WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
VAGIC, written by Julie Cross
SPECIAL DISTINCTION FOR EMERGING VOICE
DIRTY WORDS, written by Rachel Kempf
SEE ALL THE FINALISTS BELOW
"We are excited to announce that VAGIC by Julie Cross is the WINNER of the Gidden Media/Stage 32 Romantic Comedy Contest! Julie has written an R-rated, laugh-out-loud, feminist romantic comedy in which the heroine learns to "own" her power - romantically, professionally... and sexually! It's a very surprising premise and a fresh, modern spin on the romcom genre. Stage 32's very own Amanda Toney and Nick Assunto did an incredible job setting up the contest, along with an intricate system of dedicated readers. Also, shout out to Rachel Kempf for her script DIRTY WORDS, which we have awarded 'Special Distinction for Emerging Voice.' It's a unique and entertaining script that has a dry, incisive tone and an edgy wit. Congrats Julie & Rachel, and thank you to everyone who participated." - Amy Baer, President of Gidden Media
Another unique and exclusive Stage 32 opportunity - This time for Rom-Com Screenwriters!
With the tremendous box office success of CRAZY RICH ASIANS, BOOK CLUB and THE BIG SICK and the streaming successes of SET IT UP, SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER, and TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE, romantic comedies are making a huge comeback for all types of audiences. Variety called Rom-Com's the "Hottest genre" for 2018 and beyond. If you have been sitting on a Rom-Com script or been thinking about writing one, now's the time to get it exposure and we have the perfect opportunity for you!
Stage 32 is honored to announce that we have partnered with Amy Baer's Gidden Media to find original, modern romantic comedy feature scripts in our first Romantic Comedy Screenwriting Contest partnership!
Amy Baer is the founder of Gidden Media. As a studio executive and producer, Ms. Baer has a particular interest in romantic comedy, and the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office. Gidden Media has recently developed and produced MARY SHELLEY with Elle Fanning, which was distributed by IFC in 2018 and BRIAN BANKS, which just won the Audience Award at the 2018 LA Film Festival, directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Aldis Hodge and Oscar-nominated Greg Kinnear. Ms. Baer has worked on some of the most successful Rom-Coms in history, including MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING and SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE. Prior to founding Gidden Media, Ms. Baer was formerly the President & CEO of CBS Films, the Vice President of Production at Tri-Star Pictures, the Executive Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures.
Up to 3 winners will receive $7,500 upfront and be put into an incubator/mentoring program with payments escalating up to $300,000 if the screenplay gets produced (and certain conditions are met). Full details are in the terms & conditions. Writers will be entered into Gidden Media's development incubator/mentorship program working directly with founder Amy Baer and Head of Development Chris Ceccotti.
Simply put, if you have a Rom-Com feature, we want to see it!
***Check out our FREE webinar with Amy and our CEO, Rich "RB" Botto where they will talk about the industry and specifically what's happening in the Rom-Com market. Click here!***
Feedback Option
For an additional fee of only $49 (50% savings!) you can receive full coverage from our industry readers on your screenplay. Just check "coverage" upon checkout. Coverage will be returned after the winners are announced.
TITLE | WRITER |
---|---|
VAGIC | JULIE ANN CROSS |
TITLE | WRITER |
---|---|
BATTLE OF THE EXES | MATTHEW HOCH |
BORDERING ON LOVE | BRIAN JETT |
DEATH GETS A LIFE | ROBERT TREMBLAY |
DIRTY WORDS | RACHEL KEMPF |
LOVE IN BITS AND PIECES | THUY HUGENS |
METROPOLITAN GIRL | MARYROSE WOOD |
QC | BEAR KOSIK |
THE FATHER OF MY CHILD | ERIN CRAMER |
THE OTHER SIDE OF ANDIE | GINA KELLY |
VAGIC | JULIE ANN CROSS |
TITLE | WRITER |
---|---|
ART OF SHAVING | IVO RAZA |
BATTLE OF THE EXES | MATTHEW HOCH |
