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. 2930 Success Stories Listed.

CLEANING HOUSE getting closer...

By: Mark Grisar
Since being a Top 25 Screenwriter to watch Mark Grisar's script CLEANING HOUSE, has been optioned, green lit, and lost its financing.. Life is a rollercoaster. It was also a finalist in the Your Screenplay Produced Screenwriting Competition in 2019. ------ "The ISA has consistently been the most professional, generous and nurturing organization for Screenwriters I’ve experienced throughout all the stages of my writing." - Mark Grisar
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Table Read My Screenplay winning Script CLEANING HOUSE in pre-production
By: Mark Grisar
Mark Grisar's script Cleaning House (Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner - London 2016) is currently under option and in pre-production with Goldcrest Pictures. Shooting is scheduled for early 2018. Nick Quested is attached to direct and Omari Hardwick (STARZ Series POWER) attached as lead.

'Cleaning House' wins Grand Prize in TABLE READ MY SCREENPLAY - LONDON
By: Mark Grisar

 

Mark Grisar's film noir script CLEANING HOUSE, is the Grand Prize Winner of TABLE READ MY SCREENPLAY - LONDON 2016, and will see Mark travel from NYC to London for a professional reading, and a showcase event for producers at Soho House. Mark’s trip will take place during the prestigious 60th London Film Festival.

 

Previously it was a Semi Finalist in the Nicholl Fellowship (top 30) and Semi-Finalist at the Austin Film Festival (top 10)

Tags: Austin Film Festival Script Competition, Nicholl Fellowship, Table Read My Screenplay - LONDON!

SUGAR LAND for Top 25 writer

By: Robert Ripley
Since becoming an ISA Top 25 Writer, Rob Ripley has optioned his one-hour pilot, SUGAR LAND and he is about to go out with two new pilots in early 2020. He has also been hired for three feature writing assignments - two rewrites and one adapting a short film script into a feature. ------ "If you're looking for an organization that provides you with candid, helpful feedback on projects, amazing networking opportunities, and a supportive circle of professionals. then I can't recommend ISA enough." - R.B Ripley

Ben Maraniss Screenplays Continue to Impress

By: Benjamin Maraniss
Since Ben Maraniss become a Top 25 Writer he has had three separate projects advance in the Austin Film Festival, PAGE Awards, and ISA Fast Track Fellowship. Most recently his pilot WEIMAR was a selected project at the Stowe Story Labs in 2018 and has made the 2019 quarterfinals in the Shore Scripts Pilot Competition; SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL is a semifinalist in the 2019 Emerging Screenwriters Competition; and IVAN'S HAMMER is a quarter-finalist in the 2019 Screencraft Pilot Launch Competition. ------ "The ISA is invaluable in that they provide support for every part of a writer's career: from development feedback, to contest recommendations, through professional promotion." - Ben Maraniss
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WEIMAR - finalist in ISA Fellowship to Stowe Story Labs
By: Benjamin Maraniss
WEIMAR by Ben Maraniss is a finalist in ISA Fellowship to Stowe Story Labs, this script continues to garner great reviews.
Tags: Weimar, Stowe Story Labs(Finalist)

SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL selected as TRMS semi-finalist.
By: Benjamin Maraniss
SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL, a one hour pilot and political thriller by Ben Maraniss, dramatizing the rise of Patricia Lewis from suburban housewife to one of the most powerful women in the country through her work as an operative for the mafia, the CIA, and the Nixon White House, has been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Table Read My Screenplay - Hollywood competition.
Tags: Secret and Confidential, Table Read My Screenplay - Hollywood Pitch Festival(Semi Finalist)

IVAN'S HAMMER - Table Read My Screenplay - Park City Semifinalist.
By: Benjamin Maraniss
Ben Marraniss' screenplay IVAN'S HAMMER has moved forward in the top 100 of Table Read My Screenplay - Park City.
Tags: Ivan's Hammer,

IVAN'S HAMMER Semifinalist in ScreenCraft Pilot Launch Competition.
By: Benjamin Maraniss
IVAN'S HAMMER is an original one hour drama pilot by Ben Maraniss. Previously this pilot was name among the Top 50 entries in the ISA Fast Track Fellowship VI competition.
Tags: Ivan's Hammer,

