The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 2000
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 2000.
1. Title: Knights of the Sky Logline: A grandfather recounts the stories of his youth and his victory over the Red Baron of Germany in World War 1. While he loses friends, lovers and family to the perils of war, he uncovers his true self. Writer: Brad Moseley, Gerry Gacek Agent: Don Kopaloff Agency: SGK and Associates Production Co.: The Ladd Company Price: Mid to high six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 1/4/2000 Add’l Info: First time writers
2. Title: American Loser Logline: Centers on an unemployed writer who lives out of his car but then strikes up a relationship with an ad exec. Writer: Brad Harrison Production Co.: Gracie Films Price: Mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 2/10/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up; first time writer
3. Title: Time Flies Logline: Story of a 30 year old man who wants to be young again but after a strange spell is placed on him, he begins getting older every night after the sun sets. Writer: Chris Momenee Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Angry Films Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/11/2000
4. Title: Monster Truck Mad-ness Logline: Centers on an out-of-luck NASCAR driver who gets kicked off the circuit, so he resorts to monster truck racing but then finds himself up against his former NASCAR rival. Writer: David Capper, Kevin Lipski Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/15/2000
5. Title: Down With Love Logline: A romantic comic giving homage to the quirky romantic-comedies of the past, more specifically films starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Writer: Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake Agent: Jim Rosen Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/18/2000
6. Title: Red Hood Logline: A twist on our favorite tale, “Little Red Riding Hood,” this story starts 10 years later, when Red is 18 and Wolf is terrorizing the Land of Grimm, and she decides to seek revenge on this big-bad Wolf. Writer: Ezekiel Martinez, Lee Alford Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Fairy Tale Date Sold: 2/24/2000
7. Title: Franklin vs. God Logline: A comedy about a beaten-down man who’s been so severely picked on by God his whole life that he files a class action suit against the Almighty and the religions of America. Writer: Mark Blaise Fallon Manager: Susan Hart Management Firm: Hart Literary Management Production Co.: Pacifica Film Development, Inc. Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/1/2000
8. Title: Closure Logline: Centers on a high-powered attorney who is dumped by her fiancée;. With anger on her side, she decides to track down and confront every single man that has ever called it quits with her-all the way to her grade school loves. Writer: Ellen Rapoport Production Co.: Summit Entertainment Price: Low six figures against mid six Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/2/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
9. Title: The Inside Man Logline: Set in the corporate world, this story involves a young Wall Street guy who is framed by his mentor for the killing of the firm’s leader. Writer: Sheldon Turner Production Co.: Ignite Entertainment Price: Mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/3/2000
10. Title: Filthy Logline: Raunchy sex comedy about two friends, fresh out of college, who try to get their lives together with a three-step plan they devise. Writer: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg Agent: Jewrl Ross Agency: APA Manager: Paul Young Studio: MGM Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/8/2000
11. Title: Closers Logline: Centers on a guy who is in love with a certain girl and wants desperately to win her heart, so he enlists the help of a love service. This service guarantees that he will “get laid.” Thinking the service will help him with “lines” and wardrobe tips, the man gets much more than expected — including the girl’s boyfriend being run over by a bus. Writer: Monica Johnson, Josh Stolberg Agent: Dave Phillips Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $750,000 against $1 million Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/9/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
12. Title: John Q Logline: A family discovers that their son needs a heart operation, but they have no health insurance. Out of pure desperation, the father takes a hospital emergency room hostage in order to help his son. Writer: Jim Kearns Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Studio: New Line Cinema Price: High six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/10/2000
