Early
ENDS FEBRUARY 28, 2020
$55
Regular
ENDS MARCH 27, 2020
$65
Late
ENDS APRIL 17, 2020
$75
Final
ENDS MAY 8, 2020
$85
Announcement Dates
Top 100
AUGUST 14, 2020
Top 50
SEPTEMBER 4, 2020
Top 10
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
Winners Announced
OCTOBER 23, 2020
Competition Add Ons
Feedback Notes
[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” custom_class=”card-learnmore”]By selecting the Feedback Notes add-on, you will get an insider look at how your work was read, reviewed and analyzed by our professional readers. With readers for our competition working for several major studios, agencies, management companies and financiers, you will not only receive a high level read just by entering, but now you will have the opportunity to peek behind the curtain to see how your project was reviewed for our competition.
As an entrant into this competition, for just half the price of our Development Notes option, you will receive 1 to 2 pages of notes, thoughts and analysis from our readers. Use these notes to see why your project advanced, or to learn what kept it from reaching the next stage. Get an idea as to what readers liked, bumped on, or had concerns over as the story progressed. This is a true inside peak into what those reading for the majors really think.
All Feedback Notes will be returned to each writer via the email address used at time of entry during the week the Top 10 is announced.[/bg_collapse]
$50
Mentorship
[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” custom_class=”card-learnmore”]With an emphasis on providing guidance, advice, notes and being a sounding board for all of those questions every writer begins a career with, the results we saw in year one were amazing. This year’s program will continue with three new mentors joining in the fun and helping our next wave of writers begin their careers with all of the ammo and answers possible to make their dreams a reality.
How It Works
Each of our mentors will select a minimum of one writer/project to mentor from those entries that selected the Mentorship Program add-on while entering. The selected writers will work with their mentors to help develop their projects and their careers, as the mentors help answer questions, give advice and offer thoughts on their work. Every mentor is different, and every mentor’s approach is unique, but each will be asked to read your work (which they will select themselves from the entries), and help guide you and your project towards accomplishing the next steps in your career. Each writer will meet with (or chat on the phone if not local) with their mentor and be introduced upon selection. Mentors will serve as a sounding board for all of those questions we know everyone has when starting something new, but are often afraid to ask. Whether it be questions on writing, reps, pitches or career moves, we want you to be ready and confident to tackle Hollywood.
To be considered by our mentors your entry must include the Mentorship Program add-on. All scripts entering and selecting the Mentorship Program add-on will be considered by our mentors. You do not need to have made any finalist rounds to be considered for this opportunity, as each project will be reviewed outside of the finalist rounds for consideration. That means that even if you do not make the Top 100, you are still in the running to be selected by our mentors for the Mentorship Program.[/bg_collapse]
$25
Guaranteed Signing
[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” custom_class=”card-learnmore”]Our exclusive representation partner(s) will each select a minimum of one writer to represent from those entries that selected the Guaranteed Signing add-on while entering. Reps will work with their selected writer to help not only develop their work, but their careers, as they forge ahead on the first steps in becoming a professional writer. Whether film, television, or other mediums, each company will help guide your career, your work, and your next steps as they showcase and introduce you and your writing to the world.
How It Works
To be considered your entry must include the Guaranteed Signing add-on. All scripts entering and selecting the Guaranteed Signing add-on will be considered. You do not need to have made any finalist rounds to be considered for this opportunity, as each project will be reviewed outside of the finalist rounds for consideration. That means that even if you do not make the Top 100, you are still in the running to win the Guaranteed Signing prize.[/bg_collapse]
$25
Guaranteed Option
[bg_collapse view=”link-list” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” custom_class=”card-learnmore”]Our industry leading partnerships with companies like Michael De Luca Productions, Scott Free Productions, Vertigo Entertainment, Endgame Entertainment, Lee Stobby Entertainment, ESA, and Energy Entertainment, to name a few, give writers even more opportunities to take their writing careers to the next level. Our guaranteed option partner will select a minimum of 1 project from the competition to option with an eye toward developing and producing your work.
How It Works
To be considered your entry must include the Guaranteed Purchase add-on. All scripts entering and selecting the Guaranteed Purchase add-on will be considered by each company. You do not need to have made any finalist rounds to be considered for this opportunity, as each project will be reviewed outside of the finalist rounds for consideration. That means that even if you do not make any finalist rounds, you are still in the running to win the Guaranteed Purchase prize.[/bg_collapse]
$25
This year’s pilot competition was our biggest competition yet, and we have never had such an amazing collection of scripts to choose from. These winners reflect the best of the best, and we are so excited to introduce them to the industry.
