Lesson 1

[Christi Falk]

Christi Falk Project and Market

1. Genre: Action Adventure

Title: Man in the Brown Suit

Concept: A Public domain adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Man in the Brown Suit. Since it doesn’t have Poirot or Marple, the possibility of creating multiple movies is great.

I’ve removed the copyrighted characters within the book- Colonel Race was in some Marples in the 70’s- and created a new character with a modernized story that is intrinsically mine. It’s also gotten a clear copyright from the US copyright office (script from text).

2. A penniless orphan, sheltered from the world desperate for belonging, meets danger, treachery and possibly love. I’ve also switched Minks, the cross dressing character, from a villain to a government agent and soldier of fortune(bad guy to good guy).

3. I will target producers first because they are the ones who would buy my stories. Possibly an actors production company as they come with a cast. I’m not entirely convinced any representation is necessary, short of a good entertainment lawyer of course.

UPDATE: I think I’m switching this to a Manager. I would like a firewall around me while I work and it would be good to have someone who knows the changing social queues in every room.

4. What I learned today is that I can make a goal 3 months out! I’ve decided on a script sale. February 13, 2023. I’m confident that something will happen by that date if not the sale. Not jazzed about the try before you by optioning. Possibly representation if I can be convinced they’re worth it.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  Christi Falk. Reason: Changed mind about target

[Jane Alcala]

Jane Alcala Project and Market

1. Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept.

Genre: Comedy

Title: “Comediennes”

Concept: how insult comedy bonds women in LA’s stand-up comedy subculture

2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

That it demonstrates how sharing humor can help to overcome conflicts and bridge differences between people.

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.

I will first target an actor’s production company, as I believe I will need to seek producers who have a passion for stand-up comedy

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

To embrace marketing and enjoy the creativity of it. That working on the marketing of my script may lead to breakthroughs in ideas for improving the next draft of my script. The difference between a logline and a concept. That “wordsmithing” isn’t a good pitch tactic.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by  Jane Alcala.

[John Chabot]

ASSIGNMENT

1. Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept.

Genre: Comedy

Title: Jester

Concept: An aspiring
jester’s life is turned upside down when a menacing wizard tasks
him with impregnating the princess of a neighboring kingdom… with
the wizard’s semen.

2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

It’s funny. It already has a Recommend.

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — managers, producers, or actor’s production company — and why you picked that target.

Producers. Open to approaching all.

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

[Gregory Ballines]

Gregory’s Project and Market

1) Genre: Comedy/action

Title: CODE GRAY

Concept: While serving community service a burglar meets a promiscuous elderly woman, and together the thief and the old lady conspire to steal from her spoiled rotten son who is cheating the old lady out of her rightful inheritance from her late husband.

2) What I find attractive about this story is that it’s a buddy picture between two people who have a significant difference in age and I think the idea of an old lady being raunchy and plotting a caper is fun too.

3) I will target producers first since I have more experience doing that

4) What I learned today is that it’s smart to keep clearly in mind what I myself find attractive about my idea because that is what producers will likely find attractive too.

[Isti Madarasz]

Isti Madarasz Project and Market

My project is KONTRAKT, a science fiction drama set in a world where lawyers with special skills can rewrite the laws of nature. My screenplay is based on a Hungarian novel for which I secured the rights.

The most attractive thing about my story is that it takes place in a world similar to ours, with only one thing changed, and yet we are already in a science fiction story. And the protagonist is not a soldier or an action hero, but a lawyer, which makes the story take completely different turns than in a traditional action movie.

I would try to get to producers first who might be interested in the script and the fact that I’m already an established director here in Hungary. But actually, I probably need an agent through whom I can do all this. I’m not really sure what managers do and why is it better to go to them first…

What I learned today is… the need to get producers interested in my project was confirmed. They don’t want what’s good for me, they want what’s good for them, and I have to be able to serve that.

