Out In Hollywood Releases 2022 Out Loud List Of Best Unproduced Pilot Scripts By Queer Writers

Out In Hollywood Releases 2022 Out Loud List Of Best Unproduced Pilot Scripts By Queer Writers

EXCLUSIVE: Queer advocacy group Out in Hollywood released its second annual list of the best unproduced queer-focused television pilot scripts of the past year.


The 2022 Out Loud List was selected from among hundreds of nominations submitted from across the industry and evaluated based on criteria including the strength of the writer’s voice, viability of the project to be sold in today’s marketplace, and conceptual freshness. A group of readers (including proudly out network/studio execs and producers) helped narrow down the list, which was then curated by Out in Hollywood’s board of directors.

“As challenges continue to present themselves against fundamental rights in our country and abroad, it’s more important than ever to continue championing marginalized voices,” says Logan Kriete, founder of the organization. “Lack of representation and advancement of our basic humanity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when we don’t tell these stories, and it’s for these reasons and more that we’re proud to highlight this year’s list.”

Beyond amplifying these scripts and screenwriters, Out in Hollywood has worked to ensure the honorees have had resources to help advance their careers: last year’s selections were able to meet one-on-one with fellow queer showrunners like Dara Resnick, Moisés Zamora, Derek Simonds, and Neal Baer, as well as attending a virtual Q&A panel hosted by queer execs. Some have staffed on series for Hulu and AMC, and others have even seen their projects sold into active development.


Here is Out In Hollywood’s 2022 Out Loud List, with a brief synopsis of each script and contact information for its writer:


MODERN MYTH
Mano Agapion
The completely true account of a very dysfunctional family in North Carolina’s small Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern community. It’s the story of an arranged marriage, a mother’s secret boyfriend, and a young queer kid’s unfortunate role in the chaos.
Contact: Katt Riley (A3 Artists Agency)


OVERACHIEVER
Krystal Banzon
HAZEL BORRERO, marching band drum major and honor roll student, is top of her class at Kaiser High School. But when new girl EVELYN joins the band, Hazel tries desperately to salvage her path to the Ivy Leagues after she realizes that the “straight” in “straight A’s” only applies to her grades. Based on a true story.
Contact: Dianne Fraser (Industry Entertainment)

TOXIC
Turner Hay
When a baseless accusation causes him to become the prime suspect in his ex-boyfriend’s disappearance, a disgraced West Hollywood gogo dancer is plunged into a mystery that seems to touch every corner of LA’s cattiest gayborhood.
Contact: Lee Stobby


THE SEAHORSE
Devon Kirkpatrick
This is a half-hour dark comedy about how queer people create family in a world where there’s almost no such thing as an “unplanned” pregnancy.
Contact: Allard Cantor (Epicenter)


ARCADIA
Steven J. Kung
A Chinese-American violinist living in Los Angeles grapples with her career trajectory, her friendships, and her romantic future.
Contact: Varun Monga (The Kaplan Stahler Agency)


BLACK MEN WAITING
John Lowe
A successful black angel investor in San Francisco becomes frustrated with the lack of diversity in the online dating world, so he decides to make his own app with the help of his friends.
Contact: Jarrod Murray (Epicenter)


THE FAMILY CROP
Jonah Markowitz
After a tragic accident, a young, urban gay couple become guardians of their teenage niece and nephew, and caretakers of the family’s illegal cannabis farm. On top of the pressures that come with their new-found parental roles, they quickly learn that intricacies of the farm’s secret income are riskier than they ever imagined, yet are the only way for the family to stay above water, and therefore, together.
Contact: Mark Wheeler (Pathfinder)


THEY SUFFERED, BEAUTIFULLY
Zaiver Sinnett
Set in the 1960s, three men struggle with their sexual identity while balancing work, family, and most importantly: each other.
Contact: Katie Abbott (Circle of Confusion)


OUT AND PROUD-ISH
Greg Trimmer
Charles Gibson is a middle aged guy who’s finally ready to start living life as an out and proud gay man. There’s just one problem: he used to run the biggest conversion therapy program in America.
Contact: David Chien (Art/Work Entertainment)


THE STRANGE CASE OF ALICE JENKENS
Suzanne Wrubel
After being passed up for a big-time promotion, a female pharmaceutical exec’s life spirals, both personally and professionally, leading her down the dangerous path of experimenting with a new untested drug.
Contact: Katie Abbott (Circle of Confusion)