Key Takeaways:
– The Black List, founded by Franklin Leonard, has contributed to the production of over 400 scripts and secured over 250 Academy Award nominations.
– Through its online platform launched in 2012, The Black List has hosted over 100,000 scripts and provided more than 130,000 script evaluations.
– Franklin Leonard asserts the importance of acknowledging good quality content and showcasing it to the industry, rather than crediting The Black List entirely.
– The Black List operates on an efficient system that matches scripts to readers based on genre and content sensitivity.
– Leonard shares that moving forward, a key focus will be to communicate effectively how best aspiring writers can utilize the services of The Black List.
The rising fortunes of The Black List
Founded nearly two decades ago by Franklin Leonard, The Black List has proven to be a significant hub for Hollywood’s emerging writers. What started as an informal list of top unproduced screenplays has now blossomed into a platform that identifies and nurtures exceptional scripts and their writers. Over the years, the annual Black List has highlighted more than 400 scripts that were made into feature films, attaining more than 250 Academy Award nominations and 50 Oscar victories.
An Inclusive Online Platform for Writers
In 2012, The Black List took a step further to support talent by launching a unique online platform. This platform offers writers the opportunity to share their work with readers, buyers, and employers, besides receiving scores ranging from 1 to 10. Any script that receives an 8 or higher gets highlighted in the industry through tweets, newsletters, and other promotional tools. To date, the site has hosted over 100,000 scripts and offered more than 130,000 script evaluations.
Efficient Matching and Fair Evaluation of Scripts
One of the remarkable aspects of The Black List is its efficient system of matching scripts to readers. The platform designates readers to scripts based on their areas of expertise and their interest in certain genres. However, respecting the boundaries and comfort of its readers, the system filters out scripts containing sensitive content, ensuring a fair and justified feedback on the writers’ works.
A Necessity to Enhance Communication
Leonard acknowledges the power of The Black List comes not just from its efforts, but from the quality of scripts it showcases. He emphasizes the need to articulate to the aspiring writers how to optimally use their services. By understanding The Black List’s functions and goals, Leonard believes writers can benefit more and criticisms would dwindle.
Maintaining the Value of Human Review
Leonard, adamant on maintaining the authenticity of evaluations, assures that readers using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for reviews would be immediately dismissed from the platform. So far, Leonard has not needed to enforce this. This ensures a human touch in the reviewing process, thus providing genuinely helpful and constructive feedback.
In Conclusion
Overall, Franklin Leonard’s vision and efforts with The Black List are transforming the Hollywood scriptwriting landscape. By providing a transparent and inclusive platform, The Black List highlights high-quality scripts and writers, helping them receive the industry attention they deserve. It is a testament to the power of support and recognition in nurturing talent and contributing to the ever-exciting world of Hollywood.
