The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 2001
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 2001.
1. Title: T & A (a.k.a. Truth and Art) Logline: When an uptight councilman threatens to close a burlesque club, where 401(k) plans and a child care center are among the employee perks, the owners turn to performing Shakespeare in the nude to take advantage of an “artistic merit’’ loophole in the law. When it’s evident that the dancers can’t act, the club owner reluctantly turns to his brother, a conservative college drama professor, to help him put on the show. Writer: Justin Heimberg, Jeff Sank Agent: Dino Carlaftes Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Production Co.: Outlaw Productions Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/11/2001
2. Title: Hometown Boys Logline: A former New Jersey high school basketball star, who had been playing professional ball in Italy, returns to his hometown to recover from an injury and take care of his elderly father. Once there, he is talked into coaching at his alma mater and gets more than he bargained for. Writer: Tom Perrotta Agent: Sylvie Rabineau Agency: Sanford-Gross & Associates Production Co.: MTV Films Price: Bona Fide Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/11/2001
3. Title: The Superconducting Supercollider of Sparkle Creek, Wisconsin Logline: Set in a small town in Wisconsin, this is a love story between the local sheriff and a physicist whose team has just built a particle accelerator beneath the unsuspecting town. Writer: David Koepp, John Kamps Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Walt Disney Production Co.: N/A Price: $2.5M against $3M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/12/2001
4. Title: Dickey Slaughter, Truant Officer Logline: While hunting down two students, an obsessive truancy officer stumbles across a huge conspiracy that could affect the whole city. Writer: Colin Goldman, Jeff Ahlholm Agency: Innovative Artists Production Co.: Red Cliff Productions Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 1/29/2001
5. Title: Of God and Country Club Logline: Centers on a rap superstar who has a new passion for golf and wants to be admitted into an exclusive Hampton’s country club. When the rapper’s agents try to keep their private lives separate from their business, complications ensue. Writer: Eric Eisner Agent: Jeff Berg Agency: ICM Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Red Wagon Productions Price: $1M plus Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/5/2001 Add’l Info: First time writer; Written by former Geffen Records top exec, who sold this spec under a pseudonym
6. Title: Solace Logline: Set in NY, story is a cat-and-mouse game between a cop, who has psychic abilities, and a killer. Writer: Ted Griffin, Sean Bailey Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Bandeira Entertainment, Key Entertainment Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 2/6/2001
7. Title: Romantic Comedy Logline: A guy, who is trying to win the heart of a woman, borrows from all the plots of various films to try and succeed. Writer: Lance Khazei Studio: MGM Production Co.: Landscape Entertainment Price: Low six figures Genre: Spoof, Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/6/2001
8. Title: Even Steven Logline: Two ex-girlfriends seek revenge on their former, shared boyfriend. They scheme up a plan to create the perfect date for him in hopes that he will fall in love and then they will break his heart. Writer: Nancey Silvers Agency: ICM Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 2/8/2001
9. Title: Chimera Logline: A team of boat salvagers discover a lost 1953 ship floating in the Bering Sea. When they claim the ship and begin to tow it back to land, strange things begin to take place aboard the old ship. Writer: Mark Hanlon Agency: Gersh Production Co.: Dark Castle Entertainment Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 2/20/2001
10. Title: Go to Hell, Mike Piazza Logline: A hot dog vendor blames all the bad things in his life on his childhood friend, the famous Met catcher Mike Piazza. The time comes when he can finally seek his revenge against the catcher when he wins the chance to strike out Piazza in a high-profile charity event. Writer: David Rotman, Ryan Oxford Agent: Brian Sher Agency: ICM Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Red Hour Films Shingle Price: $800,000 against $1.5M Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 2/23/2001
11. Title: Untitled Dark Romantic Comedy Logline: A self-help guru hides his own unsuccessful love life in order protect his business. But, things begin to go wrong in this guru’s perfect life when a female investigative reporter begins to dig into his past and reveal the real facts. Writer: Lisa Addario, Joe Syracuse Agency: Gersh Management Firm: The Bauer Company Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: N/A Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/1/2001
