group Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
58. Title: Steinbeck’s Point of View Logline: San Francisco man sick with cancer returns to land that once belonged to his grandfather. The trip turns into a spiritual awakening in which he learns to redirect his life. Writer: Brandon Camp, Mike Thompson Agent: Emil Gladstone Agency: Border Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Production Co.: Bel Air Prods. Price: Mid-six figures/$1M+backend Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/4/1998
59. Title: Total Sport Logline: An employee of an all-sports cable TV network racks up a gambling debt. As he sinks further into the gambling underworld, he discovers that the network is paying off football referees to keep the games close — and viewers tuned in. Writer: Bill Wolf Studio: Paramount Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/4/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
60. Title: Hearts of Men Logline: The character-driven plot centers on a cop who flees the big city with his wife for a better life in a small town. After making the move, the wife is brutally assaulted on the same night the son of the local sheriff is killed. The local officer and the big city cop are then forced to find the perpetrator together. Writer: Preston Whitmore Agent: Richard Arlook Agency: Gersh Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Mid-six/seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/9/1998
61. Title: The Runner Logline: A Las Vegas guy takes a job running numbers for a bookmaker with the stipulation that he cannot gamble. The only catch is that he’s a compulsive gambler. Things get more complicated when he meets a young woman and falls madly in love. Writer: Anthony Zuiker Agent: David Styne, Adam Kanter Production Co.: TriStar Pictures Price: High-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 6/10/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
62. Title: Freaks Logline: A group of tabloid reporters chases the paranormal and comes across the seven signs of the apocalypse. Writer: Peter Magill Agency: CAA Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Action Adventure Date Sold: 6/15/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
63. Title: Bridesmaid Logline: A woman finally has a chance to realize her lifetime obsession to have a grand wedding when her boyfriend proposes marriage. But when her bank account turns up empty, the woman and her best friend turn to a number of crazy plans to raise the money. Writer: Dawn Calame, Chris Conroy Agent: Caren Bohrman Agency: The Bohrman Agency Manager: Peter Donaldson Management Firm: B&B Ent. Studio: Universal Pictures Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/30/1998
64. Title: My Bitter Half Logline: One half of a marriage counselor couple is having trouble with the marriage. As they talk, the audience can hear what they’re really thinking. Writer: Gloria Norris Agent: Steven Fisher Agency: Renaissance Agency Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/1998
65. Title: Turnabout Logline: A smooth-talking ex-boxer just released from prison has four days to raise $180,000 to save his best friend’s life. With help from a fixed horse and a female friend, things look up. Writer: Garry Michael White Agency: Malcolm Stuart Agency Production Co.: Frankenstein Entertainment Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Drama Date Sold: 7/1998
66. Title: Walking the Dog Logline: Two quirky people meet and fall in love while walking their dogs. Writer: Alice Hoffman Agent: Ron Bernstein Agency: Gersh Studio: Warner Bros. Production Co.: DiNovi Pics. Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/1/1998
67. Title: Ice at the Bottom Logline: An aging ship captain is stricken with cancer and is forced to come to terms with his wayward family relationships. Writer: Mark Richard Production Co.: Palm Avenue Pictures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/1998
68. Title: Backcountry Logline: The story pits the hero against an insane survivalist who is hiding in a national park and killing the visitors. Writer: Matt Johnson Agency: William Morris Studio: Paramount Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/1998
69. Title: Hooray for America Logline: Centers around a world-wide corporation that selects an actor to run for the President of the United States — in hopes he will be able to do the bidding of the corporation. Writer: Bob Oedekirk, David Cross Studio: Universal Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/13/1998
70. Title: Smuggler’s Moon Logline: Ex military pilots get involved with repossessing military jets. Writer: Bill Jones Manager: Rob Gallagher Studio: Warner Bros. Production Co.: Witt/Thomas Films Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/24/1998
71. Title: Still Life Logline: After the death of their daughter, an estranged couple is forced to confront their past and their relationship with one another while trying to raise their grandchildren. Writer: Andrea King Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Genre: Drama Date Sold: 8/1998
72. Title: First Murder in Space Logline: Bounty hunter is sent to space to track down a suspected killer but the rules of the galaxy prevent him from doing it. Writer: Randall McCormick Agency: Endeavor Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: High-six figures Genre: Sci-fi Thriller Date Sold: 8/1998
73. Title: Expiration Date Logline: This is a comedy about the Grim Reaper. Writer: Mike Skelton Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Imagine Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/1998
74. Title: Breakdown in Evandale Logline: A married man recovering from a nervous breakdown is moved to a planned community, only to find himself in a paranoid suburban nightmare. Writer: Brian King Agent: Kristin Jones Agency: ICM Production Co.: Village Roadshow Price: Genre: Drama Date Sold: 8/1998
75. Title: The Sixth Day Logline: Set in the future, this story follows a man pursued by assassins sent to kill him when they discover that he has been cloned. Writer: Cormac & Marianne Wibberley Agent: Jeff Okin, Patt Quinn Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 8/1998
