ISA SPOTLIGHT

Exciting ISAConnect Member Success Stories

These are the top success stories listed by ISAConnect Members. If you're an Industry Pro and interested in viewing the work of these emerging writers, please request Industry Pro status. 3196 Success Stories Listed.

Semifinalist, 2020 Women in Film / The Black List Episodic Lab

By: Kris Crenwelge
Achieving equal cultural representation within our media narratives requires a representative number of skilled storytellers. The WIF Writing Labs, held in partnership with key collaborator and industry benchmarker The Black List, are designed to equip new television and screenwriters with knowledge to build and sustain their careers.

5th Annual LA Skins Fest Native American TV Writers Lab Fellow
By: Kris Crenwelge
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is an intensive scriptwriters workshop that prepares Native Americans for writing careers at major television networks. The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB was created in accordance with the Skins Fest’s mission to improve media portrayals of Native Americans and to increase the number of Native Americans employed in all facets of the media industry.
Tags: Team Player,

5th Annual LA Skins Fest Native American TV Writers Lab Fellow

By: Kris Crenwelge
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is an intensive scriptwriters workshop that prepares Native Americans for writing careers at major television networks. The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB was created in accordance with the Skins Fest’s mission to improve media portrayals of Native Americans and to increase the number of Native Americans employed in all facets of the media industry.

Semifinalist, 2020 Women in Film / The Black List Episodic Lab
By: Kris Crenwelge
Achieving equal cultural representation within our media narratives requires a representative number of skilled storytellers. The WIF Writing Labs, held in partnership with key collaborator and industry benchmarker The Black List, are designed to equip new television and screenwriters with knowledge to build and sustain their careers.
Tags: Life Without, The Black List, Women in Film

Two Place Script Summit Winner

By: Jonathon Douglas
Jonathon won Script Summit's Michigan Writers Award for the thriller drama short, A VISIT FROM THE CANDYMAN, (which had also placed as an Finalist with Honorable Mention distinction in the Southern California Screenplay Competition among other placements) and took Second Place for indie-style comedy short OLD TOM SNYDER in Script Summit as well.

TOP 7 FINALIST - Unpublished Book Competition - Memoir - 2020

By: Shane Elizabeth
Shane qualified as a one of the TOP 7 FINALISTS in the category of memoir for 2020's Pacific Northwest Writer's Association Unpublished Book Competition out of over 600 submissions.
More SuccessDown Aroow

ROTU - Named an Official Selection for the CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2020
By: Shane Elizabeth
ROTU, the VR story-narrative gaming experience was officially selected by the Cannes Film Festival 2020 in the category of: XR DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE. Shane was the writer for this piece. She is responsible for brining the characters to life with dialogue and direction as well as setting the stage for the gaming experience.

WRITER FOR HIRE: VR: Finding Pandora: VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

By: Shane Elizabeth
Thanks to Felicity and the ISA, Shane has also made a great connection with Double Eye Studios. They have officially hired Shane to come on board as a writer for the larger-than-life, LIVE Interactive Virtual Reality Theater Performance: Finding Pandora. She is currently writing scenes and developing character's voices for the soon to be seen experience. Officially premiered at the Venice Film Festival 2020.

WRITER FOR HIRE: Biopic Feature
By: Shane Elizabeth
After Datura Studios read Cannabiz, thanks to the ISA, they hired Shane to write a biopic feature about one of Houston's first African-American millionaires. This marks Shane's first official PAID job for a feature as a screenwriter. She started it at the beginning of the pandemic and is currently working on revisions with the intention of moving into development soon! THANKS ISA for the recommendation.
Tags: Cannabiz, Table Read My Screenplay - Park City

HALF-HOUR DRAMA Wins Pilot Category of Drama Screenplay Awards

By: Shane Elizabeth
Shane was recently named the category winner in the Filmmatic Drama Screenplay Awards for her half-hour drama pilot, Cannabiz. This is an interesting success worth noting due to the fact that the half-hour drama format is still a very new, niche, not often used, format. Yet, Shane still pulled through with a win, beating all the other traditional hour-long drama screenplays submitted.
Tags: Cannabiz, Filmmatic Screenplay Awards(Category Winner)

SURFACE TENSION wins at Portland Comedy Film Festival

By: Shane Walsh-Smith
Shane Walsh-Smith's TV comedy pilot script SURFACE TENSION won Best International Short Screenplay at the Portland Comedy Film Festival Summer 2020 Awards.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Two more contest results for MATCHSTICKS 2.0
By: Shane Walsh-Smith
Shane Walsh-Smith's MATCHSTICKS 2.0, a script which leads a duel life as a Black Mirror spec and a standalone sci-fi feature script, has placed in two more competitions. It was a nominee for Best Feature Script in the Top Indie Film Awards; and is also an official selection in the Underground Indie Film Festival (the winners of which will be announced on June 25).
Tags: Matchsticks 2.0,

