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. 49 Success Stories Listed.

Script Sold/Hires Pending

By: M Sieve
Thanks to ISA, my heavily awarded script PRAYER sold to an undisclosed (NDA) production company. As well, the success of PRAYER lead to two more hires, one for a faith-based feature, nearing completion, and negotiations now underway for a 10-epi dramatic series.

Sieve Receives Multiple Wins at California Film Awards
By: M Sieve
M B Sieve strikes twice at the California Film Awards placing 2nd in the feature screenplay competition with his latest feature "Soul to Soul", and outright winning the short script competition with his multiple award winning short "Give My Love to Rose". 

Edge of Darkness Optioned

By: Amy Blackwelder
MiLa Media optioned The Edge of Darkness fall of 2019. MiLa Media found The EDGE OF DARKNESS through an ISA Writing Gig. Due to Covid19, plans for production and streaming will be postponed and hopefully completed in 2021. Currently Sony Screen Gems is interested in financing this screenplay.

Hired From ISA Writing Gig

By: Richard Lasser
Alex Azmi hired Richard Lasser to rewrite his short about Anna May Wong from a writing gig from the ISA Team.

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.
More SuccessDown Aroow

TOP 7 FINALIST - Unpublished Book Competition - Memoir - 2020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qualified as a one of the TOP 7 FINALISTS in the category of memoir for 2020's Pacific Northwest Writer's Association Unpublished Book Competition out of over 600 submissions.

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.

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)

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.
More SuccessDown Aroow

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.

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: 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)

Script Optioned through ISA Writing Gigs

By: Terence Brody
Terence Brody's screenplay RENOVATE MY HEART has been optioned by Oren Kamara, with Fade To Black Films. He found the script through ISA "Writing Gigs." Kamara intends to go into production in September. Thanks ISA!

Terence Brody - Two Produced Features in 2014
By: Terence Brody

I have two produced features. "Mom and Dad UnderGrads" aired on PixL Network (and on Hallmark Channel under the title "A Lesson in Romance.") The second, titled "Rescuing Madison" is based on my book of the same name. It aired on Pixl Network in 2014.

BLACK BAGS Optioned!

By: Adam Pachter
I'm thrilled to announce that Oren Kamara of Fade to Black Films, who found my low budget thriller feature BLACK BAGS via an ISAConnect writing gig to which I submitted, has now optioned the script, with plans to shoot in Oklahoma as soon as it's safe to do so. This will be my first script to make it to screen, and I couldn't be more pleased and grateful to ISAConnect for this amazing resource!

Science Fiction script CODE & CHEMISTRY a Semi-Finalist in the Chesterfield

By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's science fiction parody CODE & CHEMISTRY was a 2001 Semi-Finalist in the Chesterfield Writer's Film Project screenplay contest managed by Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg's Amblin' Entertainment.
More SuccessDown Aroow

Christopher Haviland's Horror script PHANTASMAGORIUM now under option
By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's horror, PHANTASMAGORIUM, has been optioned.
Tags: Phantasmagorium,

Comedy script PARENTAL CONTROL made Finalist in Other Worlds Austin
By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's sci-fi comedy PARENTAL CONTROL was a 2019 Finalist in the Other Worlds Austin SciFi Screenwriting Contest.
Tags: Parental Control,

SF script CODE & CREATION made Finalist in Emerging Screenwriters
By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's science fiction parody CODE & CREATION (aka CODE & CHEMISTRY) was a 2019 Finalist in the Emerging Screenwriters Genre Screenplay Competition.
Tags: Code & Creation,

Science Fiction script CODE & CREATION made Semi-Finalist in Austin
By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's science fiction parody CODE & CREATION (aka CODE & CHEMISTRY) was a 2019 Semi-Finalist in the Other Worlds Austin SciFi Screenwriting Contest.
Tags: Code & Creation,

True Crime Drama 'EMBRACING THE SUNRISE' now under option
By: Christopher Haviland
Christopher Sirmons Haviland's mystery thriller, 'Embracing the Sunrise' (formerly entitled 'Harmless',) based on the true story of a little girl who was brutally murdered in 1969, has been optioned by producer-director Peter Engert in Florida.
Tags: Embracing the Sunrise (former: Harmless),

ISAConnect Member Pablo Vizcarrondo hired through ISA Writing Gigs post

By: PABLO VIZCARRONDO
Pablo was hired to co-write a feature, after submitting to an ISA Writing Gig. Pablo recently celebrated his success by saying "Pay the extra $10 a month is definitely worth it!"

