WHY ENTER LAUNCH PAD COMPETITIONS?

452 Writers Signed -- 164 Projects Setup -- 68 Writers Staffed -- 7 Bidding Wars

WHAT MAKES LAUNCH PAD SO SUCCESSFUL?

From the start, the competition has leveraged our deep relationships with Hollywood’s top agents, managers, producers, and executives and consistently assembled a “who’s who” panel of 25 judges for each and every competition. This year is no exception, with judges participating from Paradigm, APA, Energy Entertainment, Circle of Confusion, Di Novi Pictures, Bellevue, and many more. At the Launch Pad, we go above and beyond to advocate for all of our finalists, from the Top 75 all the way to our winners. We work tirelessly to get your work into the hands of the biggest agencies, management companies, and production companies around to showcase you and your writing. But that’s just where it begins. 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.

WHAT MAKE US DIFFERENT FROM THE REST?

WE WORK WITH OUR WINNERS

452 Writers Signed -- 164 Projects Setup -- 68 Writers Staffed -- 7 Bidding Wars

THIS YEARS JUDGES INCLUDE...

Adrian Askarieh - Prime Universe Films

• Produced the successful “Hitman” series, including 2007’s HITMAN and 2015’s “HITMAN: AGENT 47, as well as an upcoming television adaptation for Hulu.
• Prime Universe Films has a first look deal with studio Constantin Films for film and television projects. 
• Prime Universe has previously served as our Launch Pad Guaranteed Option partner. 

Adam Kolbrenner - Lit Entertainment

• With his newly minted Lit Entertainment Group, Adam continues to be one of the top managers in the industry.
• From 2018 alone, 6 of his clients landed on the Hit List, 3 on the Black List, and 2 were named to the Young & Hungry List.
• Represents writers such as Justin Marks (THE JUNGLE BOOK), Ed Ricourt (NOW YOU SEE ME), and Dave Andron (SNOWFALL).
• Has signed numerous Launch Pad Alumni in previous years including Aaron Sala (THE BEAST) and 2018’s Feature Comp Eric Cross (T).
  
  

Alana Wright - New Regency

• New Regency is behind such commercial and critical hit films as WIDOWS, THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB and BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.
• Wright previously worked at Scott Free during the release of such films as ALIEN: COVENANT and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.
• New Regency’s upcoming films include Robert Eggers’ THE LIGHTHOUSE and Greta Gerwig’s star-studded LITTLE WOMEN adaptation. 

Andrew Childs – Vertigo Entertainment

• Vertigo Entertainment has produced such films as Stephen King’s IT, THE BOY, THE LEGO MOVIE, DEATH NOTE and THE DEPARTED. 
  
• Vertigo’s upcoming slate includes IT: CHAPTER 2 and DOCTOR SLEEP, the sequel to THE SHINING. 
• Andrew is currently serving as Executive Producer on the 2018 Black List script COBWEB, as well as the Production Executive for YUBA and DELILAH DIRK AND THE TURKISH LIEUTENANT.
• Vertigo Entertainment has previously served as a Launch Pad exclusive partner and has optioned multiple scripts from the competition over the past few years.

Brandon Loureiro - Paramount Players

• Paramount Players is a new film division within Paramount developing projects for the audiences of Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and Comedy Central.
• Paramount Players’ recent releases include the comedies WHAT MEN WANT and NOBODY’S FOOL.
• Upcoming releases include DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD, THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: IT’S A WONDERFUL SPONGE, and film versions of the classic television series RUGRATS and ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

Brooklyn Weaver - Energy Entertainment

• One of the top spec-selling managers in Hollywood, who has sold multiple Launch Pad scripts in film, TV and publishing.
• His clients include Rob Liefeld (DEADPOOL), Brad Ingelsby (RUN ALL NIGHT, OUT OF THE FURNACE), Mark Mallouk (BLACK MASS).
• His clients have created the hit TV series REVERIE and EXTANT (Mickey Fisher) as well as BATES MOTEL (Anthony Cipriano).
• Has had clients on the Black List, Hit List or Young & Hungry List every year since 2014.

