ISA Staff Picks: December 2024

These screenplays and their writers were selected by ISA staff members as standouts in their genres and formats for the month of December, 2024. They are being submitted to agents, managers, producers and production companies actively looking for writers to rep or projects to produce. 

HEAVY by Colette LeGault (Feature)

Logline: Set in the 1970s and based on the true story of a smart, but poverty-stricken white boy whose family is abandoned by his drug addicted father, until a five-hundred-pound black man named Heavy, moves in and redefines what makes a family and helps break his self-destructive patterns in his journey to adulthood.

Selected by: ISA Staff Member Max Timm

Comments: HEAVY is one of those true stories that sticks with you. A WONDER YEARS meets the BRADY BRUNCH, but Mrs. Brady is a drug addict, and the main character barely bats an eye. A story of genuine perseverance within extreme conditions, and yet such conditions feel relatable, heart-wrenching, and empowering all at the same time. The writer is telling the true story of a college colleague (with the appropriate rights allowed), and what the main character and his brothers went through is nothing short of astonishing. We all need a Heavy in our lives, and this story shows that positive influences can come from the most unlikely of places.

ISA Connection: Colette is an ISAConnect Member, Story Farm Professional Program writer and Story Farm Retreat attendee.

Awards: Collette has received over 20 top contest placements and accolades from competitions like:

ISA Fast Track Fellowship
Page International
Final Draft Big Break
Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices

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STEPMOMS by Joey Day Hargrove (Pilot)

Logline: A single-camera half-hour dramedy about three very different women form their own Second Wives Club as they forge a friendship over the struggles of being stepmoms.

Selected by: ISA Staff Member Craig James

Comments: It’s estimated that 42% of American families have either stepparents, stepchildren, or stepsiblings, and yet those relationships are underrepresented on TV. Stepover MODERN FAMILY! (see what I did there?) Stepparents are often overlooked and many times, underappreciated. Not anymore, Joey lets these Stepmoms shine! She presents the good, bad and the fugly aspects of parenting that they endure, including not having control over many of the decisions that come with raising unruly children. And Joey knows because she’s a stepmom herself. She walks the walk and it’s clear in the writing. This series is written by an authentic voice with the best of intentions. It’s funny, and real, and incredibly sincere, and needs to be on the air. 

ISA Connection: Joey has won many awards and was recognized through the ISA and invited onto the ISA Development Slate, which led to being named an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter To Watch.

Awards: 
ISA Top 25 Screenwriters To Watch
ISA Development Slate
Nicholl Fellowship - Semi-Finalist
ISA Fast Track Fellowship - 2nd Round
Page International Screenwriting Awards - Finalist
And many more

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THE WISHKEEPER by Maximilian Timm (novel)

Logline: Maximilian Timm’s THE WISHKEEPER is a captivating debut that whisks readers away to the enchanting world of Paragonia, where fairies known as WishKeepers work tirelessly to protect and guide human wishes to fulfillment. The first book in the Paragonia Chronicles series, it combines fantasy, adventure, and heartfelt themes, earning widespread praise for its imaginative storytelling and empowering message.

At the heart of the novel is Shea Evenstar, a determined and rebellious teenage fairy who stands apart in her society. An accident caused by her parents' destruction of a True Love Wish left Shea with damaged wings, making her unable to fly in a world where flight is a defining trait. Despite her physical limitations, Shea’s grit and determination shine through as she embarks on a dangerous mission to the human world. Tasked with granting a newly created True Love Wish, Shea uncovers long-buried family secrets and faces formidable dark forces, proving her strength and value in ways her society never imagined.

Selected by: ISA Staff Member Felicity Wren

Comments: THE WISHKEEPER has an inventive setting and uses dynamic storytelling. The magical realm of Paragonia is richly imagined, drawing readers into a universe where the fate of wishes intertwines with the lives of both fairies and humans. Themes of resilience, embracing imperfection, and overcoming adversity are woven seamlessly into the narrative, making it as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Critics and readers alike have praised Timm’s work. Kirkus Reviews called the novel "an action-packed, dramatic tale with a nonstandard relationship and a winning message," highlighting its ability to balance excitement with emotional depth. Fans of fantasy have also commended the book for its relatable characters and the inspiring journey of its heroine, Shea.

THE WISHKEEPER continues to captivate new audiences with its blend of adventure, heart, and imagination. Whether you’re drawn to stories of magic, tales of personal growth, or simply love a good underdog story, this book promises a journey that’s as thrilling as it is moving.

Maximilian Timm’s debut is a testament to the power of wishes—and the strength it takes to make them come true. For fans of unique fantasy worlds and stories that inspire, THE WISHKEEPER is a must-read.

ISA Connection: Max is an ISA Staff Member.

Awards: 
Los Angeles Book Festival - Winner of Young Adult Category 

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HELL HOLES by Adam Karpel (Feature)

Logline: A tiny Colorado town is turned upside down when a colony of placid prairie dogs are accidentally turned into man-eating mutants. A college-bound teen, desperate to leave the town behind, must lead the locals in an effort to wipe them out before they breed and take over the world.

Selected by: ISA Staff Member Shayna Weber

Comments: If you're a fan of creature features like TREMORS and EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS with a dash of THE GOONIES' small-town charm and adventure, HELL HOLES is for you! This horror comedy delivers a perfect blend of screams and laughs as our unlikely heroes - led by a fierce college-bound girl named Maddie, who never signed up for prairie dog pest control - scramble to save their community from becoming an all-you-can-eat buffet for these furry menaces. It’s a great read and would make a hell of a movie! See what I did there? 

ISA Connection: HELL HOLES was discovered on the Writers' Showcase.

Awards/Accolades:
Graduate of the Warner Bros Television Writers Workshop
ABC/DISNEY Writing Fellowship - Finalist
Austin Film Festival - Second Rounder
ISA Development Slate

Interested in reading any of these projects?
Please email Felicity@NetworkISA.org.

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