Ken Turocy
Forum Replies Created
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Ken’s Marketing Campaign
What I learned is that you need to make a plan, set goals, and stick with them. And, always improve, the writing and the pitching.
I’m going to be working #6 Marketing to Producers, and that starts with targeting the right Producers. Then I’ll be sending Query emails and Pitching over the phone. I’ve already built a small list, and I want to get better on IMDB targeting the best Producers.
And, in the meantime, keep working, and keep writing.
The class was well-done, I learned a lot, and I learned from everyone’s assignments too. Thank you very much.
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I’m at kturocy@yahoo.com if you’d like to talk about my Query #2
Dear Producer,
My script Enola is a Serial Killer Sports Comedy, but not in that order.
Enola is a young female golf-phenom who, with her working class roots, single-parent upbringing, and against all odds crashes the highly competitive ranks of the LPGA.
Enola will do anything to win, coming in second place is not an option. She makes a deal with the devil, her brother in his sobriety taking over as her caddy.
Enola will do anything to win, and executing a kill equals an LPGA win.
Can killing be justified, and can killing be funny? Yes and Yes, but…am I really laughing at this, and can I root for her? Yes and Yes again. It’s all part of the fun, Enola is an accidental killer after a fight with her addict brother’s drug dealer. And, she is an apologetic killer trying to confess to her tone-deaf supporters.
Would you be willing to read my script? If so, I’ll send that your way. I’ve had two of my screenplays optioned, and I’m eager to work and collaborate to make Enola a hit.
All the best,
Ken Turocy
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If anyone is interested in further discussing, Ken is at kturocy@yahoo.com
Dear Producer,
Title: Enola
Genre: Dark Comedy, sports
My sports comedy includes gambling, drugs, and murder, and if I asked you, which sport would you guess? Probably not golf, and most likely not the LPGA. Enola is a rock-star, golf-phenom, who against all odds, crashes the ranks of professional golf.
Enola is a Serial Killer Sports Comedy, and not in that order.
We all know about the superstitious pre-game rituals that many athletes have, their specialized diets, and the hard work, super- dedication to their sport. Can I ask you one more question, if you wanted something so much, would you do anything to get it?
Most athletes never achieve the Pro-level, once there earning a win professionally is a lifetime memory, and only a select few achieve greatness.
Enola reluctantly makes a deal with the devil, her brother, in his sobriety as he takes over as her caddy. She discovers then develops an unusual winning habit, and she continues her journey while trying to confess to her strangely tone-deaf supporters.
Would you be willing to read my script? If so, I’ll send that your way. I’ve had two of my screenplays optioned, and I’m eager to work and collaborate to make Enola a hit.
All the best,
Ken Turocy
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Ken’s Target Market
What I learned during this lesson is how to search through IMDBPro, and also while searching, that the low budget Producers offer their contact information more frequently than do mid-range budgets of 15 million+.
Similar projects:
American Psycho
Bad Teacher
Fargo
Dexter
Cocaine Bear
Possible Actors:
Jenna Ortega
Lily Bird
Millie Bobby Brown
Sabrina Carpenter
Lily-Rose Melody Depp
I have a list of 50 Producers, do you want me to type that here? Took me a three hours, but on IMDBPro it’s easy to wander, sometimes good, other times, not so much.
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Ken’s Phone Pitch
I learned that you have to be quick and to the point on a phone pitch, that you need to target the best producers, and also present them a strong and clear story so that they can say yes…or no. And then begin to consider marketing strategies, campaigns going forward.
I’m leading with a High Concept, and I know Hal recommended not to cluster genres, but I believe mine is unique and strong enough that I can say.
Hi, I’m Ken Turocy, an optioned screenwriter, can I run a quick concept by you?
Thank you, Serial Killer Sports Comedy, and not in that order.
(I’ll try this quick-hook-strategy for a quick yes, but if there are enough No’s then I would adjust and start with, “if I told you my sports story included gambling, drugs, and murder, would you guess the sport is golf? Serial Killer Sports Comedy, and not in that order.”)