12. Title: Number One Girl Logline: Story about a daughter whose whole life revolves around that of her widowed father, until he falls in love with another woman. This “other woman” turns out to be the daughter’s sorority sister and bitter rival. Writer: Molly McAlpine Agency: Hohman Maybank Lieb Manager: Jon Berg Production Co.: Intermedia Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/2/2001
13. Title: The Million Dollar Fan Logline: A small town mechanic’s chance to win a million dollars by kicking a field goal at a football half-time show changes his whole life. Writer: Kyle Long Manager: Brooklyn Weaver, Joel Viertel Management Firm: Energy Production Co.: Deep River Productions Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/6/2001
14. Title: The Rook Logline: A doctor befriends a convict while moonlighting at the medical ward of a prison. When the inmate is paroled, he talks the doctor into becoming a rook — a distraction for a bank heist by an infamous thief. After the FBI discovers the doctor’s connection, he must work undercover to stop the thieves’ next heist. Writer: Ted Humphrey Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Alcon Entertainment Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/9/2001
15. Title: Caruso: The King of Tenors Logline: Set in NY and Italy in the 20th Century, it is a bio pic about the famous Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso and his scandalous life. Writer: Stefano Gallini Manager: David Flynn Management Firm: Propaganda Management Production Co.: The Canton Company, Senator Entertainment Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Epic Drama Date Sold: 3/16/2001
16. Title: Mail Order Spy Logline: A computer nerd’s mail-order bride turns out to be a Russian spy. Writer: Charlie Vignola, Chato Hill Production Co.: Jerry Bruckheimer Films & Television Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/19/2001 Add’l Info: Writer was Bruckheimer’s creative exec
17. Title: Nautica Logline: Three people, on a yacht set for the Bahamas, discover that they are part of a “sex skullduggery.” Writer: Richard McBrien Agency: UTA Production Co.: Escape Artists Price: Mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 3/22/2001
18. Title: 4tune8 Logline: A struggling R&B band, that hasn’t hit it big yet, decides that the only way to do so is to become a white boy band. The group camouflages their skin and changes their tune in order to accomplish this goal. Writer: Devon Shepard Agent: Jewerl Ross, Lee Dinstman Agency: APA Manager: Ken Christmas Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $275,000 against $650,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 3/23/2001
19. Title: Franny Doyle Logline: A woman bumps into an ex-boyfriend, now a beggar on the streets, eight years after they broke up. Writer: Kim Barker Agent: Boyd Hancock Agency: The Irv Schechter Company Production Co.: Shavick Entertainment Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 3/31/2001
20. Title: Waking Up Driving Logline: Various events ensue after a man dies following a party Writer: Larry Koch Agent: Boyd Hancock Agency: The Irv Schechter Company Production Co.: Front Street Pictures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 3/31/2001
21. Title: Serial Reality Logline: Describe as a satirical action thriller. Writer: Frank Tumminia Agent: Jonathan Silverman Agency: The Irv Schechter Company Production Co.: American World Pictures Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 3/31/2001
22. Title: After Light Logline: N/A Writer: Jeff Savenick Agent: Jonathan Silverman Agency: The Irv Schechter Company Production Co.: American World Pictures Genre: Suspense Thriller Date Sold: 3/31/2001
23. Title: Mondo Beyondo Logline: Two guys, during their high school reunion, survive a nuclear holocaust and then must save the world from an army of killer robots. Writer: David Guion, Michael Handelman Manager: Kassie Evashevski Management Firm: Brillstein-Grey Production Co.: FilmFour International, Good Machine Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/4/2001
24. Title: Shinobi Logline: Set during the 17th century, an Englishman in Japan witnesses his family murdered by shogun warriors. A female ninja saves his life and teaches him to seek revenge against the shogun. Writer: Stuart Beattle Agency: Innovative Artists Management Firm: Tavel Entertainment Production Co.: Miracle Entertainment Genre: Epic Samurai Date Sold: 4/11/2001
25. Title: Miller Minogue Logline: An agoraphobic man decides, after15 years, to finally leave his house and reunite with his long lost family. On his adventure out in the big world, he happens to fall in love with the wife of a brutal criminal. Writer: Brian Lynch Management Firm: Benderspink Production Co.: Landscape Pictures, Benderspink Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 4/12/2001
