Short films are a great and accessible way to get your feet wet as a multihyphenate (writer-producer, writer-director), and give you real world experience to set yourself apart. In the Shorts Consult, you will submit your short film script (20 pages max) to the exec of your choice, and have a 30 minute notes call to discuss feedback on pacing, character, dialogue and tone, how to elevate marketability, and strategy for next steps.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com!
Concept first. Why you as a writer? What personal element do you bring to this story that makes you the only person suited to tell it?
I'm currently seeking horror, thriller, drama, mystery, and based on real event features in the vein of HOKUM, WEAPONS, BARBARIAN, PRISONERS, WINTER'S BONE, MYSTIC RIVER, and WIND RIVER. In TV I have a broad interest in one hour drama with legs. Something that can go beyond multiple seasons and there is a clear undeniable path to that.
Not particularly interested in comedy or romance right now.
Justin Kohlas is a screenwriter and producer with over a decade of experience in television, film, and independent production. He is the founder of Kimbermark, a full-service independent production company specializing in development, production, and IP adaptation. Kimbermark recently completed its first film, HIDE, which premiered at the 25th Anniversary of Screamfest, was nominated for Best Thriller at the prestigious Nightmares Film Festival, and recently played the Oscar Qualifying 50th Cleveland International Film Festival. It will have its Pacific Northwest debut at Portland Horror Film Festival this summer.
He has also secured television and film rights to multiple bestselling novels, including The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion (top three thriller on Amazon three years in a row) that will star NCIS: Los Angeles stars Daniela Ruah and Natalia Del Riego. He's also in development on The New York Times bestseller The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mount Rainier by Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan, which is set up with Oscar-winning producer Evan Hayes (Free Solo) at Unreasonable Studios. Justin has pitched several projects with companies all over town including Spyglass, Universal Television, Skydance, and Netflix amongst many others.
Justin also served as a writer on the CBS Television Studios drama NCIS: LOS ANGELES under showrunner R. Scott Gemmill (creator of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning show The Pitt), overseeing episodes from story pitch through production and network delivery.
On the production side, Justin has worked on studio television and features including IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, SHAMELESS, and CAKE. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America West and is represented by Affirmative Entertainment, Original Artists, and Feig Finkel.
After registering, you will receive instructions on how to submit your material in your order confirmation email. After submitting your material, please allow about 3-4 weeks to receive proposed times for scheduling your call with the exec. If you haven't heard from your exec by the 3-4 week mark about scheduling, please email terra@roadmapwriters.com so we know to check in with them on your behalf about their proposed dates/ETA for you.
**Please note short film script consultation material is limited to 20 pages maximum.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with Roadmap's Code of Conduct.
Questions? Email terra@roadmapwriters.com
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your registration for a refund or Roadmap gift card if you have not yet submitted your material for review. However, once your material has been received by Roadmap, your registration cannot be canceled. Having revised material or a desire to retroactively apply a discount or gift card code are not grounds for cancellation, refunds, or gift card credit. Once your material has been submitted, the only acceptable grounds for cancellation and a refund or gift card credit is an unforeseen, ongoing emergency on the part of either the writer or the exec resulting in more than 6 weeks without any scheduling update from the exec via direct contact or Roadmap, or a sudden change in the exec's ongoing availability. In the instance of an irreconcilable scheduling issue, the writer may still receive a written feedback report from the exec. In this case, the writer is not entitled to a refund or gift card credit as the exec has read the submitted material and provided written feedback in lieu of the call.