From Table Reads to Sundance

By: Annika Pampel
With ODIUM winning Table Read My Screenplay, and Annika being a Top 25 Screenwriter, she and her team got into the WIF/SUNDANCE finance intensive where they pitched to 7 companies, including Endeavor and Big Beach. They ended up signing a shopping agreement with Amy Ahn (formerly WME/Endeavor), to accumulate financing at 1.2 million, with Annika set to direct. They have also since signed a co-production/ co-finance agreement for 300k with a wonderful producing team. ------ "A beautiful organization that genuinely cares and won't leave you alone in the best way:). You think winning a contest is the end of it? Nope, thats just the beginning.:)" - Annika Pampel

THE NIGHT WITCHES optioned and continued success

By: Steven Prowse
During the year, Steven’s THE NIGHT WITCHES won four screenplay competitions (Feel The Reel International, Moondance International, Filmstrip International and the True Story Screenplay Competition), taking its total to thirty wins. It also was an official selection in nine other competitions, taking the grand total to fifty-three. Thanks to the ISA, Heidi Jo Markel (OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN franchise) is now attached as an executive producer. ------ "A team that works hard to promote writers on a personal level as opposed to the usual spam-engine websites - you know who they are." - Steven Prowse
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Steven Prowse's THE NIGHT WITCHES Notches Up 30th Win
By: Steven Prowse
THE NIGHT WITCHES (WW2 true action story about all female fighter pilots) has been awarded Best Screenplay at the Moondance International Film Festival. The screenplay has Heidi Jo Markel (ANGEL HAS FALLEN) attached as executive producer.
Tags: The Night Witches,

Steven Prowse’s THE CONCERT Notches Up 4th Win
By: Steven Prowse
THE CONCERT won Best Screenplay (Family) at the World Series Of Screenwriting. Synopsis - A group of kids try to prove their grandfathers' innocence of the largest theft of artwork in history.This is a family movie that focuses on family bonds and friendship and the sacrifices people are willing to make to preserve and protect them.  The story is inspired by true events - the theft of USD 500m of artwork from the Gardner Museum in Boston in 1990 which remains unrecovered to this day. One painting alone, Vermeer's The Concert, is currently worth over USD 200m.
Tags: The Concert,

Scripts Completed, optioned and attached.

By: Jason Goldberg
Since making ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2019, horror writer Jason Goldberg has had an extremely productive year. He completed four original feature-length screenplays, a spec for The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors and 4 short film scripts. He sold STAY OUT OF THE ATTIC to Top Dead Center Films, which is currently in post production and had his short, WHERE THERE'S SMOKE... released on Halloween. In addition, THE HOME and PROJECT PEQUOD have placed in top genre competitions. He completed an assignment for Blumhouse’s “Into the Dark” series and attached Andy Palmer to direct FLATWOODS. ------ "ISA is an organization that has a writer's best interest in mind. Their mixers are welcoming and panels enlightening."
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The Home - ScreenCraft Horror FINALIST
By: Jason Goldberg
Jason's geriatric horror feature screenplay CAREGIVER has advanced to the finals! Happy October, indeed.
Tags: The Home, ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Contest(Quarter Finalist)

The Home - ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Competition
By: Jason Goldberg
Jason's geriatric horror feature THE CAREGIVER has moved to the next round in ScreenCraft's Horror Screenplay Competition.
Tags: The Home, ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Contest(Quarter Finalist)

ScreenCraft Horror Quarter Finalist: 2 Projects
By: Jason Goldberg
Jason Goldberg's THE HOME and PROJECT PEQUOD have just landed in the quarter finals for ScreenCraft's Horror Competition.
Tags: Project Pequod, ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Contest(Quarter Finalist)

Sold STAY OUT OF THE FUCKING ATTIC to Top Dead Center Films
By: Jason Goldberg
Jason Goldberg sold the script and set to co-direct with co-writer Jerren Lauder. - $250k budget.
Tags: Stay Out of the Fucking Attic!,

Writing Assignment and Shorts Success

By: Erica Tachoir
Since being named to ISA's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2019, Erica Tachoir landed her first open assignment and she is now attached to write the American remake of a foreign romantic comedy for a female-driven production company in Los Angeles. She completed a lab through the New York Women in Film & Television to help prepare her to direct her first feature, SCATTERING JAKE. Erica also directed two short films (that she also wrote), which are now being submitted to festivals. ------ "The ISA is an organization that runs various contests and provides resources to screenwriters looking to navigate their careers." - Erica Tachoir