26. Title: Like Mike Logline: A kid finds a pair of Michael Jordan’s sneakers that contain magical powers and give him the chance to play in the NBA. Writer: Mike Elliot Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Price: $300,000 against $600,000 Genre: Family Date Sold: 4/16/2001
27. Title: Fool’s Gold Logline: A couple becomes the toast of the town after discovering a rewarding treasure. A few years later, the couple tries to discover more lucrative finds but only discover that their marriage is doomed and they are in serious debt. The only way they can see to save themselves is to trick a wealthy investor with the promise of a big score. Writer: John Claflin, Daniel Zelman Agency: The Jon Klane Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: $350,000 against $750,000 Genre: Romantic Caper Date Sold: 4/24/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
28. Title: Infidel Logline: A spy thriller set in modern day Cuba. Writer: Daniel Salzman, John Kasselakis Agent: Brian Sher Agency: ICM Studio: Miramax Films Price: 400,000 against $700,000 Genre: Spy Thriller Date Sold: 4/25/2001
29. Title: Little Black Book Logline: A woman seeks out and interviews all of her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriends to find out why he is so commitment phobic. Writer: Melissa Carter Management Firm: Zide/Perry Management Production Co.: Revolution Studios Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 4/25/2001
30. Title: The Gardener of Eden Logline: A guy finds salvation in doing acts of local vigilantism, but finds himself not very good at being a do-gooder. Writer: Adam “Tex” Davis Agency: Major Clients Agency Management Firm: Benderspink Production Co.: Good Machine Genre: Dark Comedy Date Sold: 4/26/2001
31. Title: Protection Logline: A man begins to investigate the disappearance of his ex-wife and daughter, and in order to do so he must deal with the Federal Witness Protection Program. Writer: Allan Loeb Agency: Metropolitan Talent Agency Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 5/11/2001
32. Title: Blind Sided Logline: A blind man suddenly regains his sight after loosing it many years ago, and realizes the world has completely changed. Writer: Tim Garrick, Scott Russell Agency: ICM Production Co.: Constantin Film Price: Mid six against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 5/11/2001
33. Title: The Line Logline: A Chinese railroad worker and his wife arrive in San Francisco, only to realize that they have been sold into slavery. He vows revenge. Writer: Tom Vaughn Production Co.: Propaganda Films Price: Low six figures Genre: Drama, Action Date Sold: 5/14/2001 Add’l Info: New writer
34. Title: Accidental Husband Logline: An engaged woman heads to city hall to register for a marriage certificate, but finds out she is already married. She sets off to find this alleged husband only to find him, fall in love with him and realize things are not all what they seem to be. Writer: Mimi Hara, Clare Naylor Production Co.: 2K Media, Original Voices Productions Price: Low against high six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/22/2001
35. Title: The Last First Kiss Logline: A guy moonlights as a “dating doctor” in order to help out lovesick men. He is very successful, except in his own love life, until he meets and falls for a tabloid writer. Not only is his jaded look on love challenged, but his secret identity risks being uncovered. Writer: Kevin Bisch Agent: Brian Sher, Stacey Rosenfelt Agency: ICM Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Co.: Overbrook Entertainment Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/24/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
36. Title: Dating Nick McBride Logline: A shy woman must take over for her identical twin sister, a popular TV personality, in order to interview the world’s most eligible bachelor. Writer: Peter Osterlund, Amy Baker Production Co.: The Canton Company Price: Low seven figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 5/24/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
37. Title: The Ballad of Paul Finley Accountant Logline: A mild mannered accountant, serving time for a botched crime, falls in love with his pen pal, a wild teenager with dreams of being an outlaw. She breaks him out of jail and takes him on a crime spree which he finds more terrifying than prison. Writer: Michael LeSieur Agency: UTA Manager: Alan Kaplan, Sean Perrone Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/6/2001
