The Definitive Spec Script Sales List (1991–2012): 1999
The Definitive Spec Script List: 1999
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 1999.
1. Title: Fresh Kills Logline: Black comedy about two Italian American princesses who take an unconventional form of revenge when the mobster father of one is rubbed out. Writer: Josh Zeman, April Blair Production Co.: Fine Line Features Genre: Black Comedy Date Sold: 1/22/1999
2. Title: Conjugating Niki Logline: 21 year old New York society girl becomes a nanny to an 8 year old girl after the society girl’s family loses all its money. Writer: Robert Collector Agent: Marti Blumenthal, Norm Aladjem Agency: Writers & Artists Studio: New Line Production Co.: None Price: $500K/$1.2M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/22/1999
3. Title: Nowhere to Hide Logline: Centers around an accomplished thief who, while masquerading as a cop, must investigate his own robbery. Things get tricky when he discovers there was a double-murder that took place during his robbery, and he must investigate and implicate the true murderers while hiding his true identity. Writer: Patrick Lee Agent: Mickey Freiberg Agency: The Artists Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 2/1/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up; first time writer
4. Title: My Slut Mom Logline: Centers on a 17 year old girl and her promiscuous mother, who make up after a long separation. Writer: Kelly Souders Manager: Paul Young Production Co.: Destination Films Genre: Sex Comedy Date Sold: 2/16/1999
5. Title: Honky Logline: Revolves around two black movie producers who try to sabotage their own show “Boogie Fever” (much like the famous “Soul Train”) — so they hire a lame white host who can’t dance. Writer: Phil Tag, Aaron Pugliese, Andrew Michael Winer Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: New Regency Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/22/1999
6. Title: Big Momma’s House Logline: An undercover cop who uses many disguises, ends up as a Southern grandmother named “Big Momma” for a lengthy case. Writer: Darryl Quarles Agent: Paul Hook Agency: ICM Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/25/1999
7. Title: Drake Diamond, Exorcist for Hire Logline: A professional exorcist who is called in when a series of bizarre supernatural incidents points to a cataclysmic event foretold by an ancient prophecy. Writer: Arne Olsen Agent: Michael Sheresky, Jeff Field Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Gerber Pictures Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/3/1999
8. Title: The Fighting Temptations Logline: A hip hop record producer must start a gospel choir in his home town in order to receive his inheritance from an aunt. Writer: Elizabeth Hunter Agent: Doug MacLaren, Matt Solo, Jenny Fritz Agency: ICM Manager: Shawn Hopkins Management Firm: Visionary Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/5/1999
9. Title: The Judas Curse Logline: Religious horror story about a man who moves his family into an old house, and falls victim to the ancient evil of Judas, who possesses him and uses him to return to our world. Writer: Douglas Hensley Production Co.: Unstoppable Pacific Productions Price: 5% of net profits, 2.5% of related profits Genre: Horror Date Sold: 3/5/1999
10. Title: Schneider’s Untitled Comedy Spec Logline: Broad comedy, very “un-PC” in the vein of “Waterboy.” Writer: Rob Schneider Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Touchstone Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/9/1999 Add’l Info: Part of a bidding war
11. Title: The Next Muppet Movie Logline: Kermit the Frog tries to save “The Muppet Show” from an evil Hollywood Agent who is trying to disassemble the Muppet crew by convincing them to seek out individual acting careers. Gonzo is the first Muppet to leave, as he takes over the James Bond role from Pierce Brosnan. Writer: Brian Lynch Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Jim Henson Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/10/1999 Add’l Info: Spec submitted to Jim Henson as a writing sample
12. Title: The Box Logline: Story about 17 year old named Jason who has a huge crush on his sexy neighbor, but when men posing as government agents convince him that this new neighbor has a piece of stolen government property, they convince Jason to break into her house to get it. When Jason retrieves the property, a box, he opens it and unleashes terribly demons that he and his friends must capture. Writer: Jeffrey Miller Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Production Co.: Destination Films Price: Mid six against seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/11/1999
13. Title: ASPHALT 101 Logline: Centers around a guy whose only wish is to become the world’s best valet parker, but things get crazy when he gets caught up in a money laundering scheme all the while trying to win the girl of his dreams. Writer: Robert Reece Agency: The Jon Klane Agency Production Co.: Destination Films, Film Roman Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/12/1999
14. Title: The Nefarious Phil Guthrie Logline: Story of a guy who accidentally kills his boss and then is mistaken for, and pursued as, a most-wanted serial killer. Writer: David Benullo, David Goldstein Agent: Dean Schram Agency: The Jim Preminger Agency Studio: MGM Production Co.: D/K Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/17/1999