We want to thank our industry judges and partners for their hard work in making these selections, and we also want to thank all of our entrants and finalists for sharing their fantastic scripts.
After months of reading, we are now proud to announce our Overall Winner, Top Comedy Winner, Top Drama Winner, Bad Idea Guaranteed Option Winner, Artillery Creative Guaranteed Signing Winner and the three Launch Pad Mentorship Winners.
Congratulations to our winners and to all of our finalists. If you’re looking to view all Top 100 finalists from this year’s competition, you can find the complete list on Coverfly here. Want to receive a notification when the next season opens? Sign up for reminders via Coverfly here.
Overall Winner
ALOHA STATE by Alexandra Amadio
OUTER BANKS meets THE OC
After the death of her father, a teenager moves to her mother’s hometown in Hawaii, where she has to adapt to a totally new way of life.
Drama Teen
Overall Winner
Top Comedy
SEXY TEEN SQUAD: UNDERCOVER MONSTER HUNTERS
by Jon Bershad
SCREAM meets BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
Horror movies got it right: ghosts, monsters, and supernatural serial killers are real. And, for some reason, they only want to kill sexy teenagers. To strike back, the government has put together a crack squad of undercover teens, and assigned to travel from town to town and lure the monsters out.
Animated Comedy Horror Teen
Top Comedy
Top Drama
ANGELS OF WAR by Natalie Bergman and Victoria Rau
CALL THE MIDWIFE meets BAND OF BROTHERS
At the start of World War II, a group of American nurses stationed in the Philippines must battle the horrors of combat and find a way to save lives – including their own – under dire circumstances.
Drama Period War
Top Drama
Bad Idea Films Guaranteed Option Winner
USERNAME by Barbara Soares
MR. ROBOT meets BLACK MIRROR
After joining an A.I. talent agency where she impersonates a fictional CGI Instagram celebrity, a hacker finds herself at the center of a high-stakes conspiracy when the profile begins enlisting its followers to commit suicide.
Drama Sci-Fi Thriller
Top 10 Bad Idea Guaranteed Option Winner
Artillery Creative Guaranteed Signing Winner
EXIT STRATEGY by Brit Wigintton
EUPHORIA meets VERONICA MARS
After her friend’s disappearance, a recent high school graduate receives a mysterious package of clues that leads her and the missing girl’s boyfriend on a quest through the American South for answers.
Drama Mystery Teen
Top 50 Artillery Creative Guaranteed Signing Winner
Mentorship Program Winners
Mentorship Selection – Ahmadu Garba
THE WOODHULL by Lynda Brendish
MRS. AMERICA meets SUFFRAGETTE
A limited series drama based on the true story of Victoria Woodhull’s radical 1872 bid for the presidency, 50 years before women had the vote — and the sex scandals, hubris and patriarchal powers that stood in her way.
Biopic Drama Period
Top 100 Mentorship Selection – Ahmadu Garba
Mentorship Selection – Kendra Chapman
KING OF LESOTHO by Amadou Diallo
SUCCESSION meets QUEEN SONO
After renouncing his inheritance, the son of an African billionaire is forced to leave behind the life he’s built as a New York City school teacher to confront the family legacy of greed and corruption he’s spent years running away from.
Drama Thriller
Top 50 Mentorship Selection – Kendra Chapman
Mentorship Selection – Sylvia Jones
DUST CHILD by D. Dona Le
BLOODLINE meets LITTLE AMERICA
A half-Vietnamese woman travels to the United States for the first time in search of her American GI father—unlocking two families’ dark secrets and a murderous past in the process.
Drama
Top 10 Mentorship Selection – Sylvia Jones
Alongside our exclusive competition partners Bad Idea and Artillery Creative, we are thrilled to announce the Top 10 Finalists for the 2020 Launch Pad Pilot Competition.
