Synopsis: One of the most unique concepts in TV history, Project Greenlight is HBO's contribution to an ongoing multi-media project conceived by Oscar®-winning writers/actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, along with producer Chris Moore.

The project was introduced in 2000 to allow aspiring filmmakers to submit scripts to an online contest, with a chance to win a dream Grand Prize: directing his or her own movie with a $1 million budget, top actors, and a theatrical- distribution guarantee.

This season, a directing competition was added with the winner getting to direct the script of the screenwriting winner. HBO chronicles the entire process over 13 verite episodes, beginning in June with the weeding out of over 7,000 scripts and director's reels into ten writing, and four directing, finalists.

The finalists travel to this year's Sundance Film Festival, where they endure stomach-churning scrutiny before Affleck, Damon, Moore, and executives from Miramax and Blockbuster (the contest sponsor) announce the winners. T

he series then shifts to LA for the pre-production, filming and editing of the winning screenplay, capturing the inevitable conflicts that result from having three novices trying to work together to make a good movie-- on time and on budget. The season will culminate with scenes from the film's world premiere this summer. (courtesy HBO, 2003)

The Episodes:
SEASON TWO
Episode Thirteen
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.

Episode Fourteen
After the remaining directors try to sell the panel on their individual visions, the judges make their director decision, while all the finalists--writing and directing-- share a post-panel dinner, sizing each other up as potential partners. The next day is Big Announcement Day: the finalists go on a sponsored shopping spree for outfits and attend the press-and-celebrity-filled gala that evening. At the event, the winners are announced!

Episode Fifteen
After some press photos and the surprising reintroduction of "Stolen Summer" producer Jeff Balis, the group gathers for some initial discussion about the winning screenplay, and Erica ties up lose ends back home in Ohio in preparation for her move to L.A. Meeting in L.A. for some illuminating casting and budget meetings, the winners realize how little control they may actually have over certain critical production elements. The producers discuss their thoughts on the winners' capabilities.

Episode Sixteen
It's five weeks from start of production, and the heat is rising. The group debate their casting and script concerns, and Kyle and Efram start to interview candidates for the film's key crew members. They also become embroiled in a battle over exactly who will end up editing the film. Finally, the directors extend offers for the main roles in the movie to several actors.