Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Shane Wilson and Uby Robinson, the writers behind the new web listing service, Splayground.com. Splayground just opened its doors on March 1st, and already boasts over fifty professional industry subscriptions. With a unique perspective and a commitment to promoting only "stories that merit serious consideration for production", Splayground is well on its way to becoming an established site for producers, agents, and other industry professionals searching for pre-screened material.

Daphne Charette: What generated the idea for Splayground?

Shane Wilson: I had already built another website to promote a single screenplay on a smaller scale. The real reason I built it was to save money on printing and shipping hard copies of my script. Uby and I were already friends so I ran the idea past him.

Uby Robinson: I was wanting to start a site that helped writers, as well.

Shane: I was going to build a site to promote more than one of my own scripts anyway… so I thought, "Why not get a bunch of scripts on the site?" Uby and I brainstormed on the concept and it developed over time.

DC: Where did the name come from?

Shane: I kept seeing the word "splay" in the screenwriting chatrooms.

DC: In comparison to the larger, more commercial listing services, Splayground has a distinctly grassroots feel, so that seems entirely appropriate. Uby, what was your first reaction to the idea for Splayground?

Uby: I thought it was great. I didn't like the other sites I saw on the net. And it was a great opportunity to create a site that would help writers get their scripts to the right people. No one is making any money here.

Shane: Except the writers, if they sell. All fees go to toward promotion.

DC: Actually, before we get into how Splayground works, maybe you could tell me a little more about yourselves- Shane?

Shane: I'm from the Muscle Shoals area in North Alabama - home of the famous recording studios of the 70's (Rolling Stones, Allman Bros, etc)... I left Alabama when I was 18 to go to film school in NY.

DC: SUNY, right?

Shane: Yes - SUNY at Purchase. I was in the same class as Parker Posey and she was in my first student film. I made several shorts on 16mm while I was there: I returned to AL and started a small production company. We specialized in short promotional documentaries and music videos, since we were so close to Nashville and Muscle Shoals. I also taught a film production course at the University of North Alabama's continuing education program.

DC: Tell me some of what you learned, opening your own company.

Shane: I learned more in our 5 years in business than I did at film school, but film school was a great place to learn and make friends. Mostly, I learned how to promote and market businesses and organizations effectively. I got a job at an NBC affiliate in North Alabama because I needed the security. I was commercial production manager for the NBC station and ran a small crew. I did that for a year and was offered a much bigger job at a broadcasting company in Little Rock. They own several stations in multiple markets, including The WB, FOX, UPN, PAX and even a small NBC. I'm creative services manager - my department produces station promotions, regional commercials and infomercials.

Uby: Promotion is what Shane knows and does best.

DC: Uby, tell me a bit about your background.

Uby: I have always loved to write, anything creative. In school I was always voted to be the editor of the newspaper. Always on the yearbook committee. And always wanted to be associated with the movies in some form. I started writing my first screenplay at 19. Three years ago I became serious about it, I wasn't getting any younger. Sold my successful web design business and started writing full time.

Shane: You've got to love the craft - and Uby definitely loves to write.

Uby: Yes I do. I have sold two stage plays, had two scripts optioned. I'm working on a feature assignment now. Both plays were produced in Mexico.

DC: How did you get into that?

Uby: I have a lot of friends in the biz down there. I love Mexico. One of my goals is to build a studio in Mexico.

Shane: We just had a lady from Greece who just listed with us. So we're an international community, so to speak.

DC: Splayground really sounds like a labor of love for both of you.

Uby: I believe in it 1000%.

Shane: Yes - we have no real budget to meet.

DC: As opposed to some of the bigger sites.

Shane: It's different - we tried to improve on various ideas already out there.

Uby: Splayground is not just another "pay and display" site.

DC: What do you feel Splayground offers that is unique?