Project |
Writer(s) |
ALOHA STATE | Alexandra Amadio |
ALONE FOREVER | Joe Toto |
ANGELS OF WAR | Natalie Bergman and Victoria Rau |
CONSCRIPTION | Caroline Glenn |
DUST CHILD | D. Dona Le |
GREEN LINE | Lola Kolade |
LIZZIE | Jen Bashian |
RAGHEAD | Natassia Halabi |
SEXY TEEN SQUAD: UNDERCOVER MONSTER HUNTERS | Jon Bershad |
USERNAME | Barbara Soares |
Make sure to check back for our winners announcement on October 23rd!
(As a reminder: If you entered into the Mentorship Program, or signed up to be part of the Guaranteed Signing or Guaranteed Option prizes, regardless of making the Top 10, you are still in contention for those prizes. Those winners are selected from the entire pool of submissions separately from the finalist rounds, and will be announced alongside the winners)
Alongside our exclusive competition partners Bad Idea and Artillery Creative, we are thrilled to announce the Top 50 Finalists for the 2020 Launch Pad Pilot Competition.
Project |
Writer(s) |
A LITTLE RACE-ISH | Ursula Taherian |
ALOHA STATE | Alexandra Amadio |
ALONE FOREVER | Joe Toto |
ANGELS OF WAR | Natalie Bergman and Victoria Rau |
BALBOA HEIGHTS | Darius Wadia |
BATTLE ROW | Lindsay McRae |
BEST TEXAS LAND | Aleks Lyons and Danielle Durini Alongi |
BEYOND THE CALL | Ryan Martinez-Slattery |
BIG STAR | Melanie Holmes |
BIRDSONG | Jennifer Dunn |
BONG HiTS 4 JESUS | Justin Becker and Steve Clemmons |
CO-ED | Landy Erlick |
CONSCRIPTION | Caroline Glenn |
COURTESAN | Dan Williams |
DISAPPEARING ACT | Abigail Strachan |
DUST CHILD | D. Dona Le |
EXIT STRATEGY | Brit Wigintton |
EXPAT | Evan Solomita |
FAST | DLP Hilborn |
GANYMEDE | Matthew O’Connell |
GREEN LINE | Lola Kolade |
INSTITUTIONALIZED | Clarissa Carson |
KING OF LESOTHO | Amadou Diallo |
LIZZIE | Jen Bashian |
LUCY’S MISGUIDED LESBIAN COLLEGE YEARS | Dorrie Lipman and Lena Buda |
MOTHERLOAD | Layla Soileau |
MR. JONES | Paul Ditty |
MY MOM IS MY PIMP | Jeremy Sender and Lilliana Winkworth |
NON ESSENTIALS | Sophie Dawson |
OVERWINTER | Adam Moore and Vincent Pastor |
QUEEN OF PLEBES | Cat Coyne |
RAGHEAD | Natassia Halabi |
SAVANT | Johnny Gilligan |
SEXY TEEN SQUAD: UNDERCOVER MONSTER HUNTERS | Jon Bershad |
SORCERESS | Dave Urlakis |
THAT SISTER THANG | Lindiwe Mueller-Westernhagen and Dale Winton |
THE CAREGIVER | Schyler Martin |
THE COMPOUND | Heather Stiteler and Mikaela Shwer |
THE EXIT PLAN | Chris Anthony Hamilton |
THE FLIGHT OF THE RED FLOWER | Yongyi Song Allen |
THE GALLERY | Dushant Kirpalani |
THE WITCH OF DEDHAM | Jessica Ross |
THE WOODHULL | Lynda Brendish |
TROLLS | Yuri Baranovsky and Vlad Baranovsky |
UNDRAFTED | Jeff Perreca |
UNFINISHED | Eric Giancola and Tricia Olds |
UNION MADE | Rikki Bleiweiss |
USERNAME | Barbara Soares |
WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN | Itai Inselberg |
ZERO DAY AFTER | Mitchell Golden |
Make sure to check back for further announcements!
(As a reminder: If you entered into the Mentorship Program, or signed up to be part of the Guaranteed Signing or Guaranteed Option prizes, regardless of making the Top 50, you are still in contention for those prizes. Those winners are selected from the entire pool of submissions separately from the finalist rounds, and will be announced alongside the winners)
Alongside our exclusive competition partners Bad Idea and Artillery Creative, we are thrilled to announce the Top 100 Finalists for the 2020 Launch Pad Pilot Competition.