Shane Walsh-Smith selected for "Write From Home" international mentorship
By: Shane Walsh-Smith
Shane Walsh-Smith and his TV comedy pilot SURFACE TENSION have been selected for the Writing From Home international mentorship program, run by Screenworks Australia and the Australian International Screen Forum. "Under the guidance of US-based writers, producers and industry executives, the eight selected participants will now undertake the eight-week workshop to develop their screenplays and then pitch their individual projects to garner interest and representation in the United States." (From Inside Film magazine)
Tags: Surface Tension (pilot): Let Them Eat Cake,

THE ADVENTURES OF WILLOW & OLIVER Released as a Book

By: Rain Story
Rain Story's story THE ADVENTURES OF WILLOW & OLIVER was released in book form on September 25, 2020. It's available on Kindle and as a paperback. "What a great little read!" quoted from a review on Amazon.

GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND - TV Series, Season 1 Released as Novel
By: Rain Story
Screenwriter and actor Rain Story has released her novel titled GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND based upon her original TV pilot by the same name. An Arkansas native and veteran of the entertainment industry, Rain shares her expertise on what it is like living in a Southern gun culture via the adult crime-thriller genre. GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND takes an electrifying look into the Southern gun culture and its connections with the gun industry's local, national, and international tentacles. This narrative shines light on what makes gun-toting Southerners tick and creates understanding so that we can work together to find compromise and resolve around gun violence in the U.S.
Tags: Guns & God: "Lines in the Sand", MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist), AFIN International Film Festival(Semi Finalist)

ICE selected for Coverfly's Fall 2020 Pitch Week

By: Stéphanie Joalland
Stephanie was choosen out of 2,500 writers to pitch ICE and her other projects to LA Managers this week through Coverfly's Fall 2020 Pitch week.
More SuccessDown Aroow

ICE selected for virtual edition of 2020 BiFan's NAFF Project Market

By: Stéphanie Joalland
A total of thirty projects took part in this year's NAFF project market. Nineteen international projects participated in the It Project Selections. ICE by Stephanie Joalland was one of them. 
Tags: ICE,

ICE selected for the Filmarket Hub's UK Online Pitchbox

By: Stéphanie Joalland
Online development marketplace Filmarket Hub has announced the projects in development selected for the UK Online Pitchbox, the new virtual pitch event running July 2-3, in partnership with Film London. ICE by Stephanie Joalland was one of them. 
Tags: ICE,

UK project ICE among 38 selected for 2020 Sofia Meetings
By: Stéphanie Joalland
Sofia Meetings, the industry platform of the Sofia International Film Festival has selected 38 projects to be pitched, presented and discussed at the event. Stéphanie Joalland's Ice was one of six projects selected as part of the Second Film section of the event. 
Tags: ICE,

THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL

By: Shaunia McKenzie
Shaunia McKenzie's feature script THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL was listed as a semifinalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition.

THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL - The Hot 100 List
By: Shaunia McKenzie
Shaunia McKenzie's feature script THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL has secured a place on The HOT 100 list in the Capital Fund Screenplay Competition. This well respected list is published and provided to film industry financiers around the world and includes the top 100 Scripts of the year. The scripts are showcased at investor meetings at the major film markets worldwide including AFM, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Shanghai film markets.
Tags: The White Witch Of Rose Hall, Capital Fund Screenplay Competition(Top 100)

Mitch Bechtold Accepted into 2020 WGF Veterans Writing Project

By: Mitch Bechtold
Mitch Bechtold's first fellowship is an exciting achievement. He credits every mentor as having been invaluable in developing his skills as a writer! The mission of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project is to identify emerging writers from United States military backgrounds and provide them with the tools and insights to nurture their passion for writing and successfully navigate the entertainment industry. They do this in two phases over a yearlong program: A weekend-long retreat, and monthly follow-up workshops and special events. Each military veteran is paired with WGA members. The Foundations writer-mentors represent some of the most beloved movies and television series of the past and present, and are committed to guiding the voices of the future.

Award Winner, Hal the Spud King

By: John Thibault
John Thibault's script, HAL, THE SPUD KING, has placed well in several contests and just received Award Winner status from Austin and Houston for comedy screenplay.