38. Title: Traces Logline: A janitor suffering from amnesia is duped into thinking he is an undercover agent because he is subconsciously carrying a secret that can link the FBI with an arms scandal. Writer: Robert Adetuvi Agency: William Morris Agency Manager: Cory Concoff Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Action, Drama Date Sold: 6/8/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
39. Title: John Tucker Must Die Logline: After all the members of a high school cheerleading team are hurt or dumped by the “big man on campus,” and they band together to battle. Writer: Jeff Lowell Agency: UTA Management Firm: Brillstein-Grey Management Studio: MGM Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/11/2001
40. Title: The Machinist Logline: A mysterious character terrifies a machinist until he confesses to a hit-and-run death. Writer: Scott Kosar Agency: ICM Management Firm: Artists Management Group Production Co.: Working Title Films Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/12/2001
41. Title: The Key Man Logline: While two men are strapped to a bomb that is about to explode, each with the power to blow the other one up, it is revealed how they got to this point. Writer: Metropolitan Talent Agency Management Firm: Dorothea Sargent & Company Production Co.: Summit Entertainment, Newmarket Capital Group Price: Mid six figures Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 6/13/2001
42. Title: Liberty Street Logline: Two girls, one a ballet dancer from Beverly Hills and the other, a teenager from South Central, are ordered to serve time at a community service program, on Liberty Street, which helps get troubled youth off the streets. They learn that pain is relative and strength comes from within. Writer: Lisa Loomer Agent: Nicole Clemens Agency: ICM Production Co.: Bel Air Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 6/14/2001
43. Title: When It Counts Logline: A single mom’s children are kidnapped and she must plan a very creative way to get them back. Writer: Michael Zaidan Production Co.: Red Cliff Productions Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 6/27/2001
44. Title: Scary Poppins Logline: A con man tries to escape the law and other conmen he has angered. In order to hide himself, he poses as a nanny and ends up in charge of two very spoiled children. Writer: Saladin Patterson Agency: ICM Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 6/27/2001
45. Title: Untitled Goltsman Spec Logline: Romantic comedy spoof. Writer: Simon Goltsman Agent: Nicole Clemens Agency: ICM Production Co.: Dimension Films Price: $500,000 against $800,000 Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 7/2/2001
46. Title: The American Logline: A college graduate working at a think tank and uncovers a conspiracy involving the highest levels of the CIA. Writer: Aaron Feldman Agency: Artists Management Group Production Co.: Artists Production Group, StudioCanal Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 7/9/2001
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47. Title: Darksiders Logline: A gang of vampires work as special operatives for the FBI. Writer: Tom S. Parker, Jim Jennewein Agency: Gersh Management Firm: The Bauer Company Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Action Date Sold: 7/10/2001
48. Title: Tracks Logline: Four best friends, in their 20’s, hop on a freight train looking for thrills but find themselves in a battle for survival. Writer: Willie Dreyfus Agency: William Morris Agency Manager: Allan Kassirere Production Co.: Mandalay Pictures Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Action, Thriller Date Sold: 7/13/2001
49. Title: Squish Logline: Three young boys are mysteriously transformed and are then thrust into a world of bizarre creatures. Writer: Dan Chaimowitz Agent: Caren Bohrman Agency: The Bohrman Agency Production Co.: Jim Henson Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 7/13/2001
50. Title: Freaks of the Jungle Logline: A couple is mistaken for international jewel thieves while on a blind date. Writer: Stuart Gibbs, Sahara Lotti Manager: Warren Zide, Jenny Frankel Management Firm: Zide/Perry Management Studio: Universal Pictures Production Co.: Mid- against high six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 8/6/2001
51. Title: Da Unknown Soldier Logline: A hooligan offers to change places with his Army enlisted cousin for a couple of hours so he can leave the base to visit his family. When the cousin returns, he discovers that war has been declared in his absence and his relative is off to battle. Writer: Phil Beauman Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 8/20/2001
52. Title: Full Throttle Logline: A motorcyclist has only twenty minutes to get from the Beverly Center (mall) to the Santa Monica Pier in order to save his girlfriend from kidnappers, all the while being chased by the police in a case of mistaken identity. Writer: Todd Slawsby Manager: Lisa Santos Management Firm: Santos-Fischer Management Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low against mid six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 8/27/2001