Project |
Writer(s) |
(DIS)CONNECTED | Jaime Osnato-Rosario |
33 AVENUE D | Leslie Kramer |
A LITTLE RACE-ISH | Ursula Taherian |
ALOHA STATE | Alexandra Amadio |
ALONE FOREVER | Joe Toto |
AMERICAN PANIC | Jason B. Kohl |
ANGELS OF WAR | Natalie Bergman and Victoria Rau |
BAD LEADER | Alexa Loftus |
BALBOA HEIGHTS | Darius Wadia |
BATTLE ROW | Lindsay McRae |
BEST BITCH | Rachel Hein |
BEST TEXAS LAND | Aleks Lyons and Danielle Durini Alongi |
BEYOND THE CALL | Ryan Martinez-Slattery |
BIG STAR | Melanie Holmes |
BIRDSONG | Jennifer Dunn |
BLACK SANDS | Shahnaz Mahmud |
BONG HiTS 4 JESUS | Justin Becker and Steve Clemmons |
BOUNDARIES | Lukas Kendall |
BRAIN FOOD | Mike Heller |
CAMP AMERIKA | Donna McNeely Burke |
CHARLOTTE AND BRANWELL | Andrew Stone and Meredith Levine |
CITY OF SOULS | Chris Pittas |
CO-ED | Landy Erlick |
COME AGAIN | Step Chatterley |
CON LIFE | Ellie Shoja |
CONSCRIPTION | Caroline Glenn |
COURTESAN | Dan Williams |
DISAPPEARING ACT | Abigail Strachan |
DOM | Georgia Lifsher |
DUST CHILD | D. Dona Le |
EXIT STRATEGY | Brit Wigintton |
EXPAT | Evan Solomita |
FAST | DLP Hilborn |
FRANKIE & THE ESTRELLAS | Roxana Altamirano |
GANYMEDE | Matthew O’Connell |
GENTLEMEN PREFER CONS | Justin Geldzahler |
GLADIATRIX | Paige VanTassell |
GILESE | Matt Tegtmeier and Robert Warzecha |
GREEN LINE | Lola Kolade |
INSTITUTIONALIZED | Clarissa Carson |
KING OF LESOTHO | Amadou Diallo |
LIZZIE | Jen Bashian |
LUCY’S MISGUIDED LESBIAN COLLEGE YEARS | Dorrie Lipman and Lena Buda |
MARS BAR | Brandon Burkhart |
MELTING POT | Richard Nguyen |
MONSIGNOR METH | Robert Axelrod |
MOTHER MANDELBAUM | Madeleine Parker |
MOTHERLOAD | Layla Soileau |
MR. JONES | Paul Ditty |
MY MOM IS MY PIMP | Jeremy Sender and Lilliana Winkworth |
MY WHITE FRIEND | Lanre Olabisi, Peter Allen Stone and Tiffany Smile |
NEITHER HERE NOR THERE | Janene Lin |
NEW WORLD DISORDER | Adam Siegel |
NON ESSENTIALS | Sophie Dawson |
OH COUNTRY | David Yoon |
OTHERWORLD | Dawn Prato |
OVERWINTER | Adam Moore and Vincent Pastor |
PATRIA | David Aguilar |
PENELOPE & THE PROFESSOR | Joe Patrick Winters |
PHANTOM | Dan Williams |
POTTER’S FIELD | Margot Newcomer |
QUEEN OF PLEBES | Cat Coyne |
RAGHEAD | Natassia Halabi |
REROUTED | Marissa Paiva |
REVELATION | Brian Trichon |
SAVANT | Johnny Gilligan |
SEXY TEEN SQUAD: UNDERCOVER MONSTER HUNTERS | Jon Bershad |
SICKNESS & HEALTH | Preston Walker and Russell Carter |
SimPLANET | Jorge Saralegui |
SINFLUENCERS | Sophie Kriegel |
SKELETON’S CREW | Dave Urlakis |
SORCERESS | Dave Urlakis |
STALEMATES | Daniel Van Nostrand |
STRIPPED | Erica Everage |
SURREAL POLITIK | Joshua Harris |
SWORD AND SHIELD | Matthew McPhee |
THAT SISTER THANG | Lindiwe Mueller-Westernhagen and Dale Winton |
THE BROTHERS DISNEY | Peter H. Lee |
THE CAREGIVER | Schyler Martin |
THE COMPOUND | Heather Stiteler and Mikaela Shwer |
THE DISH WASHER | Robert Husted |
THE EXIT PLAN | Chris Anthony Hamilton |
THE FLIGHT OF THE RED FLOWER | Yongyi Song Allen |
THE GALLERY | Dushant Kirpalani |
THE GLITTER SHITTER | Rex Cheung |
THE GREATEST GOOD | Harry Maxon and Holly Maxon |
THE HUMMINGBIRD | Sigal Erez and Cara Winter |
THE LONGEST DAY | Ellen Shanley |
THE SHADOW KING | Chris A. Bolton |
THE WITCH OF DEDHAM | Jessica Ross |
THE WOODHULL | Lynda Brendish |
TROLLS | Yuri Baranovsky and Vlad Baranovsky |
TYRANTS & TYCOONS | Joshua Dorian |
UNDONE | Christine Burright McGuigan |
UNDRAFTED | Jeff Perreca |
UNFINISHED | Eric Giancola and Tricia Olds |
UNION MADE | Rikki Bleiweiss |
USERNAME | Barbara Soares |
WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN | Itai Inselberg |
ZERO DAY AFTER | Mitchell Golden |
Make sure to check back for further announcements!