Andy Byrne's commissioned feature set for production early 2018

By: Andy Byrne
Following up on the ISA Fast Track III and PAGE International wins, Andy was commissioned to re-write and existing screenplay for director/producer Kevin Goetz (SCENIC ROUTE). A director has been attached and principal casting is under way. With production due to start early 2018, stay tuned for further announcements!
More SuccessDown Aroow

Fast Track Fellow Andy Byrne signed to write new sci-fi feature
By: Andy Byrne
The fast-paced, reality-bending sci-fi is currently under wraps. Producer Jay Douglas and Andy have just been invited to pitch the project to Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions in March. This brings Andy's current projects in development to four -- including the 2016 ISA Fast Track Fellowship-winner DISCONN. Cameras roll on another commissioned feature in just over a month. That film and the remaining project, SILO, are slated to be discussed in an industry announcement later this month/early April. Andy hopes to get some sleep at some point in the next 6 months.

Just made ISA Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2018!
By: Andy Byrne
'It's an honor to be on this list considering the incredibly talented writers also on here". 2018 is set to be a significant year for Andy. He has one feature slated for production in early 2018, another drawing ongoing A-list actor involvement and a third already garnering studio interest. Andy has also just been invited to pen another feature project. In between, he's working on establishing production of a passion project of his. He's looking forward to making official announcements over the next few months.
Tags: DISCONN,

Commissioned script re-write gig from Andy Byrne now slated for production
By: Andy Byrne
Byrne was invited to re-write an existing screenplay -- a story coming from the realms of The Twilight Zone. The project now has high-caliber leads and director attached and is slated for production early 2018. For now, the title and details are under wraps.

A-list Female Actor Has Fast Track Fellow Andy Byrne's Script DISCONN
By: Andy Byrne
Andy Byrne was one of the ISA's Fast Track Fellows in 2016 with his award winning screenplay DISCONN. Byrne is currently based in Australia, but has managed to garner interest in the project in Hollywood following his week taking meetings in LA with The Fast Track Fellowship.

Eve Noel's Short "Love in a Dungeon" a Finalist in the Courier Awards

By: EVE NOEL
Eve Noel's Love in a Dungeon, named as a finalist on 12/13/2015 at the Courier Awards.  This is her 9th award and we are sure more is to come.  Love in a Dungeon is a short that takes place inside the dark world of New York's train dungeon where a chance meeting of two lonely people ends up in a romance.  
More SuccessDown Aroow

Eve Noel's The Secret - HollyShorts Official Selection 2017 Film Festival
By: EVE NOEL
The Secret by Eve Noel is a short screenplay set against the backdrop of the Catholic Church, involving a Priest, and a young woman. This is the third recognition for this screenplay, the winner will be announced on August 19, 2017, at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Tags: HollyShorts Screenplay Contest

'THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF MADELEINE' - NOVEMBER 2016 WINNER OF TV PILOT FEST.
By: EVE NOEL

'The Mysterious Life of Madeleine' by Eve Noel won the TV pilot screenplay for November 2016.  The script was performed by professional actors and can be viewed on Youtube.  It is a Horror-Fantasy screenplay with biblical implications.  See it at:  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgelDXu6GQ8

Tags: TV Pilot/Spec Screenplay Festival, TV writers Contest

EVE NOEL'S "THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF MADELEINE - A FINALIST AT MASSIFF
By: EVE NOEL
Congragulations again to Eve Noel  for "The Mysterious Life of Madeleine, winnning it's third award.  It is a fantasy tale of a young woman's learned true identity at the age of 30 and her purpose on earth.   This screenplay has been written as a short and a feature and as a three part television series.   This is her eighth award since her introduction to screenplay writing in 2014.    
Tags: Massachusetts Independent Film Fest screenplay contest