13. Title: Day Traitor Logline: Story of a high school senior who needs to pay for his college tuition but has no money, so he decides to participate in a little day trading and strikes it rich for himself and his friends. Writer: Jeff Gutheim, Ari Steinbeck Agent: Gayla Nethercott Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Jerry Weintraub Productions Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/13/2000 Add’l Info: First spec sale for writers
14. Title: Curtis and Chloe’s Big Blind Date Logline: Centers around two people on a bad blind date, which only gets worse after they witness a murder. The two report the incident and are forced to go into a witness protection program together. Writer: Will Baum, Jason Kassin Agency: The Bohrman Agency, Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/13/2000 Add’l Info: First time writers
15. Title: Curse Of The Bog Women Logline: Dead golfers, two headed sheep, and centuries old enchantresses from the bowels of Hell. Something’s amiss in Glen Lachart… Writer: Barry Hutchison Production Co.: Bog Industries, LLC Genre: Comedy, Horror Date Sold: 3/13/2000
16. Title: The Blazin’ Four Logline: Described as a Hip-Hop Western. Writer: Jean Claude LaMarre, Ernest Thomas Production Co.: HIS, Endangered Species Films Price: Mid six figures Genre: Western, Comedy Date Sold: 3/20/2000
17. Title: Smoking Is Good For You Logline: A crazy tobacco farmer who kidnaps his dead son’s body and buries it in his tobacco field which results in a miracle harvest. His tobacco no longer causes but rather cures cancer. Writer: Jeff McCarthy Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Satire Date Sold: 3/20/2000
18. Title: Untitled Martin Lawrence Project Logline: A man unknowingly stumbles upon an art shipment that revives demons and monsters of ancient Greece. Writer: Ty King Agency: UTA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Price: Mid six against undisclosed amount Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Date Sold: 3/21/2000
19. Title: The Meddlers Logline: A pair of slackers begin to suffer delusions of being a cop team after watching too many 1970s-era reruns. Writer: Daniel Altier, Steven Altier, Weston Almond Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Di Novi Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/23/2000
20. Title: Little Eddie Post Logline: Story about an orphaned race horse and a girl who desperately wants to become a jockey. The two get together, with the help of friends, and achieve this goal. Writer: David Schmidt Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Price: Mid six figures Genre: Family, Comedy, Drama Date Sold: 3/25/2000
21. Title: Fringe Players Logline: A number of casino hosts who compete in “whale hunting,’’ the art of bringing in high rollers to be comped and hopefully lured to lose vast sums of money in their casinos. The “whale hunters” provide air travel, first-class accommodations, anything the high rollers desire. Writer: Jonathan Segal, Todd Camhe Manager: Larry Kennar Production Co.: Kopelson Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/25/2000
22. Title: Agent Joe Logline: A high powered government assassin moves to the suburbs and his whole world turns upside down when he meets a single mom and her teenage son. Writer: Adam Kulakow Agent: Emile Gladstone, Brian Sher Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/7/2000
23. Title: The Immortals Logline: Centers on four friends in their mid-twenties who are offered the chance in a lifetime-the chance to become immortal. The only catch is that they first must choose someone to die in their place. Writer: Michael Jonascu, Justin Stanley Agency: CAA Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Supernatural Horror Date Sold: 4/7/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up; first time writers
24. Title: Redemption Logline: Centers around a policeman who accidentally shoots and kills a woman who happens to be a Gulf War veteran’s girlfriend. This vet is set on revenge, and kidnaps the cop’s wife and forces the officer to confess to the crime. Writer: Richard Hatem Agent: David Saunders Agency: APA Production Co.: Trimark Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Psychological Thriller Date Sold: 4/12/2000
25. Title: Untitled Low-Budget Thriller That Will Scare the Shit Out of You Logline: A female TV producer tries to obtain the rights to a cop’s investigation of a serial killer so that she can turn it into a MOW (movie of the week). During all this, several disturbing facts about the case unfold. Writer: Alex Rio Agent: Jewerl Ross Agency: APA Production Co.: Trimark Pictures, Outlaw Productions Price: Low six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 4/17/2000