(As a reminder: If you entered into the Mentorship Program, or signed up to be part of the Guaranteed Signing or Guaranteed Option prizes, regardless of making the Top 100, you are still in contention for those prizes. Those winners are selected from the entire pool of submissions separately from the finalist rounds, and will be announced alongside the winners)
WELCOME TO THE LAUNCH PAD PILOT COMPETITION!
Launch Pad Competitions have led to more signings, success stories and careers than any other screenwriting competition.
With more than 450 writers signed, 165 projects set up, 70 writers staffed and 180 appearances on annual best-of lists, The Launch Pad Competition has firmly established itself as the premier hub for Hollywood to discover fresh voices, new ideas, and talented writers.
We advocate for all of our Top 100 finalists, working with them to develop compelling bios and loglines, and sharing their work with the right industry members to advance their career.
A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR JURY
This year’s jury includes industry professionals from such prestigious companies as:
- Circle of Confusion
- Zero Gravity Management
- Silent R Management
- The Kaplan Stahler Agency
- Energy Entertainment
- Lit Entertainment
Click over to our jury tab to learn more!
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM – ADD ON
The best way to learn is by working with experienced writers who have already navigated that path to success. That is exactly what the Launch Pad exclusive mentorship opportunity is setup to do. This year’s mentors are:
Ahmadu Garba
Ahmadu Garba placed as a finalist in the 2015 Launch Pad Feature competition with his script AUGUSTUS. Since then, he has kept his success rolling by serving as writer on numerous series such as HAPPY! on Syfy, THE SINNER on USA, and the upcoming adaptation of the podcast DR. DEATH. In addition, he co-wrote the indie Drama/Musical SHINE and he recently sold futuristic drama series NIGERIA 2099 to AMC.
Kendra Chanae Chapman
Kendra Chanae Chapman is a writer and producer who was most recently a story editor on EMERGENCE for ABC. She was also a staff writer on DESIGNATED SURVIVOR for Netflix. Prior to that, Kendra developed and executive produced AVANT-GUARDIANS, a 7-episode web series that was awarded Best Drama/Dramedy Short Form at the New York Television Festival and featured at the American Black Film Festival and LA Film Festival 2018. Kendra is also producing a short film, 19 WEEKS, with Cinestar and producer Liz Destro (CAKE, THE BUTLER, SMILF).
Sylvia L. Jones
After traveling the country to cover the 2016 presidential primary elections for ABC7Chicago, long-time journalist Sylvia L. Jones decided to leverage her comprehensive knowledge of the city’s politics to help launch Showtime’s THE CHI and USA’s SUITS spinoff, PEARSON. She then wrote for season two of the CBS All Access thriller, TELL ME A STORY. Sylvia most recently wrapped as a writer on Ava DuVernay’s new anthology series, CHERISH THE DAY for OWN TV. Sylvia also developed and wrote the upcoming feature biopic, THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL about the legendary gospel singers, with Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige as executive producers on the project.
GUARANTEED OPTION – ADD ON
This year’s guaranteed option partner is Bad Idea, the production company behind the Netflix series EL CHAPO and TIJUANA as well as the films THE BAD GUYS starring Glen Powell and Mekenna Melvin, and DEADTECTIVES starring Chris Genre and Martha Higareda. Bad Idea will offer a paid option to one project from this year’s competition.