Fellowship, Contest Wins and ISA Top 25

By: Sean Collins-Smith
Sean won the ISA Fast Track Fellowship in 2018 and signed with a manager. After then being selected as an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch, Sean has had a string of successes. He landed on the Austin Film Festival's Top Writers to Watch and placed as a finalist in Screencraft's Pilot Launch with THE SECRET LIFE OF INBRED MUTANTS, a 30-minute comedy pilot. He also placed as a finalist in WeScreenplay's TV Pilot Competition with his 60-minute pilot, LOST IN THE FLOOD, and was a finalist for ABC/Disney's Writers Program earlier this year. ------"The ISA is rocket fuel for your screenwriting career -- 7 months after winning the Fast Track Fellowship, I was in Los Angeles, I had a manager and I was taking general meetings!" - Sean Collins-Smith

Jamie Anderson is "The New Female Director to Watch For in 2020"

By: Jamie Anderson
Since becoming an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch, Jamie has written, directed, and produced three award-winning short films, receiving awards that include Best Director and Best Dark Comedy. She currently has a comedy feature in pre-production, and a comedy television pilot in development. Jamie was recently acknowledged by Vivaglam Magazine as a "The New Female Director to Watch For in 2020".

Anderson's Pushing 40 Pushes Into Top 5 at TrackingB.com
By: Jamie Anderson
Jamie Anderson's comedy pilot, "Pushing 40" was named a Finalist among thousands of scripts in the recent TrackingB.com contest. Anderson's pilot was the only comedy chosen in the final 5. Billed as a trashier "Sex In The City", Jamie and her "Pushing 40" is also part of the ISA Development Program and being shopped to multiple industry companies.

Hired as Film Critic by Rotten Tomatoes and Creative Screenwriting

By: Jeff York
Jeff was hired by Creative Screenwriting magazine in 2018 to be their film critic based on his work writing for The Establishing Shot and The Examiner online, and was invited by RottenTomatoes.com to be one of their featured critics in 2019. Jeff has had contest success with two scripts since becoming an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2018, and an Oscar-nominated producer is currently considering his work. "Screenwriting is a complex undertaking, and trying to break into Hollywood is a Herculean task, so it's good to have a resource and advocate like the ISA in your corner." - Jeff York
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Jeff York's dark comedy 'Play Dirty is a 2017 Script Pipeline semi-finalist
By: Jeff York
Jeff York's dark comedy 'Play Dirty' has just been named a Script Pipeline 2017 screenwriting contest semifinalist. This is the fifth time that a script from Jeff York has figured in the finals of Script Pipeline's contests. PLAY DIRTY is about a junior high nerd in San Clemente in 1977 who is running for her middle school's band presidency and to help her win she retains the services of ex-president Richard Nixon.

It's a biting commentary on politics, bullying and female empowerment, as well as a moving character study of a lost little girl trying to be popular. Jeff is a film blogger at The Establishing Shot online and host/critic of Page 2 Screen for the International Screenwriters Association. He's also an original member of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle.
Tags: Script Pipeline Great TV Show Idea Contest, DUPLICATE - Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition, Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition

Jeff York's dark comedy 'Play Dirty' named Script Pipeline quarterfinalist
By: Jeff York
Jeff York's dark comedy 'Play Dirty' was just named a quarterfinalist in the 2017 Script Pipeline screenwriting contest.

The story concerns Becky Shrum, a nerdy 13-year-old girl in San Clemente, CA who is running to be the president of the junior high band in 1977. Her opponent happens to be Claire Endicott, her ex-bestie and the most popular girl in class. To assist her navigate the waters of her tumultuous campaign, Becky enlists the help of local resident and former POTUS - Richard Nixon. Soon, they're concocting dirty tricks together to help her best the over-achieving Claire. The competition escalates and involves smear campaigns, secret tape recordings, and even the participation of Nixon's enemies list member Paul Newman!

