Online Pitchfest XIII: Big Dogs 2

Pitchfest Schedule

29 MAR

Jermaine Johnson - Manager, 3 Arts Entertainment

29 MAR

Simon Graham-Clare - Production and Development Executive, Future Films

29 MAR

Kendrick Tan - Manager, Madhouse Entertainment (PRISONERS)

30 MAR

Kayla Ferguson - WME

30 MAR

Sophia Dilley - Director of Development and Production, Route One Films

Online Pitchfest XIII: Big Dogs 2

Entry Fee (Skype or Written): $45 per session

Online Pitchfest XIII: Big Dogs 2

Stage 32 and The Happy Writers are excited to bring you an incredibly prestigous Online Pitchfest. We have some of the top studios, agencies and producers lined up who are looking for screenwriters and filmmakers to work with in 2014. If you are a screenwriter or filmmaker, you will have the opportunity to pitch your script or reel one-on-one with these executives.

You’ve dreamed of this. The big dogs. Now is your chance.  We have 3 Arts, Fox Searchlight, Gotham Group, Future Films, Atlas Entertainment, Madhouse Entertainment, Rothman Brecher Agency, WME, Safehouse/Warner Bros., Film 44 and Route One lined up and we couldn't be more excited for you. We welcome all of our Stage 32 writers and filmmakers to pitch your scripts and reels to these extraordinary companies. Pitches can be done via Skype or, if you are unable to use Skype or unavailable at the time of the fest, can be submitted as a written or prerecorded pitch.

Recent Successes to come from our last Online Pitchfest

We keep doing our online pitchfest because more and more of our Stage 32 and Happy Writers community keep finding success. We are uncovering some of the best hidden talent from around the world.

  • Jon Vandergriff gets signed to Gersh. 
  • Anya Camilleri gets meeting with Route One Films.
  • Betty Sullivan gets meeting with Route One Films.
  • Geraint Jones gets meeting with ImageMovers (FLIGHT, REAL STEEL). Creative executive of ImageMovers will develop project with him. In only two months of pitching with us, Geraint signed to an A list management company (Benderspink), is working with this creative executive on one project and has another company vetting his other project. 
  • Eric Grossman gets meeting with Code Entertainment (clients credits' include FROZEN, HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU). 
  • Stacy Arnold-Strider developing project with producer Michael Wormser (SMILEY).
  • After getting signed to manager Lee Stobby at Silent R Management (Jewerl Ross’s agency), Guy McDouall's script goes wide to over 50 production companies.
  • Michael Wright gets writing assignment from producer Michael Wormser (SMILEY).  
  • Doug Krintzman's script goes into development with the CE of Tapestry Films (WEDDING CRASHERS).
  • In addition to their script in production at Tapestry, Mark Casadei and Anna Casadei are now developing a project with manager/producer Pete Letz.
  • After signing with manager Allison Doyle, Laura Brienza comes to LA to have a string of meetings with major production companies for her TV project. 
  • We love being able to connect you into the heart of Hollywood and it’s your success stories that keep us going every day. Please be sure to check out some of our additional successes from our online pitch fests below.

Who should be pitching?

Anyone with a script or reel with the thought of having a company produce, manage or help finance your project. These are the elite, so we ask that you please be polished and professional during your pitch.

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Company Executives

Jermaine Johnson

Jermaine Johnson - Manager, 3 Arts Entertainment

After working as an assistant at a voice over talent agency, Jermaine joined 3 Arts Entertainment as an assistant to one of the partners. He paid his dues and built his own client list and is now a manager at 3 Arts. 3 Arts Entertainment is a leading management company that also produces. Production credits include:

  • The Day the Earth Stood Still
  • I Am Legend
  • A Scanner Darkly
  • Water for Elephants
  • Extract 
  • The Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt

3 Arts Entertainment reps top level actors like Chris Evans and Jessica Alba, as well as high profile writers and directors such as:

  • Tom Gormican (That Awkward Moment)
  • Aaron Stockard (The Town, Gone Baby Gone)
  • Joshua Oppenheimer (Sahara, Conan the Barbarian)
  • Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying

3 Arts Entertainment has produced projects such as: 

 

 Tips on pitching to Jermaine:

  • Make sure your tone and genre are clear. 
  • Highlight the story and character arcs.
  • Don't include too many characters in your pitch. 
Simon Graham-Clare

Simon Graham-Clare - Production and Development Executive, Future Films

Simon is looking for thrillers, action, women in peril, supernatural, and sci-fi features under $5MM.