53. Title: Nanneeez Logline: Centers on the adventures of four Hollywood Hills nannies of the rich and famous. Writer: Shaina Carol Agent: David Saunders Agency: APA Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 8/30/2001
54. Title: Crackerjack Logline: A Las Vegas card shark and a security guy, whose specialty is nailing cheaters, team up to pull off one of the biggest scams Vegas has ever seen. Writer: Ari Steinbeck, Jeff Gutheim Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Ufner Production Co.: Intermedia Films Price: Low six figures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 9/7/2001
55. Title: The Forgotten Logline: A man and a woman are brought together after their children are abducted. Writer: Gerald Di Pego Agency: Sanford-Gross & Associates Production Co.: Revolution Studios Price: Seven figures Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Date Sold: 9/10/2001
56. Title: The First Bastard Logline: A broad comedy set in the White House. Writer: Marc Wilmore, Jeff Bushell Agency: The Wax Agency Studio: Miramax Films Price: Low six against mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/10/2001
57. Title: Elf Logline: Story centers on a guy who, after accidentally falling into Santa’s sack during Christmas, was raised as an elf at the North Pole. Writer: David Berenbaum Agency: William Morris Agency Manager: Jon Berg Studio: New Line Cinema Price: Low five against low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 9/19/2001
58. Title: Black Flag Logline: In the 17th century, a marooned British Royal Navy officer becomes a pirate in the Indian Ocean. Writer: Christian Gudegast, Paul Scheuring Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: High six against low seven figures Genre: Adventure Date Sold: 9/21/2001
59. Title: The DisAssociate Logline: It’s a post-modern comedy about a man who believes he’s on a mission from God to create the universal language. Writer: Zach Helm Studio: MGM Production Co.: Lindsay Doran Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy Date Sold: 9/24/2001
60. Title: PU239 Logline: Centers on mob crime in modern-day Russia. Writer: Scott Burns Agency: ICM Production Co.: Working Title Films Price: N/A Genre: Drama Date Sold: 9/27/2001
61. Title: The Centaur Logline: A woman falls in love with the perfect man, only to discover he is a centaur (half man/half horse) brought to mortal life via a magical potion. Writer: Jack Angelo, Sam Brown Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/5/2001
62. Title: Moving Elliot Logline: While transporting a criminal, an FBI agent’s personal life goes haywire and he and the criminal form an unusual bond. Writer: Adam Rodgers, Glenn German Agent: Caren Bohrman Agency: The Bohrman Agency Studio: Universal Pictures Genre: Action, Comedy Date Sold: 10/8/2001
63. Title: Selling Time Logline: A guy, who is having the worst day of his entire life, is given the chance to relive the day but strange things happen to him. Writer: Dan McDermott Agent: N/A Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Studio: Fox 2000 Price: High six against low seven figures Genre: Supernatural Thriller Date Sold: 10/9/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
64. Title: Mom’s Cookies Logline: Two suburban teenagers descend into the world of computer gaming to rescue one of their mothers whose life has been taken over by the Web. Writer: Douglas Coupland, Ian Verchere Management Firm: Michael Siegel & Associates Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/10/2001
65. Title: Better Half Logline: A married couple, close to divorce, switches bodies then sets out to dismantle each other’s lives. Writer: Boyce Bugliari, Jamie McLaughlin Agency: Gersh Manager: Lauren Lloyd Studio: Universal Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Dark Comedy Date Sold: 10/10/2001
66. Title: Snag Logline: After witnessing the murder of a client, a glamorous big-city publicist is forced to hide out in a small Ohio town — much to her dislike as well as that of the townspeople. Writer: Caroline Case Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Morgan Creek Productions Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/11/2001
67. Title: The Wrong Nine Year Old Logline: A guy’s life is ruined when a classmate from the 4th grade returns to seek revenge on him for a problem they had in grade school. Writer: Mike Lisbe, Nate Reger Production Co.: Pandemonium Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/12/2001 Add’l Info: First time writers
68. Title: Heart of the Atom Logline: During WWII, Jack Verity, a top interrogator in the U.S. Army is sent to Los Alamos, N.M. to unmask a spy believed to be sending secrets to the head of the Nazi nuclear bomb program. His mission is jeopardized when he begins to fall in love with a female scientist — a prime suspect. Writer: Jan Eliasberg Agency: William Morris Agency Production Co.: Propaganda Films Genre: Romantic Thriller Date Sold: 10/18/2001