Casey Minella - Circle of Confusion 

• Circle of Confusion clients include Adam F. Goldberg, creator of THE GOLDBERGS, Anthony Jaswinski (THE SHALLOWS), Gary Whitta (ROGUE ONE), Jon Spaiths (PASSENGERS, DOCTOR STRANGE, PROMETHEUS), and the Wachowskis (CLOUD ATLAS, SENSE8).
• Circle of Confusion produces both THE WALKING DEAD and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD as well as the upcoming Amazon series DAISY JONES & THE SIX.
• Circle of Confusion writers are staffed on such shows as LUCIFER, ANGIE TRIBECA, CHICAGO FIRE, SPEECHLESS, THE AFFAIR, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND and more. 

Charlie Ferraro – UTA

• His clients include such successful writers as Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR), Diana Ossana and Larry McMurty (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN), Gary Whitta (ROGUE ONE), and Steven Moffat (DOCTOR WHO, SHERLOCK).
• A partner at UTA, he has signed more than half a dozen Launch Pad writers in the past few years, setting up LP projects with Fox, UCP and Netflix.
• Represented 3 projects on the 2018 Black List, 4 on the 2018 Hit List, and had 6 clients on the 2018 Young & Hungry List.

David Boxerbaum – Verve

• Was the top representative on both the Hit List and Young & Hungry List for 2018, representing 8 entries on each, and has had writers on those two lists and the Black List every year since 2013. 
• He has signed and sold multiple Launch Pad writers and scripts.
• Has been behind 4 of the 7 bidding wars in the Launch Pad’s history, most recently selling LP writer Dennis Curlett’s script JUST. ONE. KISS. to Netflix. 

Derrick Eppich - Lee Stobby Entertainment

• Lee Stobby Entertainment not only signed the first ever Launch Pad feature and pilot winners, but has continued to be an amazing partner, signing multiple Launch Pad writers over the years and setting up their work or staffing them on shows for places such as Netflix, HBO, Fox, Chernin Entertainment, and Anonymous Content.
• Lee Stobby Entertainment’s clients have been staffed on such shows as THE MIDDLE, LEGACIES and STRANGER THINGS.
• The company represents Shay Hatten, writer of JOHN WICK 3.

Jake Wagner - Good Fear Film + Management

• Wagner served as an Executive Producer on the Dave Bautista/Kumail Nanjiani film STUBER. 
• Recently set up Launch Pad writer John Wikstrom’s script AMA with Assemble Media and Romark Entertainment, with Zelda Williams attached to direct. 
• Represents such writers as Michael and Shawn Rasmussen (CRAWL), Tripper Clancy (STUBER) and Evan Daugherty (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, TOMB RAIDER).
• Had writers appear on the Hit List, Young & Hungry List and Black List for 2018.

Jason Tamasco - Bad Idea

• Bad Idea’s recent projects have included OPENING NIGHT starring Topher Grace & Taye Diggs, and EL CHAPO, both for Netflix. 
• They recently sold DEADTECTIVES starring Chris Geere and Martha Higareda to Shudder / AMC.
• Served as the Guaranteed Option partner for the 2019 Launch Pad Pilot Competition. 

Jeff Belkin - Zero Gravity Management

• Zero Gravity has produced such films as PROUD MARY and THE ACCOUNTANT.
• Zero Gravity produces the Emmy-nominated Netflix series OZARK starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney and will produce the upcoming Madam C.J. Walker project starring Octavia Spencer. 
• Zero Gravity clients have been staffed on such shows as History Channel’s SIX and Netflix’s BOJACK HORSEMAN.

Kegan Schell - Echo Lake Entertainment – Manager

• Echo Lake clients have been staffed on such shows as KEVIN CAN WAIT, MAYANS MC, THE PATH, MACGYVER and more. 
• Echo Lake Entertainment produced such films as NEBRASKA and ROMEO AND JULIET and the SyFy series VAN HELSING.
• Upcoming Echo Lake projects include ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith and THE SECRETS WE KEEP starring Noomi Rapace and Joel Kinnaman.  

