Dirt

Competition Scripts
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Hi everybody!

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kevin Bigley - I am a writer on one of the scripts in competition, DIRT, with my wife, and our director, Kate Cobb.

This community seems very interesting and cool and I’m looking forward to getting to know some of you. A little about us and our project:

For myself - I’m an actor/writer. I played Luke on Amazon’s UPLOAD, Rick on ANIMAL CONTROL (Fox), as well as roles in other TV and film including BOJACK HORSEMAN, SIRENS, UNDONE, HBO’s HERE & NOW, and others. For writing, our first feature was one I wrote, OKIE - available on TUBI, premiered at Santa Barbara IFF, and we recently produced a film that premiered at this year’s SLAMDANCE. I also had a novel release under Clash Books in 2020 titled COMAVILLE.

For Kate - she is a director/writer, born and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois. She started as an actor in LA, working in TV and film such as Showtime’s SHAMELESS, SCANDAL, CASTLE, and HBO’s unreleased David Fincher project VIDEO SYNCHRACY. She has directed three feature films including OKIE (Gravitas Ventures), BRB (our film at Slamdance), and the recent project COLLECT (a found footage/mockumentary we both wrote, currently in post).

For DIRT… we’re very grateful to have been included in the top 26 selected scripts, as well as the editor picks. This is a project we feel very strongly about - a passion project, certainly. A rural story about a town pariah. We love small town stories that are pinhole in scope, yet thematically impactful on a bigger scale. This one in particular delves into our national “rural vs urban” mindset, which much of our social politics have fallen into, orbiting themes of judgement, masochism, religious righteousness and purity, legacy, and land ownership.

If you enjoy films such as Red Rocket, Florida Project, Hell or High Water, Three Billboards, Take Shelter - this might be up your alley! Growing up in a rural community, I have always felt connected to and relished rural storytelling that illustrates how it can feel living in a small town - the isolation, the comfort, the insular nature that can posses a dual nature. Writers like Larry McMurtry, Cormac McCarthy, John Steinbeck - these have been very inspirational for us as they highlight a, as we feel, commonly mischaracterized genre of literature and filmmaking - Americana.

If you read, we hope you enjoy. And we are VERY much looking forward to reading everyone’s projects and engaging in this artful, eager, and special community.

-Kevin

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Congratulations on making it to the top 26, you’ve come through an amazing journey in this industry, I had an amazing time reading Dirt. I also love how you guys explored the issues in the real world in a way that can resonate to people. Loved it, Well done!

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Dude that’s so awesome, thank you for reading!

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It especially means a lot that the themes resonated. It’s a script that’s close to the heart (as corny as that can sound).

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Terrific work. This would be a fantastic vessel for a top-tier actress. Did you have anyone in mind during the writing process?

Not that I disliked it, but I never felt like the supernatural element was wholly necessary. What is your intention by introducing this ‘what’s real?’ aspect? Also, was there ever more emphasis on the theme of ‘stolen land’ idea? This is mentioned prominently in the treatment and I feel like it’s ripe for exploration through the native character of Bill.

Thanks for your time. I look forward to rereading once I have some answers!

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Hi Carlisle!

Thank you for reading! As far as actress for “NAT,” we’ve considered an array of different ideas. One of which could be a comedic actress who is looking to stretch into more dramatic parts. Annie Murphy was one that was pitched. We’d love to work with her.

Regarding the supernatural, very understandable. It’s been our experience that in low concept filmmaking, you have one part of the audience that wants to keep it low concept, and others who want “more.” With Bill, we agree that it would be an interesting avenue to explore. There’s definitely a lot there to play with. We really wanted to dive into this bastardized romanticism, that feels inherently white, manifest destiny, ownership over land and legacy.

Thanks again for reading!

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Hi Kevin,

Just finished the full script of Dirt and definitely liked it more than I thought I would just from my expectations from the treatment. And Nat is definitely a great leading role for an actress to sink their teeth into.

I’m inclined to agree with the other comment, that the supernatural element was a little distracting. If you think it is a vital part of Nat’s decision making process at the end, then I think at minimum it should be cut back a bit. Intro it early, call it back in the middle in a thoughtful way, then pay off Nat rebelling against Thomas’ view of owning land at the end.

But to me the much more rich area of the story lies in Nat’s reconciliation of her past in the town. In her desire for revenge against the place that unjustly turned against her and made her the villain. In getting to a place that moves her life to a more positive direction.

I would also think that even though she can’t directly benefit from the sale of the land, a development this big would be able to offer her a courtesy position as a “consultant” to get her some start up money for herself. I see a nice speech for her where she says she has a great knowledge of “positions”, and while there are surely other locations for this project, the fact that it is perfectly positioned between highway X and Interstate Y and not too far from Z means it is the best location they could pick.

I’d just like to see a little more growth and forward momentum from her than just deleted a video instead of using it as a weapon.

Still super excited to see how the script does in the contest, so far in my top 5 ( definitely bonus points for all the S.O.A.D. songs!).

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Thank you for the comment! As well as the read!

I know that’s going to be a divisive issue, and I appreciate hearing that side. And love the love for some Toxicity haha!