What’s the budget? Depending on the Actors and the Director, this can be made on a low budget under 5 million, but even a mid-range one of 15 million plus.
For the female lead I’m thinking Jenna Ortega, and for her foil, her brother possibly Daniel DiMaggio, and there are fantastic opportunities for supporting roles which could bend the budget.
My script is 120 pages.
I’ve just started marketing this.
This could be a fit for your company because of your recent work and what actors you work with.
How does it end, the Third Act starts with my lead actor Enola, who doesn’t get caught, she pulls up on a kill, then she goes on to win without killing.
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What I learned is to build one lesson upon on another, I have to resist the temptation to mash all my food up on a plate. Also, obviously I can’t use Serial-Killer-Sports-Comedy because I don’t want to confuse anyone, but since it’s unique, I’m still 50-50, I’d like to try. Lastly, I definitely think I need to change the Title, I’m considering…”Betting on Enola.”
Hi,
I’m Ken and I’m an optioned screenwriter, can we talk about my script Betting on Enola, a dark comedy.
If you wanted something so desperately, would you be willing to anything to get it? And if I told you my sports story included gambling, drugs, and murder, what sport would you guess…golf? Enola is a golf phenom who can’t seem to earn an LPGA win, she discovers and develops an unusual winning habit.
Serial-Killer-Sports-Comedy, but not in that order. Can I send this your way, and would you be willing to read my script?
Budget: this all depends on my main character Enola, whether a bankable actor or an up and comer, if Jenna Ortega would play this then a Low-budget changes to Medium budget. Also, I think the Director is an important choice too, but then Leo could add the same multiple, possibly Daniel DiMaggio? Just to pile on, great supporting opportunities for her Father and Enola’s three Uncles, more experienced broad comedy actors, and the budget goes up another notch.
First Act we are introduced to the family, Leo her brother, her Father and Enola in a dupe-charity game that’s cover for a longest-drive bet. And, we learn how careless Enola’s Father can be with her career, she’s super-loyal though.
<font face=”inherit”>Second Act Enola </font>accidentally<font face=”inherit”> kills her drug addicted brother’s girlfriend/dealer and discovers her winning habit, loyal again. However, not until her now sober brother takes over as her Caddy that she makes a deal with the devil. She develops her winning habit, but then she is apologetic and tries to confess to her disturbingly tone-deaf supporters.</font>
<font face=”inherit”>Third Act starts </font>with a sports journalist hot on her tail, and her pulling-back during a likely kill, she goes on to win without killing.
<font face=”inherit”>How does it end, Enola does not get caught, and she comes to the rescue of a girl and her drone-Father teaching tough love on the driving range. Enola takes over, and teaching moments can be firm but fair and funny.</font>
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Subject: Ken’s Query letter
What I learned from this is how important it is to build one class upon the next. And also, that you can attack the Query/and other Pitches from many angles.
Dear Producer,
Title: Enola
Genre: Dark Comedy, sports
My sports comedy includes gambling, drugs, and murder, and if I asked you, which sport would you guess? Probably not golf, and most likely not the LPGA. Enola is a rock-star, golf-phenom, who against all odds, crashes the ranks of professional golf.
Enola is a Serial Killer Sports Comedy, and not in that order.
We all know about the superstitious pre-game rituals that many athletes have, their specialized diets, and the hard work, super- dedication to their sport. Can I ask you one more question, if you wanted something so much, would you do anything to get it?
Most athletes never achieve the Pro-level, once there earning a win professionally is a lifetime memory, and only a select few achieve greatness.
Enola reluctantly makes a deal with the devil, her brother, in his sobriety as he takes over as her caddy. She discovers then develops an unusual winning habit, and she continues her journey while trying to confess to her strangely tone-deaf supporters.