GUARANTEED SIGNING – ADD ON
Joining as a guaranteed signing partner this year is Artillery Creative, a management company which has signed multiple writers out of the Launch Pad Competitions in previous years, and set up Launch Pad projects at Paramount, NBC, UCP, HBO and CBS. Artillery Creative will sign at least one writer from this year’s competition.
The guaranteed option, guaranteed signing, and three mentor partner(s) will each select a minimum of 1 project each from this year’s competition to win their prize. To be eligible, entrants MUST select the “Guaranteed Option”, “Guaranteed Signing”, and/or “Mentorship” add-on at the time of entry.
If you select any add-ons at the time of entry, regardless of where you place in the competition, you will still be in the running for those add-on features.
FEEDBACK NOTES
In the same spirit as our mentorship program and our commitment to helping writers improve, we are thrilled to offer our Feedback Notes Program to provide 1-2 pages of in-depth notes on your competition entry. Select the notes at checkout to get insight on the story, characters, writing and marketability of your script.
The 2020 Launch Pad Pilot Competition Prizes
The Launch Pad Competition is focused on identifying, discovering and helping launch the careers of our writers. Whether you make the Top 100 or win it all in any of our competitions, we work with you to help polish your work, prepare for meetings, craft your pitch, identify your follow up projects, and prepare yourself for anything that comes your way on the journey to becoming a professional writer.
Grand Prize | Top 3 Winners
- Everything the Top 10 receive, plus…
- You will be invited to our annual Launch Pad Party celebrating you and the other Launch Pad Winners of the year. This will be an exclusive industry event centered on showcasing and honoring you and your work, while also introducing you to agents, managers, executives, producers, and other creatives. This is a private guest list event tailored toward our winners from the year, and including some of our previous judges, mentors, partners and past Launch Pad Alums.
Top 10
- Everything the Top 100 Finalists receive, plus…
- You and your project will be showcased individually to agents, managers, executives, and producers who are looking for new clients, new projects, and new writers.
- Your work will be read, reviewed, and voted on by each of our esteemed judges.
- You will receive 1 free entry into any future Launch Pad Competition of your choosing.
Top 100 Finalists
- Your project will be announced on our sites and via press release and industry newsletter via The Tracking Board, Launch Pad, and our partners to more than 100,000 readers and industry members worldwide.
- You and your project will be featured in both our individual Launch Pad Competition Booklet, as well as our Annual Launch Pad Alum Booklet, both of which are shared with our industry network and beyond, including agents, managers, producers, executives and other creatives seeking new material and clients.
- You will receive a free 1-Year Membership (or extension) to The Tracking Board.
Add-On Competition Prizes
If you select any add-ons at time of entry, regardless of where you place in the competition, you will still be in the running for those add-on features.
Guaranteed Option Exclusive – Partner To Be Announced
- A Minimum of 1 project will be selected from our exclusive development partner to receive an option agreement for their Launch Pad project.
- To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Guaranteed Option” add-on when submitting their project.
- This prize, as with all add-on prizes is not decided upon by placement in the competition. Regardless of whether the project entered makes any finalist round, your project will still be in contention for this prize until the competition ends.
Guaranteed Signing Exclusive – Partner To Be Announced
- A Minimum of 1 writer will be selected for representation by our exclusive signing partner(s). To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Guaranteed Signing” add-on when submitting their project.
- This prize, as with all add-on prizes is not decided upon by placement in the competition.
- Regardless of whether the project entered makes any finalist round, your project will still be in contention for this prize until the competition ends.
Our Exclusive 2020 Launch Pad Mentorship Program – Mentors To Be Announced
- A Minimum of 3 writers (1 per mentor) will be selected by our mentors to enter our 2020 Launch Pad Mentorship Program.
- To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Mentorship Program” add-on when submitting their project.
- This prize, as with all add-on prizes is not decided upon by placement in the competition. Regardless of whether the project entered makes any finalist round, your project will still be in contention for this prize until the competition ends.
Success of Previous Top 100’s
Here are a few Top 100 writers we would like to celebrate…
Sarah Lampert
Jess Harris-Distefano
Elizabeth Guest
Ahmadu Garba
Adrian Garcia
Recon Literary
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Has frequently had writers appear on the year-end Hit List, Black List and Young & Hungry Lists.