BORDERING ON LOVE | BRIAN JETT |
DEAD IN BED | GIGI ARNOLD |
DEATH GETS A LIFE | ROBERT TREMBLAY |
DIRTY WORDS | RACHEL KEMPF |
FINAL FIXER UPPER | HEATHER ESTAY |
FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE | RONALD LAWSON ECKER |
HEY WALRUS! | CURTIS WEBSTER |
I.D. | NOELLE MESSIER |
IN CASE I HAVE TO KILL YOU | SHEILA D. BOYD |
JACK AND THE BOX STORE | HEIDI FITZGERALD |
LOVE IN BITS AND PIECES | THUY HUGENS |
LOVE YOU TOO | REBECCA MUNLEY |
METROPOLITAN GIRL | MARYROSE WOOD |
MICHAEL WANTS TO MARRY | JEN BIESER |
MY LIFE IS OVER | ROBERT HANDY |
OUR BETTER SELVES | LAUREN DEVORA |
QC | BEAR KOSIK |
STRAYS | RANDY R. LABARGE |
SWEET DREAMS | JAY CIPRIANI |
THE FATHER OF MY CHILD | ERIN CRAMER |
THE GREEN CUBICLES OF IRELAND | CHERYL LAUGHLIN |
THE OTHER SIDE OF ANDIE | GINA KELLY |
THE RULES | JENNIFER BLANCHARD |
THE WORST HOLIDAY | MIKE COCHNAR |
TO TRAVEL | KATHARINE ELLEN MCPHEE |
VAGIC | JULIE ANN CROSS |
WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU | DAVID KEITH MILLER |
YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE PERFECT | AMBER BROWN |
TITLE | WRITER |
---|---|
#FLASHEDFICTION | CAROL SABIK-JAFFE |
19 NIGHTINGALE LANE | BOB CANNING |
ART OF SHAVING | IVO RAZA |
BAD ROMANCE | CHAD WELLINGER |
BATTLE OF THE EXES | MATTHEW HOCH |
BERKELEY'S BED & BREAKFAST | JEANNIE LLOYD GINTHER |
BEWITCHING LEONARDO | CHAD WELLINGER |
BORDERING ON LOVE | BRIAN JETT |
BRIDESMEN | KEVIN REVIE |
CHASING EXES | JENNY RAUCH |
CHEMICAL ATTRACTION | HOLLY MARIA HUDSON |
DAY ONE | JULIE MANRIQUEZ |
DEAD IN BED | GIGI ARNOLD |
DEATH GETS A LIFE | ROBERT TREMBLAY |
DEJA VOODOO | KATHALEEN M. BREWER |
DIRTY WORDS | RACHEL KEMPF |
DOWN AT CACTUS LANES | PATRICIA SANTOS MARCANTONIO |
DUFFY GIRL | SHARON POWERS |
FAIR PLAY | PATRICK CONNELLY |
FINAL FIXER UPPER | HEATHER ESTAY |
FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE | RONALD LAWSON ECKER |
FUR THE LOVE OF IT | AMANDA KEENER |
HER GHOST LOVER | BOB CANNING |
HEY WALRUS! | CURTIS WEBSTER |
HOW WE MET | BARBARA THOMAS |
HUSBAND WITH BENEFITS | WENDY KITTS |
I.D. | NOELLE MESSIER |
IN CASE I HAVE TO KILL YOU | SHEILA D. BOYD |
INCOGNITO | NATALIE EKBERG |
JACK AND THE BOX STORE | HEIDI FITZGERALD |
JUICE MAN | SUSAN B. CHICK |
JUST (GAY) MARRIED | MARC BREINDEL |
LATE BLOOMERS | TERENCE GABRIEL |
LET'S BE HAPPY | TIM BENNETT-HUXTABLE |
LOVE FIXED | JERROLD GUADAGNI |
LOVE IN BITS AND PIECES | THUY HUGENS |
LOVE YOU TOO | REBECCA MUNLEY |
MAP OF YOUR LIFE | JORDAN GALLAND |
METROPOLITAN GIRL | MARYROSE WOOD |
MICHAEL WANTS TO MARRY | JEN BIESER |
MORE THAN WORDS | NATALIE NICOLE GILBERT |
MY BOYFRIEND THE APP | KEVIN BACHAR |
MY LIFE IS OVER | ROBERT HANDY |
NEW DELI | JEFFREY PAUL MCMAHON |
NOBODY CARES ABOUT CLARA KIM | PAIGE BLOOMFIELD |
OUR BETTER SELVES | LAUREN DEVORA |
PAPERBACK WRITER | JANICE GARDEN MACDONALD |
PICTURE THIS | LAURA BUCKLES, DONNA BUCKLES |
PIZZA SLUT | SARAH ELISABETH BROWN |
PROJECT P.A.R.I.S. | DENNIS DOUDA |
QC | BEAR KOSIK |
RENEWING VOWS | HOLLY LANCASTER |
RICH GIRL BAD BOY | DIANA AMSTERDAM |
SECOND CHANCES | GREG REMPEL |
SHELF LIFE | ANDREA KAIL |
SINGLE-MOM-A-PHOBIA | JENNIFER BARROW |
SNAP HAPPY | FIONA HUNNISETT |
SOMEBODY TO LOVE | JAY CIPRIANI |
STRAYS | RANDY R. LABARGE |
SWEET DREAMS | JAY CIPRIANI |
THE 70 YEAR ITCH | ANDY WASIF |
THE BABYMAKER | ALICE CHARLES |
THE DEVIL'S DUE | CAROL SABIK-JAFFE |
THE EMOTI-CON | NATHAN CHITAYAT |
THE FATHER OF MY CHILD | ERIN CRAMER |
THE GREEN CUBICLES OF IRELAND | CHERYL LAUGHLIN |
THE GYST | CHERYL LAUGHLIN |
THE JACK-O-LANTERNS | DAN GOFORTH |
THE OTHER SIDE OF ANDIE | GINA KELLY |
THE RULES | JENNIFER BLANCHARD |
THE WORST HOLIDAY | MIKE COCHNAR |
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME | LOREE GOLD |
TICK | MEREDITH POST |
TO TRAVEL | KATHARINE ELLEN MCPHEE |
TOO BIG MEANS WATER | DON SANTIAGO |
TOXIC | DEVIN OVERMAN |
VAGIC | JULIE ANN CROSS |
WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU | DAVID KEITH MILLER |
WHITE LIES IN CHINATOWN | HELMUT METZGER |
WORTH WAITING FOR | ELLEN WINBURN |
YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE PERFECT | AMBER BROWN |
Grand Prize Winners (Up to 3)
