Kirby Atkins has sold his spec script "S.P.O.O.K.S." (Special Paranormal Organization of Kids) to Miramax Films in a six figure deal, reports Variety.
Atkins is a senior character animator on the Nickelodeon feature and TV skein "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius." But prior to that, his animation experience was in Oregon, not Hollywood, where he brought to life wise-cracking M&M's candies for TV commercials.
In addition to his work on "Neutron" the Kaplan/Perrone-managed Atkins also wrote and directed the animated short "Mutt," which won the Discovery Award at the Hollywood Film Festival.
Miramax production topper Bob Osher said the studio believes "strongly that Kirby's script shows that he is a writer with a very promising future."