About this project
LATE-BREAKING NEWS!
Just today, Jan. 24, "Storming Sedalia" was named a quarterfinalist in the 2011 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition. This means that out of nearly 1,000 entries, industry insiders picked it as one of the top entries in the Drama category.
Please help me get this project off the ground!
"Storming Sedalia" is my first completed screenplay, and as such, I was stunned to receive a score of 132 of 160 points in the opening round of the 2011 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition.
The competition guidelines state that a score of 140 gets a script kicked straight to an agent for consideration, so I am jazzed that my first effort scored so high. The script tells a story of interaction between townspeople of Sedalia, MO and upwards of 350,000 rock music fans who overwhelm the town during the summer heat wave of 1974 at the Ozark Music Festival. Townspeople and hippies alike learn lessons about human decency and how much alike we are, in spite of generational prejudices.
The high score I received has encouraged me to take the next step in development of the script, which is where you come in. I need cash for professional script doctor input into ways to improve the script and give it those few touches it needs to make it marketable to the film industry. This is called the Development Phase. And when that's done, the remaining cash will be used for travel to Calfornia for possible meetings with agents, producers, etc.
Rewards are geared to giving you an idea of the steps and levels a script goes through in becoming a movie. Thanks for your support, and when we win the Oscar I'll be sure to mention my Angels at Kickstarter.
What follows is the first four pages of the script, setting the scene and setting up the conflicts. It gives you an idea of what you'll be supporting. Because formatting is off, I've put the dialogue in bold italics, which it normally is not, but you'll get the idea::
FADE IN:
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - EVENING
JIM FOREHAN, late 30s, dress shirt open at the collar and sleeves rolled up, sits on a bench and reads as TOWNSPEOPLE meander through the square.
The newspaper says it's Wednesday, July 17, 1974.
Townspeople head to a park in the distance, others toward a movie theater on the square.
A billboard reads, "Welcome to Sedalia, Missouri." Sprinkled with the logos of a half dozen service organizations, Rotary, Elks, Future Farmers of America, etc.
EXT. FRONT OF BARBER SHOP - MOMENTS LATER
DICK SPICER, late 50s, buzz cut, locks up for the night. The shop is dark. The barber pole continues to rotate.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - MOMENTS LATER
Deputy Sheriff BERNARD CASHMAN, early 30s, close-cropped brown hair, stands next to a car that is parked at an expired meter, talking to TOOTIE CURRIER, seated behind the wheel.
DEPUTY BERNARD CASHMAN
Spare's on, Mrs. Currier. Give me the keys and I'll put the flat and the jack back in the trunk. Now you make sure you get to the garage tomorrow and have it fixed.
EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY - LATER
1967 Barracuda hurtles along Interstate 70.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - MOMENTS LATER
WALTER and ALICE BERKELEY stroll past Jim Forehan. Both are in their early 40s. Walter is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds of muscle. Alice is 5-foot-6, trim, a cascade of brown hair.
WALTER BERKELEY
(nodding)
Pastor.
JIM FOREHAN
Sheriff, Alice. Nice evening.
ALICE BERKELEY
Finally cooling down a little bit. But 100 again tomorrow, they're saying.
INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
JOE COLEMAN, mid 40s, sandy hair in a flat-top, checks his watch, glances toward the bedroom.
JOE COLEMAN
C'mon, hon. Movie starts in 30 minutes.
JUDY COLEMAN, early 40s, pretty in a matronly way, strides into the room, stifles a cough.
JUDY COLEMAN
And yes, I know how you hate to miss the Coming Attractions.
JOE COLEMAN
What I really like are the commercials for the snack bar. The dancing popcorn kills me every time.
JUDY COLEMAN
Well then, let's get going. What's the holdup?
JOE COLEMAN
You got your mask, right?
Judy dangles a medical mask.
EXT. FAIRGROUNDS - LATER
A helicopter lands near a large double-sided stage. A sign above the stage reads, "Ozark Music Festival."
Workers scurry over to the helicopter, heft boxes onto a flatbed truck.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER - LATER
Joe and Judy Coleman stand in a short line. Judy wears the mask.
A small gap between them and other movie-goers.
The marquee reads, "Back By Popular Demand: 'Blazing Saddles!'"
JOE COLEMAN
They know they can't catch it when you have the mask on.
JUDY COLEMAN
Joe, please.
JOE COLEMAN
But these people have known you your whole life. What do they expect? Should you just rot in your living room?
JUDY COLEMAN
Joe, tuberculosis is still a scary disease. For some people, no amount of facts can conquer that fear.
JOE COLEMAN
But you have the mask and I've had the medicine to keep from getting it. They know that!
JUDY COLEMAN
Joe, please. Let's just enjoy the evening.
EXT. INTERSTATE HIGHWAY - LATER
The Barracuda still hurtles down the highway.
INT. BARRACUDA - MOMENTS LATER
DENISE BATTLES and KATIE DOOLEY in the back seat. Denise, 17, is petite, auburn hair spills to mid-back and green eyes.