Would you be willing to read my script? If so, I’ll send that your way. I’ve had two of my screenplays optioned, and I’m eager to work and collaborate to make Enola a hit.
All the best,
Ken Turocy
(216) 906-9669
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Remember my #5 and #6 are switched..
Enola
Written by Ken Turocy
Genre Comedy
My script Enola is a Serial Killer Sports Comedy, but not in that order.
Enola is a young female golf-phenom who, with her working class roots, single-parent upbringing, and against all odds crashes the highly competitive ranks of the LPGA.
Enola will do anything to win, coming in second place is not an option. She makes a deal with the devil, her brother in his sobriety taking over as her caddy.
Enola will do anything to win, and executing a kill equals an LPGA win.
Can killing be justified, and can killing be funny? Yes and Yes, but…am I really laughing at this, and can I root for her? Yes and Yes again. It’s all part of the fun, Enola is an accidental killer after a fight with her addict brother’s drug dealer. And, she is an apologetic killer trying to confess to her tone-deaf supporters.
The broad comedy exploits at her Uncle’s bar disguises the dark comedy of her killing. From the opening scene, there’s a gambling play, and throughout the killing, the winning, and the not-winning there’s more wagering, even to the last scene, somebody is taking a bet.
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What I learned from this assignment is that I’m still wrestling with MITs and hooks, however I understand concept vs. logline. I think mistakenly I wrote my MITs in a hook-style. But also, I thought a synopsis is more of a one-pager, even though my Elevator pitch would be pretty close to my simplest and strongest of my most unique MIT’s.
Here it goes:
If I told you this is a sports story with gambling, drugs, and murder, what sport would you guess? The main character is a rock-star, golf-phenom who crashes the LPGA rankings.
Enola is a Serial Killer Sports Comedy, and not in that order.
Enola discovers and develops an unusual winning habit. She reluctantly makes a deal with the devil, her brother, in his sobriety as he takes over as her caddy. She also embarks on another journey trying to confess to her strangely tone-deaf supporters.
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Just a quick review, I receive these lessons via email, and for this #5 I received #6 via email, that was my confusion with synopsis vs. elevator pitch, because the lessons were mixed up.
Check that Hal.
So if to edit this assignment then I’d simply shorten it, from 3 points to 2. I’d ask the question about the sports story. and then I’d add the next line, Serial Killer Sports Comedy.
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Also…
· Dilemma: If you wanted something so much, would you be willing to do anything to get it?
· Main Conflict—Enola makes a deal with the devil, her brother, her caddy and develops a dangerous pre-game ritual.
· What’s at Stake?—Winning in the LPGA is everything to her, she’s devoted her whole life to the game.
· Goal/Unique Opposition—Winning, she is very loyal to her family, her brother who she saves, helps, and cohorts with.
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Ken’s Ten most interesting things about my script Enola:
1.) Serial Killer Sports Comedy.
2.) If I told you this is a sports story with gambling, drugs, and murder, would you guess the sport is golf?
3.) Enola will do anything to win, and executing a kill equals an LPGA win.
4.) Enola is an accidental killer after a fight with her addict brother’s drug dealer.
5.) Enola makes a deal with the devil, her brother in his sobriety taking over as her caddy.
6.) Enola is an apologetic killer trying to confess to her tone-deaf supporters.
7.) A sports journalist will do anything to get a win against Enola investigating the gambling, the brother’s drug history, her police interviews, and more.
8.) The broad comedy exploits at her Uncle’s bar disguises the dark comedy of her killing.
9.) Can killing be justified, and can killing be funny – Yes and Yes, but…am I really laughing at this, and can I root for her – Yes and Yes again.
10.) From the opening scene, there’s a gambling play, and throughout the killing, the winning, and the not-winning there’s more wagering, even to the last scene, somebody is taking a bet.
What I learned today is that I can understand and see the necessary rewrites needed from the strengths of the ten most interesting things about my script, and the weaknesses of the points that I left out.
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How will you present yourself and your project to the producer?
