Screenwriting : Yet another screenplay spec sale, first sale for the writer, zero attachments by Richard "RB" Botto

Exactly, Richard "RB" Botto! I'm thankful for November Write Club! I'm a day away from finishing a draft of my feature spec script, I outlined and wrote a short spec, and I outlined a feature spec!

I love this: “Keep writing, cut out the noise, negativity and bullshit and getting yourself out there” it’s the only way Richard "RB" Botto but I believe for many people isn’t easy this awareness, so thank you for sharing the news because helps to be on track :))

Congratulations to Bennett. That's a great achievement and requires talent and hustle.

For Brennan, this marks his first major spec sale, an impressive feat for a rising writing talent as more and more studios are cautious to take on a script with no talent involved.

In 2021, I met a charismatic and intelligent young UK man on S32 who asked me to read his treatment for a pilot. During the past 12 years, I've rolled the dice with several collaborations that didn't pan out, but the teleplay I wrote is one of my best scripts and won the Urban Action Festival in 2022. My S32 partner has been able to attach some excellent actors who have appeared on shows such as Vikings, Jack Taylor, The Tower, Empire, and Ted Lasso. One of these notable actors, a regular cast member of Britbox and Peacock show, liked the pilot so much that he had his manager pitch it to Anonymous Content in January. Here is the feedback we received:

After much deliberation, Anonymous Content has decided to pass on this project. They enjoyed it but just didn’t feel it had enough there for the way the marketplace is now and feel like it needs a big writer/showrunner behind it. I’m so sorry it’s not better news.

Doesn't a big outfit like AC have connections with "Big showrunners?" And as far as "the marketplace is" is code for, we don't want to bother with new projects from lesser-known writers even when they have an actor and manager with a long track record attached.

I'm working with a producer/actor/director, making at least four features yearly, and has good distribution channels. I advise looking for indie filmmakers and pitching to them or trying to meet a need.

Richard: You're right. You have to be impervious to noise, negativity, and bullshit.

Dan: I remember when you procured Catherine the Great for me, the 2014 BL winner. In 2015, IMBb printed a story that Barbara Streisand optioned and was going to direct that riveting work. I'm still waiting. Just because you get 8s on the BL by paying for reviews and subsequently get signed to a boutique agent, or God forbid, someone with major contacts, does not guarantee success. Last week on a podcast, someone asked me what I thought about The Black List, to which I answered: *I don't get it." Lastly, I wonder how many BL scripts have become feature films. Does anyone have that stat?

Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal" my comment was deleted. Again. Anyways stats wise, just cause someone sold a spec doesnt mean it makes it to lense. Guessing less than 20% of all script sales make it to production? One of my writing peers sold a 7-digit spec sale to a major studio 7-8 years ago. That idea is still in development and all the past exes in charge were fired/new bosses now. And whatever money that was actually paid to the writer is always less.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the USA...

Dan G: you have to wonder why they don't disclose their results. I know of one outfit that quantifies their success stories.

Dan: I was referring to BL

Practical effects will see a resurgence as the industry tries to control costs. Practical effects are really quite good when done with care.

This is good motivating news.

Tore Simonsen Actually, you will see a boom in AI graphics which are cheaper and super efficient. The green screen phenomenon will still be effective and around because of the boom in green screen warehouses worldwide. BUT Technology will keep booming ahead. Just like Lucas leapfrogged Harry Hausen's backscreen effect, and Speilberg with his Mac computer-generated Dinos leapfrogging stop-go animation. AI will leapfrog computer-generated graphics by leap years. No more learning code, creating mesh frames, and all the do-dads in Graphic software!! AI is the future and it's getting better each month.

Hausen took 9 months to do the 5 min "Hydra" scene in Jason and the Argonauts.

Speiberg took 1 year to do the computer-generated Dinos for Jurassic Park.

Final Fantasy took 4 years to do a fully CGI movie!

The bullet time of the Matrix took 120 cameras and 6 months to complete. Now, with AI, you can use all of these techniques in no time. A revolution in filmmaking is on the way. it will be nasty and litigated over the next 10 years!! Great for newcomers, but bad for longtime major players who are used to the old system!

DD Myles, can you get from AI what you really want, rather than an abstraction? I can't do it.

I agree with you, Arthur. But AI accessibility is a game-changer for smaller companies and creators who otherwise couldn't compete on a larger scale. It can bridge gaps in resources, allowing low-budget projects to achieve results that previously required big studios or significant funding. It levels the playing field in many ways.

That said, as with any new technology, it's crucial to find a balance. The authenticity of real actors, human creativity, and genuine emotions can't be fully replicated.

The focus will always be the story. Nevertheless, I am seeing a lot of independent filmmakers relying on practical effects at events like Spooky empire. I think.there have been advances in that area as well.

DD Myles

And I doubt it too. Big business always gets more and better than a small business or an ordinary person. now the problem is not to make a product, but to advertise it and sell it. Now those who have an advertising budget are selling. Approximately 90% of content authors on the Internet do not earn anything. In fact, AI users are currently training it rather than receiving content.

Where did these recent spec scripts get discovered? Blacklist? I may have missed something in the hype.

Stephen Folker Franklin at BL said the script was posted over a year ago. Not sure how long it takes to close a deal. There was another public spec sale this summer; that script was also posted on BL a year ago before deal.

This is the big story this week. With tens of thousands of screenwriters seeking representation and attention for their work, this person is what I call a unicorn.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fifth-season-makerea...

That was a big one, Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal". $1.25MM against $3.5MM. And again, no attachments, just the spec. Posted about it here:

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Another-multi-million-dolla...

Saw someone referenced the others that have sold in the last few months. All reported on in the trades, most posted about in the Lounges.

Richard "RB" Botto awesome news for Brennan! It’s seems that more and more moulds are being broken, RB.

Rules are for fools!!!!

Tide is turning, Geoff Hall. Rapidly. Had another call this weekend with a WME agent who stated that the action on the feature side hasn't been this robust in years. Great signs all around. Keep writing and getting out there.

This points to making your script as could as it can be. That's how you get noticed.