September 12-13: Susan Johnston, President of Select Services Films
Friday night, September 12, NWSG is proud to host Susan Johntson, President of Select Service Films. NWSG is proud to host Susan Johnston, President of Select Service Films. On Friday, she'll sit down with Treasurer, Michael DiMartino (Susan has optioned two of his scripts), to discuss what happens to your script once it's optioned or sold, and how it makes it through the production process and onto the screen.
Friday (during the day), September 12, and Saturday, September 13, Susan will hear pitches from Compendium Members only.
She is actively looking for the following scripts:
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Genre: Action
Budget: Under $1 million
Notes: Heroine in distress from the beginning of the picture. -
Genre: Gay
Budget: Under $1 million
Notes: Not looking for a gay-themed script for general audiences.
Should include explicit type of sex scenes a la HBO films. -
Genre: High Concept Action Thriller
Budget: Between $3 and $20 million
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Genre: High Concept Comedy
Budget: Between $3 and $20 million
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Genre: High Concept Romantic Comedy
Budget: Between $3 and $20 million
ABOUT SUSAN JOHNSTON: President of Select Service Films, a New England native, worked with the Providence and Rhode Island Film Commissions to build the infrastructure used by the Farrelly brothers, director Michael Corrente, NBC's hit TV series "Providence" and Context Media Studios for their international productions, garnering funds before Senate Committee hearings and creating the 25% tax incentive for investors of films in RI.
Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Susan Johnston worked on projects as International co-producing, talent producing, directing TV Development and collaborating on innovative projects such as:
- The first series ever produced for cell phones, Mini-Bikers, as producer, in conjunction with Fun Little Movies.
- Developing the SAG Internet contract with Pierre Debs of SAG and Frank Chindamo of FLM.
- The Hidden Realm, one of the first HD TV Pilots utilizing the Panasonic Varicam.
- Shooting Another Day, Forbidden Fruit and Extra Sensory which are some of the first music videos to use the Panasonic Varicam.
Susan is currently working with projects using cutting edge technology such as the Red Camera and virtual 3 D technology. Recently Susan was interviewed for the second edition of Jan Yager's book "Career Opportunities in the Film Industry."
Susan has relationships and access to experienced on-camera and creative talent, craft and technical crew, include Oscar nominees, as well as Emmy, Telly, and Cleo winners. Our clients include ABC Family Channel, NBC/Universal, Fox, Kaiser Permanente, NATPE, "The Hollywood Reporter."
General Meeting:
Date: Friday, September 12th
Time:
Doors: 6:45PM
Schmooze: 7PM
Meeting: 7:30-9:30PM
Location:
Clear Channel Building
351 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
Cost:
NWSG Members: FREE
Partner Film Org Members: $10
General Public/Non-Members: $15
Compendium Pitch Sessions:
Date: Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th
Fri Time: TBD
Sat Time: 10AM-4PM
Location:
Clear Channel Building
351 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
October 3-4: Celine Rattray - Plum Pictures (tentative)
November 21-22: Sean Sorensen - Head of Feature Production at Motion Theory and Founder at Popular Films
Friday, November 21, NWSG is proud to host Sean Sorensen, Head of Feature Production at Motion Theory and Founder/Writer/Producer at Popular Films. Sean will sit down with NWSG President, Aadip Desai to discuss Motion Theory's transition from commercial productions to feature films; Sean's experience as a Writer/Producer; and much more. Possible second guest to accompany Sean (schedule permitting).
Projects currently set up:
- Co-Producer, DEMOTED starring Michael Vartan and David Cross. In pre-production at ParallelZide. Filming begins Sept. 2nd
- Screenwriter, Executive Producer, SEALAND. In development at Warner Bros.
- Executive Producer, LIVE NUDE GIRLS UNITE! Nicole Kassel, director. Shauna Cross, screenwriter. In development at Reason.
- Co-Executive Producer, HURRICANE SEASON. Greg Yaitanes, director. John Romano, screenwriter. In development at HBO.
- Executive Producer, WEASEL. Steve Bagatourian, screenwriter. In development at Echo Lake.
- Producer, CROAK. Rich Davis, screenwriter. In development at Hudson River.
- Producer, A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIM. Brian Price, screenwriter. In development at Hudson River.
- Screenwriter, GODSPEED. In development at Hudson River.
Saturday, November 22, Sean will hear pitches from Compendium Members only. He is actively looking for projects for Motion Theory.
They have a stable of major commercial directors turned feature directors. The stories must have strong visual elements. NOT interested in visuals for visuals sake. The stories must work even if they had no visual elements at all. The visuals need to exist in support of the story.
Check past projects at http://www.motiontheory.com/.
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Genre: Robotics
Budget: $30-$80 million
Similar to: I, ROBOT to TRANSFORMERS -
Genre: Stylized
Budget: $30-$80 million
Similar to: WANTED, 300, SIN CITY -
Genre: Magical realism / surreal stories
Budget: $30-$80 million
Similar to: PAN’S LABYRINTH, AMELIE, and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. -
Genre: Near-future science fiction, but grounded in reality
Budget: $30-$80 million
Similar to: I, ROBOT, CHILDREN OF MEN, SNOW CRASH (the book), parts of MINORITY REPORT
ABOUT SEAN SORENSEN:
Ever since he saw STAR WARS at the age of 5, Sean Sorensen knew he would one day be working in the movie business. After growing up in Orange County, California he studied acting at San Diego State and UCLA.
After setting up SEALAND at Warner Bros., Sean founded Popular Films in 2003. In October 2007, Sean joined the production company Motion Theory as their head of feature production. He still produces passion projects under his Popular Films banner.
General Meeting:
Date: Friday, November 21st
Time:
Doors: 6:45PM
Schmooze: 7PM
Meeting: 7:30-9:30PM
Location:
Clear Channel Building
351 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
Cost:
NWSG Members: FREE
Partner Film Org Members: $10
General Public/Non-Members: $15
Compendium Pitch Sessions:
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 10AM-4PM
Location:
Clear Channel Building
351 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119