Future Films is a full service production company that provides financing, production and post-production. With production and financing partners worldwide, Future Films makes the most out of the incentives available to the global film industry.

Simon Graham-Clare assesses projects for financing or co-production. He recently executive produced Walter, starring Virginia Madsen, William H. Macy, Leven Rambin and Milo Ventimiglia, directed by Anna Mastro.

Graham-Clare previously worked at Warner Bros. Pictures working publicity for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Graham-Clare relocated to Los Angeles in 2003 for an executive post in the LA office of the UK Film Council. In that role, he helped United States-based producers navigate the British tax incentive system and worked closely with emerging and established British filmmaking and acting talent, to raise their profiles within the Hollywood community.

Executive and company credits include:

Kendrick Tan

Kendrick Tan - Manager, Madhouse Entertainment (PRISONERS)

Kendrick Tan is a Manager at Madhouse Entertainment. Madhouse Entertainment is a production and literary management company that works with screenwriters and writer/directors in the areas of film, television and new media.

Madhouse's focus is guiding the careers of it's clients from a creative standpoint, providing them with feedback from its many years of development and production experience as it relates to your current projects, future work, and assisting you in navigating the ever changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Its clients have projects in various stages of development at every studio and network, as well as in the increasingly viable world of independent film and cable TV.

In addition to managing its clients, Madhouse also produces. They have many projects in various stages of development in both television and film. Last year they released PRISONERS starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal which won critical acclaim. MURDER OF A CAT starring Fran Kanz and Nikki Reed is currently in production. Their feature GLIMMER with DreamWorks, starring Jeremy Allen White and Dylan O'Brien will begin production in 2014. They are also currently developing ROME, SWEET ROME set up at Warner Bros with SafeHouse and HGP; BLACK BOX with Stuber and Universal; THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE with Warners and Atlas.

Past productions include SAFE HOUSE starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington, THE BOUNTY HUNTER starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston, CHRISTMAS DO-OVER starring Jay Mohr, FIRST SNOW starring Guy Pearce, Piper Perabo and William Fichtner and BLOOD CREEK starring Dominic Purcell and Henry Cavill was released by Lionsgate in 2008.

Kayla Ferguson

Kayla Ferguson - WME

Kayla Ferguson is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in film studies and extensive training in both journalistic and creative writing. Prior to assuming a position as an analyst in the Story Department at William Morris Endeavor Talent Agency, Kayla worked in freelance production, working on commercials, shorts and feature films. Kayla is also a script analyst at BlueCat Screenplay Competiton.

Sophia Dilley

Sophia Dilley - Director of Development and Production, Route One Films

Sophia Dilley is the Director of Development and Production at Route One Entertainment. Ms. Dilley grew up on film sets (her father is an award-winning production designer) and has a unique insight into both the creative and management side of filmmaking. Her career began in 2007, at Film 44, where she worked for Director Peter Berg on the films Hancock and Battleship. In 2010, Ms. Dilley joined the team at Route One and eventually helped oversee A Walk in the Woods and Equals.

In 2014, Ms. Dilley joined Not Impossible Labs and The Ebeling Group as a Producer and Head of Production. Ms. Dilley was tasked with producing commercials and documentaries illustrating the application of original, high tech solutions to serious real world problems. Ms. Dilley’s first short form content debut, “Don’s Voice,” attained over 1 million views in 2 weeks, 1 billion media impressions, won three Telly Awards, three One Show Pencils, and was shortlisted for the AICP awards. She also accepted the SXSW Innovative 3-DIY Interactive Award for “Project Daniel” along with Mick Ebeling and Elliot Kotek. Ms. Dilley has produced content for various non-profit agencies including Child Share (helping find adoptive homes for children of domestic abuse) and a Window Between Worlds (an organization that works with victims of domestic violence).

In May 2015, Sophia returned to Route One Entertainment as the Director of Development and Production, where she focuses on evaluating film, TV and digital interactive opportunities. She also acts as a production executive on ROE film projects.

Ms. Dilley has two Bachelor’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University, one in Film Production and another in Political Science. She also has a Master’s degree in Project Management specializing in International Marketing and Film from Boston University.

 TIPS ON PITCHING TO SOPHIA:

  • When pitching verbally, don't read off a piece of paper. Make it more conversational. Showcase your passion and energy. 
  • Make sure the characterization is clear.
  • The tone should feel consistent. 
  • Always start with the logline and genre up front. 
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