We proudly present our 2011 top ten. In alphabetical order:
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A Ship Through Fire by John Miller
An American smuggler must outrun a vengeful U-Boat captain in hot pursuit and outwit the mutinous crew of his own cargo ship to rescue a Jewish friend's family.
The Beneath by T.J. Cimfel
After her husband goes missing in a tragic mining accident, a distraught woman joins the rescue crew only to discover a demonic presence hellbent on reaching the surface.
Bring Me Back by Alexis Lane
After tragedy strikes on her graduation day, a sheltered young woman must find a way to escape her grief, even if it means escaping her life.
Dead Walker by Josh Flanagan
In an undead apocalypse, a half-zombie man, gifted with the ability to walk among the ghouls without threat fights to save his daughter and regauin his humanity.
Death Wind by Travis Heermann + Jim Pinto
When a pioneer doctor uncovers a series of bizarre murders near an Indian reservation and army post, he must confront a mysterious tribe of sub-human cannibals to save his small prairie town from the cannibals' dark god, a bloodthirsty sentient tornado.
Getaway, Inc. by Andy Maycock
After his driving skills get him recruited into a criminal organization, a teenager draws the approval of the company's mastermind until he questions the company's schemes and strays off course.
Imprinted by Alison McMahan
14-year-old Vivien has to spend eight years in space alone, except for the minds of three brilliant astronauts imprinted on her brain…and the imprint of a psychopath.Sci-Fi actioner by Alison McMahan, based on short story "Rub-a-Dub" by Daniel Galouye. McMahan has rights to the story.
Male Order Bride by Charles Mitri
When a divorced father of two marries a mail-order bride he quickly discovers that his new "woman" is actually a man, but must pretend to be happily married in order to retain custody of his two kids from his ex-wife.
Marlowe by Louise Ransil
African-American P.I., Sam Marlowe juggles gangsters, movie stars and corrupt politicians while introducing naive author, Raymond Chandler to the realities of detective work in 1930's Los Angeles. Based on a true story.
Wright or Wrong by Glenn Sanders + Brooks Elms
A comedic spin on the Wright Brothers, who fall for the same girl, exploding their sibling rivalry and pitting them against each other in love and flight.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Lulu by Samuel Bernstein
Muffled Screams by David Kaneen
Murdered by Dennis Luu
The Nativity Knockoff by Jason Hellerman
Paige & Hadley's Prom From Hell by Devi Snively & Circus-Szalewski
Private Storage by Jared Kennedy
Shed by Dennis Widmeyer + Kevin Kolsch
Silence by John Edward Flynt
WINNERS will be announced 11/26! Thanks again, everyone!
23 comments:
Congrats to everyone who made it further up the road. Well done!
Grumble. Grumble. I know I'm supposed to be happy for everyone but is it okay to say I'm not? Grumble.
Wow dude, get over it, I lose contests all the time. I'm used to it. Go to target and buy a thicker skin ;)
No! See this loss as a message. Go back to the computer and write!!! The main difference between winners and losers is losers get discouraged and quit.
Few writers start out with a great script. The secret to success is learning to focus and maximize your efforts in the re-write process.
Hey, well said, Anonymous! (The third one, not the first two.) Awesome attitude, and yeah, it's like any other skill. Practice practice practice. You don't get to be first violin in the orchestra unless you practice your ass off for decades. Why should success at writing be any easier?
WHY IS IT THAT WHEN WE COMPARE THESE TITLES AND NAMES TO THE DATABASE OF KEY SCREENPLAY CONTEST IN LA AND FLORIDA, NOTHING MATCHES.