Shane: Splayground doesn't pretend to be the last word on promoting screenplays - and we never claim to hold all the secrets to Hollywood success. In fact, when used in conjunction with other services, Splayground's efforts can be maximized. That's why our fee is so small and we never take a percentage from options or sales. Good will and enthusiasm are all we ask for in return if one of our screenwriters hits it big.

I know that other listing sites offer professional coverage, which is usually the primary source of their income. The big difference is that Splayground has no real "budget" to meet. We don't consider ourselves script doctors and we do not "sell" coverage. Because of my background in marketing and promotions, efforts will be directed toward publicity and exposure.

Uby: It's unique because we are not using it to make a living or to supplement our income - it really is just writers helping writers.

DC: How do you screen scripts that are submitted?

Shane: There are two of us so far who are dedicated to screening the material.

DC: So the criteria's rather personal, then.

Uby: And based on Shane's judgment as a producer and writer.

Shane: We read the synopsis first to see if the story is "compelling" to us.

DC: By compelling, do you mean high concept? Or are you looking for a broader range of scripts?

Shane: We're looking for interesting stories that are well told in brief synopses in every genre imaginable. Then we move on to the script itself.

DC: The theory being that if you can't make the story compelling over two paragraphs, you probably can't make it compelling over two hours?

Shane: Exactly - I believe that completely, Daphne. It's my job to "condense" ideas into 30 second increments.

DC: And how stringent are you? Have you turned down scripts?

Uby: Yes, scripts have been turned down. Those writers have also been redirected to other sites like AZ to help them hone their script and craft. (Francis Ford Coppola's online studio: www.zoetrope.com)

Shane: Yes.

DC: So this is not a "buddy" site, by any means.

Uby: No.

Shane: No - we have nothing to gain from that.

DC: Nor are you making any money by accepting a submission. I would think this would cause you to be, if anything, more selective.

Uby: You have to keep the standards high.

DC: Let's take a look at what is, in a sense, your "competition"-

Shane: Glad to. We looked at them a lot before we built the site

DC: Two of the biggest sites both charge a rather hefty coverage fee, and one of them doesn't guarantee they'll list the screenplay even after you pay for coverage.

Shane: That's how they pay the bills. Other sites charge a 5% to 8% commission of any option or sale, which is something Splayground will never do. I feel agents and managers should earn a percentage of proceeds, but not listing sites. Listing services that take 5% prevent the writers from experimenting with multiple online resources. I just don't see how that system is cost effective for writers – web sites are relatively inexpensive to run.

Uby: Splayground is free to submit, it is read with no charge and IF it passes, the small fee is the same or less than what a book would cost you. ($25.00 for a six-month listing)

DC: What plans do you have to attract the readers you're looking for? I.E. agents, production companies, in other words- BUYERS?

Uby: We already have 50 producers/agents in our database. That number will grow.

Shane: First let me tell you that we're every bit as interested in attracting agents to the site as producers. Here's my philosophy: The more quality writers we attract, the more attractive the service will be to producers and agents.

The special events and other ways in which we recognize our featured writers are what give Splayground its unique identity. Twelve screenwriters per year are honored at the Splayground Showcase and receive a professionally produced videotape copy of the performance. In addition, they each receive complimentary Script Magazines for a year and a helpful evaluation from LA screenwriter Robert Ripley. I'm also giving each Featured Splay an additional 6 month listing in the online database.

DC: Tell us a bit about your current featured writer

Shane: Linda Hodge is a very talented screenwriter who has written this frightening thriller called The Calling. Set in South Africa - it's a nightmarish account of dementia and obsession. Ryan Sloan is our next featured writer for April. But we're also not in any race to see how many scripts we can load into our database.

DC: So you're taking a real nuts and bolts approach to attracting agents and producers, by becoming known for being very selective about the scripts you post.

Shane: Right, Daphne. We are advertising in a few trades too, like Script Magazine

DC: Okay, let's talk about Script Magazine- how did they get on board?

Uby: It's one of my favorite Screeenwriting mags.

