Ian Noakes & Scott Parisien Option their Script "Dark Passenger" 05/01/08
"Only months after receiving a grade of RECOMMEND on our script DARK PASSENGER, we were able to use the endorsement letter and coverage we received to secure an option agreement for our script. The producer hopes to have the script into production within a year, and all eyes coming in contact with the script continue to be impressed. We couldn't have done it without you guys!"
Deborah Baxtrom Options her Contest-Winning Script 04/30/08
"Thanks to Script Pimp, my script was optioned and is currently in the stages of pre-production."
Scott Walker optioned his script from Script Pimp's Pitchfest 07/17/07
"Thanks to Expo 4, and more specifically the Script Pimp/Script Shark Pitchfest, I was given the opportunity to pitch to an established manager who not only requested my script, but signed me! Today I have an optioned screenplay that's currently out to talent. It's an amazing step I never would've found without the Expo. Thanks!
Script Pimp's The Living Wake receives Red Star Award at CineVegas 06/17/07
1. The Living Wake on CineVegas. Film was produced and line produced by Chadwick Clough of Script Pimp:
Sol Tryon’s The Living Wake garnered the Heineken Red Star Award. A dark comedy set in a storybook universe, The Living Wake chronicles the final day of K. Roth Binew, a quixotic character who attempts to probe life’s great mysteries before his final hour.
The Heineken Red Star Award recognizes films that push the boundaries of creativity and provide a unique vision and execution; this award was created in an effort to promote up-and-coming filmmakers by providing additional exposure and visibility for their films. To this end, Heineken has partnered with two venerable media partners – Variety and the Independent Film Channel (IFC) – to bring well-deserved publicity and visibility to the Heineken Red Star Award recipients and their films.
Script Pimp's The Living Wake reviewed by Variety and FilmThreat 06/13/07
An Original Media presentation in association with Drops Entertainment, Script Pimp, MonAmi Prods. (International sales: Shoreline Entertainment, Los Angeles.) Produced by Ami Ankin, Chadwick Clough, Peter Kline, Mike O'Connell, Sol Tryon. Executive producers, Charlie Corwin, Clara Markowitz, Justin Leitstein, Rob Bethge. Co-producers, Gabe Polsky, Giancarlo Canavesio. Directed by Sol Tryon. Screenplay, Mike O'Connell, Peter Kine.
K. Roth Binew - Mike O'Connell Mills Joaquin - Jesse Eisenberg Librarian - Ann Dowd Reginald - Eddie Pepitone Lampert Binew - Jim Gaffigan Marla - Diane Kagan
Set inside the daft world of its eccentric hero, "The Living Wake" could be termed anything from a black comedy to an absurdist/existentialist literary tale. In the end, however, pic defies all categorization, joining a small pantheon of pics including "Withnail & I" and Peter Greenaway's "Drowning byNumbers" that whistle past the graveyard with aplomb. Marking a stunning feature debut by lead actor and co-writer Mike O'Connell, pic is certain to set tongues wagging at fests and looks primed to do well in theatrical niches and tony ancillary havens.
Opening mock newsreel, titled "The Life and Times of K. Roth Binew," lets auds know they're in for something altogether different. Binew's father (Jim Gaffigan) apparently left the family when Binew was a lad. The boy was rescued from a life of sheer hell by his nanny Marla (Diane Kagan), whom he learned to love in more ways than one. Binew grows up to become a dabbler in the arts, increasingly burdened by the sense that he'll never accomplish a complete work of art, or anything else for that matter.
Newsreel brings the saga up to the present day. Binew's doctor (Sam Goldfarb) has told him he will expire of "a vague and grave disease," and Binew announces -- everything the supremely self-involved and meticulously groomed Binew says is an announcement -- that if he must leave this world, now is as good a time as any.
To this end, Binew assigns his official biographer and driver, Mills Joaquin (Jesse Eisenberg), to transport him around the forested town in his bicycle rickshaw so he can take care of all his final arrangements. The sight of Mills taking Binew to and fro in the rickshaw is a classic absurdist piece as staged by director Sol Tryon, capped by scene after scene of dialogue (written by O'Connell and regular co-writer Peter Kline) that recall Tom Stoppard in their precise, hilarious and mind-expanding use of language.