Katie, 17, is a hair away from being overweight. Brown hair in a ponytail that sticks out the back of a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap.
MICHAEL BATTLES, Denise's brother, drives. Long legs wedged under the steering wheel. Fiery red hair and blue eyes. No one in the passenger seat.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - MOMENTS LATER
Jim Forehan assembles his newspaper, walks away from the square.
INT. BARRACUDA - MOMENTS LATER
A chain about ten inches long, made from beer can pull tabs, hangs from the rear view mirror
The 8-track player blares "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" by Bachman Turner Overdrive.
RANDY BACHMAN
(singing)
Here's something that you're never gonna forget. B-B-B-Baby, you just ain't seen n-n-nothin' yet.
The speedometer needle quivers just above 110.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER - MOMENTS LATER
Jim Forehan spies the Colemans in line.
JIM FOREHAN
Hi Joe, Judy.
Invites a hug from Judy. Others in the line notice and whisper among themselves.
Joe Coleman studies the marquee.
Jim Forehan extends a hand toward Joe. Joe eyes the hand and turns to examine the Coming Attraction posters.
JIM FOREHAN
Well, you two enjoy the show. Funny movie.
Joe turns and glares as he watches Jim walk away.
JUDY COLEMAN
Joe, that was rude.
JOE COLEMAN
Well, he won't leave me the hell alone.
JUDY COLEMAN
He just misses you at services. He asks about you every Sunday.
JOE COLEMAN
I got no use for that church anymore. Most of 'em treat you like some kind of ... of ... I don't know what.
JUDY COLEMAN
(interrupting)
It's not the church you're angry with. And not Jim Forehan either.
FAQ
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This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on January 30.
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PDF copy of first 15 pages of script. It's the first 10-15 pages that make a reader decide whether to read the whole thing. Everybody gets this immediately after project is funded.
Pledge $21 or more Pledge $21 or more
NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... You'll get the above plus a copy of script's evaluation in the 2011 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition. Also, you'll get a mini-soundtrack of the first five songs that appear in the script! Since it would be illegal for me to produce that soundtrack, I'll send you the list and a $5 Amazon gift code by email. Then you can download the songs from Amazon onto the device of your choice.
Pledge $51 or more Pledge $51 or more
NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... You get PDF of full screenplay (108 pages.) PDF is the preferred submission form of many Hollywood agents and producers. You also get a mini-soundtrack of the first 12 songs in the script. That's a $12 Amazon gift code to download the songs, PLUS a blank CD in jewel case to burn them to. And I'll even design a jewel case insert with a playlist on the back.
Pledge $151 or more Pledge $151 or more
NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... You get a "Hollywood-style" bound copy of screenplay (pages bound by brass fasteners) plus contest evaluation. This is the format actors and directors take home to read over the weekend. And you get the FULL 24-song soundtrack. That's a $25 Amazon gift code and TWO CDs in jewel box to burn the soundtrack to, complete with jewel case inserts and playlists for both CDs.
Pledge $251 or more Pledge $251 or more
NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... Autographed bound copy of screenplay, plus evaluation. When we win the Oscar you'll have evidence you got in on the ground floor. You also get two sets of blank CDs with jewel cases and inserts and an Amazon gift code big enough ($50) to download two copies of the soundtrack so you can give one to a friend. Because it would be wrong to only download it once and then make copies to give away.
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NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... Autographed copy, bound in sturdy cover, with personal message from author on title page. Sometimes agents will submit scripts to actors, directors or producers with this type of cover to make it stand out from all the others. You also get two copies of the soundtrack, but your jewel case inserts will be specially-designed with a thank you from the author addressed to you, or any other person you name. Or, one for you and one for another person you name.
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NEW! MUSIC IN THE MIX. ... Autographed copy, bound in sturdy cover, with personal message from author on title page, plus PDF of mentor feedback. With this, you're in on each step of the creative process. Plus the Mother of all Soundtracks! All 24 songs, full playlist, CDs in jewel cases for burning, Amazon gift code big enough for two copies. PLUS personal liner notes describing how each song came to be included in the script. And the whole package numbered as a limited edition.
Project By
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I am a former sportswriter and news editor, who retired early, in part for medical reasons. I'm 59 years old, but my friends say I act like an 8-year-old, so I guess that's in dog years. I don't feel like a sick, decrepit old person and I'm not ready to sit on the side and watch life. I've decided not to moan and be sick, but use this opportunity to pursue the dream I never got around to, which is become a screenwriter. My monthly stipend covers the basics, and I pound away daily with the help of my screenwriting software. Between sessions I go to the beach and seek solace and inspiration from the surf, watch the surfer dudes and basically immerse myself in the ambiance of one of the few unspoiled beach towns left on the Atlantic coast of Florida. I lived most of my professional life in the southern tier of states, covering sports and editing newspapers from the coast of Florida to the coast of California and a half-dozen spots in between. Grew up in St. Louis (Go Cardinals!!) and moved back there a couple times between jobs. My favorite pastimes (yes, there's only one s) are watching movies, reading (mostly adventure novels and mysteries), playing on the computer and live poker.
