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After a brief overview of the Project Greenlight contest by its creators, the season begins with the narrowing down of the top 50 scripts (from an initial 7,000!) to ten, and the directors down to four. Matt, Ben and Chris personally call the finalists to summon them to the 2003 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The excitement of arriving at this indie-film mecca soon turns to anxiety, however, as the judging panel screen directors' scene assignments and observe the screenwriters pitching their stories. Finally, six scripts are eliminated - and four directors and four writers are left standing.
After a brief overview of the Project Greenlight contest by its creators, the season begins with the narrowing down of the top 50 scripts (from an initial 7,000!) to ten, and the directors down to four. Matt, Ben and Chris personally call the finalists to summon them to the 2003 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The excitement of arriving at this indie-film mecca soon turns to anxiety, however, as the judging panel screen directors' scene assignments and observe the screenwriters pitching their stories. Finally, six scripts are eliminated - and four directors and four writers are left standing.
Press photos are shot and ""Stolen Summer"" producer Jeff Balis is surprisingly reintroduced. The group meets for some initial discussion about the winning screenplay. Erica ties up loose ends back home in Ohio as she prepares to move to L.A. The winners meet in L.A. for casting and budget meetings and quickly realize they may have little actual control over certain critical production elements. The producers talk about the winners' capabilities.
Five weeks remain until the start of production, and the heat is rising. The group discuss issues with the casting and script, and Kyle and Efram begin interviewing candidates for the film's key crew members. They also battle over exactly who will edit the film. Finally, the directors extend offers for the movie's main roles in to several actors.
Casting remains difficult, as the team has trouble landing Shia LeBeouf for the main role of Kelly. Erica receives major script notes, but doesn't like the directors' offer to do the rewrites.
Pressures mount as the beginning of production approaches, and Ben joins the team for a final script meeting. Thomas Ackerman is hired as D.P. and the cast -- including Shia LeBeouf, Kathleen Quinlan and Amy Smart -- does a table read. Much to the crew's relief, the first location is finally set.
The first day begins with creative differences and an awkward scene, but Ackerman shows he's up to the task. A casting dilemma is solved when Bill Sadler accepts the role of Abe. With an ambitious schedule in front of them, the team braces for a crucial emotional scene.
Erica decides to play a more active role on set after there's an unscripted shot. Technical problems push the production behind schedule and the directors make more script changes without consulting Erica, who vents her frustrations.
Kyle and Ephram worry that their authority is being undermined and call a meeting to discuss more effective communication. Miramax's Rick Schwartz arrives for lunch with a special guest, briefly lightening the mood.
Cast and crew are feeling drained just three weeks into shooting. Ben and J.Lo visit the set and lift their spirits, especially Erica's. Efram clashes majorly with the boom operator. But when it comes time for the big kiss scene with Amy, Shia is a smooth operator. The final day of production gets off to a shaky start as Shia stumbles over difficult lines, but Kyle helps him through it. Finally it's announced - ""That's a wrap!""
Kyle and Efram begin post-production now that their film's in the can. Within two weeks they screen a rough cut for Chris, Jeff and Erica, who question the tone - is it a drama or a comedy? Miramax exec Rick Schwartz see the next cut and feels the same ambiguity. After four grueling days, Kyle and Efram barely get their tape to the pivotal test screening on time.
The producers decide that the film will be a comedy after the test-screening results are in. Protests from Kyle and Efram go unheeded. Kyle and Efram agonize over several new cuts but finally deliver a version they hope will meet with Rick's approval.
Will it be released or not? Everyone waits anxiously as Miramax debates whether The Battle of Shaker Heights will open in N.Y. and L.A. Chris appeals to Harvey Weinstein to release it in more cities. As the premiere date approaches, the team makes some finishing touches and waits to hear from Miramax. Will they pull out the big guns and open with a bang? Or will they surrender to a limited release and give up the battle for Shaker Heights?
