Every year, the trades come out with various lists of up-and-coming talent, power players, etc – and here is the Hollywood Reporter’s list called “Next Gen 2008.” Included on the film side of things are the folks pictured above. They are:

Ali Bell, 30
vp production and development
Montecito Picture Co.

Josh Greenstein, 34
co-president of domestic marketing
Paramount

Hannah Minghella, 29
president of production
Sony Pictures Animation

Matt Reilly, 30
vp production
Warner Bros.

Erika Schimik, 33
senior vp theatrical marketing
Lionsgate

Dustin Smith, 30
head of acquisitions and business affairs
Roadside Attractions

Jeremy Steckler, 34
senior vp production
Fox Searchlight

For a screenwriter, the rubber hits the road when your script gets in these people’s hands. They may not be able to greenlight a movie — yet. But their reaction is critical in what happens in the script acquisition and development process. In most every case, a script needs someone who really believes in it, someone to champion the project along the way. And if you are trying to break in as a writer of mainstream, commercial Hwood movies, even speciality films, these are the type of people you are writing for.

It’s a lead cinch certainty that they are always looking for a script with a strong concept, distinctive multidimensional characters, fresh plot elements, strong narrative structure, and a unique writing voice.

Now… go out and write that script.