Matthew Goldberg – Mgold Productions

• After stints working for Gotham Group and Davis Entertainment, Matthew has recently set up his own production company, Mgold Productions. 
• While working at Davis Entertainment, Matthew oversaw production of DOLEMITE for Netflix and JUNGLE CRUISE for Disney.

Michael Sauvage – UTA

• After working his way up through the mailroom, Michael became the Coordinator for MP Literary, Animation & Media Rights at UTA.
• UTA was the top agency represented on the 2018 Young & Hungry List, with 21 writers appearing, and was the second-most successful agency on the 2018 Hit List with 15 projects. 
• UTA has signed more than half a dozen Launch Pad writers in the past few years, setting up Launch Pad projects with Fox, UCP and Netflix.

Mike Blutstein - John Goldwyn Productions

• John Goldwyn Productions produced the Emmy-winning Showtime series DEXTER and Discovery’s MANHUNT: UNABOMBER.
• The company is producing an upcoming adaptation of the seminal Broadway musical GUYS AND DOLLS with TriStar Productions.
• They produced the Oscar-nominated Bob Dylan biopic I’M NOT THERE from director Todd Haynes. 

Nicole Poritzky - Mandeville Films

• Mandeville produced such hit films as WONDER, STRONGER and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
• Their upcoming slate includes THE AERONAUTS, starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. 
• Mandeville is behind TV series such as MONK, THE FIX and THE FAMILY. 

Noah Rosen - Writ Large

• Rosen’s clients have been staffed on such shows as STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, THE LOOMING TOWER, GOD FRIENDED ME, GOOD TROUBLE, KIDDING, WESTWORLD, THE SINNER, THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, THE FLASH and more. 
• Rosen represents writers such as Chris Parker (HEAVEN IS FOR REAL), David A. Newman and Keith Merryman (THINK LIKE A MAN).
• Writ Large produced the Emmy-nominated Hulu true crime series THE ACT.
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Samantha Shear - Zoic Studios 

• Zoic Studios is a creative production studio focusing on visual effects and animation, now moving into live-action production focusing on the company mission of “visual evolution.”
• Zoic has provided visual effects for projects such as AVENGERS, MOTHER!, GAME OF THRONES and more, winning 8 Emmy Awards and 8 Visual Effects Society Awards.
• Zoic’s upcoming slate includes an adaptation of Christopher Golden’s novel SNOWBLIND, and an adaptation of THE SECRET TREE by Natalie Standiford.
• Samantha has focused her career on IP adaptation, recently having set up the Katherine Applegate novel CRENSHAW at Fox Studios with James Mangold set to direct. 

Steven Snyder - Innisfree Pictures

• Innisfree Pictures has a first look deal at Focus Features.
• Steven previously worked for Focus Features and Good Universe.
• Innisfree Pictures produced GREEN BOOK, the winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor in 2018.

Tom Carter - Artillery Creative

• His clients have written for networks like NBC, HBO, TNT, USA, CBS, Freeform, and on shows that include TIMELESS and CHICAGO PD.
• Has previously signed several Launch Pad feature and pilot writers including Annabelle Seymour, David Hoffman, Devi Gowni, Jenny Deiker and Migizi Pensoneau.
• He is producing the upcoming adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book DAWN with Ava DuVernay attached to produce.
• He is also producing the adaptation of true crime thriller BURN for Anonymous Content with Mahershala Ali set to star and client Frederick Kotto set to write.

Travis Mauk - Smart Entertainment

• Smart Entertainment produced such films as THE BOY NEXT DOOR, TED and BLADES OF GLORY. 
• Smart Entertainment President John L. Jacobs has been a Consulting Producer on such shows as FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD. 

Will Raynor – Mandalay

• Mandalay has produced such acclaimed films as BERNIE, THE BIRTH OF A NATION and MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE.
• Produced the Netflix film LITTLE EVIL starring Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly and has three more films in production for the streaming service.
• Producing the highly anticipated directorial debut of acclaimed costume designer Courtney Hoffman, THE GOOD TIME GIRLS, starring Bruce and Laura Dern.