The script has received a number of accolades, most notably a quarterfinal finish in the Nicholl Fellowship. This brings Jeff's total of figuring in the finals of screenwriting contest to 63 over the past five years he's been writing scripts.
Tags: Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition, Nicholl Fellowship, DUPLICATE - Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition

Jeff York starts second year of "Page 2 Screen" podcast for the ISA
By: Jeff York
With a full 53 recordings in just over a year, "Page 2 Screen" has rounded into its second year of broadcast for the International Screenwriters Association. It is hosted by acclaimed writer and ISA member Jeff York. Each week another ISA member and Jeff review a current film or television series with an emphasis on its journey from page to screen. It's grown each week in popularity, and as the 2017 year starts, a new slate of writers are being lined up, as well as some of the more popular guests from the past season. (Who knows, perhaps YOU could be one of Jeff's guests very soon!)
Tags: International Screenwriters' Association

Jeff York's "Incurable" wins the Festival for Horror screenplay contest
By: Jeff York

This month, Jeff York's script "Incurable" won the Festival For Horror screenplay contest online. It received a table read by professional actors as part of the prize and that videotaped recording can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb_mQez_MZc. 

 

"Incurable" has won a number of screenwriting contests before, with its first draft winning acclaim in 2009 as the only spec script recommended by Script magazine and Final Draft's Script Xpert service. (Out of over a thousand spec entries they evaluated that calendar year.)

 

Jeff's horror tale is a character-driven story concerning a young man who develops ALS and then turns to a female vampire to bite him to beat the disease. 

Tags: Festival for Horror Screenplay Contest, Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, DUPLICATE - ScreamCraft Horror Script Contest

Julia Skikavich's MISSING PIECES places as a Shore Scripts Semi-Finalist

By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's female-centric serialized crime drama, MISSING PIECES, has placed as a semi-finalist in Shore Scripts' TV Contest. The script is one of 26 semi-finalists in the 1-Hour TV category. The gritty pilot has been hailed as a "kick butt script" that's "thoughtful" and "thrilling". Scoring big on the script evaluation, MISSING PIECES has been cited as a "high stakes story that will keep the audience invested."
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Julia Skikavich's SURVIVORS: B.S. an Emerging Screenwriters semi-finalist
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's darkly funny, one-hour drama SURVIVORS: B.S. has placed as a semi-finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay competition. It is currently among the Top 25 Drama scripts under consideration for the 2019 prize. The pilot has been hailed for its women-centric approach in tackling intractable social issues, centered around wholly relevant discussions tied to sexism, rape culture, the #MeToo movement, and the harsh realities of dealing with a serious medical issue and disability as a struggling young professional.
Tags: Survivors: B.S., Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Top 100), International Screenwriters' Association

Julia Skikavich's MISSING PIECES places as a Shore Scripts Quarter-Finalist
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's female-centric serialized crime drama, MISSING PIECES, has placed as a quarter-finalist in Shore Scripts' TV Contest. The gritty pilot has been hailed as a "kick butt script" that's "thoughtful" and "thrilling". Scoring big on the script evaluation, MISSING PIECES has been cited as a "high stakes story that will keep the audience invested."
Tags: Missing Pieces, Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition(Quarter Finalist), Shore Scripts

Julia Skikavich a finalist for WIFT-Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich was selected as a finalist for the Women in Film and Television (Toronto)'s Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship program. The program is aimed at emerging writers-producers, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about client management and development, generating ideas, preparing pitches and selling shows for different genres from an agency perspective.
Tags: Women in Film

Julia Skikavich's SURVIVORS: B.S. Stowe Story Labs' Selected Project
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's darkly funny TV drama, SURVIVORS: B.S., was named as a Stowe Selected Project for both the Sidewalk Lab in Alabama, and Fall Narrative Lab in Vermont. Stowe Story Labs organizers noted the pilot 'is an interesting turn into the world of loss and disability.' The series has been hailed for its women-centric approach in tackling intractable social issues, including the #MeToo movement and coping with illness as a young professional. She is deeply honoured to have SURVIVORS: B.S. picked as a Stowe Selected Project.
Tags: Survivors: B.S., Stowe Story Labs(Official Selection), Stowe Story Labs

Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood

By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE has placed as a Semi-Finalist in Stage32's Search for New Blood screenwriting contest.
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Ted Campbell's HARM'S WAY Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's suspense thriller HARM'S WAY is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition.
Tags: Harm's Way, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Ted Campbell's BLUE MOTEL Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's crime thriller BLUE MOTEL is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. BLUE MOTEL recently won the Grand Prize in the Your Script Produced screenplay contest.
Tags: Blue Motel, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE moves forward in Stage32's Search for New Blood contest as a Quarter Finalist!
Tags: Almost Gone, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest(Finalist)