26. Title: Jack’s Night Logline: Centers on an overly confident policeman who tries to put a stop to a terrible crime spree but soon finds out that he is way out of his league. Writer: John O’Brien Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Weed Road Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 5/1/2000
27. Title: The Breaks Logline: Plays like a Yank RUN LOLA RUN. Writer: Michael Alaimo Agent: Jordan Bayer, Matt Leipzig Agency: Original Artists Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/5/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer; former assistant to producer Lloyd Levin
28. Title: Frozen Logline: A female FBI agent teams up with a magician in order to hunt down an assassin who is able to freeze time and move through this frozen space to perform his dirty deeds. Writer: J. Mackye Gruber, Eric Bress Agency: Endeavor Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures Price: Low six figures against mid six Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 5/8/2000
29. Title: Life Underground Logline: A Wall Street whiz goes from the top to the bottom after sinking his firm with some terrible trades. But it just gets worse for this hotshot when he must move back home to live with his mom and dad on Long Island. Writer: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/9/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up; spec from former supervising producers of Malcolm in the Middle
30. Title: Kid’s Fears Logline: A serial murderer kidnaps the district attorney’s daughter. Writer: Jay Garrett Agency: Hohman Maybank Lieb Production Co.: Landscape Pictures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/24/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
31. Title: Completely Pathetic Logline: A group of Catholic school geek-boys are picked to act in their all-girl sister school’s play due to their lack of sex-appeal since there is “no chance” of them getting the girls into trouble. But, on-stage these boys find their calling and their romantic lives blossom. Writer: Greg Grabianski Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low six figures against mid six Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/26/2000 Add’l Info: First spec sale by a TV writer
32. Title: Stray Dawgz Logline: Centers around a guy who has just been paroled and discovers that he comes from a long line of werewolf hunters. Now, he must now save not only his sister, but all of the San Francisco Bay Area, from a new breed of werewolf that is trying to take over the city. Writer: Darryl Quarles Agency: UTA Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: The Firm Genre: Horror, Thriller Date Sold: 5/26/2000
33. Title: Sunrise at Hastings Logline: Focuses on the relationship between William, Duke of Normandy and Harold, the Earl of Wessex in the 11th century and the fight to build a unified England. Writer: Dan Wit Agent: Rima Greer Agency: Above The Line Agency Production Co.: Brooksfilms, C/W Productions, Longbow Productions Genre: Epic, War Drama Date Sold: 5/31/2000
34. Title: Your Life Is Now Logline: A girl is finishing school and is taking on the world. (Described as Working Girl meets The Graduate.) Writer: Elisa Bell Agent: Todd Feldman, Mike Eisner Agency: ICM Studio: Universal Pictures Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/31/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
35. Title: Bruce Almighty Logline: Story about a disenchanted young man who is given the chance to play God for a day. Writer: Steve Koren, Mark O’Keefe Agency: CAA, UTA Studio: Universal Pictures Price: $1M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/5/2000
36. Title: Baby Proof Logline: A lawyer hires a hypnotist to help him remember the day his father was arrested for a crime he did not commit. The session goes wrong when the lawyer becomes a two year old trapped in a man’s body. Writer: Mike Skelton Management Firm: Anonymous Content Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/10/2000
37. Title: Leaving Eden Logline: A woman has an affair with a man who turns out to be very dangerous. Writer: Robert Kamen Agency: UTA Studio: Miramax Films Price: High six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/12/2000
38. Title: Joe’s Last Chance Logline: A mob guy is saved by his actual target — a womanizing man. As a thank you, the mafia boss gives this guy two extra days to live and in those two days, the hit man falls in love with a woman. The only problem is he does not know how to “properly” romance the opposite sex, so he asks his target for help. Writer: Dwayne Smith Manager: Lawrence Mattis Management Firm: Circle of Confusion Production Co.: Intermedia Films, Outlaw Productions Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/13/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