THE ABYSSINIAN: A Top 10 Historical Script

By: Larry Coleman
Larry E Coleman's period war drama, THE ABYSSINIAN finished in the top 10 in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition in the Historical/Biopic category. This script brings new life to World War II dramatic film-making because its' backdrop doesn't focus on popular settings like Normandy, but instead, on the invasion of Africa, and is seen through the lens of an African, an Ethiopian POW.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE ABYSSINIAN Advances
By: Larry Coleman
The period war drama, THE ABYSSINIAN, advances as a semi-finalist in the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition in the Historical/Biopic category. This script brings new life to World War II dramatic film-making because its' backdrop doesn't focus on popular settings like Normandy, but instead, on the invasion of Africa, and is seen through the lens of an African, an Ethiopian POW.
Tags: The Abyssinian, Creative Screenwriting UNIQUE VOICES Screenplay Competition(Top 10)

SWIRL CITY 2020 Scriptapaloza Quaterfinalist
By: Larry Coleman
Written well before the pandemic and the George Floyd murder, SWIRL CITY is a dystopian sci-fi script about the catastrophic race wars which came on the heels of protest and how an interracial couple with the help of an AI helped saved humanity.
Tags: Swirl City, Scriptapalooza Screenplay & SHORTS Competition(Quarter Finalist)

Historic/Biopic

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly has been asked to research and write a treatment for a successful European producer. The project will be a biopic about an amazing artist and her vibrant yet tragically short life that was cut short at the beginning of WW2. This is a very special project about a very special woman who deserves to be more widely recognized.

1920s Period Thriller

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly is currently researching and writing the synopsis and treatment for an up and coming director. The four part TV show will be based in Europe in the 1920s, a period of great trauma and transition. Kristina is excited to be involved at concept stage on this project.

1920s Period Thriller

By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly is currently researching and writing the synopsis and treatment for an up and coming director. The four part TV show will be based in Europe in the 1920s, a period of great trauma and transition. Kristina is excited to be involved at concept stage on this project.

Historic/Biopic
By: Kristina Jilly
Kristina Jilly has been asked to research and write a treatment for a successful European producer. The project will be a biopic about an amazing artist and her vibrant yet tragically short life that was cut short at the beginning of WW2. This is a very special project about a very special woman who deserves to be more widely recognized.

DEAD 9 optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE KEEPER optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.

EXIT has been optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
Tags: Exit , Inktip

EXIT has been optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
More SuccessDown Aroow

THE KEEPER optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.

DEAD 9 optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
Tags: Dead 9, Inktip

THE KEEPER optioned

By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's script THE KEEPER has been optioned via Brittany House Pictures and Quixotic Road.
More SuccessDown Aroow

DEAD 9 optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's TV pilot DEAD 9 was optioned via Buffalo 8 and Invar Studios.
Tags: Dead 9, Inktip

EXIT has been optioned
By: Gregory Houghton
Greg Houghton's sigle location, action thriller EXIT, has been optioned for production via Ant Fallon with Bird on Fire.
Tags: Exit , Inktip

GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND - TV Series, Season 1 Released as Novel

By: Rain Story
Screenwriter and actor Rain Story has released her novel titled GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND based upon her original TV pilot by the same name. An Arkansas native and veteran of the entertainment industry, Rain shares her expertise on what it is like living in a Southern gun culture via the adult crime-thriller genre. GUNS & GOD: LINES IN THE SAND takes an electrifying look into the Southern gun culture and its connections with the gun industry's local, national, and international tentacles. This narrative shines light on what makes gun-toting Southerners tick and creates understanding so that we can work together to find compromise and resolve around gun violence in the U.S.

THE ADVENTURES OF WILLOW & OLIVER Released as a Book

By: Rain Story
Rain Story's story THE ADVENTURES OF WILLOW & OLIVER was released in book form on September 25, 2020. It's available on Kindle and as a paperback. "What a great little read!" quoted from a review on Amazon.
Tags: The Adventures of Willow & Oliver,

Triple Threat for success

By: Kim Hornsby
THREE projects by screenwriter, KIM HORNSBY, were recognized in Table Read my Screenplay by screenwriter. Her TV Pilot, MOODY & THE GHOST, reached the top 100 in Table Read my Screenplay as did her Features, NECESSARY DETOUR, and THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE. All 3 scripts are adapted from her Bestselling books. MOODY also reached the second round of Austin Film Fest as did her Short script, CHAT. Her feature, THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE quarter finaled in Page Turner Screenplays and Moody was in the top 20 of Adapted Screenplay Contest. Kim is represented by JD DeWitt of 5x5 Literary Management
More SuccessDown Aroow