A proud alcoholic and casual swindler, Binew manages to get free booze out of his "liquorsmith" (Ben Duhl), ventures to the mortuary to demand a Viking-style burial on water, then goes to a farm to steal a goat for a picnic in honor of nanny Marla.
Binew is a man certain of his destiny as a great and elegant loser, and each step leading up to his wake seems to confirm this: His neighbor and arch-nemesis Reginald (Eddie Pepitone) sends Mills off the road by attacking him with smoke, rusty nails and ham steaks, while, in a hilarious sequence, the local librarian (Ann Dowd) firmly refuses to allow Binew to bequeath his books to the facility's collection.And, as if the special world of "The Living Wake" weren't complete enough, Binew bursts into song for a few numbers that lift O'Connell's perf into the realm of Robert Preston's in "The Music Man."While this will surely miff viewers unable to adjust their sights (or ears) to O'Connell's aggressively declarative style, others will be rewarded with one of recent cinema's most distinctive and original lead turns.
In a final test of pic's brilliance, the titular wake (which arrives just before the hour mark and lasts the better part of a half-hour) is everything and more that a K. Roth Binew send-off should be.
Playing opposite the monumental O'Connell would seem to be an impossible assignment, but Eisenberg is note-perfect as his steady servant and go-to guy. Supporting ensemble couldn't be more colorful. Pepitone, Gaffigan, Dowd, Kagan and Rebecca Comerfield (as a psychic) are among the standouts.
Low-budget pic looks fabulous, due in part to Tryon's highly crafted mise-en-scene, Scott Miller's intensely warm cinematography (lensed on well-chosen locales in woodsy southern Maine) and Michael Grasley's production design, seemingly inspired by Binew's nutty, upside-down sense of the world.
Carter Little and O'Connell's score and three blackly comic songs (one co-written with Kline) ideally cap the eccentricity.
Camera (color), Scott Miller; editor, Joe Klotz; music, Carter Little, O'Connell; production designer, Michael Grasley; set decorator, Rafaela Stacheter; costume designer, Negar Ali; sound (Dolby Digital), Anthony Viera; sound designer, John Moros; re-recording mixer, Cory Melious; line producer, Chadwick Clough; associate producers, Elizabeth Destro, Alex Orlovsky; assistant director, Christopher Joy; second unit camera, Ray Flynn; casting, Caroline Sinclair. Reviewed at CineVegas Film Festival, June 10, 2007. Running time: 91 MIN.
With: Sam Goldfarb, Ben Duhl, Matthew Cowles, Peter Paton, Stephen Brian Jones, Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine, Rebecca Comerfield, Mark Shulte, Harlan Baker, Ami Ankin.
K. Roth Binew (O’Connell) is dying at the end of the day. His doctor has discovered an unnamed untreatable illness that will take the life of the eccentric Binew shortly after nightfall. Such is the plot for one of the funniest, most creative and beyond ridiculous (in a good way) films I’ve ever seen, “The Living Wake.” This is one of those reviews that’s nearly impossible to write because explaining the tone and humor of the film will come nowhere close to expressing what a refreshing blast this film is, but I shall saunter forward and do my best.
Depending on the way you look at him, Binew is either an eccentric or a lunatic. He chugs scotch from the back of his three wheeled bicycle rickshaw which is driven by his best friend, biographer and ingénue Mills (Eisenberg) who is taking his mentors impending death pretty hard. Eisenberg, who is apparently incapable of being in bad movies, is a great straight-man to O’Conell’s over-the-top Binew but their relationship allows you to care more about the both of them. They also play hilariously off one another. Or I should say, O’Connell plays hilariously and Eisenberg’s character sucks it up perfectly.
I don’t know who Mike O’Connell is, but without any hesitation I will say he’s a brilliant comedian. To even come up with two or three scenes featuring K. Roth Binew traveling with Mills by rickshaw would be hysterical and watchable. Yet he and writer Peter Kline have created a whole movie that really never misses a beat. I also felt director Sol Tryon gave the film a great, distinctive look. It sort of reminded me of Robert Altman’s “Popeye” with a hint of “Harold and Maude” thrown in for good measure.
As Binew’s final day unspools, he sets about doing some things he’s always wanted to do. He attempts to make amends with a crabby neighbor and professes his undying love for his childhood nanny, now a geriatric, yet attractive woman. Throughout the day Binew hands out invites to that evenings “living wake” and the film culminates with the big party to end all parties.