WE WANT JIM TO COME HERE AND TELL US IF HE IS FRIENDS WITH THESE WRITERS.JUST LIKE AT JUST EFFING, IF YOU BUY LOTS OF NOTES AND PUMP JUST EFFING WITH ENOUGH MONEY. SHE WILL PUT YOU IN THE QF AND SF AND SLOWLY IN THE FINALIST. I'M JUST WONDERING IF THIS LIST FROM JIM, DOES INCLUDE HIS OWN PERSONAL WRITING CLIENTS. WE NEVER HEARD ANY OF THESE WRITERS. ARE THEY HANGING AROUND THE SAME BAR? ARE THEY PART OF SOME BAREBACK MOUNTAIN BROKE CLUB? ARE THEY JIM'S LOVERS? WHO ARE THESE WRITERS? ARE THEY OLD BUDDIES FROM SCHOOL? JIM, DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THESE WRITERS? ARE THEY PART OF YOUR FAMILY? DO YOU HANG AROUND WITH THEM? WHO ARE THEY? HAVE ALL OF THEM USE YOUR COVERAGE AND NOTES SERVICE? MOST OF THE LOGLINES ARE COOKIE CUTTING REJECTS IMO.
Anonymous #4, you obviously don't know how to use Google. If you had, you'd find Finailist names on other contest win rosters, some with multiple wins and honorable mentions.
Yes, I am a Finalist. I've won three other contests.
This is my first entry to this contest. I don't know Jim C. and I haven't yet used his coverage service...even though I'm a HUGE believer in the coverage process. My script would not be in the Finals if I hadn't taken to heart the notes I've gotten from a couple of other coverage services.
A KISS-ASS COMMENT.
The comment was anonymous. If you do your homework (and have an updated browser) you'll see several Finalists fit that description.
Your comments denigrate ALL the people who worked hard to submit scripts to this contest.
Where's this bar? I'd like to hang out.
A Ship Through Fire by John Miller
An American smuggler must outrun a vengeful U-Boat captain in hot pursuit and outwit the mutinous crew of his own cargo ship to rescue a Jewish friend's family.
...HA HA, he uses the word vengeful, so amateur, garbage!
The Beneath by T.J. Cimfel
After her husband goes missing in a tragic mining accident, a distraught woman joins the rescue crew only to discover a demonic presence hellbent on reaching the surface.
...tragic? are you looking for a date buddy, get a high paying job first
Bring Me Back by Alexis Lane
After tragedy strikes on her graduation day, a sheltered young woman must find a way to escape her grief, even if it means escaping her life.
...IS THIS RELATED TO CLINICAL DEPRESSION?
Dead Walker by Josh Flanagan
In an undead apocalypse, a half-zombie man, gifted with the ability to walk among the ghouls without threat fights to save his daughter and regauin his humanity.
;? ;), WHO CARES ABOUT HUMANITY, SO UN-BAD ASS
Death Wind by Travis Heermann + Jim Pinto
When a pioneer doctor uncovers a series of bizarre murders near an Indian reservation and army post, he must confront a mysterious tribe of sub-human cannibals to save his small prairie town from the cannibals' dark god, a bloodthirsty sentient tornado.
so un-moody, read it, reads like a emptiness, buddy go direct it, and stop wasting our time
Getaway, Inc. by Andy Maycock
After his driving skills get him recruited into a criminal organization, a teenager draws the approval of the company's mastermind until he questions the company's schemes and strays off course.
lol, title sucks bird farts (lemon worms for dinner)
Imprinted by Alison McMahan
14-year-old Vivien has to spend eight years in space alone, except for the minds of three brilliant astronauts imprinted on her brain…and the imprint of a psychopath.Sci-Fi actioner by Alison McMahan, based on short story "Rub-a-Dub" by Daniel Galouye. McMahan has rights to the story.
Dude and Dudette: this mells like a disaster at the boxoffice
Male Order Bride by Charles Mitri
When a divorced father of two marries a mail-order bride he quickly discovers that his new "woman" is actually a man, but must pretend to be happily married in order to retain custody of his two kids from his ex-wife.