39. Title: Ten to One Logline: Follows a snowboarder who is at a resort that has the ratio of approximately ten women to every one male. This guy decides to open his own snowboard park, but things drastically change when his girlfriend returns to town. Writer: Jon Zach Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Spyglass Entertainment Group Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/19/2000
40. Title: In the Lake Logline: A wealthy man finds out that his wife has been cheating on him, so he plots revenge. Writer: Sam Montgomery Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Material Films Price: Seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/23/2000
41. Title: Big Baby Logline: A guy, who can’t support his family because he cannot keep a job, decides to become a pro wrestler and, surprisingly, he develops a strong following. Writer: Matt Roshkow, Dan Rosen Agency: Paradigm Manager: Julie Wixson Management Firm: The Gold/Miller Company Production Co.: Parkway Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/26/2000
42. Title: Nightcrawlers Logline: Centers on a group of kids who have made it their job to investigate and combat the spooky things that go on at night. Things go awry when one of their members is captured by the under-bed monsters. Writer: Brian Lynch Agency: Endeavor Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Horror, Action Date Sold: 6/27/2000
43. Title: Adult Education Logline: N/A Writer: Keith Moore Production Co.: Wilshire Park Entertainment Price: Four against five figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 7/1/2000 Add’l Info: Optioned
44. Title: Chasing Shadows Logline: A man with psychic powers uses his ability to stalk and kill serial killers. Writer: Alexi Hawley Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Production Co.: Artisan Entertainment Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/6/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
45. Title: Blood Makes Noise Logline: Centers on a dead first lady and involves the FBI, the government and millions of dollars. Writer: Gregory Widen Agent: Rima Greer Agency: Above the Line Agency Production Co.: Interlight Price: Seven figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/7/2000
46. Title: Diablo Logline: Two US customs drug cops go after the Tijuana drug cartel in revenge for the slaying of one of the cop’s wife. Writer: Christian Gudegast, Paul Scheuring Agency: Endeavor Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: N/A Price: $750,000 against $1 million Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/13/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
47. Title: Red World Logline: A character named “1402” travels back to present-day Los Angeles, from the future, in order to stop the elite of his time from colonizing the past. Writer: Travis Wright, John Glenn Management Firm: Artists Management Group Production Co.: Jerry Bruckheimer Films & Television Price: Mid six figures Genre: Futuristic Date Sold: 7/19/2000
48. Title: Chapel Hill Logline: Psychological thriller about a woman who is in jeopardy. Writer: Kelly Sather Production Co.: Mandalay Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/25/2000
49. Title: Godsend Logline: After their son dies, a husband and wife get involved in a procedure that allows their child to be re-born. Writer: Mark Bomback Agency: Shulman Rose Agency Production Co.: Artists Production Group Price: Low six figures Genre: Horror, Thriller Date Sold: 7/26/2000
50. Title: Casanova Logline: Set in Venice, Italy, a 5th generation Casanova-type can get any woman he wants, until he meets one who is completely repulsed by him. Writer: Kimberly Simi Studio: Walt Disney Company Price: Mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/28/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
51. Title: Catching Hell Logline: A bounty hunter, in pursuit of a fugitive, discovers that the fugitive is possessed by a demon. Writer: Nick Marine Agency: UTA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Mid six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/28/2000
52. Title: Ten Things I Hate About Clueless Roadtrips When I Can’t Hardly Wait to Be Kissed Logline: A spoof. Writer: Buddy Johnson, Phil Beauman Agent: Brian Sher Agency: BKWU, Paradigm Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: N/A Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 7/31/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
53. Title: Untitled Commercial Youth Oriented Action Film For Early Twenties Heartthrobs and TV Crossover Actors From Popular WB and Fox Network Programs Logline: Described as a twenty-something’s version of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” where in a group of young soldiers set up fake plane crash in order to search for ancient treasures Writer: Roee Wiczyk Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Production Co.: Konrad Pictures Price: Low six figures against mid six Genre: Action Adventure Date Sold: 8/1/2000
