On Saturday, September 29, 2012 The Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) held auditions for PhillyPitch!  At The Market & Shops at Comcast Center.

The actual PhillyPitch takes place on October 25th during the 21st Annual Philadelphia Film Festival.

In a nutshell, 8 aspiring screenplay writers will have a chance to give a run down on their screenplay (pitch) in front of a panel of judges who are truly in the movie business and have the ability to take your screenplay to the next level.

But first these writers/filmmakers had to audition for a spot in front of a panel consisting of GPFO notables: Joan Bressler, Director of Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers; Brian Wade, SIP Coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia Film Office; David Greenberg, University of the Arts & Arcadia College screenwriting instructor; and Diane Walsh, U of A Associate Professor on Writing for Film and Television.

Here’s a video soundbite from Joan Bressler with more info on the upcoming Oct 25th PhillyPitch :

Personally, I’ve followed this contest for a number of years, ever since I was one of the finalist for my co-written screenplay “The Club”; which continues to gather dust right now, but that’s for another post.  

This year, I was compelled to write and promote the contest because it has a Food and Film component!

Nicole Giles, GPFO Marketing Director was the brainchild behind giving a theme to this year’s PhilyPitch.  All screenplays were supposed to have a food element to the script – It could be set in a restaurant, feature chefs, have a good food in film scene, perhaps a character gets food poisoning, anything really, as long as food is featured prominently in the film.  

Well, I can’t say all the pitchers followed these guidelines, but I will say they all came up with some original ideas:

(For those receiving T&T through RSS feed, please visit the site to view the picture slideshow of the auditions)

30 Pitchers were scheduled 19 showed

Joe Carlin was the first pitcher, unfortunately I missed the rundown of his screenplay entitled “Bill” I do know it featured a peppercorn salesman.

Joe’s son, 8 years-old Billy Nash was the youngest pitcher to ever audition. Billy started off strong, but got a bit too nervous to really sell his “Mummies v. Vampires” screenplay.

Elizabethe Westgard was one of the few to pitch a movie with a strong culinary theme – “Kitchen Chicanery”. – WINNER

James DiFonzo pitch was entitled “Hall Harold Carvey.” which he described as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” meets “Silence of the Lambs”.

Summer Steele’s “Leave to Remain” deals with immigration and homeland security. Her pitch – “Crash” meets “Dirty Pretty Things”. –WINNER

Carlos Rios pitched a dark comedy called “Korean BBQ”, which he describes as “Burn After Reading” meets “Michael Clayton” with a culinary twist.- WINNER

Phil Stassi pitched a music docu-drama “Whatever Land” His description “Adaptation” meets “Almost Famous”. – WINNER

An admittedly very nervous Phil Stokes pitch was “Cooking Glory” he used TV show references for description “Modern Family” meets “Dear John”.

Edward Bottone pitched a TV series called “Mathew Monticello Mysteries” where murder, mystery and mayhem are always on the menu. – WINNER

Marcus O’Leary – “Reading Terminal Romance” vignettes of various characters lives play out in the historic market eatery. – WINNER

Chen Cao admittedly pitched a food-less short entitled “A Conversation with Tracy”.

Tom Ianieri was 2nd runner up at last year’s PhillyPitch. This year he came with “Comfort Zone”, a Family Drama and Rom/Com with tones like “Moonstruck”.

Geoff Beatty pitched “The Farm Team” which basically takes the Philly cheesesteak rivalry to new heights.- WINNER

When the panel asked Tyler Kulp the mood of his screenplay, his response was “very depressive” It’s called “Me or More”, a combination of “Ground Hogs Day” and “Beaches”.

Rosemary Fuller’s pitch was fittingly entitled “Taste” about a slob of a guy who goes from nothing to know-it-all connisseur of good food and wine.

Barbara Sherf pitched a film based on her book “Business Bites” which features interviews with prominent chefs, and restauranteurs giving their business strategy advice.

William Thomas had a good food in film pitch, well, if you consider “Sweeney Todd” a food in film flick. Rejuvenating shakes made from human remains is the premise of “The Key”.

Eleanor Washington pitched “Anna Lynne” based on the true events of cat hoarders and rotting bodies. No food aspect to this pitch. At least not one I want to even contemplate.

Bill Simmons is a competitive eating champion. He pitched a reality tv show which combines aspects of “Big Brother” and “Man v. Food”.- WINNER

Congrats to the 8 Finalists!