69. Title: Book of Kings Logline: Two friends pursue love, truth, and greatness and a mysterious manifesto that brought them together. Writer: Scott Johnson Agent: Jim Garavente Agency: Innovative Artists Manager: Chad Snopek Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/18/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
70. Title: Provocative Logline: A good, honest cop is betrayed by a group of fellow officers, and the women attorney he is in love with convinces him to go against all his beliefs and bring down the bad cops. Writer: Steven Barancik Agency: Sanford-Gross Agency Studio: DreamWorks Pictures Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Drama Date Sold: 10/18/2001
71. Title: Happily Ever After Logline: A romantic-comedy actress is suddenly thrown into the real “real” world, where all things in life don’t come as easy as they do in her romantic-comedies. Writer: Kristen Buckley, Brian Regan Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Intermedia Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/18/2001
72. Title: Swinging on a Star Logline: Centers on a family of California highway patrolmen and the two cousins who end up wife swapping. Writer: Kathy Gori, Alan Berger Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Dakota Pictures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/18/2001
73. Title: Stay Logline: Set at an Ivy League college, a psychologist must try and prevent one of his students from committing suicide. Writer: David Benioff Agency: William Morris Agency Management Firm: Industry Entertainment Production Co.: Regency Enterprises Price: $1.8M Genre: Supernatural Thriller Date Sold: 10/19/2001 Add’l Info: Part of a bidding war
74. Title: The Flying Smiths Logline: A trapeze artist’s eye is scratched out by a tiger. In order to save his career, he travels to Italy to obtain a glass eye, but the glass eye is swallowed by the child of a woman with whom he falls in love with. Writer: George Wing Agency: Writers & Artists Agency Management Firm: Anonymous Content Production Co.: Working Title Films Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/19/2001
75. Title: The Mules Logline: Two friends in NY, who are bored with their lives, decide to get a free trip to Italy by joining an art-smuggling scheme. Once in Italy, they realize they are way over their heads with both the mafia and the FBI. Writer: Hope Toyaltey, Katie Ford Agency: UTA Production Co.: Usa Films Price: Mid against high six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/19/2001
76. Title: Top Banana Logline: Three comedians enter a comedy contest in hopes of finding fame. Writer: Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn Agency: William Morris Agency Management Firm: The Rath Welker Company Studio: Miramax Films Price: Low six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/22/2001
77. Title: Bride Wore Black Logline: A young man attends the wedding of an ex-girlfriend, but while staying at a hotel, he soon discovers that his room is haunted by a beautiful ghost who plans to disrupt the wedding herself, having been jilted at the altar years ago. Writer: Maurice Chauvet Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 10/25/2001
78. Title: Lydia Logline: A psychiatrist tracks down the woman who has broken so many hearts of his patients that he has a booming business. But, as it turns out, he ends up falling for her as well. Writer: Eugene Management Firm: Careyes Entertainment Production Co.: A Happy Place Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 10/25/2001
79. Title: Sword of Hercules Logline: A trio of adventurers: a young prince, a skeptical mercenary and a beautiful young pickpocket, set out to find the mountain said to be the home of Hercules. They hope to find Hercules and have him help save the world from a terrible group of barbarians. Writer: Sam Bernard Production Co.: Sobini Films Genre: Action Date Sold: 10/29/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
80. Title: Fire and Water Logline: International commandos raid a Nazi outpost in Norway where the Third Reich is developing an atomic bomb. Writer: Jared Butler, Lars Norberg Agency: Broder Kurland Webb Uffner Agency Production Co.: Davis Entertainment Price: Six figures Genre: Action, Drama Date Sold: 10/30/2001
81. Title: Baseline Logline: Set in the world of junior women’s tennis, a tennis pro teams up with her ex-coach in order to beat her rival and earn the wild card slot in the US Open. Writer: Alan Trezza Agency: ICM Studio: Miramax Films Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/5/2001 Add’l Info: Trezza was the assistant to Miramax’s SVP Robbie Brenner.