Up to 3 writers will be chosen to develop their screenplay with Gidden Media and receive $7,500 upfront with the potential for up to $300k in bonuses if the screenplay gets produced (and certain conditions are met). Full details are in the terms and conditions.
Here's why Stage 32 has become known as the leaders in launching careers - our contests winners & finalists find massive success!
Amy Baer's experience in the entertainment Industry uniquely spans major studios, independent financiers, and producing. Collectively, the films she has supervised and/or produced have grossed nearly $2 billion in worldwide box office. Her first film as a producer was the 2013 hit LAST VEGAS (starring Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline) which grossed $136MM worldwide.
In 2012, Baer raised a 7 figure development fund and launched Gidden Media, a content incubation and production company. Its first film, the romantic drama MARY SHELLEY, starring Elle Fanning (THE BEGUILED) and directed by Haifaa Al Mansour (WADJDA), had its World Premiere at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival. It was released by IFC in May 2018.
GM’s next film, the inspirational true story BRIAN BANKS, had its World Premiere at the LA FILM FESTIVAL on September 22nd, 2018, and won the LAFF Audience Award. Starring Aldis Hodge (UNDERGROUND), Oscar-nominee Greg Kinnear (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and directed by Tom Shadyac (BRUCE ALMIGHTY),) the film tells the story of Brian Banks, an all-American high-school football player committed to USC by his junior year, whose life was upended in 2002 when falsely accused of rape. With the help of the California Innocence Project, Banks got his conviction overturned his name cleared in 2012 after a decade of wrongful imprisonment and parole. BRIAN BANKS is eyeing an early 2019 release.
Before starting her own company, Baer served as President & CEO of CBS Films (2007-2011), launching the division for CBS Corp. Baer spent the previous 17 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she oversaw such hit films as 1997’s MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, Oscar nominated ADAPTATION (2001), S.W.A.T. (2002), SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE (2003), and the 2006 holiday hit THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, which earned Will Smith an Oscar nomination. She also developed the 2011 Oscar-nominated Sony hit MONEYBALL, starring Brad Pitt. She began her career at Creative Artists Agency in 1988 as an assistant to the late Jay Moloney.
Baer became Board President of Women in Film in June 2018, stepping into the role at a critical juncture in Hollywood, as the entertainment industry faces a broad reckoning over gender disparities and sexual harassment. Founded in 1973, Women In Film advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries – to achieve parity and transform culture.
Baer graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University in 1988 with a B.A. in English literature. She is married to producer Matt Baer (UNBROKEN), and has two sons. In addition to Women in FIlm, she also serves on the board of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Producers Guild of America, and SAG-AFTRA.
Chris Ceccotti is currently the Head of Development and Content Strategy at Gidden Media - the production company run by Billion-dollar executive-turned-proucer Amy Baer. Chris built and oversees a diverse slate of development properties for Gidden, shepherding forward film, TV and digital projects, and pursuing growth partnerships for the company. He developed and manages an incubator program for emerging writers.
Most recently, Chris was a co-producer on Gidden’s inspirational social justice drama BRIAN BANKS starring Aldis Hodge and Greg Kinnear, which won the Audience Award at the 2018 LA Film Festival.
Chris brought his entrepreneurial spirit to Los Angeles from James Madison University where he founded two businesses before graduating with honors. He began his career in special event production for award campaigns, shows and premieres before moving to Creative Artists Agency motion pictures literary department.