76. Title: Six Bullets from Now Logline: The script is based on a spectacular real life robbery that took place on New Years day, 1972 at the Hotel Pierre in New York. Writer: Christian Darren Agent: Debbie Deuble Agency: Don Buchwald & Associates Manager: Ilan Breil Production Co.: Polygram, Scott Free Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/1998
77. Title: Kiss God Goodbye Logline: Two fraternal twin brothers, one of whom is gay, embark on a road trip and find out that their lives are not quite as different as they thought. Writer: Arthur Jeon Agent: David Kanter Agency: UTA Manager: Management Firm: Studio: Production Co.: Greenhouse Group Price: Low-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/1998
78. Title: Chinaware-Fragile Logline: The story is set in San Francisco and is based on the true story of Dolly Cameron who dedicated her life to fighting the Chinese Mafia in an effort to free Chinese girls who were forcibly held as prostitutes. Writer: Christine DeSmet, Robert Shill, Peggy Williams Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
79. Title: Before You Go Logline: After their death, a couple return to haunt their marriage counselor. Writer: Kelly Bowe Agent: Sherwin Das, Richard Green Agency: UTA Studio: Walt Disney Pics Production Co.: Avant Kerner Co Price: $350K/$900K Genre: Romance Fantasy Date Sold: 9/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
80. Title: Reindeer Games Logline: An ex-convict is set up by a friend from prison to help rob a casino. Writer: Ehren Kruger Agent: Matthew Bedrosian Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $650K Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/1998
81. Title: Scream If You Know What I Did Last Halloween Logline: This script is a spoof of the popular horror movies “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Writer: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer Manager: Peter Safran Management Firm: Brillstein-Grey Entertainment Production Co.: Dimension Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1998
82. Title: Servicing Sarah Logline: A process server is convinced by a New York woman to serve divorce papers to her Texas-based husband and not to her. Writer: Jay Scheric/David Ronn Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder-Kurland-Webb-Uffner Production Co.: Mandalay Pictures Price: High-six/low-seven figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1998
83. Title: Loud and Clear Logline: The story follows a famous but fading sports announcer whose life is turned upside down when, as a ratings booster, he is paired with an irreverent black commentator of growing appeal. Writer: Don Rhymer Agent: Ken Neisser, Sandra Lucchesi Agency: Gersh Studio: DreamWorks SKG Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1998
84. Title: Truth or Dare Logline: (Not the Madonna movie) This teen sex comedy is about a group of adolescents who plays a game of truth or dare in a suburban Oklahoma Town. Writer: Greg Coolidge, Joe Jarvis Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder-Kurland-Webb-Uffner Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1998
85. Title: Wally & Pepper Logline: N/A Writer: Herb Ratner Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Production Co.: Larger than Life Prods. Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
86. Title: Kill Van Kull Logline: The Script is about a double-crossing triangle of Gen-X jewel thieves who target the Royal Jewels of Iran. When the leader is betrayed and sent to jail, he breaks out and seeks revenge. Writer: Richard Regen Agent: Marty Bowen, Hayden Meyer Agency: UTA Production Co.: Sonnenfeld/Josephson Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 10/1998
87. Title: The Kill Martin Club Logline: The story centers around a group of disgruntled employees who fanaticize about killing tehir boss only to find out that someone may have done just that. Writer: John Scott Shepherd Agent: Valarie Phillips Agency: Paradigm Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/1998
88. Title: Heaven’s Staircase Logline: Set in the 1920’s, the story is about a female journalist who gets romantically involved with a member of the British foreign inistry, all at a time when Egypt is striving for independence from Britain. Writer: Chris Murphy Agent: Jordan Bayer, Matt Leipzig Agency: Original Artists Production Co.: Mandalay Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Romance Fantasy Date Sold: 10/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
89. Title: Gator Farm Logline: Animals at an alligator farm have a strange substance which allows them to have a conscience, and with it, they seek revenge on humans. Writer: Mark Swift, Damian Shannon Manager: Warren Zide Production Co.: Arnold Kopelson Prods. Price: Low-six figures Genre: Comedy Horror Date Sold: 10/1998
90. Title: Finding Forrester Logline: A 15 year-old black kid displays equal talent for the game of basketball and the craft of writing. Under the guidance of a J.D. Salinger-type character, his life and his mentor’s are changed. Writer: Michael Rich Agent: John Lesher, Hayden Meyer, Billy Rose Agency: UTA Studio: Sony Pictures Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
91. Title: Fatalis Logline: Saber-toothed tigers come back to life via the dramatic weather patterns of El Nino, and they attack Los Angeles. The hero is an academic expert with an affinity for ancient weaponry. Writer: Jeff Rovin Agent: Phillippa Brophy Agency: Sterling Lord Literistics Studio: Universal Price: Seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/1998
92. Title: Dominion Logline: The Story of the Scotland-born American naturalist, John Muir. Writer: Alan Duncan Ross, Maryedith Burrell Studio: Paramount Price: Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/1998
93. Title: Joseph and Emma Logline: Tells the story of Joseph and Emma Smith, the founders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Writer: Chris Matheson Agent: Rima Greer Agency: Above the Line Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/14/1998