15. Title: Special Logline: Story about a man who pretends that he is disabled in order to win over his fiancée’s young son. Writer: Cinco Paul Agency: Gersh Manager: Linne Radmin Studio: MGM Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Twisted Comedy Date Sold: 3/19/1999
16. Title: The Courier Logline: Centers around a courier hired to make a drop to a man considered impossible to find. Writer: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas Agent: Bradley Glenn Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Production Co.: Avenue Pictures, Intermedia Films Price: Seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/26/1999
17. Title: Untitled Romantic Comedy Logline: Centers on a playwright living in Manhattan who pretends that she is a mother of two children in order to win the love of a single father. Writer: Simon Black, Marita Black Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: A Band Apart, HyperFilms Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/30/1999
18. Title: 47 Dead Bodies Logline: A forgotten anniversary leads to the accidental death of 47 people. Writer: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra Manager: Chris Bender, JC Spink Management Firm: Benderspink Production Co.: Wardenclyffe Entertainment Genre: Dark Comedy Date Sold: 4/5/1999
19. Title: Grillhouse Wall Logline: A short-order chef finally realizes his life dreams when he gets the chance to play ice hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Writer: Tim Ware, Sean Cullen Manager: Lorne Perlmutar Production Co.: Aurora Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/5/1999
20. Title: If Only Logline: Story about a young couple that is given a second chance to relive the day when one of them dies… and change the course of events. Writer: Christina Welsh Production Co.: Destination Films, Tapestry Films Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romance, Drama Date Sold: 4/14/1999
21. Title: Sydney Crawford Wants to Bone Me Logline: Story of a 20-something video store clerk who enters a contest to win a date with a super model. He ends up winning the contest and the heart of the model — she becomes obsessed with him. Writer: Chris Parrish Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/14/1999 Add’l Info: This is Parrish’s first spec sale; she was formerly a reader with New Line.
22. Title: Twice Upon A Time Logline: Set in the year 2035, an angry 65-year old man decides to go back in time to warn his 30-year old self not to marry his now ex-wife. But, the man ends up realizing that she was not the wrong woman, but that he was the wrong man. Writer: Robbie Fox Agency: APA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Production Co.: Equus Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/16/1999
23. Title: Good God Logline: A Harlem con man scams his way into heaven and then begins impersonating God. Writer: Yonatan Berkovits Manager: Chris Bender, J.C. Spink Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/23/1999 Add’l Info: Script was developed and sold without Bender & Spink ever meeting Berkovits. Berkovits had submitted the idea via e-mail when the two managers posted a request for new writers on the Internet .
24. Title: Other Side of Simple Logline: Story centers on two thieves who return to their hometown after leaving 10 years earlier due to a botched robbery. They return to pull yet another heist to use one of their younger brothers as a patsy. But this younger, dim-witted brother isn’t as dim-witted as they both believed, and hasn’t forgiven them for leaving him behind 10 years earlier. Writer: Eric Kmetz Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Drama, Thriller Date Sold: 5/3/1999 Add’l Info: First time writer
25. Title: Judas Logline: A giant manhunt is put into operation after a government agent kills the other eleven members of his team, and is labeled a “Judas.” Writer: Todd Komarnicki Production Co.: HIS, Tomorrow Film Corporation Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/4/1999 Add’l Info: Optioned
26. Title: Sugar’s Sweet Science of Bruising Logline: A young boxer and an old boxing trainer & fight fixer take to the road when pursued by Vegas mobsters. Writer: Jason Keller Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Over $1M Genre: Boxing, Road Movie, Comedy Date Sold: 5/6/1999
27. Title: Tag Team Logline: Two wresting fans get a chance at the pros, only to find out that it is not what they thought it would be. Writer: Daniel Blatt, Jason Friedlander Production Co.: MTV Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/17/1999
28. Title: Old and Stupid Logline: A young, bumbling, idealistic man is secretly hired by an elderly politicians political enemies who hope the intern’s incompetence will lead to the death of the almost fossilized US senator. Writer: Jeffrey Steinberg Agency: Gersh Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/17/1999
29. Title: Independence, Mississippi Logline: Small Southern town secedes from the US in an effort to revitalize it’s tourism and economy. Writer: James Vanderbilt Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Baltimore/Spring Creek Pictures Price: $225,000 against $450,000 Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/18/1999
30. Title: Jack and Jill Logline: Centers on a ruthless corporate businessman who rediscovers his humanity when he happens to fall in love with a schoolteacher. Writer: Hunter Richards Agency: CAA Studio: Paramount Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romance Date Sold: 5/25/1999
