"Pitch Session"

After completing a B.A. at Taylor University and an MFA in Screenwriting at the University of Miami, Brian Brightly wrote for NPR in Washington, D.C. and later at WPBT/Channel 2 in Miami. He then worked as a reader/assistant for Roth/Arnold Productions and Caravan Pictures where he had a hand in more than 20 studio pictures, from BENNY & JOON to THREE MUSKETEERS and ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD.

Afterward, he became a Story Analyst (Union #700 Reader) for a variety of companies, including Columbia, Fox, Disney and Universal Pictures. He played an active part in shepherding films, including HORSE WHISPERER, AIR FORCE ONE, RUNDOWN and most recently, the gothic thriller SKELETON KEY, which is in pre-production and stars Kate Hudson.

As a screenwriter, he’s represented by Ryan Saul at the Jim Preminger Agency and Manager Michael Sobel, and has written a number of features, including romantic comedy LIKE FAMILY, which has been optioned by Mercantile Films, action/thrillers SCORN and IMBROGLIO, action/comedy TRUTH HURTS, which is being independently Produced by Michael Sobel, and the sci-fi thriller DEAD BY TOMORROW.

Most recently, he completed the thriller FRAGILE, which is in development with Producer Jay Polstein at Maverick Films. The short film SELLING BAIT is his debut as short film director. Brian is rewriting the suspense thriller PRODIGAL, which is in pre-production, for Producers Paul Saentz and Brad King, of Epiphany Entertainment. He’s also developing the feature SINFUL ONES with Producer Derek Beumer, and writing the action/fantasy DEVIL DOLLS for Producer Robert Lawrence. He plans to direct his own action thriller, GOING DOWN, as his full-length feature debut in 2005.

Brain will lead the session on pitching a story. He will talk about the process of pitching, what goes into planning it and how to deliver a compelling pitch.

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