Your Stage : Producer Steve Roeder options "The Negro League" by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Producer Steve Roeder options "The Negro League"

I am pleased to announce that Producer Steve Roeder has optioned my epic gangster/baseball drama “The Negro League”. I developed the logline and synopsis last month and Steve immediately pitched the idea to the History Channel. They passed on the concept, saying it sounded “very classy” but were looking for something more “badass”. However, Tyler Perry Productions expressed an interest in reading and possibly developing this story. Over a ten day period, sitting down at the laptop for long stretches of work, I wrote a first draft that Steve sent over to TPP today. Please stay tuned for further developments.

Philip Sedgwick

Awesome. Congrats, amigo. When this gets done, I am watching, buying the dvd, all of it!

Jean-Pierre Chapoteau

WHAAAT???!! That sounds FREAKING awesome!!

Mo Yusuf

congratulations Phillip. Great news. Way to hustle!

Monique McGee

That is really awesome! I'd certainly buy a ticket to see it.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Thanks all. I love the early 1930's and Pittsburgh had a real African American renaissance. This story combines elements of The Godfather, The Great Gatsby, The Natural and the Road to Perdition. Just before writing the violent climax of my story, I watched this visually stunning, brilliantly acted clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFLyA3u_rw

Anthony Cawood

Congrats Phillip, fingers crossed!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Anthony: Thanks my friend. Hope you got my note :)

Anita Williams

Amen! Love that!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Anita: Thanks

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Owen: Thanks, so far very positive reviews.

Bill Costantini

Good for you, Phillip. I know you've been working your ass off for a long time now...I hope you get this one from "Option" to "Purchase (with Rewrites)" to "Award Winner." Congrats again...you're certainly most deserving and I wish you the best.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Bill: Thanks for being a standup guy. I have a goal to write 2 more screenplays by the end of the year. Already more concepts that I can handle.

Sylvia Marie Llewellyn

OMG Phillip... I'm absolutely ecstatic for you. HUGE CONGRATS... every step helps. You deserve this. xo

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Sylvia: Thank you very much.

Stephen Barber

Phillip...That's Outstanding. !

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Stephen: Thank you sir!

Stephen Barber

You're an admirable writer! And friend to those lucky enough Phil. Keep us posted.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Stephen: Thank you. That means a lot to me.

Evelien And Dorien Twins

Very happy for you, Philip! How wonderful!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Eveliendorien Twins: I hope you're both happy for me. I have requested to ad you both as S32 mates. I hope you'll accept. Thanks for your kind words.

Evelien And Dorien Twins

Yes, we are. We didn't receive that request so we'll return the favor, Philip.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Evel: Got you covered

Lamar Faulk

Wow! certainly can't wait to hear how it goes.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Lamar: I will keep everyone posted. And thanks for your support.

Tony Cella

Good work. You've got heat.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Tony: Thanks

Chanel Ashley

As always, good work, Phillip, I must be sounding like a broken record, lol.

Emma J Steele

Fantastic, Phillip! Congratulations and here's to the next stage!

Robert Herold

Congrats! Sounds like a fantastic show! (Wish I thought of it!) Best wishes.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Robert: Thanks. And here is the genesis for the idea. A month ago, my colleague contacted me about possible projects for the history channel. He said they were looking for television a show or mini-series a la HBO or FX, with a history backdrop. My colleague asked me to develop his idea for a 19th Century, American historical figure. So I spent the following day writing a logline and two-page synopsis for his concept. However, I felt like it might be too esoteric and didn't want to hang my hat on that idea alone. And the guy at History Channel said he didn’t want anything older than 20th Century. Sunday morning, I sat at the breakfast table brainstorming some ideas with my wife. She said, “Hey, what about doing something about Negro League baseball?.” I liked the idea, took an hour reading and found an angle I thought I could use for the story. I spent the rest of the day writing a logline and synopsis for my story idea. The following day, my colleague pitched the Negro League logline and synopsis to History Channel and they passed. A day later, he pitched to Tyler Perry Productions, who had only recently read another one of my scripts that they liked, but passed on. Our contact there said, “Interesting idea; is there a script?” We then pitched the idea that they might like to work on developing the story with us. In the interim, I worked my ass off and wrote a first draft script. The feedback I received before submitted was very favorable. And, I love working under pressure, as I believe it makes me more creative. I read an article a few days ago that said nobody will be interested in a pitch without a script. So as William Goldman says, ““Nobody knows anything...... Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess and, if you're lucky, an educated one.” I like to add something to Goldman's quote. "Go with your gut baby!"

Derrick Lampkins

Good luck!

Tammy Wheeler

That is very exciting!! will certainly be watching the progress. Congratulations!

Ehrick Long

Great news. Congratulations.

Cortland Hill

Awesome news!

Mary Albanese

Super exciting. Keep us posted on when we can see it.

Lauran Childs

Good luck, sounds very exciting!

Gavin D Walsh

Good luck, Phillip. That's great news, mate!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Thanks all for your positive thoughts.

Robert Herold

Amazing story of making it happen. I appreciate your giving the back story as an inspiration of what can be done with pluck and determination (OK, talent too!). Best wishes! Bob

Dawn Murrell

Hi Philip! May I ask how you got a hold of Tyler Perry Productions? Did Happy Writers have a contact or did you find them another way? I would love to pitch my fairy tale to them! Thanks in advance!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Dawn: I'll PM you.

Dawn Murrell

Thanks Philip! Wishing you all the best because I am a new fan of your work!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Dawn: you are most welcome and thanks for the kind words.

Sylvia Marie Llewellyn

Dear Phillip... you're just the kindness person. I'm so grateful to know you here on Stage 32... even if it is virtually. Wishing you all the best always and am happy your endeavors are successful. xo

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Sylvia: Thanks and that means a lot to me.

Sylvia Marie Llewellyn

My pleasure Phillip. Your journey is so inspiring. All the best to you. :-))

David Taylor

Istanbul is an amazing place to set a movie.

Isiss R

HOORAY!!!!!!!! Thanks for inviting me to this party!!!!!!CONNNNGRATS PILLIP!!!!!!!!

Isiss R

Ugh,Phillip,sorry,My texting is always OffLOL

Nkosi Guduza

Hey Mr. keep going... SOUNDS AWESOME. :)

Phil Parker

Well done, Phillip! Very excited for you mate!

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Phillip: Thanks for checking in and your skill and talent is inspiring.

Jeremy Arrington

Congrats! Best of luck!

Kinney Scott

my fathers great uncles played for the Monarchs and Greys maybe I can get some info for you be glad be part of this samual jackson and wesley snipes and be great role throw me a pitch im bad also I played sports in high school and as kid

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