94. Title: Evolution Logline: Asteroid lands on earth and carves out an alien ecosystem. Writer: Dan Jokoby Production Co.: Montecito Film Company Price: High six figures/Low seven Genre: Sci-fi Thriller Date Sold: 10/15/1998
95. Title: Nurse Betty Logline: This story is about an Arizona waitress who falls in love with a soap opera star and sets off to find him while two mobsters scrutinize her. Writer: Neil LaBute Production Co.: Propaganda Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
96. Title: Other People’s Wishes Logline: The story is about a man who steals pennies from wishing wells and is amde to live out the wishes of people. Writer: Haris Orkin Agent: Jon Klane Agency: Jon Klane Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Price: $325K/$600K Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
97. Title: Rites of Passage Logline: The story is set in a for-profit, boot camp-style teenage detention center and is similar to a teen “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Writer: Stuart Gillard Agent: David Lubliner, Bill Douglas Agency: Willliam Morris Studio: Paramount Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/1998
98. Title: Spyville Logline: This movie is to be the feature version of the 60’s sit-com hit, “Get Smart.” Writer: Nick Marine Agent: Billy Rose, Charlie Ferraro, John Lesher Agency: UTA Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Mid-six/high-six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
99. Title: Near in Blood Logline: An overly ambitious high-school cheerleader convinces her boyfriend, a second string quarterback, that in order for him to achieve his rightful station in life, he has to kill the first string quarterback. Writer: Ann Lewis Hamilton Agent: Dan Aloni Agency: UTA Production Co.: Mandalay Price: Six/high-six fiugres Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 11/1998
100. Title: Munchies Logline: Four girls with eating disorders find a new diet pill that works great but has the side effect of turning them into people-eating zombies. Writer: David Kukoff , Matt Roshkow Agent: Valarie Phillips, Matt Bedrosian Agency: Paradigm Studio: MGM Price: $450K/high-six figures Genre: Horror Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
101. Title: Life or Something Like It Logline: A reporter interviews a psychic to find out the outcome of an upcoming football game, but instead, she is told that her life is meaningless and that she will die in a few days. Writer: John Scott Sheperd Agent: Valarie Phillips Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: New Regency Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/1998
102. Title: The Two Jordies Logline: The story is about the rise and fall of a group of 80’s teen movie idols and their ultimate fall from grace. Writer: Chris D’Arienzo Agent: Richard Green Agency: UTA Studio: Warner Bros. Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/1998
103. Title: The Flow Logline: This story is about the inner workings of the hip-hop business. Writer: Cheo Hodari Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/1998
104. Title: Cuba Has Fleas Logline: The story is based on a case of mistaken identity where a man who works in an animal shelter winds up giving orders to the mob. Writer: Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow Agency: CAA Studio: Walt Disney Pics Production Co.: Price: Mid-six figures/high six Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
105. Title: The Belle Logline: The story starts off where “Gone With the Wind” left off and is set in modern-day Atlanta. Writer: Stephen Berger Agent: Caren Bohrman Agency: Bohrman Agency Studio: Warner Bros Price: Low-six/mid-six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
106. Title: Executive Search Logline: A high-powered businesswoman hires headhunters from an executive search company to find her a mate. Writer: Gerald DiPego Agent: Gayla Nethercott Agency: Broder-Kurland-Webb-Uffner Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: $1.5M/$2M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/1998
107. Title: Ashes to Ashes Logline: A horror story about a plague that hits a Kennedy type family. Writer: Adam Kulakow Agent: Emile gladstone Agency: Broder-Kurland-Webb-Uffner Production Co.: Spyglass Entertainment Price: Low-six figures/mid-six figures Genre: Horror Date Sold: 11/1998
108. Title: Alexander the Great Logline: The story is about a modern-day Russian mobster who thinks that he is Alexander the Great. Writer: Boris Krutonog, Tom Epperson Production Co.: Seven Arts Films Price: Low-six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 11/1998 Add’l Info:
109. Title: Phone Booth Logline: The story is about a man who answers a ringing phone in a phone booth, which he never leaves as the movie unfolds. Writer: Larry Cohen Agency: CAA Studio: 20th Century Fox Price: Mid-six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/1998
110. Title: Zinger Logline: This story shows the unlikely friendship between a young comedian and a 72-year-old woman. He teaches her how to be a stand up, and she teaches him the true essence of humor. Writer: Carl Wolfson, Larry Fisch Agent: Alan Shafer Agency: Shafer & Associates Production Co.: Spectator Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/1998
Analysis:
- Some notable big movies sold in 1998 including American Beauty and Finding Forrestor, and some notable indie films including Monster’s Ball and Nurse Betty.
- And then there is this sale: “Untitled Teenage Sex Comedy Which Can Be Made for Under $10 Million Which Studio Readers Will Most Likely Hate But I Think You Will Love”. That became American Pie.
The trendline for sales:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 102
1995: 173
1996: 155
1997: 141
1998: 110
The slowdown is definitely in effect now, moving away from the same level of activity as ’95 and ’96. What will 1999 be like?
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.