LOL, worst than film schooool belt less geeks on crack
Marlowe by Louise Ransil
African-American P.I., Sam Marlowe juggles gangsters, movie stars and corrupt politicians while introducing naive author, Raymond Chandler to the realities of detective work in 1930's Los Angeles. Based on a true story.
SOUNDS LIKE A NICHOLL REJECTS!!!!!!!!!
Wright or Wrong by Glenn Sanders + Brooks Elms
A comedic spin on the Wright Brothers, who fall for the same girl, exploding their sibling rivalry and pitting them against each other in love and flight.
WAS THIS WRITTEN BY A THE GUYS FROM "CACOON" and staff at the 'BUCKET LIST movie"????
What a bitter sob ANONYMOUS CAPS is. S/he's the perfect example of a loser out on a troll.
Geez, anonymous #4. I didn't advance but I understand that my script just wasn't there yet. As for who the writers are, I know a couple of them personally and they've done well in other contests too.
Jim is honest and WOTS is a fair contest even if I didn't advance.
Such bold words from someone who doesn't even dare to use their own name...
LOUISE AND ALL THE REST. I DON'T HATE YOUR SCRIPTS. I READ THEM ALL. I TYPE THIS WAY SO JIM DOES NOT FIGURE OUT WHO AM I. I JUST FOUND THEM TO BE SO DULL AND NAIVE. THEY READ LIKE SCRIPTS WRITTEN BY WRITERS WHO WRITE ONLY FOR CONTESTS. THEY LACK CINEMATIC FLAVORING ON A HOLLYWOOD LEVEL. AND THOSE LOGLINES, I COPIED AND EMAILED 10 PRODUCERS, NO ONE EMAILED ME BACK. AN I'M A TOP SCRIPT CONSULTANT. AND I SWEAR, THE FIRST PAGES OF ALL THESE SCRIPTS ARE AWFUL. I WENT TO LOCAL STARBUCKS AND ASKED THE EMPLOYEES TO READ THE FIRST PAGE AND GRADE THEM. THEY ALL CAME BACK WITH SOME OF THE NASTIEST ONE LINERS. THE MANAGER AT STARBUCKS ACTUALLY LAUGHED HARD. HE SAID THAT ALL THE FIRST PAGES READ LIKE "NICHOLL REJECTS". VERY FIRST-TIMER. PLEASE LADIES AND GENTS, START COMPARING YOUR SCRIPTS WITH THOSE SPEC SCRIPTS SOLD WITHOUT THE HELP OF SCRIPT CONTESTS.
SORRY JIM, THIS WAS ON MY MIND FOR THE LONGEST TIME. I HAD TO SPEAK MY MIND.
I AM SORRY FOR BEING AN ASSHOLE.
SOME PEOPLE LOVE ASSHOLES AND OTHERS HATE THEM.
AN ASSHOLE IS AN ASSHOLE. WE HAVE OUR FANS AND FANS.
SORRY JIM.
If you lack the guts to put your name behind your convictions, why should we believe anything you say?
