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2010. Congratulations to first place winner Wayne J.
Keeley for his terrific script, Triptych! Producer Alan Brown (Beach Music with Brad Pitt), is interested in the script.
"Triptych
is the story of three suburban couples who spice up their bi-weekly poker games by letting the winner spend the night with
another player’s spouse. Needless to say, chaos ensues—and characters find themselves in varying, escalating
crises. This script handles this sensitive premise with deft writing skills and considerable storytelling chops. The mechanics
are flawless and the script is a refreshingly quick, engaging read—the byproduct of a tight structure, compelling
dialog and well differentiated characters with much at stake. In the end, this is the work of a talented
writer and is finely polished, finished piece that will make audiences, married or otherwise, squirm. The
next time your neighbors invite you over for a friendly game of poker with your spouses, don’t go all in."
- Brian & Rachel Pittman, Stranded (Enderby Entertainment)
Wayne is an award-winning producer, director, writer
and media attorney. He garnered two Emmy Awards for producing
public service campaigns. He also has produced, directed and written many documentaries and
educational programs that have appeared on television and are available in libraries and schools around the country.
Keeley has worked with and directed numerous celebrities including David Carradine,
David McCallum, Catherine Hicks, Marilu Henner, John Amos,
Harry Belafonte, William Baldwin, Carole King, John Oates, Bob Weir, Olympia Dukakis, Doug E.
Fresh, Yasmine Bleeth, Karen Duffy, Colin Quinn, Scott Valentine,
Carlo Imperato, Larry Luckinbill, Jasmine Guy, and Julie Brown. He authored the legal thriller
Mahogany Row, and has a trilogy in progress based on the same characters. He recently has written and directed
“Waiting On The Sun,” a play about a college student with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. In addition to “Triptych,”
Keeley has written other award-winning works, including a television series pilot titled, “The Dead Files.”
“The Dead Files” was a finalist in A Talent Scout TV Contest and Acclaim
TV Screenwriting competition. His short-horror screenplay, “Dental Phobia,”
was a finalist in Shiver Films contest. When. Keeley is not writing, directing or practicing
law, he teaches business and communications courses at Western Connecticut State University; he formerly has taught at
both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Audrey Cohen College, Fordham University, Baruch College and Bronx Community
College. WINNERS: 2010
1st Place: Triptych by Wayne Keeley 2010 2nd
Place: Roadside Assistance by David Sakmyster 2010 3rd Place:
A Heritage of Honor by Cleo Bresett 2010 FINALISTS: Bender by Robert Rhyne, Suburban Gothic by Anton Diether,
Triptych by Wayne Keeley, Passing Through by Robert Rhyne, A Heritage of Honor by Cleo
Bresett, Jenna’s Gone by Russ Meyer, White Devil of Shanghai by Anton Diether, Roadside
Assistance by David Sakmyster.
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| Rachel Long & Brian Pittman |
2009. Congratulations to
the FIRST PLACE WINNERS Brian Pittman and Rachel Long for their brilliant drama script, “Stranded.” It has been
optioned to Enderby Entertainment, with Dan Petrie, Jr. (Beverly Hills Cop, The Big Easy, Turner & Hooch) attached to
direct. They’ll begin shooting October in Ventura, 2010.
"I think "Stranded" could win an Academy Award
if it had the right elements attached. This is a masterwork of art and craft deserving of consideration
for a prestigious award. I hope that one day I can write a script of such high caliber.