Ted Campbell's thriller STRICKEN Creative Screenwriters Semi-Finalist
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller STRICKEN is a Semi-Finalist in Creative Screenwriters Unique Voices Screenplay Contest. STRICKEN made the Top 25 in the Horror/Thriller genre. This is the second scipt for Ted Campbell in this contest.
Tags: Stricken, Creative Screenwriting Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Award Winning Short Film- HOTEL

By: Genevieve Sipperley
HOTEL screened at numerous film festivals, one of which (The 33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival) the director and the writer Genevieve Sipperley panleists after the premier. HOTEL also won Best Film at the CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival.

Ted Campbell's HARM'S WAY Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest

By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's suspense thriller HARM'S WAY is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition.
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Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE has placed as a Semi-Finalist in Stage32's Search for New Blood screenwriting contest.
Tags: Almost Gone, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest(Finalist)

Ted Campbell's BLUE MOTEL Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's crime thriller BLUE MOTEL is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. BLUE MOTEL recently won the Grand Prize in the Your Script Produced screenplay contest.
Tags: Blue Motel, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE moves forward in Stage32's Search for New Blood contest as a Quarter Finalist!
Tags: Almost Gone, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest(Finalist)

Ted Campbell's thriller STRICKEN Creative Screenwriters Semi-Finalist
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller STRICKEN is a Semi-Finalist in Creative Screenwriters Unique Voices Screenplay Contest. STRICKEN made the Top 25 in the Horror/Thriller genre. This is the second scipt for Ted Campbell in this contest.
Tags: Stricken, Creative Screenwriting Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Ted Campbell's BLUE MOTEL Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest

By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's crime thriller BLUE MOTEL is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition. BLUE MOTEL recently won the Grand Prize in the Your Script Produced screenplay contest.
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Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE has placed as a Semi-Finalist in Stage32's Search for New Blood screenwriting contest.
Tags: Almost Gone, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest(Finalist)

Ted Campbell's HARM'S WAY Semi-Finalist Emerging Screenwriters Contest
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's suspense thriller HARM'S WAY is a Semi-Finalist in the Mystery category for Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition.
Tags: Harm's Way, Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE Search for New Blood
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller ALMOST GONE moves forward in Stage32's Search for New Blood contest as a Quarter Finalist!
Tags: Almost Gone, Stage 32 Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest(Finalist)

Ted Campbell's thriller STRICKEN Creative Screenwriters Semi-Finalist
By: Ted Campbell
Ted Campbell's supernatural thriller STRICKEN is a Semi-Finalist in Creative Screenwriters Unique Voices Screenplay Contest. STRICKEN made the Top 25 in the Horror/Thriller genre. This is the second scipt for Ted Campbell in this contest.
Tags: Stricken, Creative Screenwriting Screenplay Competition(Semi Finalist)

Julia Skikavich's SURVIVORS: B.S. an Emerging Screenwriters semi-finalist

By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's darkly funny, one-hour drama SURVIVORS: B.S. has placed as a semi-finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay competition. It is currently among the Top 25 Drama scripts under consideration for the 2019 prize. The pilot has been hailed for its women-centric approach in tackling intractable social issues, centered around wholly relevant discussions tied to sexism, rape culture, the #MeToo movement, and the harsh realities of dealing with a serious medical issue and disability as a struggling young professional.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Julia Skikavich's MISSING PIECES places as a Shore Scripts Semi-Finalist
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's female-centric serialized crime drama, MISSING PIECES, has placed as a semi-finalist in Shore Scripts' TV Contest. The script is one of 26 semi-finalists in the 1-Hour TV category. The gritty pilot has been hailed as a "kick butt script" that's "thoughtful" and "thrilling". Scoring big on the script evaluation, MISSING PIECES has been cited as a "high stakes story that will keep the audience invested."
Tags: Missing Pieces, Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition(Quarter Finalist), Shore Scripts

Julia Skikavich's MISSING PIECES places as a Shore Scripts Quarter-Finalist
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's female-centric serialized crime drama, MISSING PIECES, has placed as a quarter-finalist in Shore Scripts' TV Contest. The gritty pilot has been hailed as a "kick butt script" that's "thoughtful" and "thrilling". Scoring big on the script evaluation, MISSING PIECES has been cited as a "high stakes story that will keep the audience invested."
Tags: Missing Pieces, Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition(Quarter Finalist), Shore Scripts

