By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
Science Fiction: Tribeca, Sloan Foundation Pair Up Again for Screenplay Program
One of the on-the-job hazards of film journalism is running into aspiring screenwriters who crash the same parties I do, approach the same high-ranking sources and then bend their ears into putty about the script they have been developing since, like, ever. Just when I thought nobody cared, I was reminded this morning of the Sloan Foundation, a truly saintly organization that pours money and other useful resources into developing science-themed stories and screenplays. The news today invokes the Foundation’s partnership with the Tribeca Film Institute, which just announced a Dec. 15 deadline for its latest round of script reviews.
And do not think you will get another shot at this next year, either–this is a triennial deal, so you may be waiting a while if you decide to procrastinate on your global warming comedy or cancer-cure weepie. The perks accompanying your selection ain’t bad, either; you might recall last year’s Reeler feature profiling script readings by Peter Bogdanovich, Alan Cumming, Eddie Izzard and F. Murray Abraham among others. Sloan program director Doron Weber had a few guidelines to hand down as well, so check it out if you are even remotely inclined to emphasize the DNA evidence in that dusty cop thriller you wrote 10 years ago.
This is hardly a bad place to start: smaller field of competition, better odds, inroads with the Tribeca Film Festival, etc. And no more hustling at parties! Just remember me when you make it big.