Lesson 1

[Sandy Nichols]

Sandy Nichols/Sitcom/TV-Streaming

1). Genre – Sitcom/Comedy
Title – Doors
Concept -Golden Girls meets Friends

A comedy of life after 50, around people in a luxury apartment building as they move to what’s next! Shenanigans and drama form great, unlikely, friendships around the lobby, apartments and community areas, with a lot of charcuterie boards, wine and bathrobes!

2). Doors is a fun lighthearted comedy that all (ages 18-80) will look forward to watching because it reminds them of people in their lives. It's funny and relatable with mentions of current life issues and a give back to homeless animals.

3) Producer – because I know one!

4). Make the pitch around the business of the project – not why you love the project! AND stop talking!! When they ask for the script just ask for their email and say nothing more!

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Sandy Nichols.

[Gila Zalon]

From Gila Zalon:
1.
Genre: Political Crime Thriller

Title: The Rife Machine

Concept: When a small town police chief attempts to use a long-lost
machine that could cure his wife’s cancer, he finds himself in the midst of
a big Pharma scheme to destroy the machine and anyone that stands in
the way, including him.

2.
Many of us have been affected by drug companies who are ignoring the
risks of some of the drugs they are selling and by the inflationary prices
of the drugs we need. This is a story that opens us up to the need to deal
with this pharmaceutical crisis.

3.
I will target producers because the story is important, the lead character
can attract a star and it will appeal to an audience of all ages since it is
couched in a thriller genre. There is also a built-in audience of Rife
Machine users around the world.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Gila Zalon.

[Scott Billings]

1. action comedy called FLYING BIND about a man terrified of flying who finds himself alone on a private jet at 20,000 feet after the pilots drop dead.

2. It’s a unique concept and has lots of twists and turns.

3. Managers, to get access to producers not available to me.

4. Answer the question “What I learned today is…?”

[Scott Billings]

title is actually FLYING BLIND (typo).
4. I learned that even though the script is marketable, I need a better written pitch.

[Gila Zalon]

LESSON 2: Gila’s Marketable Components

LOGLINE: In a classic David v. Goliath crime thriller, a small town Police Chief faces agonizing choices in the pursuit of murderers who will stop at nothing to destroy a controversial cure for cancer that could help his own dying wife.

D. TIMELY – In the 1930’s the scientist Royal Raymond Rife invented the Rife Machine which was proven to help cure cancer. The AMA and Big Pharma wanted to buy the machine and own the Patent, and incidentally make tons of money. When Rife said no, he wanted people to get the benefits of the machine without paying tons of money, a mysterious fire destroyed all of Rife’s equipment, experiments, machines—everything!

However the original machine has been duplicated and updated through the years….but in secret. Because it is outlawed in this country!

And right now with the sole goal of making money, Big Pharma is doing it again. Selling Opiates leagally that have caused health problems, addictions and even suicides.

B. TITLE – Because there are millions of people around the world that use Rife Machines — which are sold under many different names— the title alone will bring in an audience.

G. AUDIENCE APPEAL – The script is a Cop Thriller. Almost every network has at least one, sometimes up to five crime or mystery series each week that TV audiences flock to. Young and old.

J. ROLE FOR BANKABLE ACTOR – A police chief at retirement age risking his life to help save mankind would be a draw for an actor in his 60’s who may no longer be offered the exciting roles he was used to when he was young.

WHAT I LEARNED: The elements of what could attract a producer are here and though I may have overwritten my first element (D Timely) I think will know what to look for in my other scripts. So I’d like to find out if I interpreted it all correctly here.

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  Gila Zalon.

[Gila Zalon]

Gila’s Marketable Components for The Rife Machine
LOGLINE: In a classic David v. Goliath crime thriller, a small town Police Chief faces agonizing
choices in the pursuit of murderers who will stop at nothing to destroy a controversial cure for
cancer that could help his own dying wife.
D. TIMELY – In the 1930’s the scientist Royal Raymond Rife invented the Rife Machine which
was proven to help cure cancer. The AMA and Big Pharma wanted to buy the machine and own
the Patent, and incidentally make tons of money. When Rife said no, he wanted people to get the
benefits of the machine without paying tons of money, a mysterious fire destroyed all of Rife’s
equipment, experiments, machines—everything!
However the original machine has been duplicated and updated through the years….but in secret.
Because it is outlawed in this country!
And right now with the sole goal of making money, Big Pharma is doing it again. Selling Opiates
leagally that have caused health problems, addictions and even suicides.
B. TITLE – Because there are millions of people around the world that use Rife Machines —
which are sold under many different names— the title alone will bring in an audience.
G. AUDIENCE APPEAL – The script is a Cop Thriller. Almost every network has at least one,
sometimes up to five crime or mystery series each week that TV audiences flock to. Young and
old.
J. ROLE FOR BANKABLE ACTOR – A police chief at retirement age risking his life to help
save mankind would be a draw for an actor in his 60’s who may no longer be offered the exciting
roles he was used to when he was young.
WHAT I LEARNED: The elements of what could attract a producer are here and though I may
have overwritten my first element (D Timely) I think will know what to look for in my other
scripts. So I’d like to find out if I interpreted it all correctly here.