54. Title: Love Simple Logline: A young scientist is infected with a strange disease that he must cure in order to save his relationship with his girlfriend. The disease is simple: the deeper he falls in love with his girlfriend, the lower his IQ drops. Writer: Brent Boyd Agent: Rogers Hartmann Agency: Sanford-Gross & Associates Manager: Noah Rosen Management Firm: Ignite Entertainment Studio: Paramount Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 8/2/2000
55. Title: Lowroaders Logline: Set in the world of professional bounty hunting. Writer: Martin Sweeney, Marjorie Sweeney Management Firm: Circle of Confusion Production Co.: Phoenix Pictures, O/Z Films Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance Date Sold: 8/4/2000
56. Title: Whitey Logline: A NY African American con artist has to clear his name after he is framed for a murder by crooked cops. He heads to North Carolina to hide out and decides to resurface as the whitest of white guys. Writer: Buddy Johnson Agent: Brian Sher Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Production Co.: Original Film Price: $400,000 against $700,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/18/2000
57. Title: American Sweethearts Logline: Set amongst a press junket, a publicist must promote an upcoming film without being able to show the film due to the director’s insecurity. In order to distract the critics, the publicist focuses on the two high profile A-List actors (a couple) who have recently gone through a very messy split but have come together to promote their film. Writer: Billy Crystal, Peter Tolan Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Revolution Studios Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/18/2000
58. Title: Shudder Logline: A photo-journalist, who is famous for his graphic images of death and war, has his life turned around when he begins to be haunted by the ghosts of the images he has photographed. Writer: Matthew Odgers, David Markus Studio: New Line Cinema Production Co.: Zide/Perry Entertainment Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Horror Date Sold: 9/8/2000 Add’l Info: First time writers
59. Title: Crash and Burn Logline: Set during a college spring break, the story follows a car race from Florida to California. (Similar in vein to “Cannonball Run”) Writer: Mark Loughlin, Brad Schlei Management Firm: Zide/Perry Management Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 9/15/2000
60. Title: Buying Time Logline: A time-travel story. Writer: Mark Allen Smith Agency: Paradigm Manager: Liz Robinson, Ilan Breil Management Firm: Lasher, McManus, Robinson & Kipperman Production Co.: Kopelson Entertainment Price: Mid to high six figures Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Date Sold: 9/18/2000
61. Title: Edgardo Mortara Logline: Centers on the highly publicized event that took place in Bologna, Italy in 1858, in which the papal police kidnapped a 6-yearold Jewish boy claiming that he had been secretly baptized. As the Catholic Church kept this boy a prisoner inside the Vatican, the world became furious and demanded he be returned to his family. This incident eventually took away the Pope’s political power. Writer: Rob Eshman Agent: Todd Hoffman, Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Production Co.: Industry Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/18/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
62. Title: Kung Foo Theater Logline: Spoof of all the martial-arts films of the past, but this one centers on a guy who finds himself trapped in one of the films. Writer: Tom Jankiewicz Agent: Caren Bohrman Production Co.: Mandalay Entertainment Price: High six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/19/2000
63. Title: Pink Coma Toes Logline: A girl, who in hopes of reviving her fiance health, goes out and tries to fulfill his list of wild fantasies. Writer: Jill Franklyn Agency: Endeavor Agency Manager: Margaret Ridley Management Firm: Industry Entertainment Studio: United Artists Pictures Production Co.: Fireball Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/20/2000
64. Title: Hollywood & Vine Logline: A movie star, who has achieved his dream, must choose between the love of his life and all the glitter and gold Hollywood has to offer. Writer: Joshua Ravetch Production Co.: Castle Rock Entertainment Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 9/21/2000
65. Title: Musical Chairs Logline: Takes place on an exotic resort and follows a group of people who are gathered there for a wedding. Writer: Marc Guggenheim Production Co.: The Bubble Factory Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 9/21/2000