At times “The Living Wake” felt like a live action cartoon or some kind of fairy tale from a bizarre-o world and I loved it. I can totally see how some people will not know what the hell is going on, and that’s understandable. Binew speaks in a loud, presentational bellow and is prone to launching into song and dance. But if you allow yourself to fall into the world of “The Living Wake,” you’re really in for a treat. Funny, touching, insane, ridiculous and brilliant are just a few words I would use to describe “The Living Wake.” Films like this need to be seen so seek it out, you’ll be glad you did.
The Living Wake premiere at the 2007 CineVegas Film Festival 06/08/07
Original Media presents, in association with Script P.I.M.P., LLC, "The Living Wake". The comedy will premiere June 8th at the CineVegas Film Festival. Chadwick Clough served as the producer and line producer for Mike O’Connell and Peter Kilne’s comedy spec directed by Sol Tryon.
"The Living Wake" on IMDB
TheLivingWake.com
Script Pimp recommend John Richardson options his spec 05/30/07
Hello Chadwick,
'In A Flash', given a grade of 'recommend' by Script PIMP last fall has been picked up by a start-up Canadian production company.
Just thought I'd let you know how things are going and as I proceed with my writing plans to say that Script PIMP will play an important role in helping me develop the two next projects.
Thank you for the great service,
John Richardson
Script Pimp recommend Jack Bunce signs with CAA 05/22/07
Dear Script Pimp,
Please tell Chadwick that I'm represented again by CAA thanks to all their good work.
Thanks,
Jack Bunce
Script Pimp recommend Gary Wright options his spec 05/10/07
Hi Sean & Chadwick,
After three rounds of notes with you guys last year, I managed to option my Historical piece, The Riggs Translation, to a Canadian prodco, Original Pictures, Inc. Just signed the option agreement today - my first one ever. There's no doubt in my mind that it wouldn't have happened without your help.
Thank you!
Gary Wright
Script Pimp recommend Mark Mahon completes feature 04/15/07
Hi Guys,
Just to let ye know that the trailer for the movie is up and running on www.strengthandhonourthemovie.com
Check it out! Thanks again for the feedback on the script.
Warmest regards,
Mark
http://www.maronpictures.net/
Equal Opportunity co-produced by Script Pimp to premiere at HBO Comedy Fest 03/15/07
"Equal Opportunity", produced by former Script Pimp exec Camille Mana and co-produced by Chadwick Clough/Script Pimp, is premiering at the HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (Aspen Comedy Festival) this weekend. Then, South by Southwest (SXSW), World of Comedy Film Festival and SF International Asian-American Film Festival. ALL IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS! Equal Opportunity just won BEST COMEDY at First Annual Show off Your Shorts Film Festival. If you're going to any of these festivals, stop in and say hello. Congratulations on all your recent success Camille Mana! When you're hot you're hot! And you my friend are on fuego.
Script Pimp recommend Brian Wantanabe options his spec in a five-figure deal 03/02/07
Script Pimp recommend Brian Wantanabe options his action-comedy spec in a five-figure deal with production slated for Fall/Winter 2007. Script Pimp exec's Chadwick Clough and Sean McKittrick are attached.
Script Pimp recommend Andy Dempsky gains management rep from Ryan Lewis 02/09/07
Manger/Producer Ryan Lewis of Stone Canyon Media signs Script Pimp recommend Andy Dempsky. Script Pimp and Ryan are working together to package Andy's spec.
Script Pimp recommend James Justice's "Lesser Evil" to air on Lifetime 08/07/06
Check out ‘Lesser Evil,’ written by James Justice, this Monday August 7th on Lifetime at 9 PM
James Justice also optioned Script Pimp recommend 'Tomato Warning'
Recommended writer Gayle Klink’s sells spec “Challenge From the Heart” 07/13/06
Gayle Klink’s spec “Challenge From the Heart” was purchased by Golden Horse Productions- an independent production company in Harrisburg. (www.goldenhorseproductions.com You can click on "Projects" on the left side of the screen, and then click on "Challenge from the Heart")
“We just wanted to thank you for all of your support during our "struggling years" with your evaluation service and just for believing in the story. Take care Chadwick, and thanks again.” -Gayle Voytush-Klink
Paul May's competition finalist 'Afterlight' heads into development 07/07/06
A production company in Denmark has greenlit development on Paul May's 2003 Competition finalist script Afterlight. More to come soon as they are currently securing a director for the project.
