West, Atkinson earn 'Minimum Wage'

Participant acquires preemptive pitch

By ANNE THOMPSON

In a move toward the mainstream, the politically activist company Participant Media will join forces with Tapestry Films to develop "Minimum Wage," a comedy about corporate greed written by TV actors-turned-screenwriters Tegan West and Scott Atkinson. Tapestry produced "Wedding Crashers."

Participant exec VP of production Jonathan King liked the writers' pitch about a corrupt corporate exec convicted of fraud and sentenced to a year living on minimum wage in the town his company bankrupted.

"This is a mainstream comedy with the same hilarious humor and heart that 'Wedding Crashers' had," he said, "but it also highlights how corporate greed is hurting us as a society."

Participant acquired the project as a preemptive pitch.

"Minimum Wage" is the writers' first joint effort; West wrote 2005's "The Cave," while Atkinson continues to pursue acting. Tapestry partners Peter Abrams, Robert Levy and Andrew Panay will produce. Tapestry's Michael Schreiber will exec produce.

L.A.-based Participant's 2008 release slate includes Brett Morgen's "Chicago 10," Tom McCarthy's "The Visitor," Errol Morris' "Standard Operating Procedure" and Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker's "Pressure Cooker."