THE SECRET BY EVE NOEL, RECEIVED HONORABLE MENTION

By: EVE NOEL
An Honorable Mention for "The Secret" by Eve Noel.  This is the second recognition in a contest for The Secret and we want to congratulate her again on her success.  The Indie Gathering International Film Festival is scheduled for August 8-14 in Ohio and two of Eve's scripts will receive two awards.  The first is The Mystery about Madeleine, a TV-pilot receiving 4th place finish and The Secret, a TV-pilot as well.
Tags: DUPLICATE - Indie Gathering International Film Festival

My Academy Nicholls in Screenwriting Hollywood Canadian Invasion Tour

By: Richard Raybourne
After making Zulus - The Crown of Thorns Semi Finalist in Filmmakers International Screenwriting Awards I was invited to the Academy Nicholls Fellowships in Screenwriting at the AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater and it was awesome! I met and received encouragement from the winners to keep writing and entering industry competitions, enchanted by the LIVE cast readings. I carried myself like I was The Beatles invading America and I look forward to visiting Los Angeles again!

I S A Writing Gig Success for 'That Smell' writer Jason Allen

By: Jason Allen
Director Kyle Lavore optioned Allen's short comedy script 'That Smell' after he replied to a post on the Writing Gigs page. The completed film has already screened at several International Film Festivals. Most recently it was selected for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's New York Short Film Showcase on Sept. 27.

ISA Fast Track Fellowship Finalist

By: Tara Hall
Screenwriter Tara Hall's hour-long pilot "Privates" makes it to the top 50 of ISA Fast Track fellowship in 2015.
More SuccessDown Aroow

WINNER - LOS ANGELES CRIME AND HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
By: Tara Hall
CONDEMMED wins the Best Crime Feature Screenplay for Tara Hall.
Tags: Condemned,

Bloody Horror BUZZARD HOLLOW BEEF streaming release.
By: Tara Hall
Tara Hall's horror feature BUZZARD HOLLOW BEEF is now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes, GooglePlay, and Vudu. Blu Rays and DVDs coming soon.
Tags: Buzzard Hollow Beef,

BUZZARD HOLLOW BEEF produced
By: Tara Hall
Indie horror film, Buzzard Hollow Beef, wrapped principal photography in December of 2015. 

Hall Wins Best Comedy at First Glance
By: Tara Hall
Tara Hall has won the Best Comedy category for the Short Film she wrote and directed called, Envy, at the First Glance Film Festival.

Jo Hannah Afton options screenplay Hells Canyon

By: Jo Afton
Jo Hannah responded to a CONNECT request for a screenplay by Actress / Producer Dawn Davis, who was looking for a script with a strong female lead. As a result of the connection, and further discussion, HELLS CANYON was optioned, and is now in pre-production.

Joe Leone hired to co-write script for Sonram Productions

By: Joe Leone
Joe was hired to scribe the action juggernaut "Layers of Lies" with Ramin Sohrab of Sonram Productions.  This story follows a prodigal son and his European fiancée to his native home of Iran, where his betrothed is kidnapped and he must go on a life-threatening quest to not only find her, by discover why she was abducted.  

Kentrell Liddell's screenplay Little Kid, Big Fears

By: Kentrell Liddell
The screenplay is a semi-finalist in the 2016 WeScreenplay (a division of WeTV) Diverse Voices Screenplay Competition. It was also named as a semi-finalist in the 2016 BlueCat Screenplay Competition. From the Heart Productions awarded the screenplay fiscal sponsorship in 2015. 