82. Title: Mama’s Boy Logline: Centers on a twenty-something executive who still lives at home with his mom. His mom still treats him as if he were a child and takes it upon herself to find him a wife. Writer: Mark Hatmaker Production Co.: A Happy Place Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 11/6/2001
83. Title: Love Thy Neighbor Logline: When man’s house won’t sell because of his white-trash neighbor, he resorts to hiring a criminal to get rid of his neighbor in hopes that his house will finally sell. Writer: Matt Healy Agency: Endeavor Agency Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/14/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
84. Title: eXtreme Dating Logline: Four friends, in their 20’s, decide that the only way to win over one’s true love is to put them in extreme circumstances. Writer: Jeff Schectman Agency: Don Buchwald & Production Co.: Filmstar Productions Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/16/2001
85. Title: Good Cook, Likes Music Logline: While drinking heavily, a loser, who still lives with his mother in a trailer park, orders up a mail-order bride who turns out to be a musical prodigy. Together, they change each other’s lives. Writer: Coleen Ventimilia Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 11/26/2001 Add’l Info: First time writer
86. Title: Static Logline: The head of one of LA’s toughest gangs treks across town in order to testify against corrupt cops, but along the way he must do battle with rival gang members. Writer: Brad Gann Agency: Warden, White & Associates Studio: Columbia Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 11/29/2001 Add’l Info: Part of a bidding war
87. Title: Welcome Wagon Logline: Set in a Alabama college, story revolves around the romance between a super-star quarterback and a girl who works in the kitchen of the best sorority on campus, the Welcome Wagon — the sorority house that shows prospective football recruits the best weekends of their lives. Writer: K.A. Hoeffner Agency: Warden, White & Associates Manager: Patrick Faulstich Management Firm: Accurate Representation Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Low six figures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 11/30/2001
88. Title: Air Rage Logline: While flying on a Southwest Airlines flight, a nineteen year old man becomes aggressive and ends up dying after being subdued by eight of the plane’s other passengers. Writer: Bill Kelly Agency: UTA Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Price: Mid six figures Genre: Psychological Thriller Date Sold: 11/30/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
89. Title: First Family Logline: On the eve of being “made,” a young mafia guy finds out that he was adopted and now must prove to his “family” that he is truly 100% Sicilian, but actually discovers out that his real father is the President of the United States. Writer: Brian Koppelman, David Levien Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Bel Air Entertainment Price: Mid against high seven figures Genre: Drama, Comedy Date Sold: 12/3/2001
90. Title: Untitled Valentines Day Project Logline: Said to be “A Christmas Carol” set against Valentine’s Day. Writer: Austin Winsberg Management Firm: Benderspink Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 12/3/2001 Add’l Info: First time writer
91. Title: You Can’t Win Logline: During the late 1970’s, a writer works for his father, a game show producer. Writer: Scott Yagemann Production Co.: Magellan Filmed Entertainment Price: Six figures Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/5/2001
92. Title: Meet Joe Simon, Mankind’s Last Hope Logline: A geeky guy becomes somewhat of a stud when he realizes he is the only man on the planet who is capable of reproducing. Writer: Josh Stolberg Agency: Writers & Artists Management Firm: Nine Yards Entertainment Production Co.: Comedy Central Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/6/2001