31. Title: Black Irish Logline: Centers around two black men who win an Irish Pub in the Guinness sweepstakes. Needing to leave town due to other troubles, the two flee to Ireland to run the pub but realize that no matter how far away they run, they still cannot outrun their troubles. Writer: Jim Thompson, Jim Hershleder Agency: UTA Production Co.: Bandeira Entertainment, Key Entertainment, Crystal Spring Productions Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/28/1999
32. Title: Naked Reverse Logline: A comedy that combines sex, the media and college football. Writer: Michael Laughlin Agent: Marti Blumenthal, Norman Aladjem Agency: Writers and Artists Agency Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Mid to high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/2/1999
33. Title: Saturday Afternoon Madness Logline: Two friends enter a contest to try and win $1 million by kicking a field goal during a college game. Writer: Don Calame, Chris Conroy Manager: Caren Bohrman Management Firm: Envoy Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Co.: ChubbCo. Film Company Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/4/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
34. Title: Cheaters Logline: Four friends cheat their way through high school only to lose each other’s friendship in the process. Writer: Andrew Gurland Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Mid six against high six Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/14/1999
35. Title: Helldorado Logline: A bounty hunter is nearly killed by outlaws, but after his amputated limbs are replaced with iron prosthetics, he becomes a one-man vengeance machine bent on exterminating them — in New Mexico during the late 1880’s. Writer: Cooper Layne Agent: J.J. Harris Agency: UTA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Western Action Date Sold: 6/15/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
36. Title: Just Like A Woman Logline: Centers around a bride-to-be who wakes up one day to find that the gender roles have switched — men are now feminine and planning weddings while the ladies are wearing baggy clothes and playing golf. Writer: Victoria Strouse Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Price: $1M against $2M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/16/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
37. Title: View From the Top Logline: A young woman wants desperately to become a flight attendant. She goes from her trailer trash roots to glamor girl flight attendant. Writer: Eric Wald Studio: Miramax Films Production Co.: Brillstein-Grey Entertainment Price: $450,000 against $600,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/28/1999
38. Title: Larceny for Lovers Logline: Story of a dashing young con artist who travels through Europe with his partner, who happens to be his mother, and ends up falling in love with a beautiful woman, who happens to be a master con artist herself. Writer: Philip Jayson Lasker Agency: Preferred Artists Production Co.: Mandalay Films Price: Mid six figures against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/7/1999
39. Title: Mexicali Logline: A retired stuntman and his wife travel to the west coast of Mexico. While out sailing one day, they witness a murder by the drug cartel. The stuntman becomes separated from his wife and must fight to evade the traffickers and return to the U.S. Writer: Paul Scheuring, Christian Gudegast Agency: Endeavor Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Production Co.: Destination Films, Mostow/Lieberman, Newman/Tooley Films Price: Mid six figures against high six figures Genre: Action, Drama Date Sold: 7/12/1999
40. Title: You Must Remember This Logline: A homosexual man awakens from a coma with amnesia and does not remember being gay. His parents decide to use the opportunity to try to have the heterosexual son they always wanted. While his parents attempt to reunite him with his old girlfriend, his gay lover tries to win him back. Writer: Robin Greer, Sarah Reinhardt Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: MGM Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/12/1999 Add’l Info: First time writers
41. Title: Hold-Up Logline: A newlywed couple honeymoons in the wilds of Alaska. Writer: Laura Ambler Manager: Ilan Breil Management Firm: Lasher, McManus, Robinson & Kipperman Production Co.: Village Roadshow Pictures Price: Six figures Genre: Suspense Thriller Date Sold: 7/16/1999
42. Title: The Understudy Logline: A Broadway understudy finally gets a chance to play the leading role only to become suspicious that her own understudy is undermining her. Writer: Andres Heinz Agency: CAA Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures Price: $400,000 against $700,000 Genre: Psychological Thriller Date Sold: 7/19/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
43. Title: Rocket Logline: A young girl befriends an old man who is about to lose his farm. He lets the girl care for one of his horses, but when the property and horses are seized, the little girl and the community rally to save the day. Writer: Susan Armenti, Leslie Smith Production Co.: Porch Light Pictures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/21/1999 Add’l Info: Armenti was formerly a William Morris agent
44. Title: Black Knight Logline: A down-and-out theme restaurant employee is transported back to medieval times. Writer: Darryl Quarles Agent: Paul Hook Agency: ICM Manager: Aaron Ray Management Firm: The Firm Production Co.: New Regency Price: $625,000 against a potential $1M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/26/1999