Zack Zucker - Bellevue

• One of the best spec-selling management companies in town, Bellevue has consistently appeared toward the top of every major year-end list for the past three years.
• Bellevue is producing the upcoming Madonna biopic BLONDE AMBITION for Universal as well as the horror film ELI with Intrepid Pictures.
• Bellevue had 6 clients on the 2018 Young & Hungry List and represented 5 projects on the 2018 Hit List. 

GUARANTEED OPTION PRIZE

We are thrilled to announce our exclusive guaranteed option partner for the 2019 Launch Pad Feature Competition is Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment. One of the most successful producers in the industry, Lee and his Vertigo Entertainment have steered a number of the largest grossing franchises of all time, including everything from THE RING, THE GRUDGE, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, THE LEGO MOVIE, IT, and GODZILLA, as well as television series like BATES MOTEL, THE EXORCIST and THE STAND, amongst others.  His projects have gone on to receive a number of Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA nominations and awards, and his films have grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide.

Lee is currently in development on multiple Launch Pad Alum projects, as well as the upcoming films DOCTOR SLEEP, NIMONA and MINECRAFT, amongst others.

As in previous competitions, our guaranteed option partner will select a minimum of 1 project from this year’s competition to option. To be eligible for the guaranteed option prize, all entrants MUST select the “Guaranteed Option” add-on at time of sign up.

GUARANTEED SIGNING PRIZE

To continue the Launch Pad’s long tradition of helping writers to gain representation, with more than 415 signings to date, we are proud to announce this year’s Guaranteed Signing Partner as none other than Adam Kolbrenner’s newly-minted Lit Entertainment Group.  

A partner and judge since the first LP Competition, Kolbrenner is one of the most successful managers ever on the spec market, and he and his previous company Madhouse Entertainment have signed more than a dozen Launch Pad writers in the past six years. They have not only seen their clients set up some of the largest projects across town, but have consistently landed them at the top of the annual best-of lists.  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. 

As in previous competitions, our guaranteed signing partner will select a minimum of 1 writer from this year’s competition to represent. To be eligible for the guaranteed signing prize, all entrants MUST select the “Guaranteed Signing” add-on at time of sign up.

LAUNCH PAD MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Over the years, we have found that one of the most effective ways to help talented new writers take that first step into industry success is by working closely with experienced writers who have already broken in. That is why the Launch Pad is proud to offer exclusive mentorship opportunities for our writers to learn from those who have navigated those difficult waters before and have firsthand knowledge of the rarified air of the industry. 

Our first mentors this year are identical twin brothers Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes, mainstays of feature film writing since 2005, having written such films as HOUSE OF WAX, WHITE OUT and THE REAPING before creating THE CONJURING Franchise for Warner Brothers. They are currently working on a prequel to THE OMEN for Fox, a prequel to DIE HARD, a remake of THE ENTITY, and scripts for Sony, Mark Gordon’s eOne Entertainment, Universal/Amblin and more. 

In addition, we are proud to welcome back Launch Pad Alum Surj Das as a mentor for this year’s competition. Das’ script THE CONFECTION CONNECTION took the top spot in our 2017 Launch Pad Feaature Competition, which led to his being signed by UTA and Romark Entertainment, and seeing Ed Helms and his Pacific Electric Company board the film. He followed that up by landing on the 2018 Young & Hungry List and Hit List, and is now currently in development on multiple studio projects, including an untitled project for Sony Pictures. 

Last but certainly not least, we are also thrilled to announce that David Rabinowitz, the Academy Award-winning co-writer and co-producer of the Spike Lee film BLACKKKLANSMAN will be on board as a mentor for this year’s competition. He got his start working as a multimedia producer for the Wall Street Journal and since, he’s worked as a freelance video editor, motion graphics artist, and screenwriter. He and his writing partner Charlie Wachtel are currently penning an action-thriller called THACHER ISLAND for Berlanti Productions, which is an adaptation of the book Animal by NY Times bestselling author Casey Sherman.