The Black List 2012

Earlier this week, Franklin Leonard released his annual list of top screenplays not yet produced or released in theaters. It seems those participating in reading and grading these scripts have moved on from stories of  zombies, vampires, and other tales of the undead. A quick scan of the list revealed ZERO screenplays of that sort. I did notice a couple of time travel themed stories. Perhaps that will become the latest trend. 

There really isn't anything on this list that made me scoff. Maybe I just don't care enough anymore. 

I did find it interesting that the number one film on this list involves the sad sack Buffalo Bills.

 Moneyball was received a lot better than I expected, so there might be a place for this one too.

The Black List 2012: Link

Guest Blogging on "Ten Things I've Learned"

In which I share things I've learned as a wannabe screenwriter (good and bad) on Joshua Bowman's blog, 10 Things I've Learned.

Right here.

The Black List (2010)

Today, Franklin Leonard released his annual list of the top screenplays not yet produced or released in theatres.

The media will always focus on the screenplays receiving the most votes, but I always have fun focusing on bottom of the list. Here you'll find some WTF? titles that you might not feel comfortable giving a number 1 vote, but will include on your ballot because you think they are crazy to catch on with the -- let's say, general movie viewing audience.

Here are some of the titles that stood out to me:

POINT A by Chris Rubeo

"An unconventional romantic comedy between a thirty year old magazine writer and the subject of his newest piece, a witty, wise beyond her years teenage video blogger"


F*CKING JANE AUSTEN by Blake Bruns

"Two friends angry at Jane Austen for creating unrealistic romantic expectations among women today get sent back in time to the nineteenth century. They only way for them to return home is for one of them to get Jane Austen to fall in love and sleep with him"


HOVERCAR 3D by Blaise Hemingway

"Set in the future, an ex-con street racer has to transport a whistleblower across country in a high speed hovercar with an army of authorities trying to stop them"

(someone call Jason Statham's agent!)

And finally, those hoping for the zombie thing to go away (namely, myself) will be disappointed to learn that scripts involving them are still be circulated around Hollywood.

ZOMBIE BABY by Andy Jones

"After the zombie apocalypse, a young couple unsure about whether to start a family has the decision made for them when they take in an orphaned zombie baby they don't have the heart to kill."


BOY SCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES by Carrie Evans & Emi Mochisuki

"A troop of Boy Scouts on their weekend camping trip must protect an island town from a zombie outbreak and save the local girl scout troup."


KITCHEN SINK by Oren Uziel

"A human teenager, a vampire and a zombie must save their town from an alien invasion."

*scoff*

The Black List: Link

Blu-Ray/DVDs should include...

A special feature that allows you to watch the screenplay superimposed on the picture.

You know like when they're presenting the screenwriters awards at the Oscars?

Good idea for amateur writers, right?

RIGHT?

I mean, who wants to follow along like this?

I Have No Internet

This is what happens when you share a bill with someone. Forced to the library to check emails, job search and blog.

I'm currently looking at other providers, but until then, posts will be a little more sporadic than usual.

In the meantime, check out the recently released 2009 Black List.

A quick scan tells me that revenge stories seem to be popular with writers these days; someone has an idea similar to something i wanted to write (i'm not deterred); and the silliest script title comes courtesy of Wendy and Lizzy Molyneux.

MY SISTER IS MARRYING A DOUCHEBAG

“A young woman, thinking that her sister’s new fiance is a douchebag, sets out to sabotage their wedding.”

AGENT William Morris Endeavor - Phil D’amecourt, Simon Faber
MANAGER Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment - Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone

2009 Black List: link

The Black List

The Black List compiles top 10 lists of favorite film scripts read by over 250 film executives. The films with the most mentions (as of 2008 4 mentions are needed to be listed) are ranked and published yearly.

The lists from 2005 to 2008 have been made available for download on their website. It's a pretty interesting read. Some of your favorite movies will appear on the list, while some that rated as favorites among the execs bombed (Passengers), or are still in development hell.

2008 seems to have a lot of sexually charged films that impressed those polled. Check out some of these titles and their loglines

FUCKBUDDIES by Liz Meriwether
“A guy and a girl struggle to have an exclusively sexual relationship as they both come to realize they want much more.” (39 mentions)

WINTER’S DISCONTENT by Paul Fruchbom
“When Herb Winter’s wife of fifty years dies, the faithful but sexually frustrated widower moves into a retirement community to start living the swinging single life.” (34 mentions)

THE TUTOR by Matthew Fogel
“A twenty three year old recent graduate decides, at his mother’s insistence, to tutor his ex-girlfriend’s younger sister for the SATs. When they begin a romantic relationship, his ex-girlfriend moves back home for the summer and begins to fall back in love with our anti-hero as well.” (15 mentions)

THE PHANTOM LIMB by Kevin Koehler
“A troubled private detective uncovers a blackmail scam involving a gangster who runs a brothel that caters to amputee fetishes (and other taboo sexual interests) and the doctor who performs the body modifications.” (11 mentions)

and for something totally different, there's this...

THE GARY COLEMAN –EMMANUEL LEWIS PROJECT by Dan Fogelman
“Emmanuel Lewis and Gary Coleman save the world from an evil madman.” (7 mentions)



2009 Black List coming soon. Previous publications available here: The Black List

Write

It's amazing how a week of working in a warehouse can remedy writer's block.

Giggidy.

Story - Robert McKee

I recently downloaded (legally) a 6 hour audiobook of Robert McKee's Story. If I'm going to be listening for that length of time, I hope he's as boisterous as his fictional counterpart.

Jenny Lumet Q&A

Jeff Goldsmith, Senior Editor of Creative Screenwriting Magazine, hosts a Q&A with Jenny Lumet, screenwriter of Rachel Getting Married, and Neda Armian, one of the producers of the film.


Download Available Here: Creative Screenwriting Magazine

Ready, Set, Go!

I thought about taking up soccer as a weekend hobby, but then decided on writing screenplays. I have Final Draft; highlighters; post it notes; books by McKee and Segar; I think I'm ready to get started.

My first attempt will be an adaptation. 

What fun.