I’m presenting my project first and myself second to Producers. I’m tailoring my pitch to the specific situation and to the individual Producer. I’m starting very focused on my pitch and then building the pitch out on my script’s key components, and also important, I’m also listening to the Producer, don’t over-sell. The Producer knows what they want, and they will be asking questions based on their ability to sell our project, to make our project a hit. I have to be exchanging with them to show that I’m able to answer their questions and satisfy their market needs. This will be the first step, this meeting will show them that not only do I say I’m eager to collaborate and work together, but I’m doing that now in the meeting, on my feet.
How will you present yourself and your project to the manager?
I’m presenting myself first and my projects second to Managers. However, I’m trying to break in to the business, and since I don’t have a lot of experience, and thus I’m going to be talking more about my projects, my writing, and my career goals. We’ll need to position the best project to lead with, and then do whatever it takes to get my other projects up and running. As we work together I’ll show them that I can be a professional client, that I can take notes, and then effectively integrate solutions into my writing to improve the marketability for them and their clients. This is a business relationship first and foremost, we’ll need to share love and respect for the motion picture industry, and that means selling projects.
What I learned today is…?
Be ready and prepared for any meeting with Producer, Manager, Actor, and/or Director, they’re all different. And, they all have different roles so my pitch has to be strong but also flexible. I’m looking forward to and wondering what these meetings will really be like. I know this is a highly competitive business, and this class is presenting a strong framework for going forward.
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Logline: Enola is a dark comedy about a young, female, golf-phenom who, with her working class roots, crashes the highly competitive ranks of the LPGA. She makes a deal with the devil and develops an unusual winning habit.
Components:
Great role for a bankable actor: my lead character is everything, this is where I would put the focus of my pitch. The story is her journey, her relationships, and all about her realizing what’s at the heart of the matter of – winning.
For a second component I’m considering Unique versus It’s a First. This isn’t the first Serial Killer movie, and not the first Serial Killer Comedy, but possibly the first Serial Killer Sports Comedy.
And thus, maybe Unique would be a better pitch because it’s pieces and parts. For example, Enola is more of an accidental-Serial Killer, and throughout the story she is trying to confess. Also, my comedy isn’t sketch, mock-umentary, or even slapstick (these seem to lead comedies), it’s more of a dark-comedy subversive style like Eating Raoul and American Psycho.
To elevate these parts of my pitch is to make Enola a rock-star that would be most appealing to a bankable actor, even director. And the second part would be to distill down and focus whether Unique or First is better.
What I learned, these components are the foundation of the pitch, and I can see how they will be necessary for a rewrite. Just as every page in the script is important, focusing the pitch will be as well.
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Assignment #1
Genre: Dark comedy, Sports Title: Enola Concept: If you work so much for something, and it’s your life’s mission, would you be willing to do anything to get it?
The most attractive thing about my story is my lead character Enola’s journey, working/practicing so intensely, falling for a dangerous pre-game ritual, developing that habit, and then attempting to confess to her tone-deaf supporters.
I would approach Producers first, however I would be eager to work with a manager for development of my career and other projects, but also working with an actor and/or director to add their vision to my project would be great.
I learned today that I have under-estimated the marketing needed to sell a project, and that’s why I took the class. Hal answered this with his great discussion of concept, hooks, building a network, and developing a strategy. Thanks Hal.
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I, Ken Turocy agree to the terms of this release form.
GROUP RELEASE FORM
As a member of this group, I agree to the following:
1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.
2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.
I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.
3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.
4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.
5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.
6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.
This completes the Group Release Form for the class.
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Greetings Everyone,
Thanks for the chance to work with the class, my name is Ken Turocy, and I’ve written 3 feature scripts and 2 short scripts. I’m hoping to learn how to build a real marketing strategy to break into the business.
Something unique? How about one of my reasons for writing the script I’m currently focused on promoting, in my sports career (pop warner and high school) I came in second place a lot, too many times.