After working with Script Pimp on “THE WHITE FILE”, Aaron Goldberg signed with manager Leslie Kallen and has met with CAA and A-level producers interested in the project.
Script Pimp recommend Clay Allen writing a project for Kersey Management 05/12/06
Based on his Script Pimp recommended spec script AMERICAN GIRLS, Chadwick Clough has assisted writer Clay Allen in writing a spec for manager Andrew Kersey of Kersey Management. Kersey has recently set up projects at Dreamworks, Weinsteins and Montecito Pictures (Ivan Reitman's co)
Script Pimp's original project BETWEEN to air on Lifetime 05/09/06
On Monday May 29th, 9PM, Script Pimp's original project BETWEEN will air on Lifetime Television. This complex, edgy psychological thriller is being hailed by audiences as smart, gripping and original. Reminiscent of "Memento" and "Sixth Sense", Ocanus delivers a suspenceful mind bender. Poppy Montgomery (CBS's "Without a Trace") stars as Nadine, a woman desperately searching to decipher fact from fiction, and life from death in the grit and intrigue of Tijuana, Mexico.
Script Pimp Competition Finalist C. McCarthy signs with Brillstein Grey 11/21/05
With her competition finalist script 'OH BROTHER' Cathleen McCarthy picked up representation with Brillstein Grey.
Script Pimp's Chadwick Clough produces feature film, 'The Living Wake' 11/08/05
On November 8th, 2005 production on Mike O'Connell and Peter Kline's comedy spec The Living Wake wrapped production in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Sean McKittrick (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) and Chadwick served as story consultants during the summer.
Sol Tryon, from Bomb the System, directed. www.bombthesystem.com
2004 Competition Finalist, Joseph Calabrese, Sells Drama Spec 05/23/05
Amidst the feeding frenzy that is the Cannes Film Festival, Willfilm Productions has successfully acquired the rights to the award winning screenplay, “The Second Coming” by Joseph Calabrese.
“I’ve been trying to get my hands on this script for over two years now,” exclaimed John T. Sweeney, President at Willfilm Productions, Inc.
“We started negotiations in earnest last fall with Joe’s manager, and I new we were up against some heavy competition, but we stuck with it. I guess persistence pays off,” he exclaimed.
Joe and his script were one of the winners at the Slamdance Film Festival.
More managers sign Script Pimp recommended writers 03/30/05
"The insightful development notes together with their personal attention and industry knowledge has guided me to signing with a manager. I will continue to use Script PIMP for all future projects." -A.Goldberg
Script Pimp original project to premiere at Sundance 2005 01/11/05
Script Pimp first introduced writer Robert Nelms with director David Ocañas in mid 2003. Equipped with a treatment written by David, Robert set to work writing the psychological thriller entitled BETWEEN. In March 2004, BETWEEN was greenlit for production and principal photography started in late May in Tijuana, Mexico . This low-budget feature stars Poppy Montgomery of CBS's "Without a Trace", Danny Pino of CBS's "Cold Case" and Jose Yenque of "Traffic". In December 2004, David received news that BETWEEN if one of 16 features to premiere at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival! Along with Script Pimp's Senior Story Analyst Sean McKittrick, Chadwick, Robert and David will be hosting a Script Pimp Party in Park City.
www.opusfilms.com
"After struggling for months trying to find the right writer for a film project I wished to produce and direct, one call to Chadwick Clough of Script P.I.M.P. made all the difference. Script P.I.M.P. brought us a writer who has given our story new and exciting elements, and thereby giving us a greater opportunity in making a successful film." - David Ocanas, Opus Films
Ade Adeyoyin and Ben B. option Script Pimp recommend 'Minotaur' 11/26/04
Dear Script Pimp,
Our evaluted script, MINOTAUR, which you gave a consider, has been optioned by a producer/director named Zachary Weintraub. His credits can be checked on Imdb.
Thanks for all your help, and we look forward to sending you further scripts in future.
Just wanted to let you know that JANE has been optioned by First Serve Entertainment, Vijay Amritraj's film financing company. I'll keep you posted on the progress!