Julia Skikavich a finalist for WIFT-Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich was selected as a finalist for the Women in Film and Television (Toronto)'s Meridian Artists Agency Mentorship program. The program is aimed at emerging writers-producers, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about client management and development, generating ideas, preparing pitches and selling shows for different genres from an agency perspective.
Tags: Women in Film

Julia Skikavich's SURVIVORS: B.S. Stowe Story Labs' Selected Project
By: Julia Skikavich
Julia Skikavich's darkly funny TV drama, SURVIVORS: B.S., was named as a Stowe Selected Project for both the Sidewalk Lab in Alabama, and Fall Narrative Lab in Vermont. Stowe Story Labs organizers noted the pilot 'is an interesting turn into the world of loss and disability.' The series has been hailed for its women-centric approach in tackling intractable social issues, including the #MeToo movement and coping with illness as a young professional. She is deeply honoured to have SURVIVORS: B.S. picked as a Stowe Selected Project.
Tags: Survivors: B.S., Stowe Story Labs(Official Selection), Stowe Story Labs

Phil Parker Hired to Write Feature 'FORTE'

By: Phil Parker
Screenwriter Phil Parker has been hired by Sine Qua Non Pictures to write FORTE, a music drama based on a true story and in the vein of Birdman/Whiplash. This is the second feature script Phil has been hired to work on this year. His previous writing assignment has two producers attached, including a BAFTA-winner, and will be shopped this year at the American Film Market. FORTE currently has a director and two producers attached also. Scripting begins in November.
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Phil Parker Hired Again By Toil Films
By: Phil Parker
Screenwriter Phil Parker has been hired again by producer Elliott Yancey, p.g.a. at Toil Films to work on draft 2 of the thrilling WWII script FLY GIRLS. Phil was previously hired by Toil Films to develop the concept and write draft 1 of FLY GIRLS. Both his client and an exclusive reader at the Black List were very impressed with Phil's work. Since then, a second, BAFTA-winning producer has joined the team with new insights and experience. 
Tags:

Development Slate Script KINDRED Gets Shopping Agreement
By: Phil Parker
Screenwriter Phil Parker is thrilled to announce he has signed a shopping agreement with Creative Screenwriter Productions, LLC in Los Angeles for his sci-fi/action-adventure screenplay KINDRED. Phil is an ISA member with two scripts on ISA's Development Slate and was one of ISA's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2018. KINDRED placed in the Screencraft and Blue Cat Screenwriting Competitions and won First Place at the Native American Tribal Film Festival. Director Josh Bryer at Red Centre Films hired Phil to do a significant rewrite of the 5th and 6th drafts of KINDRED after his proof-of-concept short film for KINDRED was an official selection in several major sci-fi film festivals.
Tags: KINDRED, Creative Screenwriter Productions, LLC

ISA Development Slate writer Phil Parker - Black List praise FIRST draft!
By: Phil Parker
In 2018 Phil Parker was hired by Toil Films to write a WWII feature. Thrilled with the first draft, his producer sent it to the Black List to see what they'd say. The result? An 8/10. A tremendous achievement considering how hard it is to score that highly at The Black List, even with a polished final draft. Here's a snippet from their report: "The premise is eminently marketable and would likely have broad and perhaps even international appeal. The main character is drawn with depth, nuance and authenticity, and features in a stunning manner that gives her role the potential to entice top leading ladies. The aviation scenes are riveting, rendered with richly immersive authenticity and spectacularly cinematic detail."
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Phil Parker - ISA Top 25 Screenwriter in 2018? The Results are In!
By: Phil Parker
In late 2017, Phil was honored by the ISA with inclusion on their Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2018 List. Considering the talent on that list, it was a high bar to live up to. So, with 2018 coming to a close, how did he do? PROJECTS: He was hired by Toil Films to write FLY GIRLS, a WWII action/drama. Script, completed. Producer to start packaging in 2019 He was hired by director Rob Kaplan to write BROKEN WINGS, a winter-sports action/drama. Script, completed. Project in development in 2019. And a project he wrote a 40-page treatment for in 2017, CATSAWAY (an animated adventure) has gone into production with Tent Pictures. Due for release in 2019. Great results for Phil in 2018! For more info visit www.storiesbyphil.com
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CRAWLSPACE named Top Finalist in BREAKING WALLS Contest