[Robert Smith]

GSTPP LESSON 1

ROBERT SMITH’s PROJECT AND MARKET

1. Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept:

Genre: EROTIC THRILLER

Title: “Bubblegum Pink”

CONCEPT: Whether her death was homicide or suicide, Brandi Crofton’s life was a pursuit of an acting career that went from stripper to centerfold to porn star to winner of a landmark sexual harassment suit against her employer, a mob-connected skin magazine mogul.

2. In one or two sentences tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

It has the convention of the erotic thriller, that pleasure and danger go together. The story explores the far-reaching impact of sexual harassment through the life of an aspiring actress who walks right into a sex-fueled environment that exploited and devoured her.

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST – managers, producers, or actor’s production company – and whyu you picked that target.

I would target an actor’s production company because attaching an actor to the project will enhance its marketability. Secondarily, I’d target managers, as they are supporters of the interests, talents, and career development of the writer.

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

(1) Even after submitting a script, it’s okay to keep rewriting because rewriting goes on all the time until the shooting wraps.

(2) That it is important to think of the business and marketing end of screenwriting as a part of the creative process.

[Rick Whitney]

Genre: Dark Comedy

Title: Apricot Nectar

Concept: Made in the vein of “Arsenic and Old Lace”, what would a normal person do if they discover their parents were poisoning homeless people and burying them in the back yard?

[Richard Brooks]

Richard’s Project and Market

1) Genre: Romantic drama

Title: Careless Whispers

Logline: When an ambitious novelist embarks on a secluded writing retreat, she finds herself drawn to a mysterious and enigmatic artist. As they explore a passionate and complex relationship, they must navigate the dynamics of power, vulnerability, and the unexpected challenges that threaten to tear them apart. In a journey of self-discovery, they must confront their deepest fears and insecurities to find redemption and a love that transcends boundaries.

What I believe is attractive about my story is its BDSM elements and the novel being written throughout the story

I may target studios and producers first

In Lesson 1 I learned the difference between a logline and the concept.

[Laurie Brown]

(Laurie Brown’s) Project and Market

What I learned today is this is going to be fun.

1. Give us your Genre, Title, and Concept.

Drama based on a true story.

WOODY

A successful advertising executive sues Pfizer for the wrongful death of her husband, Woody, and in the process gets documents unsealed, that in the hands of Congress, uncover a conspiracy between the FDA and the drug companies they regulate.

2. In one or two sentences, tell us what you think is most attractive about your story.

It’s a true “David vs. Goliath” story about a the most widely known pharmaceutical company that is leading the industry with new drugs that consumers are currently questioning in spite of the FDA assurances and how one woman challenged them taking her story all the way to the U.S. Congress.

3. Tell us which you will target FIRST — Managers with production companies. Because I have enough good scripts ready to go, one which was optioned and was an award winning finalist, both of which are very timely.

[Susan A. Smith]

Susan Arnout Smith
GENRE: Light Workers (a genre off-shoot of Faith Based)
TITLE: GOD'S PHOTO ALBUM
CONCEPT: A teacher at a Hawaiian school, gutted over the loss of a child, is being consumed by the Dark, and God sends an Angel down to get her back before her Dark consumes others.
NOTE: CONCEPT was logline I learned. CONCEPT 2 (current Concept) is:
CONCEPT (2) What if the battle between Good and Evil depends solely on the choice of one person, and must be played out every day, and that choice can tip Angels?
WHAT'S MOST ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THIS STORY: Based loosely on a true story to which I have the rights, it is a movie of its time, reminding each of us that the war between Good and Evil takes place daily within our own hearts, and that our choices have consequences that affect the world.
WHO TO TARGET FIRST: Specifically producers to get an option agreement, but I'll keep my 'synchronicity antenna' alert to possible actor matches for the role of the Angel.
WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: After taking numerous classes from Hal, I came to see a pattern in dropping out before I finished the class. Many things led to this outcome, which aren't necessary to detail here. I am committed to doing and finishing this class in an orderly way and using every part of the lessons to further my writing goals of getting this project optioned and produced.