Thanks, Geetika
Philip Cothran options Script Pimp recommend 'Legion' 08/20/04
"Thanks. Through your service, I optioned my script, LEGION, with Eddie Kritzer Productions!" - Phillip Cothran
Harry Mark gains agent rep through Script Pimp's Writers Database 07/30/04
Harry Mark recently signed with the Gary-Paul Agency, who he found through Script P.I.M.P.'s Writers Database.
Script Pimp recommend M. Starrbury signs w/ manager Colin O'Reilly 06/10/04
Screenwriter Michael Starrbury has signed with literary manager Colin O'Reilly for representation. Colin recently sold spec script K THRU 12 to New Line Cinema which he is producing with Vertigo and set up TANGLED UP IN BLUE at Focus Features.
Script Pimp Competition Winner 'Slammin' sells to WB for $150,000 02/03/04
The Winner of the 2003 Script P.I.M.P. Screenwriting Competition, "Slammin", by Aaron Metchik and Joseph Garner, was purchased for six figures by Warner Brothers Pictures. Clifford Werber will produce, and Brazilian extreme sport skater Fabiola da Silva will star.
Treen gains an agent with Script Pimp recommend, Psychotic Element 02/01/04
Stephen Treen gains agent representation. “I signed a contract with Sheri Williams of Williams Literary Agency, (whom I found through your database), for representation of my Script PIMP recommended script PSYCHOTIC ELEMENT.” –Stephen Treen
George Obermiller, a Script Pimp recommend, gains agent representation 11/01/03
From his Script P.I.M.P. recommended script Indian Summer, George D. Obermiller gained agent representation from Lenny Minelli of A Picture Of You Literary Agency.
Script Pimp recommend Steve Fardys gains manager and writing project 06/01/03
"Since your service recommended the script, I have had an overwhelming response, and have signed with a management company and received my first writing assignment. I am currently writing a thriller for a well known director/producer. Thanks again!" -Steve Fardys
Script Pimp recommend Bruce Journagan signs with an agent 03/01/03
Bruce Journagan gained agent representation from Carole Western of Montgomery West Literary Agency.
James Justice options Script Pimp recommend 'Tomato Warning' 01/01/03
James Justice optioned his Script P.I.M.P. recommended spec script TOMATO WARNING to independent producer Nunei Harrington of Going Places Productions
Donna White options Script Pimp recommend 'Turn-Around' 05/01/02
Donna White options her script Turn-around through our 'Script P.I.M.P. Recommends' category on Writers Script Network (www.inktip.com)
Script Pimp recommend D. Rappaport agrees to five-figure writing project 10/01/01
"I cannot recommend Script P.I.M.P. more highly. Through them, my work was placed on Writers Script Network, where my script was read by director, David Winkler. He liked my writing so much that he hired me to write two screenplays for him, one of which I have just started working on. Script P.I.M.P. didn't stop there. Working with Chadwick Clough (the president of Script P.I.M.P.), he was able to hook me up with a great agent who is now representing me. Chadwick, unlike most "Hollywood" personalities, followed through with me by making phone calls on my behalf and checking in with me periodically; in a nutshell, Script P.I.M.P. "made it happen" for me. Thanks!" -Doug Rappaport, screenwriter
Bill Sibley options Script Pimp recommend 'Amor' in six-figure deal! 09/01/01
"I want to thank Script P.I.M.P. for doing a commendable job of matching the right script to the right producer. My screenplay AMOR, is a true-life, character-driven, period piece about two middle-age Hispanics each making a last ditch attempt to find love. A tough sell by any standards, impossible to even imagine a studio risking. Bryan Harston at Idea Ranch became enamored with the story right after Script P.I.M.P. showed it to him. Thank you for solving one of the hardest conundrums in the business -- getting one's script to the best possible source in order to make it a go!" -William Jack Sibley, screenwriter
Script Pimp recommend Robert Nelms gains agent representation 08/01/01
"Script P.I.M.P. delivered in a way that many companies in Hollywood can only dream of doing. They worked with my script with a tireless approach, offering honest and thorough notes, yet never taking the story out of my hands. With their help I've signed with an equally aggressive agent and have begun making the rounds around town. I couldn't have done it without them." -Screenwriter Robert Nelms