45. Title: il Bambino Logline: A dying New York mafia Don is turned into a talking 18month old baby. Writer: Chris Loizou Agency: Blake Friedmann Literary Production Co.: Parallel Entertainment Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/28/1999
46. Title: Any Idiot Can Play Logline: Two “down-on-their-luck” guys try to make a name for themselves in a ping pong tournament. Writer: Robert Stevens, Dax Shelby Manager: Geri Roberts Production Co.: Destination Films Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/29/1999 Add’l Info: First time writers
47. Title: Bad Nougat Logline: Dark and desperate comedy in vein of “About Last Night.” Writer: Josh Stolberg Agent: David Phillips Agency: Innovative Artists Production Co.: The Bubble Factory Price: Low six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 8/4/1999
48. Title: Married and Single Logline: Two women, one married and one who is looking for Mr. Right, both desperately wish to be in the other’s shoes. Their desires come true, but then the women yearn for their previous lifestyles. Writer: Jennifer Robinson Agent: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: MGM Production Co.: Mutual Film Company Price: Low six figures against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 8/6/1999
49. Title: I Want Kandee Logline: A 17-year-old pop star longs to be a normal teenager. She runs away to visit her stepsister and changes her looks, enrolls in a “normal” school and gets her first opportunity to have normal teenage experiences. Ultimately, she gets caught and must return to her previous lifestyle but does so with renewed vigor. Writer: Julian Stone Agent: Brad Rosenfeld Agency: Preferred Artists Manager: Heidi Roatbart Management Firm: Silverlight Entertainment Studio: MGM Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/18/1999
50. Title: Nice Logline: A Manhattan woman accidentally kills three of her suitors. She unexpectedly draws the attention of a hitman who thinks she is a killer and is fascinated by her unusual life. They end up falling in love. Writer: Sara Goodman Agent: Lynn Pleshette, Michael Cendejas Agency: Pleshette Literary Agency, The Lynn Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Black Comedy Date Sold: 8/20/1999
51. Title: Danny’s Toy Logline: Three aliens travel to Earth to destroy it only to discover that their ship is only a few inches long. The ship ends up under a Christmas tree and is mistaken for a toy who befriends them and helps them to return home. Writer: David Lesser Agent: Lew Weitzman Agency: Preferred Artists Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy Date Sold: 8/26/1999
52. Title: Get Me to Frank by 35 Logline: A single mother tracks down the biological father (from artificial insemination) of her child, and discovers he is a garbage man working in Queens. She falls in love but becomes torn between him and a better suitor. Writer: Susan Hoffman Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: George Street Pictures Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 9/8/1999 Add’l Info: First sale for Hoffman who has been working as an actress.
53. Title: Can’t Get Arrested Logline: A washed-up, former childhood movie star is taken hostage during a bank robbery. Thrust back into the media limelight, the has-been eventually regains his stardom. Writer: Jason Mayland Agent: Jim Stein, Marti Blumenthal Agency: Writers & Artists Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: AMG Price: Mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/10/1999
54. Title: Slackers Logline: Three scheming college students who are getting through school with perfect grades, but without doing any work, are uncovered by the school geek. The geek blackmails the three some into helping him win the heart of the most popular girl in school. Writer: David H. Steinberg Agent: Jewerl Ross Agency: APA Production Co.: Destination Films Price: $700,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/20/1999 Add’l Info: Writer’s first spec sale
55. Title: Lightening Logline: Story follows the lives and deaths surrounding an assorted group of dead characters who haunt a small Southern town cemetery and they are all involved with one living man, a recluse who tends to their plots. Writer: Michael Besman Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Spiritual Drama Date Sold: 9/24/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up; first time writer (but seasoned producer)
56. Title: Stormy Williams Logline: A black soul singer suddenly dies when he chokes on a roast beef sandwich, just after he completed his debut album. Since he had done no publicity for his debut, the record company hires a white, metal rocker to pass himself off as the singer. Writer: Justin Rohrlich Agency: William Morris Agency Manager: Seth Jaret, Bradley Kaplan Management Firm: Jaret Entertainment Production Co.: The Vault Inc. Genre: Dark Comedy Date Sold: 10/4/1999 Add’l Info: First time writer
57. Title: Chasing the Party or How Hugh Hefner Changed My Life Logline: Story about two guys who try desperately to break into the Playboy Mansion for the biggest party Hefner has ever thrown. Writer: Scott Caan Agency: UTA Studio: Touchstone Pictures Production Co.: Jerry Bruckheimer Films & Television Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/9/1999