66. Title: Brown Sugar Logline: Set in the world of hip-hop music, a romance develops between two urban-music professionals. Writer: Mike Elliot Agency: Writers and Artists Agency Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 9/26/2000
67. Title: The Baker’s Son Logline: A swimmer must confront the demons that haunt his family. Writer: Bart Baker Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/29/2000
68. Title: Red Hollow Logline: Story is set in a haunted prison where only the innocent people survive. Writer: Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi Production Co.: Arnold Kopelson Productions Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/2/2000
69. Title: The After Killer Logline: Centers around medical students who find themselves being hunted down by an elusive killer after they allow one of their patients to die. Writer: Markus Redmond, Ivy Williams Agent: Jeff Okin Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Manager: Brian Lutz Management Firm: Mediachase Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Material Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 10/3/2000
70. Title: The Alchemist Logline: An ex-CIA agent turned navy desk jockey is assigned to investigate a series of terrorist activities committed by US military personnel who have perfect records. Writer: Ken Young, Dennis LeFevre Alcon Entertainment Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 10/3/2000
71. Title: Rushing Logline: College comedy set amongst the world of sorority rush week. Writer: Jessica O’Toole, Amy Rardin Manager: Sukee Chew Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Hopscotch Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/5/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
72. Title: Boy to the World Logline: Comedy described as a new Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Writer: Eileen Walls Agency: Paul Kohner Agency Studio: Fox 2000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/10/2000
73. Title: Hard Look Logline: A FBI agent tracks down an extremely savvy bank robber. Writer: Chris Johnston Agent: Mickey Freiberg Agency: The Artists Agency Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Price: Low against high six figures Genre: Action, Crime Thriller Date Sold: 10/11/2000
74. Title: The Wheelman Logline: A seasoned heist get-away driver joins up with a group of amateurs who try to pull off the next-to-impossible job of a casino robbery. Writer: Frank Mugavero Agent: Jewerl Ross Agency: APA Manager: Chad Snopek Production Co.: Newmarket Capital Group Price: N/A Genre: Action, Heist Date Sold: 10/13/2000
75. Title: First, Last and Security Logline: Based on the life story of Kirk Ward when, after accidentally burning down his grandmother’s house, he desperately searched for a way to make money. He decided to pass himself of as an expert in pet care, pool maintenance and house-sitting. Writer: Joe Jarvis, George Coolidge Agent: Emile Gladstone Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Production Co.: Baumgarten/Prophet Entertainment Price: Low six against $500,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/16/2000
76. Title: Wipeout Logline: Story would be loosely based on surfing legend “Murf the Surf,” who split his time between surfing and jewel heists. Writer: Christian Darren Agent: Debbie Deuble Agency: Don Buchwald & Associates Production Co.: The Canton Company Price: Mid to high six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/17/2000
77. Title: Leisure World Logline: A man, who is sick and tired of the rat-race, decides to move to Florida and live in a retirement community. Writer: Jason Heimberg, Jason Heimberg, Jeff Sank Management Firm: Principato-Young Entertainment Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/18/2000
78. Title: 50 First Kisses Logline: Story about a guy who falls in love with a woman after one date. But, the next day, he realizes she has no idea who he is due to her short-term memory loss. Now he must try to get her to fall in love with him every single day. Writer: George Wing Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/18/2000
79. Title: Good and Dead Logline: A guy must fake his death in order to get away from his overbearing girlfriend. Writer: John Killoran Manager: Mikkel Bondesen Management Firm: Bondesen Management Production Co.: Gone Fishin’ Productions Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/27/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
80. Title: Diamond Dogs Logline: A reformed jewel thief is tempted back into his old profession in order to pull off what could turn out to be the biggest diamond robbery ever. Writer: Jay Friedman Agent: SoYun Kim, Lee Cohen Agency: Major Clients Agency Manager: Marisa Johnston Production Co.: Bel Air Entertainment Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Heist Adventure Date Sold: 10/27/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up, first time writer