LOUISE I CANNOT TELL YOU WHO ME ARE. AND I TYPE LIKE THIS BECAUSE JIM IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND I RESPECT THAT. HE CANNOT FIND OUT WHO ME ARE. IT'S JUST WITH ALL THE STRESS AT CREATIVE SCREENWRITING PRINT AND LACKING OF PAYING THE LAYOUT ARTISTS AND PRINTERS AND CONSULTANTS (?) NOT GET PAID, THE TRUTH HAS TO COME OUT. ALL THESE LOGLINES ARE WRITTEN BY DUMMIES FOR DUMMIES. TAKE THE MEDICINE. I WORKED AS A FILM CRITIC AT CREATIVE SCREENWRITING MAGAZINE, AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE. ALL THESE SCRIPTS I READ ARE OUT OF FOCUS AND AMATEUR AND VERY OUT OF LA SHIT. THE WRITERS ARE ALL LIVING AT HOME WITH THEIR PARENTS (METAPHOR, DUH?_) YOU CANNOT WIN CONTESTS AND EXPECT TO ROCK IN HOLLYWOOD. HOLLYWOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JIM AND CONTESTS. HOLLYWOOD IS GUYS WHO WROTE WEST WING, SEINFELD, TWO AND A HALF MEN, BRAZIL, HORRIBLE BOSSES, INCEPTION. JIM IS TELLING YOU ALL TO WIN CONTESTS AND THEN MOVE TO HOLLYWOOD. IF YOU AND ALL THE REST WANT TO MAKE IT INTO FAME AND WEALTH, YOU GUYS HAVE TO FIRST MAKE MOVIES. MAKE MOVIES. WHO CARES WHAT HAPPENS. MAKE MOVIES. DON'T LIST TO LARD FATSO READER HOBBYIST AND BLOGGERS AND TRIGGER STREET AND COPYWRITERS. DON'T WRITE MOVIES, NO ONE READS NOWADAYS. JUST ASK THOSE RICH AGENTS USING CLOTH FROM ITALY TO WIPE THEIR ASSES. MAKE MOVIES WITH YOUR VISION. JIM IS ONE OF MY BEST FRIEND BUT HE IS TOO SLACK IN DREAMS AND VISIONARY CREATION AND BEING A MAVERICK. HE HAS TO CLOSE THIS CONTEST AND MAKE A MOVIE AND THEN ENTER THE FESTIVAL AND THEN MAKE IT BIG. MAKE IT JIM. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.
JIM, SORRY FOR BEING AN ASSHOLE. ONLY MY BOSS LIKES ME AS AN ASSHOLE. SORRY, YOU GUYS ARE NOT MY BOSS ANYMORE.
Didn't see this craziness until now. I have to at least tell everyone that no, this contest is not rigged as far as I know. I'm not a Coverage, Ink client and didn't know about it (or Jim or anyone at all) until I entered the contest. But I made it to the top ten. And the comment wondering why our names aren't all over the internet...that makes no sense. We're newbie screenwriters. Contests are for nobodies who want to get a foot in the door, not somebodies who are already doing fine. This was the first contest I entered. So of course you can't find my damn name in Google. Jesus.
(However, the CRAZY ALL CAPS WRITER does have a point about the loglines. These are some of the most ridiculous ideas I've heard in a while. My own included.)
Just a point of curiosity: Why did you invest that much time and effort in a concept you don't believe in?
Great question. I love my actual script to pieces and I think it has potential, but I don't know how to write a logline that doesn't reveal too much of the story. So I ended up writing a logline that barely reveals anything at all. I don't even think I made the genre obvious. This is good though. Definitely a learning experience! Obviously it's better to start with the perfected logline. But I'm too stubborn for that. AND THAT IS WHY I WILL FAIL AND BE HOLLYWOOD REJECT AND WORK FOR ASSHOLE WITH ITALIAN BUTT WIPING CLOTH.
Got it. So you don't think your idea is ridiculous...just the way you presented it in your logline.
If you write good scripts, just have difficulty boiling them down into marketable loglines, there's plenty of hope for you. There are people who can help you with that.
No one starts out knowing every part of this process. I think that's why we've all come here.
Holy crap, what a great/bizarre/effed-up thread!
Yeah, you guys all guessed it. our contest is RIGGED! And I'm going to write the 10K check out to myself and laugh all the way to the bank. Seriously, grow up, folks. I don't know ANY of these top tenners and I WISH I wrote the check for myself. The whole point of this little crusade is to find some new writers and hopefully--if they can rise to the occasion during the post-contest development period--give them a solid crack at some decision-makers.
As for the loglines being ridiculous, what a silly non-comment. Of course some will be more commercial than others and some will be cool or weird or different or cliche or even idiotic. Welcome to the world of screenwriting. Now if you guys will excuse me, I have a blog to get out, but it's been fun!
JC
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