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Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest First 15 Pages - Simon Kinberg Finalists

At a Glance

  • The First 15 Pages of the Finalists' contest entries available for download
  • Examples of how the Finalists took different approaches to the logline provided
  • Learn what the judges are looking for in the future rounds of the contest

To download the scripts, add each to your cart and go through the checkout process. You will not need to enter any payment information unless you have other items in your cart as well.

"I was incredibly impressed with the scripts, both the quality of the writing and the original takes on the concept. They really feel like movies." - Simon Kinberg

The first round of the Industry Insider Screenwriting Competition took place in Fall of 2010, bringing in almost 1,000 entries that were eventually narrowed down to 10 Finalists. We are happy to be able to share with you the First 15 Pages of the Finalists' scripts based on Simon Kinberg's logline:

"A spy who has spent life wining and dining young women suddenly gets a major surprise when his daughter knocks on the door."

Kudos go out to the talented finalists, who each received a copy of Final Draft 8, the professional screenwriting software for film, TV, and plays, along with a congratulatory letter from Simon Kinberg.

The finalists entered into a 12-week mentorship program with The Writers Store’s Story Specialists, which comes complete with personalized coaching and detailed Development Notes on their completed screenplays.

Top 10 Finalists:

  • “Secret Asian Man” by Mary Krell-Oishi - Yorba Linda, CA - WINNER
  • “Blowback” by Yuri Shallan - Auburn, CA
  • "The Chicago Incident” by David Steiner - Paris, France
  • “Death Never Retires” by Bob Giordano – Nashville, Tennessee
  • “Drum” by Kenneth Lemm - Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Historia” by Leo Sardarian - Burbank, CA
  • “Max Barlow” by Sarah Newman - Lynbrook, NY
  • “Moscow Rules” by Jacob Snyder - Los Angeles, CA (Unavailable)
  • “Onu” by Alex Berger - West Hollywood, CA
  • “Spy Dad” by Araby Patch - Hermosa Beach, CA

Mary Krell-Oishi’s script, “Secret Asian Man,” was selected as the winner by Simon Kinberg and our panel of judges:

“When I found out I had been selected as the winner of the Industry Insider Screenwriting contest, my knees literally buckled. I had to lean against the wall because the enormity of all the possibilities that had now been opened up hit me. Other contests offer certificates, trophies and cash prizes. This contest offers the opportunity for a real career as a screenwriter.” - Mary Krell-Oishi, Contest Winner

See what the Finalists had to say about their Story Specialist experience:

“Being a finalist in The Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest is like taking part in an exciting screenwriting boot camp. It provides intense training in writing a solid original script on a deadline. The experience really whipped my writing process into top shape and opened my eyes to the professional world of screenwriting in which you are writing on a deadline and addressing notes. I walk away from the experience with a completed draft of my screenplay, confidence to write on assignment in the future, and lessons from my Story Specialist on the craft of screenwriting that I will apply to my next projects.” - Sarah Newman, Finalist

“I won’t write another screenplay without dropping $50 on 45 minutes with Anthony. Bottom line. Writing without that kind of professional support is a sign of someone not taking their craft seriously.“ - Araby Patch, Finalist

"I'm fortunate enough to have plenty of smart and generous friends who take the time to give great notes on my finished screenplays. However, the feedback and interaction I got from my Writers Store Story Specialist was something altogether different. Rather than wandering in the dark alone for several months, hoping I'm not crazy, hoping I'm not walking off any cliffs, wondering how what I'm writing will be perceived by another reader, my story specialist read what I wrote every week and provided me with key guidance, reactions, and suggestions to keep me on track and moving forward." - Alex Berger, Finalist

"To be honest, I was interested in the contest -- the challenge and the opportunity -- but I was initially skeptical about the Story Specialist sessions. So I was pleasantly surprised when the weekly meetings with my assigned specialist proved useful and inspiring beyond anything I could have imagined." - Jacob Snyder, Finalist

“I can confidently say that I've grown ten-fold as a screenwriter thanks to the mentorship with Anthony. Writing screenplays has an ongoing learning curve. So having someone as seasoned and talented as him pick apart my story and shine a light on how to constantly make it stronger was priceless.” - Leo Sardarian, Finalist

Want to complete your own screenplay in just 12 weeks or less? Sign up for sessions with The Writers Store’s Story Specialists now!

For details on the current running of the Industry Insider Screenwriting Competition, click here.

If you are an Industry Professional and have interest in reading any of the completed scripts, please contact Dana Hahn at The Writers Store.

Product Details

  • Date available: 08/05/2011
  • Return policy: This item is not eligible for return.

Return Policy

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Meet the Author: Alex Berger

Alex Berger graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a B.F.A in Film/TV. Following graduation, he worked in post-production and edited a number of short films including the documentary “CURTIS,” which won Honorable Mention at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and appeared on PBS.

Since moving to LA, he’s worked as an intern and assistant for companies such as River Road Entertainment (THE TREE OF LIFE), the producer Michael Besman (ABOUT SCHMIDT), and the actor Adrian Paul (HIGHLANDER, the TV series). Most recently, he was the script assistant on the new HBO series LUCK which was created by David Milch, executive produced...

Meet the Author: Leo Sardarian

A Washington D.C. native, Leo Sardarian attended the University of Maryland earning his degree in International Business Management. After working as a mortgage broker, co-writing his first book, and spending some of his weekends as a DJ, he decided it was finally time to pursue a lifelong dream in the film industry. 

He landed his first industry job as a casting assistant on Nicholas Cage's National Treasure 2 while shooting in his native town of D.C., which eventually helped his move out to Los Angeles. After working several positions including casting, production, and PR, he decided writing was his big ticket in. He put his cr...

Meet the Author: Mary Krell-Oishi

Mary Krell-Oishi taught high school for thirty-five years, the last twenty-six spent teaching Theatre at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, California. Tired of “teen scripts” that seemed to focus only on drugs, abortion, sexual abuse and horrible parents, she began writing original scripts for her students. 

In 1992 she sent sample scripts to Meriwether Publishing and has since had four books of original one act plays, as well as five plays published, becoming their best selling playwright. She was named by the California Thespians as Playwright of the Year. The California Educational Theatre Association named her Secondary Teacher of...

Meet the Author: Sarah Newman

Sarah Newman graduated with honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. While earning her BFA in Dramatic Writing she learned the craft of screenwriting, playwriting, and writing for television. Film and television quickly became her focus, allowing her to complete several feature screenplays and television spec scripts during her studies. She also gained experience in the entertainment industry through internships with MTV’s Series Development Department, ABC Daytime, and Fox 2000’s Literary Scouting Office. 

 Upon graduating, Sarah worked as a script supervisor for ABC Daytime's One Life To Live. One of her one hour ...

Meet the Author: Simon Kinberg

Simon Kinberg graduated from Brown University, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude. He received an MFA from Columbia University Film School, where he won the school’s highest screenwriting award, the Zaki Gordon Fellowship. His final thesis project was the original script “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Directed by Doug Liman, and starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, it became one of the hundred most successful films of all time.

Named by Premiere Magazine as “New Power” Screenwriter of the Year in 2005, and given Movieline Magazine’s “Breakthrough Award” for screenwriting, Simon has worked with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Jonathan Mostow, Stephen Somm...

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