In the meantime, I must be satisfied with earning my daily bread as I balance whatever gifts I
have with the demands of the marketplace. I am not an existentialist and do not see the
human condition as being so bleak, but the authors’ perspective rings true and the merger of the
visual imagery created by direct, brief prose and everyday but poetically evocative dialogue as it illuminates fully
developed characters is haunting and will last with me forever. I really have no suggestions
or comments at all on how to change it. It needs no further work from a writer; only a
director can take things from here." – Michael Alexander Miller, Director, Joan of Arc
(CBS), Judge for 2009 AWS Contest
Screenwriting team Rachel Long and Brian Pittman have written several screenplays and numerous treatments
together, receiving top industry awards for their writing. Rachel was a 2002-2003 Paramount Chesterfield Fellow, and both
writers were 2008 Austin Film Festival finalists for their script “Stranded,” which was the 2009 Award Winning
Screenwriters contest winner and also a 2009 ScriptShark Insider Contest semi-finalist. Their psychological thriller “Sindrome”
is a 2009 Shriekfest finalist and also a 2009 ScriptShark Insider Contest semi-finalist, and they have also placed in the
top ten as finalists or semi-finalists in screenwriting contests ranging from Cinestory Screenwriting Contest to the Latino
Screenplay Awards. They have optioned several screenplays, and are currently in the process of having “Stranded”
optioned and produced. Rachel has been a producer’s assistant on five films and an associate production supervisor on
two films with Leucadia Film Corp. She is also a freelancer reporter and writer. In addition to screenwriting, Brian
is also a seasoned journalist, editor and media counselor who has interviewed luminaries, including Louis Farrakhan to Clarence
Thomas, Bob Edwards, Margaret Thatcher, Boutros-Boutros Ghali and many others. Their latest project as writing partners
is “Subterra,” a science fiction/fantasy script about a guild of online gamers who use their in-game superpowers
in the real world to save it from destruction. Others include “Dementia” and “Other Side of Paradise,”
a Godfather-style movie set in Hawaii that they are working on with producer Norman Morrill and actor Eric Balfour. Rachel
and Brian are also working on treatments for TV projects and a graphic novel, while pursuing script assignments. As a writing
team, they have been represented by Matt Luber (Luber/Rocklin).
2009 1st Place: Stranded
by Brian Pittman and Rachel Long
2009 2nd Place: Colter's Hell by Robin Russin
2009 3rd Place: Lionheart by Nigel Grant
2009 Finalists: God's Assassin
by Terry Wright, Eclipse by Ron Brassfield, Magnetic by Michael Toay & Mike Shields, Godspeed by Michael Toay & Travis
Mann, Rubicon by Michael Toay, Her Swastica Sword by Chris Canole, Banzai Boy by Curtis Burdick, Stranded by Rachel Long and
Brian Pittman, Red Gold by Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Demons & Gargoyles by Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Nothing in Common by Philipp
Senn, The Saxon by Nigel Grant, Eke'Bolos by Stephen C. Settle, Colter's Hell by Robin Russin.
2007.
Congratulations to the FIRST PLACE WINNERS Tommy Wood and Marc Benton, for their fantastic epic pirates script "Pieces
of Eight." Pieces of Eight has been requested by: Radiant Pictures Entertainment, Suite A Management,
Zero Gravity Management/Pierce Williams Entertainment, Firehorse Pictures, and Astrakan Films. See the webcam
interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf6WJoQCwb8Tommy Tommy Wood and Marc BentonTommy
Tommy Wood and Marc Benton have been
friends since their "rock star" days in high school metal bands. Their first attempt at film began when a
mounted video camera caught them running away from a dangerous amalgam of fireworks. When Tommy's attention turned
to screenwriting, he asked Marc to come along. Their first script, Pieces of Eight has won three competitions and in
2006 reached the Top 30 of the Academy Awards own Nicholl's Fellowship. In the fall of 2006, Tommy directed
and Marc co-produced their first feature film, the forthcoming "Grilling Bobby Hicks." With a huge slate of
ideas on their plate, these guys are going full-steam ahead. See below for trailer from their film, "Grilling Bobby
Hicks." See the trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zt8fvH-W54
2007 Finalists: Healing Marie by James Ossi, Where the Dead Go by Mark Kratter, The Wonder Child by Anthony Zaccaro, Princess Reborn
by Lee Tidwell, Bull's Eye by Tamara Farsadi & Toby O'Hara, Voices by Susan Klos.
Testimonials from AWS Contests:
"I just read the feedback for all 5 of my screenplays.