Shane: After she checked out the site, I asked Shelly Mellott, the editor, if she was interested. She replied with enthusiasm. I'm glad to have them. They're great to work with.

DC: It's perfectly understandable for writers to be slightly paranoid about their work being stolen. What safeguards do you use to ensure the security of the database?

Shane: Here's how our system works. Splayground memberships are free and exclusive to industry professionals. Writers are not actually considered members. Therefore writers do not have access to each other's material. At all.

Uby: Let me add that the only protection anywhere is to have your work copywritten or registered.

DC: Do you feel comfortable mentioning some of the companies/agencies already subscribed, or would this be a violation of their subscription?

Shane: We don't want our writers emailing requests to them because they know who the members are. It would be too easy for them to get addresses and ask them to visit the site- and that is something we promised our members would never happen.

(However, Shane did mention a few agencies that are subscribed to the site- and they are names that have been seen on Hollywoodlitsales and in the trades.)

DC: Can you talk in general terms? Shane: Yes. Both coasts are well represented. Right now there are many more agents than producers.

Uby: Some managers.

DC: Let's get to the brass tacks- if a screenwriter wants to submit a screenplay for consideration, what's the process?

Shane: It's very easy to submit. On the splayground.com web site there are clear and easy instructions. However, the writers need to have a brief synopsis prepared, not to exceed 400 words

Uby: You must have a script, synopsis, logline, and genre category.

Shane: We want to take a look at the whole package because the writer might have an exceptional script, but needs help on the logline or synopsis.

Uby: Hollywood has tons of ideas, they need good quality scripts.

Shane: You can't go into production with just an idea.

Uby: And Shane is very good with synopsis and logline creation. If the script passes, the writer will get needed assistance with the synopsis and logline.

Shane: There is an example of how our database looks on the splayground.com web site - just click on the banner.

DC: You mentioned that you just listed a writer from Greece- are you hoping to build an international network?

Shane: Screenwriter Bob Couttie, who has optioned and sold several scripts (even while living in the Phillipines) is conducting Splayground's first group workshop - it's absolutely free to anyone who is interested. Mexico, the Phillipines and Greece - I'd say we're trying.

DC: I think we as writers can get very focused on Hollywood and forget that there's an enormous market outside the golden city.

Shane: Exactly. Look at me. I'm living in Little Rock...

Uby: It's hard enough being a US writer trying to break into Hollywood. Splayground levels the field to everyone worldwide.

DC: Tell me a bit more about the annual reading event- where will it be held this year?

Shane: The first event will be held in NYC in April 2002 after the first 12 screenplays-of-the-month have been selected. One of my best friends from SUNY, Craig Lechner, owns Impossible Casting in NYC

DC: So, in fact, the staged readings will be with professional actors.

Shane: Oh yes.

Uby: We are also working on getting known agents to commit to reading the featured splay.

Shane: We'll pass the review by Robert on to them as well.

Uby: New features will be added as the site evolves.

Shane: We really are trying to offer an alternative to traditional listing services and query letter campaigns for the benefit of both the writers and industry pros.

DC: It seems antithetical in a sense, to be putting this much effort into promoting other writers- in one way, we're really each other's competition. But it's been my experience that the most successful people I've had the privilege of talking with are often the most generous in terms of encouragement and advice.

Shane: It's all about good will - at this point in my life, I'm certain of that.

Uby: There are so many people out there just ripping the writers off, with books, seminars, sites and things that do not help.

Shane: Splayground is a truly simple concept - it's designed for writers who want to take promotional matters into their own hands

DC: Not an alternative to an agent, but a tool to help get one?

Uby: And even after you get one.

Shane: Right. Splayground should be a part of you promotional efforts.

Uby: I feel if you can help someone, do it. I like to see people I have helped succeed.

Shane: I hope for myself the same as I hope for every other writer on Splayground… I want to sell my scripts to the industry.