Screenplay Optioned
By: Kim Hornsby
Kim Hornsby's feature screenplay, CHRISTMAS IN CRYSTAL CREEK, was optioned by 5x5 Productions and with the lead actress attached, is planning to film this year. 5x5 Productions and Emerald Bay Entertainment will produce. This option replaces the previous option on her novel of the same name.
Tags: Christmas in Crystal Creek - IN DEVELOPMENT,

THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE Wins Big
By: Kim Hornsby
After winning the Hollywood Fellowship and Grand Prize Award at the Seattle Film Summit's BIGFOOT SCRIPT CHALLENGE, Kim Hornsby's supernatural Suspense Feature, THE DREAM JUMPER'S PROMISE has entered into a shopping agreement with Indy Entertainment who recently produced Justin Long and Cobie Smulders film "Literally, Right Before Aaron." JD DeWitt of 5x5 Productions negotiated the deal that was brought to Ms. Hornsby by the Bigfoot team.
Tags: The Dream Jumper's Promise, Bigfoot Script Challenge(Grand Prize)

Christmas Novel Optioned
By: Kim Hornsby
CHRISTMAS IN CRYSTAL CREEK, the novel, was optioned by 5x5 Productions and is in development as a TV movie with a star attached. The spec screenplay was written by USA Today Bestselling Author and Awarded Screenwriter, KIM HORNSBY. Repped by JD DeWitt
Tags: Christmas in Crystal Creek - IN DEVELOPMENT,

Christmas Movie SOLD
By: Kim Hornsby
Christmas Romance screenplay, CHRISTMAS AT SNOWFLAKE LODGE, sold to Crazy Legs Productions with filming to take place this winter in Georgia. Deal negotiated by JD DeWitt of 5x5 Productions.
Tags: The Dream Jumper's Promise,

THE LAST INDIAN WAR Optioned to Nonesuch Pictures

By: Michael Graf
"We think the market has caught up to this amazing script," says Producer Darin Dusan when he optioned screenwriter Michael Graf's historical sports drama about a group of Native American children that are kidnapped by the US Army and go on to invent the modern game of football. "This is an amazing story and it needs to be told." The screenplay has been making waves around the world, winning dozens of awards and accolades. It also has been a part of the ISA Development Slate.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Won Best Screenplay at Paris Arts & Movie Awards
By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf's screenplay based on true events, was the only category that won an unanimous vote by the judges. At the Awards Show, the founder of the Festival said, "THE LAST INDIAN WAR is an important work that needs to be shared with the world."
Tags: THE LAST INDIAN WAR, Paris Arts and Movie Awards(1st Place)

Michael Graf wins the Culture & Heritage Award at the Fresh Voices Screenwriting Competition
By: Michael Graf
Michael Graf won the Culture & Heritage Award at the Fresh Voices Screenwriting competition for his screenplay, The Last Indian War. Described as a "brilliant concept" by one of the judges, The Last Indian War is a gorgeous epic telling of the forced re-location of Native American children and the greatest football game ever played.
Tags: Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition

Writer/Actor Rachel Leyco's Series Going Into Production

By: Rachel Leyco
ISA Development Slate writer, Rachel Leyco will star in the trans-led romantic comedy "Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader". The project won the Inside Out LGBT Pitch Please! contest last year in Toronto. "Re-Live" is a heartfelt romcom that she co-wrote with Primetime Emmy nominated actress, Rain Valdez. Fae Pictures has partnered with Now>Ever to finance and produce. "It's been incredibly fun writing this together (many laughs and tears shed) during the writing process. I'm so excited to bring this to life on the big screen because we are spotlighting our underrepresented communities in order to change the narrative in cinema -- that women, Asian-Americans, and LGBTQ+ folx belong in these spaces." - Rachel Leyco
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SPOTLIGHT

These are the top success stories listed by ISAConnect Members only. Many come from ISA Writing Gigs, the ISA Fast Track, the ISA Development Slate, the ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters To Watch plus other ISAConnect Members who have demonstrated additional success throughout the industry. This includes but is not limited to winning or placing in contests, receiving a fellowship, a writing assignment, representation and/or getting a script produced, optioned or sold. We welcome posting your success from any part of the industry!

Anyone can upgrade to ISAConnect. Upgrade to the Yearly Membership on any contest page and you’ll receive a free contest entry! If you are an industry pro and interested in viewing the work of these emerging writers, please request Industry Pro status.

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