93. Title: Molly’s World Logline: Story concerns a psychiatrist who gets drawn into the world of a patient who killed her family in an effort to protect them from a supernatural element. Writer: Neal Marshall Stevens Agency: Paradigm Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: Psychological Thriller Date Sold: 12/7/2001
94. Title: Life as We Know It Logline: Two single adults’ mutual friends die in an accident and name them as the caregivers for their daughter. Writer: Ian Deitchman, Kristin Rusk Robinson Agency: Original Artists Management Firm: Bondesen/Graup Production Co.: Revolution Studios Price: Mid six against low-seven figures Genre: Romantic Drama Comedy Date Sold: 12/10/2001
95. Title: Indiscretion Logline: A woman suddenly discovers that her husband isn’t who she thought he was. Writer: Robert Pucci, Alanna Hamill Newton Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment Price: $425,000 against $800,000 Genre: Thriller Date Sold: 12/10/2001
96. Title: Jiggly Logline: Two girls, one a snotty socialite and the other a sweet girl from a trailer park, must share an apartment after the socialite is cut off financially from her daddy. This new relationship makes them both re-evaluate their lives. Writer: Amy Rardin, Jessica O’Toole Agency: Paradigm Production Co.: Atlantic Streamline Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/12/2001
97. Title: Nine Lives Logline: Centers on a government agent who has been injected with a hallucinogenic truth serum. As he is on the run looking for an antidote, he must face his enemies who he is now extremely vulnerable to. Writer: Tom Vaughn, Mark James Agency: CAA, ICM Production Co.: Millenium Films Price: Low to mid six figures Genre: Action Thriller Date Sold: 12/14/2001
98. Title: The Bachelorette Logline: A girl, who is about to be married, has a crazy bachelorette party and reconsiders if she is cut out to be married at all. Writer: Meghan McCarthy Agent: Scott Henderson, Ken Greenblatt Agency: Genesis, A Literary Agency Manager: Brooklyn Weaver Management Firm: Energy Studio: Universal Pictures Price: $200,000 against $400,000 Genre: Comedy Date Sold: 12/18/2001 Add’l Info: First time writer; part of a bidding war
99. Title: American Girl in London Logline: A sweet Southern girl takes a trip to London and has a wild and crazy weekend with a gentleman, only to discover he is engaged to another woman. Writer: Matt Brown Agency: William Morris Agency Studio: Paramount Pictures Genre: Romantic Comedy Date Sold: 12/19/2001
100. Title: Little Miss Sunshine Logline: Convinced their little daughter is beauty queen material, parents load the rest of the family into a van and embark on a life-altering road trip to a California pageant. Writer: Michael Arndt Agency: Endeavor Agency Production Co.: Deep River Productions, Bona Fide Productions Price: 250000 Genre: Drama, Comedy Date Sold: 12/21/2001
101. Title: Mal Chance Logline: A female assassin who’s been marked for death falls for an FBI agent and enlists his unwitting help in taking down her assailants. Writer: Scott Murphy Agent: Marc Provissiero Agency: Kaplan Stahler Agency Studio: Miramax Price: Low six figures Genre: Action Date Sold: 5/3/2001 Add’l Info: Preemptive pick-up
Analysis:
- Notable movies that sold in 2001: Elf and Little Miss Sunshine.
- The Superconducting Supercollider of Sparkle Creek, Wisconsin is one of the highest priced spec scripts not to be produced. You can read some reviews of the script here and here.
The sales totals continued to creep upward in 2001. Here is that trendline:
1991: 28
1992: 40
1993: 89
1994: 101
1995: 173
1996: 155
1997: 141
1998: 110
1999: 83
2000: 92
2001: 101
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).
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