• This reply was modified 12 months ago by  Susan A. Smith. Reason: Learned in Lesson 2 that what I considered my Concept is actually my Logline, so I created a new Concept (Concept 2)

[Susan A. Smith]

Hi, Cheryl:
This is LESSON 2, and I’m posting it here in LESSON 1 because inexplicably I’m experiencing difficulty in getting my ‘Lesson 2 Post’ to take in the proper section. So here it is!
____
LESSON 2 ASSIGNMENT

Susan Arnout Smith’s Marketable Components
1. Current Logline: A Hawaiian teacher, gutted over the loss of a child, is being consumed by the Dark, and God sends an Angel down to bring her back before her Dark consumes others.
2. 10 Components of Marketability: top 2
G. Wide Audience Appeal: Huge Faith-based market for good scripts.
J. Great Roles for Bankable Actors:
• Angel: Conflicted
• Shelly: Wounded
• Lolani: Warrior
• Lanny: Cunning
3. Elevating Wide Audience Appeal: G
Off-shoot of Faith-based films is a new category: Light-based films dealing not with religions but Spirit.
Popular to Christians and also popular with a secular audience, or audiences of other faiths, as it’s not about Christianity, but about Light dwelling in every heart and its vulnerability to corruption. Core: YOU MATTER. THE CHOICES YOU MAKE, MATTER.
Elevating Great Roles for Bankable Actors: J
• Angel: Powerful, conflicted, fierce
• Shelly: Wounded, scrappy, vulnerable
• Lolani: Invalid, warrior, truth-teller
• Lanny: Cunning, manipulative, hungry
4. What I Learned Doing this Assignment is:
I have participated in numerous classes here, and this time, have a changed attitude. I am committed to finishing this class and achieving my goal of getting my screenplay optioned and then made. I am shifting every fearful thing from avoidance and retreat into a powerful learning experience filled with joy, calm and resolve. I am tapping into the creativity I’ve always known is there, and using this process to fuel my growth, discovery and the gifts I am able to share with the world.

[Susan A. Smith]

Lesson 1 Assignment, (posted), 7/28/24

Susan Arnout Smith
GENRE: Light Workers (a genre off-shoot of Faith Based)
TITLE: GOD’S PHOTO ALBUM
CONCEPT: A teacher at a Hawaiian school, gutted over the loss of a child, is being consumed by the Dark, and God sends an Angel down to get her back before her Dark consumes others.
WHAT’S MOST ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THIS STORY: Based loosely on a true story to which I have the rights, it is a movie of its time, reminding each of us that the war between Good and Evil takes place daily within our own hearts, and that our choices have consequences that affect the world.
WHO TO TARGET FIRST: Specifically producers to get an option agreement, but I’ll keep my ‘synchronicity antenna’ alert to possible actor matches for the role of the Angel.
WHAT I LEARNED TODAY: After taking numerous classes from Hal, I came to see a pattern in dropping out before I finished the class. Many things led to this outcome, which aren’t necessary to detail here. I am committed to doing and finishing this class in an orderly way and using every part of the lessons to further my writing goals of getting this project optioned and produced.

[Ferdinand Gernandt Gernandt]

Ferdinand W Gernandt Project and Market

Genre: Biopic Drama
Title: PRAIRIE GIRL IN BAGHDAD

Concept: A courageous prairie woman leaves her Canadian home to build a new life with the love of her life, a Muslim educator in Iraq, overcoming cultural barriers and embracing a legacy of unity and love.

What’s most attractive about this story is how Sarah Powell leaves her Christian life in the Canadian Prairies to start a new life with a Muslim politician in Baghdad – and the resilience she shows to another world’s challenges.

I think I would like to go out to Producers first then Actor’s Production Companies – Producers with similar past projects might be the closest to the target (tier one) while Actor’s Production Companies (tier two) and lastly I’ll go out to Managers (tier three)

What I learned today is… that I have to do a little bit more digging to make this project more attractive for power players.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 4 weeks ago by  Ferdinand Gernandt Gernandt.