And I thought it was pretty cool that Nebraska produced financial guru Warren Buffett, screenwriter Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election), and actor Marlon Brando, but now I’ve learned that ScriptGirl was born and partially raised in Nebraska (and has strong enough ties there to spend Thanksgiving in the Cornhusker state this year). And on top of that she was an Art History major at the University of Iowa.
I always thought that if Diablo Cody wouldn’t have broken through with Juno she would have evolved into something like ScriptGirl. (Actually, they are the same age so I imagine they attended the University of Iowa at the same time. Interesting.) ScriptGirl for the uninitiated is the persona of a sexy librarian/farm girl-type turned savvy Hollywood script sale reviewer. While she doesn’t cover her breasts much she does a fine job covering recent script sales in an informative and entertaining way.
Her coverage (and lack of coverage) has helped her build a fan base of around 8,000 You Tube subscribers (one video currently has 890,846 views). She is also well covered on the social media front including Facebook, Myspace, and twitter. Quentin Tarantino is said to be a fan.
So what prepared ScriptGirl for her online success?
“I didn’t go to film school. I studied art history. But, like so many others, I was drawn to the movie business and came to Los Angeles. I’ve tried or suffered through a lot of different industry jobs. But screenwriting to me was always the ultimate destination. After a couple years of flailing around, I managed to find an agent who liked my romantic comedy and shopped it around. It was optioned by the production company of an actor I shall not name, and I had some meetings on other projects. It was a pretty heady time for this Thai/German farmgirl from Nebraska. But before I could even put a down payment on a Prius, the rom-com was out on its keister, promises of other jobs dried up, and I was back to the harsh reality of 9-5 living.”
ScriptGirl
Interview with Kim Townsel
I’m not sure how much of a moneymaker it is for the small team that puts together ScriptGirl (there are You Tube ads and the occasional product placement of Red Bull or Final Draft) but it has to be good exposure. ScriptGirl now has a regular column at Script magazine. From a screenwriter’s perspective it’s a succinct way to follow script sales and it’s always encouraging to hear ScriptGirl’s closing words; ”You can’t sell it if you don’t write it.”
So if you’ve never seen the Bellview/Omaha, Nebraska native (and Iowa educated) ScriptGirl in action, welcome to her world. (In case you’re wondering, Bellview is just across the river from Iowa. I’m starting to think this Midwest thing is becoming trendy.)
BTW-Did you know that when Alexander Payne was growing up in Omaha that Warren Buffett was actually a neighbor? And did you know Warren Buffett and Jimmy Buffett are distantly related?
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You’re too kind, Scott. Thank you!
Yeah…
With Scriptgirl, there’s really nothing to complain about. Smart. Hot. Funny.
Bless the internets!
ScriptGirl, you’re welcomed to come to do a show remote here in Cedar Falls. (“Good Morning America” did a remote feed from Main St. earlier in the year.) We’re just about 4 hours from your hometown. But bring a sweater ’cause it’s cold this time of the year.
She’s still around? What the hell happened to her?
I’m sure she’s still around—just AWOL for the last few months. You’ll have to go back to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter until she returns.
Hey, I miss SG’s weekly videos too… but that just puts the edge on my appetite waiting for her return.
(And no, this was not a sexual reference… but you probably won’t believe that, so think what you will. You will anyway.)
I’m still alive! Just got a new job at a studio (blech!) and they intimated that appearing on the youtube in clingy tops and poking fun at projects they’re involved with would be frowned upon. Thus laying low for a bit, but hoping to rope some girlfriends into taking the desk in my absence.
Would dearly love to return to Cedar Falls, Scott. My best friend went to UNI!
It really is amazing how many people have UNI/Cedar Falls on the radar. (Did you know that Mark Steines from Entertainment Today played football at UNI?) Maybe I should have moved here when I was 21 instead of Burbank.
Good luck with the new gig. I wouldn’t let that Script Girl brand get away. Maybe the concept just needs to evolve a little. She could become the next Elvira.