- Signed Launch Pad winner Eric Koenig and sold his Launch Pad winning script MATRIARCH to Paramount in a bidding war.
- With an eye for discovering new voices, Garcia has signed multiple Launch Pad Alums in the past years in film, TV and books.
- A long time Launch Pad partner, Recon Literary has previously served as a Guaranteed Signing partner.
Brooklyn Weaver
Energy Entertainment
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- One of the most prolific spec-selling manager/producers in Hollywood, he has sold multiple Launch Pad projects in film, television and publishing.
- His clients include Rob Liefeld (DEADPOOL), Brad Ingelsby (RUN ALL NIGHT, OUT OF THE FURNACE), and Mark Mallouk (BLACK MASS).
- His clients have created the hit TV series REVERIE and EXTANT (Mickey Fisher) as well as BATES MOTEL (Anthony Cipriano).
- His clients have been staffed on such shows as Freeform’s SIREN, FX’s THE STRAIN and NBC’s CHICAGO P.D.
Daniela Gonzalez
Circle of Confusion
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Circle of Confusion produces such successful TV series as THE WALKING DEAD, DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY and the upcoming LOCKE & KEY.
- Circle of Confusion represented multiple writers on the Hit List and Young & Hugnry List for 2019.
- Gonzalez’s clients have been staffed on such shows as Cinemax’s OUTCAST, The CW’S CHARMED and NANCY DREW, ABC’s THE GOOD DOCTOR, and Netflix’s ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.
Dash Aiken
Romark Entertainment
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Romark Entertainment has been involved in four of the seven Launch Pad bidding wars, having previously set up MARIAN at Sony with Margot Robbie and Donald De Line, MATRIARCH at Paramount with Douglas Wick, TRANQUILITY BASE at Fox with Ridley Scott and JUST. ONE. KISS. at Netflix.
- Romark is currently developing the Launch Pad projects KILL CREEK with Scott Derrickson at Showtime, and MR. & MRS. AMERICAN PIE with Laura Dern at Platform One.
- One of the most prolific management and production companies, Romark clients are also developing projects at AMC, UCP, Endgame, Sony, Blumhouse, Vertigo Entertainment, Pacific Electric, and Assemble Media.
Jake Wagner
Alibi Entertainment
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- After years at Good Fear Film + Management, top manager Wagner is branching out with his own venture Alibi Entertainment.
- Wagner was an Executive Producer on his client Tripper Clancy’s film STUBER.
- Had clients on both the Young & Hungry List and Hit List for 2019.
Jason Tamasco
Bad Idea
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Bad Idea’s recent projects have included the films OPENING NIGHT starring Topher Grace & Taye Diggs, THE BAD GUYS starring Glen Powell and Mekenna Melvin, and DEADTECTIVES starring Chris Genre and Martha Higareda.
- The Company’s recent television projects include the Netflix series EL CHAPO and the Univision series TIJUANA.
- Served as the Guaranteed Option partner for the 2019 Launch Pad Pilot Competition.
Jay Marcus
State Street Pictures
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- State Street Pictures is the production company of director George Tillman Jr. (THE HATE U GIVE)
- State Street Pictures has produced such films as SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT and THE HATE U GIVE.
- State Street is attached to produce Launch Pad alum Sarah Jane Inwards’ 2017 LP script JELLYFISH SUMMER.
Jewerl Ross
Silent R Management
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Ross represents Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins (MOONLIGHT, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, Amazon’s upcoming THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD).
- Ross’s clients have been staffed on such shows as Cinemax’s WARRIOR, AMC’S INTO THE BADLANDS, CBS All Access’s WHY WOMEN KILL and Netflix’s THE GET DOWN.
- Silent R has signed multiple Launch Pad alumni.
Kasey Muraszko
Paradigm
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Muraszko previously signed Launch Pad alum Elaine Loh, who is currently staffed on HBO Max’s GOSSIP GIRL reboot.
- Paradigm is one of the most consistent agencies to appear on end of year lists, with multiple writers on the Young & Hungry and Hit List every year.
Matt Dy
Lit Entertainment
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Lit Entertainment’s clients have written projects such as CAPTAIN MARVEL, PRISONERS, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, NOW YOU SEE ME, THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA, FIRST MAN, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, CREED II, POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU, FIVE FEET APART, THE JUNGLE BOOK, 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, and the upcoming FREE GUY, TERMINATOR: DARK FATE, TOP GUN: MAVERICK, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and SCOOB, amongst others.