58. Title: The Glass House Logline: Story about two children who, after their parents are killed in a car crash, must go live with two guardians who are being paid to watch them. They later find out that these two guardians, while in desperate need of money, were the ones responsible for the car crash that killed the parents. Writer: Wesley Strick Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Original Film Price: Mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/12/1999
59. Title: Holmes Logline: A street-wise American private eye goes on assignment in Britain, and is teamed up with a stuffy English partner. The two learn to work together to solve the crime. Writer: Colby Carr Studio: The Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 10/13/1999
60. Title: Unbreakable Logline: A man, after being in a horrible accident, learns something extraordinary about himself. Writer: M. Night Shyamalan Agency: UTA Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: $5M Genre: Suspense Thriller Date Sold: 10/19/1999
61. Title: Comeback Logline: An ex-con takes on the identity of a missing millionaire to whom he looks very similar. Writer: Ric Krause Agent: Jonathan Westmore and Martin Gage Agency: The Gage Group Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/21/1999
62. Title: Don’t Blink Logline: Three young ladies who need to make a quick buck decide to work in a Nevada brothel without understanding the danger they are putting themselves into. Writer: Michelle Williams, Amy Danles, Megahn Perry Agency: Endeavor Agency, Don Buchwald & Associates, The Gage Group Manager: Ric Beddingfield Production Co.: Good Machine Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/22/1999
63. Title: Motor City Logline: 1957, an over-the-hill marketing wizard is hired by a VP of Ford Motors to work on a secret car project — the Edsel. While working on trying to make the troubled car successful, the exec uncovers intrigue and corruption at the plant, and the cover up of a murder. Writer: Carlo Bernard, Doug Mayo Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Mystery Thriller Date Sold: 10/25/1999
64. Title: Penny Dreadful Logline: Centers around a couple who take a private cruise vacation only to be terrified by a maniacal captain. Writer: Frank De Felitta Production Co.: Filmtown Entertainment Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/26/1999
65. Title: White Wedding Logline: A Republican campaign manager for a senator, finds his political ambitions in jeopardy when he falls in love with a woman who is a white supremacist. Writer: Michael Cordell Agency: UTA Manager: Jeffrey Graup Production Co.: Artisan Entertainment Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/28/1999
66. Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Vengeance of Dracula Logline: Described as being in the vein of “The Mummy.” Writer: Michael Valle Agent: Mary Kimmel Agency: Preferred Artists Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: 1492 Pictures Price: $700,000 against $1M Genre: Horror Action Adventure Date Sold: 11/6/1999 Add’l Info: First time writer
67. Title: Sonny Bright Logline: A government desk jockey becomes involved with a beautiful woman and a big heist. Writer: Wayne Rice, Gina Goldman Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/8/1999
68. Title: Wildest Dreams Logline: Story about a young widow and a firefighter, who come together after they experience each other’s dreams and in turn confront their own inner demons. Writer: Kristin Rusk, Ian Deitchman Agent: N/A Agency: Original Artists Studio: MGM Price: Six figures Genre: Romantic Drama Date Sold: 11/10/1999
69. Title: River Road Logline: With the theme centered on paranoia and taking place on a border town, a man tries desperately to escape his environment, even if it means giving up everything in his life. Writer: Andrew Niccol Agency: CAA Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Jersey Films Price: $2M Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/11/1999
70. Title: Wild Kingdom Logline: An Animal Control Officer in a future, where animals are bio-genetically engineered, must track down a Cerberus (three-headed hellhound) which escapes from the Greek Mythology Exhibit and starts terrorizing rollerbladers in Central Park. Writer: Ronnie Christensen Agent: Michelle Wallerstein Agency: SGK and Associates Production Co.: Destination Films Genre: Futuristic Comedy Date Sold: 11/12/1999
71. Title: Rain Delay Logline: A minor league baseball player has his life turned around by a young protégé. Writer: Chris Murphy Studio: Paramount Pictures Price: Low to high six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/12/1999
72. Title: Serendipity Logline: Story of the chance meeting of two college students that decide they are soul mates after only a few hours. But, they make the decision to separate and leave their relationship up to fate and meet 10 years later. Writer: Marc Klein Agent: Brian Sher Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: Miramax Films Production Co.: Tapestry Films Price: $500,000 Genre: Romance Date Sold: 11/12/1999 Add’l Info: Part of a bidding war
73. Title: The Bear and the Bull Logline: Men and women working in the pit at the Chicago Board of Trade, find their jobs threatened by new technology, and must use their persistence and ability to learn to win. One of the character’s fathers was once arrested by the FBI for trading secrets, so the man must battle to get out of the infamous shadow and in doing so becomes a better broker. Writer: Jay Lavender Agency: CAA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 11/16/1999 Add’l Info: Lavendar was a CAA assistant for 16 months.
74. Title: American Dream Logline: Focuses on a Midwestern young man who must come to grips with his hallucinations that are controlling his life and coincide with the comatose President of the United States who is fighting to stay alive. Writer: John Scott Shepherd Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Fantasy, Drama Date Sold: 11/19/1999
75. Title: A Guy Thing Logline: The morning after his bachelor party, a man wakes up next to a woman, and not his fiancée. Believing that he has cheated on his soon-to-be-wife, he tries covering up the mishap before his wedding takes place. Writer: Greg Glienna, Pete Schwaba Manager: David Faigenblum Management Firm: Michael I. Levy Enterprises Studio: MGM Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/24/1999
76. Title: Stray Voltage Logline: Dairy cows are contaminated by stray voltage from power lines. A vegetarian environmentalist, who works for a power company, is assigned to a small Texas town to investigate these brownouts. Writer: Patrick Ranahan, Todd Johnson Agent: Steve White Agency: Warden, White & Associates Production Co.: MTV Films Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/30/1999
77. Title: Auteurs Logline: Centers around 2 young guys in New York who are “wannabe gangsters,” and decide to make an indie film about a robbery in order to camouflage a heist they are trying to pull off. Writer: Evan Katz Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Artisan Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/7/1999
78. Title: Cellular Logline: Centers around a man who gets a distressing phone call on his cell phone from a woman who has been kidnapped. She has no idea where she is but fears she will be killed in the hands of her captors. The man must find her and save her life before the battery on his cell phone goes dead. Writer: Larry Cohen Agency: CAA Production Co.: Centropolis Entertainment Price: $750,000 Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/8/1999
79. Title: Billy Two Sugars Logline: Centers on a low-man-on-the-totem-pole driver for a huge Cuban drug lord in Miami. This man becomes sick and tired of his abusive boss and decides to change his fate by putting together a gang of other lowly down-and-outs in order to rip off the drug lord in order to gain riches and respect. Writer: Seth Pearlman Agency: CAA Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Green Moon Productions Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/8/1999 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
80. Title: Close to Me Logline: A popular high school teacher life spins out of control when he finds himself the victim of a stalker. He is blackmailed and framed for the murder of his star pupil. Writer: Austin Hodgens Management Firm: Zide/Perry Management Production Co.: Lotus Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/15/1999 Add’l Info: First time writer
81. Title: Wildlife, Inc. Logline: Story follows a wanna be “Hollywood” filmmaker and his adventures with the quirky, rustic characters of a small, fame-obsessed town in Wisconsin. Writer: Erik Moe Production Co.: Chickie the Cop Productions Genre: Black Comedy Date Sold: 12/16/1999
82. Title: Standing on the Moon Logline: A female investigative reporter discovers that a best-selling book was penned by a man, a genius, who’s been institutionalized since childhood. The two go on a journey together and develop a relationship, forcing the reporter to confront her conflicting priorities. Writer: Hal Masonberg, Teal Minton Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/16/1999
83. Title: Academia Nuts Logline: Centers around a super stud gym teacher who is assigned to coach the school’s team of “dorks” and freaks through the school’s academic decathlon. Writer: Brian Olson, Scott Mislan Agent: Chris Fenton, Alan Gasmer Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Artisan Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/18/1999 Add’l Info: First time writers
Analysis:
- Notable movies that sold in 1999 include Unbreakable and Black Knight.
- A lot of great titles. Here are a few that stuck out to me: My Slut Mom, Sugar’s Sweet Science of Bruising, and Sherlock Holmes and the Vengeance of Dracula,
- A lot of scripts that never got produced including several million dollar scripts.
And yet the sales totals continue to fall. Here is that trendline:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 101
1995: 173
1996: 155
1997: 141
1998: 110
1999: 83
In 5 years, spec script sales dropped by over 50%.
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.
Special thanks: Sales details are included with permission from Done Deal Pro (www.donedealpro.com).