81. Title: Troy Logline: Set against the Trojan War, this is a tale of epic romance. Writer: Michael Tabb Agent: Todd Feldman, Jeff Gorin Agency: ICM Management Firm: Shearman Entertainment Production Co.: The Canton Company, Senator Entertainment Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Romance Date Sold: 11/9/2000 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
82. Title: My Canadian Girlfriend Logline: A high school guy becomes the most popular kid after he claims to have the most gorgeous girlfriend in the world. When everyone wonders where she is, he claims she lives in Canada so no one has even seen her yet. Writer: Rich Dahm Agency: UTA Studio: Dreamworks Pictures Production Co.: The Montecito Picture Company Genre: Teen Comedy Date Sold: 11/16/2000
83. Title: Untitled First Daughter Project Logline: The President’s 18-year-old daughter, yearning to experience a normal life, escapes from her Secret Service entourage and embarks on a road trip through Europe. Writer: Derek Guiley, David Schneiderman Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 11/17/2000
84. Title: Marcus Bryant: Ghost Detective Logline: A streetwise cop has a near-death experience and begins seeing ghosts. Writer: Bennett Schneir, Steve Schneir Studio: Fox 2000 Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 11/17/2000
85. Title: Off-Track Logline: A New York cab driver enters into the world of pro auto racing in order to save his family’s cab company. Writer: Keith Mitchell Production Co.: Gaylord Films Price: Low six figures advance Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/17/2000
86. Title: The Guest Logline: A young guy has a crush on the daughter of his evil boss. When he must house-sit for his boss one night, things get a little crazy. Writer: David Dorfman Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/4/2000
87. Title: Extreme Logline: Set in San Francisco, the story revolves around an extreme skateboarder who fulfills his dream — to compete in the X-Games. Writer: Malcolm Spellman Studio: Fox 2000 Production Co.: 3Arts Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/7/2000 Add’l Info: First time writer
88. Title: When I Grow Up Logline: A guy, who gets together with is old childhood friends, realizes that each of them have all grown up to be exactly what they setout to be — all except for him. Writer: Steve Franks Agent: Chris Henze Management Firm: Pure Arts Price: Mid six figures against seven Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/8/2000
89. Title: Hunting Hackers Logline: A 21 year old ex-computer hacker is hired by the government to track down criminals. Writer: Jeff Lieber Management Firm: Artists Management Group Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 12/12/2000
90. Title: Triple Take Logline: Centers on a guy who is a perfectionist, so much so that he writes a monthly column pointing out what is perfect in NYC. When he thinks he has found his perfect mate, he soon finds out he is actually dating identical triplets. Writer: Shaina Carol Agent: David Saunders Agency: APA Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/13/2000
91. Title: Dead Men Walking Logline: Centers on an escape from a zombie-infested prison. Writer: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra Agency: Endeavor Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Co.: Benderspink Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/19/2000
92. Title: Making the Grade Logline: An 8 year-old orphan freelances as a test model for prospective parents wishing to adopt. Writer: Grant Vetters, David Kolbowicz Agent: Geoff Brooks Agency: The Characters Talent Agency Production Co.: Cine Action Genre: Family Comedy Date Sold: 12/21/2000 Add’l Info: First time writers
Analysis:
- Notable movies that sold in 2000 include Bruce Almighty and Troy.
- A trend that started in 1998 with 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 [eventually to become American Pie] continued in 2000 with these three titles: Untitled Low-Budget Thriller That Will Scare the Shit Out of You, Ten Things I Hate About Clueless Roadtrips When I Can’t Hardly Wait to Be Kissed, and Untitled Commercial Youth Oriented Action Film For Early Twenties Heartthrobs and TV Crossover Actors From Popular WB and Fox Network Programs. We continue to see such hyper-long spec script titles such as The Incredible True Story of Jessica & Drew Who Accidentally Boned on the Way to the Wedding which sold in January and Lauren Pemberton Is No Longer In A Relationship in March of this year respectively.
The sales totals bounced back a bit in 2000. Here is that trendline:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 101
1995: 173
1996: 155
1997: 141
1998: 110
1999: 83
2000: 92
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).