- Lit Entertainment has been a Launch Pad signing partner in the past and has signed multiple Launch Pad alumni.
Sam Schulte
Millennium Films
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Millennium’s recent films include RAMBO: NEW BLOOD, HELLBOY, and HUNTER KILLER.
- Millennium is the force behind such blockbuster action franchises as the OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN trilogy, THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD, and THE EXPENDABLES.
Sonya Gauthier
Woolf + Lapin
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Woolf + Lapin, a Quebec-based agency, has signed multiple Launch Pad alumni.
- Woolf + Lapin acquired 2018 Launch Pad Feature Overall Winner script DON’T GO THERE by Jeffrey Field.
Tom Carter
Artillery Creative
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- A longtime Launch Pad judge and partner, Carter has previously signed several writers from the competitions, and set up LP projects at Paramount, NBC, UCP, HBO and CBS.
- He is producing the upcoming adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book DAWN with director Ava DuVernay, as well as the upcoming Mahershala Ali project BURN.
- Clients have staffed for shows on Netflix, NBC, HBO, TNT, USA, CBS, Fox, and Freeform, and some of those staffed have included include LP writers Jenny Deiker, Annabelle Seymour, David Hoffman and Migizi Pensoneau, amongst others.
Varun Monga
Kaplan Stahler Agency
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Monga recently moved to the Kaplan Stahler Agency after years with ESA/Equitable Management.
- He has had numerous writers appear on the Black List, Hit List and Young & Hungry List in previous years.
- Has signed multiple Launch Pad Alumni in the past.
Will Deasey
Zero Gravity Management
[bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#4a4949″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Learn More” collapse_text=”Learn More” ]- Zero Gravity has produced such films as THE ACCOUNTANT and PROUD MARY, as well as the Emmy-nominated Netflix series OZARK.
- They are producing the upcoming Madam C.J. Walker project for Netflix with Octavia Spencer, Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo and Blair Underwood set to star.
- Zero Gravity clients write for such shows as Netflix’s BOJACK HORSEMAN and GRACE AND FRANKIE and History’s PROJECT BLUE BOOK and SIX.
- All scripts MUST BE submitted as a PDF.
- All pilot scripts must be under 70 pages (any script with more than 70 pages will be charged an additional $1 per page)
- Do not submit any form of pitch document with your pilot script.
- Scripts with multiple writers are allowed (however, all entry fees must be paid under one account and all prizes to be shared among writing partners).
- All scripts must be the sole property of the writer(s).
- Pilots with a prior option are allowed, but at the time of submission and for the duration of the contest, must remain exclusively the writer’s property.
- The only scripts not allowed to be entered are those which have already sold, have previously earned our “TB Recommends” honors, or received a top 100 placement in a previous Launch Pad competition.
- LaunchPad uses Coverfly to manage our submissions and reads. Updated drafts accepted through the Coverfly website only.
- The Launch Pad and all judges/readers will utilize whatever criteria they deem appropriate in deciding a winner.
- All scripts will remain the property of the writer(s) throughout the contest (at no point will anyone from the judge’s panel, or Launch Pad ever attach themselves to your work without your consent).
- Entrants may be contacted as a result of the contest by Launch Pad, the judging panel or other industry professionals in regards to representation, production, sale and/or option of the entered work.
- Entrants are under no obligation to sell their work or otherwise attach themselves to representation in any form – this includes the guaranteed option and guaranteed signing add ons
- General script entries will not receive feedback, however, you can opt to upgrade and receive feedback on your script submission.
- The contest is open to entrants 18 or older. It is an international contest and open to entrants worldwide.
- The Launch Pad reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- By entering this competition, you agree to receive periodic emails from The Launch Pad and The Tracking Board. You may unsubscribe to these at any time.
- All entrants understand and agree to allow Launch Pad to post details on their script (title, writers name, logline, genre, and competition details) as well as regarding the writer (biography, picture) to their site, or sister site to help promote the entrants’ work.
- All purchases and submissions are final. No refunds will be issued.
- VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
- Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to LaunchPad and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
- You agree to release and hold harmless LaunchPad, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, readers, sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising, or promoting the competition, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s entry, participation in the competition and/or acceptance or use or misuse of prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LaunchPad and its sponsors, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the competition and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize.