Each of us five 2004 Chicago Project Greenlight finalists hoped to become the next hot director of the $1 million dollar feature produced by show creators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
After the competition ended and the flurry of activity died down, did fame and fortune smile on any of us?
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| Scott Smith |
Of us five, Scott Smith advanced the furthest. On PGL’s second show this season, you saw him pitching his vision for the script, “Feast,” along with the aid of his 3×5 cards and a winning smile.
Unfortunately, that’s where the PGL fanfare ended?but not Scott’s story. He is busy directing TV commercials; he retained an entertainment attorney, exposed his work to agents and managers, and optioned a book.
Along with that, he received some great advice from those agents and managers that he feels is key. They said: “The best way for a first time director to get his first feature made is to have a script.”
Taking that advice to heart, Smith is collaborating on three feature scripts with other writers, including Rick Carr, a PGL writing finalist himself. No slowing down for him after coming through the lion’s den alive.
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| Duane Edwards |
Duane Edwards is also searching for material to launch his feature career. Making the top 10 opened doors to New Market Films, Lions Gate, and 20th Century Fox. At every meeting, though, he was asked him if he had a screenplay he’d written. His answer each time was “I’m working on it.” And he is.
Duane’s connections landed him meetings with the likes of Steve Conrad, writer of “The Weather Man.” Steve encouraged him to “find that script or write it.” In response, Duane teamed on a script with Chicago’s Frederick Mensch (who runs MovieBytes).
“We’ll just have to wait and see how things pan out,” Duane says. But I have a feeling that he isn’t waiting for anything.
Short Script Competition for his short script “Di Lao.”
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| Bryan Perraud |
Bryan Perraud has taken a slightly different route to success. He started Expansion Entertainment LLC, which will produce a short film this summer and buys book rights for development. He is selling a reality pilot based on a local Gold Coast business.
Along with all of that, Bryan founded the Ultimate Poker Company, under whose banner he produced instructional poker videos with Vince Van Patten of the World Poker Tour. Bryan’s been staffing up and running his new company like a pro?with red wall-to-wall carpet to boot.
As for me, Brian Craft, I’ve spent most of my time last year writing. In January I finished a very ambitious feature horror/sci-fi script called “The Future History of Aldon Parker” that’s now making the rounds of producers and production companies. But I’m not waiting for anything, either.
I wrote another feature horror script that I’m developing myself. “Killer Pad” is a semi-low budget thrill ride that I plan to shoot in Chicago. I also adapted an H.P. Lovecraft story into a short screenplay that I want to shoot this summer.
I’m also working with the IFP’s Elizabeth Donius develop a seminar, “Finding Your Muse,” addressing creative inspiration for filmmakers.
Rus Blemker has been spotted around town doing all sorts of good things. Since he opted not to comment, we don’t know what good stuff he’s going to spring on us.
Contact numbers: Scott Smith, 773/991-1394; Duane Edwards, 312/474-5583; Bryan Perraud, 312/802-2323; Rus Blemker, 312/342-4421; Brian Craft 224/558-5011.