Frank Floyd & Cesar De La Torre WildSound Festival

By: Frank Floyd
Originally from Venezuela where he starred in the number 1 TV series across several countries Cesar De La Torre had the idea of putting together a feature based on the recent revolution's history in Venezuela. After pitching the idea to Frank Floyd they came up with a true events fictional drama, Nosotros El Pueblo, We The People. The feature sheds light on the revolution from Hugo Chavez's failed coupe attempt to his death while holding Presidential office. Many true life political figures and their sotrylines are included in the feature. To give a vision to the realities of the past and current state of the countries citizens, a fictional drama based on several families living in the country and how their lives are affected by the revolution is in the story. It has been promoted by WildSound Festival....

Bruce Spiegelman an Kele McGlohon hired by Nasser from an ISA job posting

By: Bruce Spiegelman
Work-for-Hire celebrity biopic feature film job accepted and completed from a posting originally on ISA. Job was posted in December. We had both worked for Nasser years ago on a few other projects, but found this particular job via an ISA Writing Gig e-mail. Script has been finished, accepted and should go into pre-production within the next few months. Thanks ISA!

Bruce Spiegelman Sells Three Feature Films in Three Years.
By: Bruce Spiegelman

Along with writing the adaptation of the New York Times bestseller "Booked to Die" by John Dunn, Bruce Spiegelman, along with his writing partner, finished and sold three features over the last three years.

 

"The Wedding Chapel" starring Shelley Long, Mark Deklin and Emmanuelle Vaugier.
"Coming Home for Christmas" starring Ben Hollingsworth and Carly McKillip

"The Bouquet" starring Danny Glover and Kristy Swanson

O'Connell's LOVE'S REMAINS Scores Ninth Contest Placement

By: Matthew OConnell
Matt O'Connell's real-time horror/thriller LOVE'S REMAINS was selected as a quarterfinalist in the 2015 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition.This brings LOVE'S REMAINS' total contest placements to nine. Previous competitions to recognize it include Final Draft Big Break, The Tracking Board, Screencraft, The Aura Screenwriting Awards, The Writers Store Spotlight Competition, and more.
More SuccessDown Aroow

O'Connell's LOVE'S REMAINS Makes Top 50 in 2015 Launch Pad Competition
By: Matthew OConnell

Matt O'Connell's real-time horror/thriller LOVE'S REMAINS has advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2015 Launch Pad Features Competition from The Tracking Board, putting it in the top 50 scripts out of more than 1500 entries.

 

LOVE'S REMAINS is also among the top 100 contenders in the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, and was previously recognized as a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft Big Break and Screencraft Horror Contests, as well as being a finalist for the ISA Fast Track Fellowship.

Tags: Launch Pad Features Script Competition

O'Connell's Thriller LOVE'S REMAINS Gets Further Contest Recognition
By: Matthew OConnell

Building on previous success, Matt O'Connell's thriller LOVE'S REMAINS has earned additional contest attention, making it into the Top 75 of the 2015 Launch Pad Features Competition from The Tracking Board - or the top 5% of all entries.  

 

It was also announced last week that LOVE'S REMAINS is among the Top 100 scripts in the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, sponsored by the ISA.

 

The script had already been recognized by the Final Draft Big Break and Screencraft Horror Contests as a quarterfinalist, as well as being a finalist in the ISA Fast Track Fellowship.

 

LOVE'S REMAINS is a real-time horror/thriller that takes place in one night in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It's an ensemble piece that looks at loss and love in an excting, fast-paced format that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. 

Tags: Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, Launch Pad Features Script Competition

Matt O'Connell's LOVE'S REMAINS Gets Contest Attention
By: Matthew OConnell

Matt O'Connell's horror/thriller spec LOVE'S REMAINS has earned the praise of readers and judges across a variety of high-profile contests in 2015. The feature was recognized as a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft Big Break Constest and the Screencraft Horror Script Contest, and earned Matthew a place among the 50 finalists for the ISA Fast Track Fellowship.

 

LOVE'S REMAINS is a unique ensemble thriller with that takes place in real time in WIlliamsburg, Brooklyn as a serial killer with a personal vendetta terrorizes the borough.

Tags: Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, ISA Fast Track Fellowship, DUPLICATE - ScreamCraft Horror Script Contest
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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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