March 29
7 comments
March 29
7 comments
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Congratulations to Jennifer!!! Good work to everyone who submitted a pitch!
Congratulations to (drumroll please), Jennifer Williams! Jennifer will receive the $100 gift card via email shortly. The name of entrant was written on a slip of paper and drawn at random by a waiter at a restaurant. All the entrants did an outstanding job on the assignment and, no doubt, will kick ass when given the next opportunity to pitch a bio pick. Which, it just so happens we have producer is seeking a writing partner for a spec project on our news page. Everyone will see your stars balance increase by June 7th at the latest. We will have a new writing prompt challenge for summer 2024 posted by mid June. Keep writing.
Working Title: Hellcat from the South
Setting: Texas/Chicago – 1908-1926
Pitch:
Imagine a hot cotton field in the early 1900s in Waxahachie, Texas. Also imagine a young, striking Bessie Coleman helping her mother earn money for their sharecropper household by picking said cotton. But our Bessie has dreams the size of Texas to chase – dreams of becoming the first African-American female aviator. Inspired by her brothers’ World War I tales of female pilots in France, Bessie sets her sights on acquiring a pilot’s license in France since women in the United States weren’t allowed to fly or vote. Bessie learns French, leaves the United States for France, and becomes the first African-American woman in the United States to earn an international pilot’s license. As a pilot, she inspired people by traveling the country giving flying lessons, speeches and performing her famous figure eight air tricks. She was a huge supporter of Black liberation and refused to speak or perform anywhere that had segregated audiences. She died tragically in a plane crash in 1926, but she left a legacy for all people, especially young women. Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the National Aviation Hall of Fame, her story is a timely one and will resonate with young women in 2024 who are fighting 21st century battles for economic and social equality and bodily autonomy.
Working Title: The Queen’s Evidence
Setting: 1930s New York,
Pitch:
In 1930s New York, Eunice Carter, an African-American prosecutor, stands as a beacon of justice amidst the chaos of organized crime. Facing both the mafia’s intimidation and skepticism from her white male peers, Carter strategically employs the testimonies of exploited women to challenge the mob’s stronghold. As she navigates through smoke-filled Jazz clubs and gritty streets, crafting a groundbreaking trial through alliances and covert operations, Carter discovers a betrayal within her ranks—her closest ally is compromised, linked to the mafia. While her most trusted investigator is revealed to be the son of the mob boss, torn between family loyalty and moral justice. In this stark world of contrasts and hidden dangers, “The Queen’s Evidence” unfolds as a dramatic quest to redefine justice, where Carter’s legal acumen and resilience could either dismantle an empire of crime or cost her everything. This film rivals the intrigue of “Truth and Lies: The Last Gangster.”
Working Title: The Trial of Agent Bolden
Setting: 1960’s America (Chicago, DC, Massachusets)
Pitch:
At a conference at Chicago’s McCormick Center on April 28, 1961, rookie Secret Service Agent and former Pinkerton Detective, Abraham Bolden, meets President John F. Kennedy. At the president’s request, Bolden is assigned to Kennedy’s security detail for 30 days as “the Jackie Robinson of the Secret Service.” He guards him at the White House and the president’s vacation home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, where he observes unprofessional behavior from some of his colleagues. Upon returning to Chicago, news of an assassination plot against the president in Chicago the coming November is cause for alarm. Bolden keeps up with the alleged plot via radio chatter on his official Secret Service scanner. After JFK’s assassination the following year, Bolden pivots to investigating gambling and counterfeit rings, rising to the top of his field. Suddenly, he is accused of a dubious plot to accept a bribe from one of the counterfeiter rings he’s helped arrest. Agent Bolden is fired from the Secret Service. After a mistrial with a judge biased against him, Bolden is convicted and sentenced to 6 years. While appealing the decision, Bolden works on an assembly line, insisting he was set up because he intended to report the misbehavior and racism of his fellow agents to the Warren Commission. A convicted counterfeiter who testified against Bolden admitted to being coached by Federal Agents. Regardless, Bolden’s imprisoned on conspiracy charges and serves 4 years with 2 years probation. Upon release, he revealed his knowledge of the Chicago JFK assassination plot to the House Select Committee on Assassinations between 1976-78. It later emerges that Chicago mobster “Handsome Johnny” Roselli was behind framing Bolden. This story involves elements of true crime, race relations, and historical conspiracies, all of which appeal to the 25-40 demographic.
Working title: Bessie The Barnstomer
Setting: Chicago in the 1920’s
Pitch: Our blue skies remain a home for lost balloons, butterflies, prayers and broken dreams, but never prejudice. With that understanding, Bessie Coleman released the brakes on her Nieuport 564 biplane, and braced for take off. Despite becoming the first African American woman to earn a pilot license, the iconic woman known as “Brave Bessie” remained unsatisfied. A daredevil by nature and necessity, Bessie took her talents to dangerous new heights. Coleman’s airshows were thrilling, but never cheap and yet costly enough. Bessie the Barnstormer’s first mission was to make a living. Entertaining divided 1920’s American audiences with airborne spectacles and jeopardous stunts never seen before. The aviator’s only other task being.. to survive every single one.
Working Title: Against The Odds
Set: 1935, New York City
The Pitch:
Eunice Huntin Carter has fought hard to become the first African American Assistant District Attorney of New York City. Things are good until her childhood girlfriend is murdered trying to escape a prostitution ring controlled by the mafia. She’s determined to get justice by bringing a case against the ruthless mafia boss Lucky Luciano. This will test her faith, resilience, and her courage in the face of adversity. This poignant and empowering film will resonate with the 25-40 demographic by illuminating her extraordinary journey of an underdog taking on and beating the system.