Film
-Case Study 1 - Agent/Story Editor/Strategist. Launch of unknown screenwriter. A blind query pitching a twist on a classic romcom (the romantic lead was a hermaphrodite). Deemed 'unproduceable' by industry (see: cis male) wisdom ca. 2007), there was unanimous interest in the writer's voice, and desire to see his next script. Working with the writer to hone his impulses and generate a third act climax, this dark comedic coming-of-age spec generated multiple offers. I negotiated terms with the most prominent of these producers, stipulating the writer's payment be postponed until the Academy's Nicholl finalist annoucement. This strategy proved prescient as the script advanced over the next five months through 6,000-plus submissions, to one of 10 Finalists, which brought him immediate and wide status industry recognition, and a studio deal with a guaranteed theatrical release. While the edgey and admired orginal screenplay was rendered unrecognizable by the production process, the writer has gone on to build a distinguished and very successful career.
Case Study 2 - Script Editor/Agent. Development support and mediation between originating writing team on credit for a stage to film adaptation. The two-character play, performed on a bare stage with folding chairs, was entirely dialogue-dependent and set in interior of a car. The screenwriter envisioned opening up the action through down-the-rabbit-hole style animations and visual puns, depicting contradictions, fabrications, sensory responses of the characters, and events beyond their knowledge. Although the production evolved into a straight live action narrative, the inventive and hilarious inner-world views which I assisted the writer in scripting enticed Shira ("Welcome to Me") Piven to choose the project for her feature directing debut.
Case Study 3 - Associate Producer/Script Development.
Client envisioned using 3-D as integral to the story rather than simply a technical effect. I worked with him to refine his concept: two single people, each with a fantasy partner, each living in one of four parallel worlds, which would eventually intersect, intertwine, and reallign. The finished film won Grand Prize at LA 3-D Film Festival.
Case Study 4 - Manager/Story Editor.
The Executive Producer and his development director for a 20th Century Fox film fund referred the writer-director of a genre script for intensive hands-on development, with the goal of eliminating expository writing and adding novelty, logic, and surprise. Following seven drafts and revisions, notes implemented, the script was given a green light and produced.
Case Study 5 - Post-production Consultant. Independent filmmaker's completed short thriller showed inventiveness and talent. My critical feedback resulted in a new cut that improved both pace and impact.
Case Study 6 - Management/Development. Impressed by a blind query from an inventive young independent filmmaker who had written, directed, and produced a thriller featurette and engineered a successful social media publicity campaign, I assisted with finding an attorney and decisions related to the international sales. As manager, I developed the initial drafts of a feature spec and prepped his pitch for a new series and meetings with execs.
Case Study 2 - Script Editor/Agent. Development support and mediation between originating writing team on credit for a stage to film adaptation. The two-character play, performed on a bare stage with folding chairs, was entirely dialogue-dependent and set in interior of a car. The screenwriter envisioned opening up the action through down-the-rabbit-hole style animations and visual puns, depicting contradictions, fabrications, sensory responses of the characters, and events beyond their knowledge. Although the production evolved into a straight live action narrative, the inventive and hilarious inner-world views which I assisted the writer in scripting enticed Shira ("Welcome to Me") Piven to choose the project for her feature directing debut.
Case Study 3 - Associate Producer/Script Development.
Client envisioned using 3-D as integral to the story rather than simply a technical effect. I worked with him to refine his concept: two single people, each with a fantasy partner, each living in one of four parallel worlds, which would eventually intersect, intertwine, and reallign. The finished film won Grand Prize at LA 3-D Film Festival.
Case Study 4 - Manager/Story Editor.
The Executive Producer and his development director for a 20th Century Fox film fund referred the writer-director of a genre script for intensive hands-on development, with the goal of eliminating expository writing and adding novelty, logic, and surprise. Following seven drafts and revisions, notes implemented, the script was given a green light and produced.
Case Study 5 - Post-production Consultant. Independent filmmaker's completed short thriller showed inventiveness and talent. My critical feedback resulted in a new cut that improved both pace and impact.
Case Study 6 - Management/Development. Impressed by a blind query from an inventive young independent filmmaker who had written, directed, and produced a thriller featurette and engineered a successful social media publicity campaign, I assisted with finding an attorney and decisions related to the international sales. As manager, I developed the initial drafts of a feature spec and prepped his pitch for a new series and meetings with execs.