[Gregory Kauffman]

Lesson 1
Gregory Kauffman – Projects and Market
1. Genre, Title, and Concept.
TWO SCRIPTS
Western, THE SHAMAN’S QUEST, A naive young blacksmith from St. Louis discovers he was adopted and follows a Caddo Indian shaman to a Texas town to uncover the truth about his family, getting entangled in a dangerous battle over crude oil that threatens him and the woman he loves, forcing him to face the realities of life and what it truly takes to hold onto happiness.
History/Drama/Romance—TV Pilot—1 Hour, THE LIBERATRESS, Born illegitimate and in scandal, Manuela Sáenz fights her way into acceptance during the South American revolution, becoming the most powerful woman on the continent while winning the love of the greatest warrior in the world. Based on a true story.
2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.
THE SHAMAN’S QUEST – Complex characters making this something one is familiar with but different.
THE LIBERATRESS – The best woman’s story from Latin America.
3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.
Producers
4. Answer the question “What I learned today is…?”
*… being specific about what you want.*

[Diane Keranen]

Diane’s Project and Market

Genre: Drama
Title: Not Dead Yet
Concept: A veteran returns to civilian life and fears he might become a suicide statistic if he can’t find his way.

What I think is most attractive about my story is that it is timely because veteran suicide rates are at epidemic levels and there is a lot of interest in understanding this phenomenon. Because I am married to a combat-affected veteran, I can tell a story from a unique perspective.

I would target producers first and perhaps independent film producers. Why, good question. I could use clarity on where to start.

What I learned today is that even though I’m aiming to do some rewriting on this script, the business end of it could help a great deal with shaping some of the story because I believe there could be resistance to telling a story about veterans that is uncomfortable for audiences and I need to understand better how to tell this story so it can sell and be produced. <br

[Bill Jr.]

Bill Young Jr. (byjr) Project and Market

ScreenwritingU – Professional Rewrite Class – Lesson-1 – Completed 2025-05-04

1. Genre: Thriller

Title: The Nature of Power

Concept:
If you know exactly what –REALLY- determines POWER, you can defeat even the strongest EVIL POWER.

Also:
Logline:
Brilliant engineer-businessmen JONATHAN STONE and NATHAN JORDAN can bring 100% clean energy to the entire world while saving the U.S. economy, if only they and their teams can stay alive.

2. What is most attractive about this story:

Americans are tired of hearing about nothing but bad news about America’s economy, environment, jobs, and so on.

This story shows how a group of HONEST and ABLE people can change all that, and FAST.

3. Who would I target first:

Actors and Directors who have their own Production Company, specifically:

a) Actor Morgan Freeman, who I want to play the lead character Jonathan Stone, and the screenplay writing is designed to attract him. [Per your “Rewrite” course]

His production company, Revelations Entertainment, was founded specifically to make films and shows that “make a difference” and show us “how it can be done”.

b) Director Ron Howard, known for making films that portray heroes who are NOT using violence as their primary way of making the world a better place, as in the movies Backdraft and Far and Away.

He also has his own production company, Imagine Entertainment.

c) Actor, Director Bryce Dallas Howard, who impressed me with the episodes of The Mandalorian she directed, and roles she played in Jurassic movies; If Ron Howard doesn’t want to Direct my movie (or has other commitments), perhaps Bryce could Direct it.

She also has her own production company, Nine Muses Entertainment.

4. What I learned today is:

a) Before one can Pitch, you have to TARGET first, otherwise your pitch will not work.

b) The Pitch has to fit your Target, but also what they need NOW.

c) Each entity/person (Manager, Producer, Director, Actor, and Production Company) have their own needs and wants, and also their own skill sets.

Example:

Someone may WANT to make movies that inspire people and leave a positive message, but have only been successful doing raw action-only movies, i.e. just action, violence, dog-eat-dog, etc.

This type of actor, director, producer may find it hard to transition into “inspirational” movies, even if they are predominantly action, since it requires additional skill sets to do that.

That is why I chose people who had DONE WHAT I WANT DONE SUCCESSFULLY AND MANY TIMES.

Thanks Hal, Cheryl!

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