A WINNER IN THE MAKING

Every year some new filmmakers somehow put together enough money to make a film, and it’s a surprise hit. Could one of these three scripts from Quicksilver suit this scenario?

In judging these scripts, remember that "Billy Elliott" is one of the most famous of "break out" examples, following in the footsteps – the dancing shoes, so to speak – of "The Full Monty".

A pirouetting miner’s son!!! Stripping metal workers!!!

Admit it! You would never have predicted fame and fortune for these scripts, would you? Nor probably for a more recent, if less trumpeted, sensation, "London To Brighton", a tale of teenage prostitution.

And that is the mystery of filmmaking. Or the magic. How to spot what will be a winner on the screen in the months to come when all you have for evidence are words on a page.

Here are three very different contenders in the development stage, currently looking for “the money”, any one of which could be shooting in a few months time and "break out" not long after.

The script of “Matchstalk Man” intends to be an explosive black-comedy/thriller; “The Last Olympian” a science-fiction/thriller set in a futuristic London where society has become segregated along racial and class lines; and “No Reason” should be a compelling contemporary urban drama/thriller which follows an ordinary man’s decision to take drastic action against society’s injustices.

Can you spot which one of these three is most likely to excite financiers first? Which one you would back with your cash as having the best chance of “breaking out”?

All three scripts have a good chance of getting made sooner rather than later given the savvy team seeking their funding - Quicksilver Films - who prepared by spending a year making several short films which have been variously nominated for and won awards.

QS already has stars several involved to make the scripts attractive to money men.

For instance, “Matchstalk Man” has attracted names like Leo Gregory (pictured, in "Stoned"), Kelly Reilly, Neve Campbell, Billy Boyd, Jamie Foreman and Toby Kebbel.

And QS has other financial elements in place to make the scripts more attractive to "The Money"

Some filmmakers would argue that it is best to focus on one script only but there are strong arguments for working on a slate of films at the same time to see which one suits society's changing tastes.

Picked which of these three scripts you think is most likely to succeed? Hurry up and make a choice. If Quicksilver have a little luck, the right answer will be up on the screen for you to look at soon.

Filed August 28, 2007