By: Jacob Wehrman
CRAWLSPACE, a contained thriller set in the moody Pacific Northwest, has placed as a Top Finalist in Round 4 of the 2019 Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest.
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BAD WATER wins Quarterfinalist Award in SHORE SCRIPTS 2019
By: Jacob Wehrman
BAD WATER, an eerie eco-terror thriller by Jacob Wehrman, was named a Quarterfinalist in the Shore Scripts Feature Competition. After two rounds of reading, both judges gave the script high marks in hook, plot, pacing and marketing potential. BAD WATER advances to the next round of judging, among the Top 10% of all 2019 feature entries.
Tags: BAD WATER, Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition(Quarter Finalist)

BAD WATER wins Honorable Mention: Feature Screenplay award
By: Jacob Wehrman
BAD WATER, the second screenplay by Jacob D Wehrman, has won the Honorable Mention: Feature Screenplay award from the Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles. "Excellent writing! Blair's character is fascinating, and her story is full of plot twists, complications and dramatic scenes and thrilling moments. The pacing and structure are simply great - it's easy to read, and intriguing throughout." - The Festigious Team, September 2019.
Tags: BAD WATER, Festigious International Film Festival(Honorable Mention), ISA

CRAWLSPACE successfully pitched to Zero Gravity Management
By: Jacob Wehrman
CRAWLSPACE, written by Jacob D Wehrman, has been successfully pitched to a high-level talent manager at Zero Gravity Management. The script was thereafter shared with an up-and-coming Cuban-American director, who has also expressed interest in the project. CRAWLSPACE is the first screenplay by Mr. Wehrman, and has a 4-star Rating from the ISA.
Tags: CRAWLSPACE, Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship(Semi Finalist), International Screenwriters' Association, Zero Gravity Management

BAD WATER wins Quarterfinalist Award in SHORE SCRIPTS 2019

By: Jacob Wehrman
BAD WATER, an eerie eco-terror thriller by Jacob Wehrman, was named a Quarterfinalist in the Shore Scripts Feature Competition. After two rounds of reading, both judges gave the script high marks in hook, plot, pacing and marketing potential. BAD WATER advances to the next round of judging, among the Top 10% of all 2019 feature entries.
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CRAWLSPACE named Top Finalist in BREAKING WALLS Contest
By: Jacob Wehrman
CRAWLSPACE, a contained thriller set in the moody Pacific Northwest, has placed as a Top Finalist in Round 4 of the 2019 Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest.
Tags: CRAWLSPACE, Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Competition(Finalist)

BAD WATER wins Honorable Mention: Feature Screenplay award
By: Jacob Wehrman
BAD WATER, the second screenplay by Jacob D Wehrman, has won the Honorable Mention: Feature Screenplay award from the Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles. "Excellent writing! Blair's character is fascinating, and her story is full of plot twists, complications and dramatic scenes and thrilling moments. The pacing and structure are simply great - it's easy to read, and intriguing throughout." - The Festigious Team, September 2019.
Tags: BAD WATER, Festigious International Film Festival(Honorable Mention), ISA

CRAWLSPACE successfully pitched to Zero Gravity Management
By: Jacob Wehrman
CRAWLSPACE, written by Jacob D Wehrman, has been successfully pitched to a high-level talent manager at Zero Gravity Management. The script was thereafter shared with an up-and-coming Cuban-American director, who has also expressed interest in the project. CRAWLSPACE is the first screenplay by Mr. Wehrman, and has a 4-star Rating from the ISA.
Tags: CRAWLSPACE, Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship(Semi Finalist), International Screenwriters' Association, Zero Gravity Management

3 Contest Placements for Robert Rossetti Comedy Script JIMMY LYNCH

By: Robert Rossetti
Robert Rossetti, a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and former NYC Stand Up Comic, has recently placed in 3 Contests with his Comedy Feature, THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF JIMMY LYNCH! a 90's Comedy about Worcester, Massachusetts. The Script placed as a Semifinalist in the 2019 Screencraft Comedy Contest and is currently a Quarterfinalist in the Shore Scripts Contest as well as a Semifinalist in the Emerging Screenwriter's Comedy Genre Competition. Bob, is an avid Comedy writer with three completed features, an original pilot, and an original sketch comedy show all in his portfolio!

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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!

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