Scott, doesn't this Film pitch contest seem to fit your definition of the worst-case scenario for pitching (i.e., hundreds of unknowns giving their best ideas to someone who already knows professional writers who can write scripts based on those ideas)?
The cynic in me envisions a scenario where the best ideas actually don't make the mag's list, and instead just get "lost" in transit and then magically wind up in development with another writer in a year or so, kind of like, I don't know, Zen Panda. (so far, none of the submitters have received a receipt acknowledging they sent anything, at least according to the comments at the bottom of the contest page)

CJ: I'm not in the habit of promoting much of any screenwriting contests or pitch fests, other than Nicholl and Austin. So this was just in the spirit of the main content of the OP. As they say, buyer beware. I'm certainly not advising you or anybody to submit something to them.

I entered one. Figured it would be fun to come up with a quick idea. Why not. I'll share it with GITS...


Title: Dominic the Demon Hunter

Tagline: "Someone has to do heaven's dirty work"

Pitch: Ex-demon hunter, Dominic Grey, is called on by heaven’s Unique Crimes Division to help investigate a string of unique deaths and murders linked to demons. Dominic will have to enter back into the life he has been running from, and face his toughest nemesis yet.

@Peter: Hey, why not? It's "The Exorcist" meets "Wings of Desire." Or something like that.

Ooo... Wings of Desire is going into the queue now! Thanks, Scott.

Comic book property that needs to be optioned: Scalped. Phenomenal, complex and compelling characters, and the story arc just completed (50 issues), so ready to be told in new arenas, and it should be. Blazingly talented writer Jason Aaron, from Vertigo (imprint of DC Comics).

What great news, that Dark Horse Entertainment has been so busy. I enjoyed all three last films, and thought 30 Days of Night was actually stronger in film than in comic book form.

Beasts of Burden, I'm probably most excited about, a bit like Buffy with animals, great in comic book form, hopefully in film as well.

Eeee, and Goons coming to screen, so funny, that property (or, more precisely, Eric Powell, the funny, sharp, talented writer) prides itself on bad taste, and it shows. That will be one for the grown-ups.

RIPD is definitely going to hit theaters. Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Jodie Foster and the guy who directed Red. I think they were just waiting on Ryan Reynolds to get done with everything he was filming earlier this year.

Scott, I totally understand where you're coming from and didn't mean to impugn your integrity at all. You're just letting us know what's out there and I appreciate it. I was commenting solely on the contest itself, especially in light of the Zen Panda thing.

@CJ: Not a problem, in fact thanks for your comment. I need to make sure I post my standard 'no endorsement' caveat with any of these type of things.

Does anyone know the deadline for sending in the script?

Thanks