OUTSTANDING! Your readers did an excellent job. This was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for me. They went
"above and beyond", and were very insightful and helpful with both thoughtful analysis and suggestions. Thanks
so much." - Michael Toay, Rubicon et.al.
"Thanks
for the wonderful feedback, truly. Now, I believe the one page critique from you will inspire me to tighten up the loose
ends based on the notes, and get it back out there. The one page of AWS feedback on my script helped me more than multiple
pages of feedback from other competitions. Honest, yet straight-forward, balanced constructive criticism. I swear, after all
the different versions and revisions of Abattoir, I told myself I was done with it....until I got that one page of feedback.
Now I know I can nail it. Crazy, crazy, crazy....LOL!" - Freddy Robinson, Abbatoir: the Foreshadowing
"Thanks, the coverages were very interesting. You have some very knowledgeable
reviewers, which says a lot coming from an ex-studio reader." - Anton Diether, White Devil of Shanghai (formerly a script
analyst for producers at Columbia, WB, 20th-Century Fox, Paramount and Working Title)
"Just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful feedback. It's clear the readers thoroughly read the stories
and I appreciate their helpful, constructive advice." - James Bromberg, Dealers et. al.
"Just a quick email to thank you for the notes. I have to say I am impressed with the quality and clarity of
the suggestions that were made. Made me feel as though you were in my head and asking the same questions I've had. Please
tell the reader that the notes are superb. it is very warming to have experts like yourself provide such encouraging critiques.
Look forward to resubmitting." - Svilen Kamburov, King's Heart
"Wow – those are three very good scripts!
I am impressed with the quality of writing throughout, and the decision has me taking considerable time to determine my ratings
of each. All of the top three writers are to be congratulated for their work, and I offer you my congratulations as
well for hosting such a forum where their talents can be recognized." - Wayne Repich, Film & Entertainment Consultant
"Thank you very much for the bonus opportunity you provide
by forwarding the one-page synopsis to the contest sponsors. I’m exceptionally pleased with the synopsis, and would
love to use it on Inktip, if that’s okay (if not, I’ll go with my pedestrian one which isn’t nearly as appealing
or exciting.) I also appreciate the scores provided – they point me in a firm direction for re-writes." -
John Bain, Anne Bonny: Queen of Pirates
"Such incredible
news that we are finalists! We are grateful and honored and thankful for your readers' time and perspective. You do a
great job, and we value AWS." - Brian Pittman, Stranded
"Thank
you for the great news, I'm quite honored to be a finalist. Really appreciate you running this contest, and thank you
for all the hard work and dedication involved." - Curt Burdick, Banzai Boy
"I definitely want to stay in communication with you. I appreciate the fact that you offer your terrific web
site and contest to screenwriters.” – Donna Lisa, Kheng Kheng Crocodile & Toucans of the Amazon
“Gadzooks,
the person who wrote the logline and synopsis is smart. If the goal of a communication is to put the imagery of one's
own mind and have it duplicated in someone else's, regardless of that other person's background, then the judge who
wrote that logline and synopsis is pretty *@#*! smart. ... And careful, as in "with care" ... and a nice person
who put lots of thought into a project ... and a writer with loads of experience ... and, and, and I'm just really thankful.
Thank you whoever you are. You mystery genius, you.” – James Ossi, Healing Marie
"I was thrilled this week to see that Princess Reborn had been selected a finalist in your September 2007
AWS contest! And to get the synopsis/rating sheets for both PR and my other script RICH and to see that Rich only scored
one point lower! Tough competition obviously. I'm honored to be named in such a fine group of screenwriters,
and you certainly may do any promotion that you wish with either of my scripts once the writers' strike is over.”
– Lee Tidball, Princess Reborn
“Thank you for
taking the time to write up the report cards for both High Hopes and The Wonder Child. All feed back is important to me. Both
scripts have since had a professional proofing and are ready for marketing once the strike ends. I've also been working
on shoring up my structure skills as I put together my Mabel Normand project. Your contest has been a kick in the rear for
me to get moving on taking my writings to a higher level.” – Anthony Zaccaro
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