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Alumni News
James Ponsoldt’s (Screenwriting) Running Point, starring Kate Hudson, was a number one show on Netflix. James is also known for Daisy Jones & the Six, Shrinking, Sorry for Your Loss, and The Spectacular Now.
Dan Mazeau (Screenwriting) wrote Damsel starring Millie Bobbie Brown, a number one movie on Netflix. He previously wrote Fast X, and Wrath of the Titans.
Will Honley (Screenwriting) wrote Subservience, starring Megan Fox, which was a number one movie on Netflix. He previously wrote Escape Room: Tournament of Champions and Blood.
Ian Stokell’s (Screenwriting, Producing) All Quiet on the Western Front broke viewing records on Netflix. Ian won the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for this script, and was nominated for the Oscar as well.
Stephanie Allain (Writing for Television) produced The Woman in the Yard, Billy Preston: The Way God Planned It, Exhibiting Forgiveness, The Exorcist: Believer, The Oscars, and Burning Sands on Netflix.
Nicole Riegel (Screenwriting) wrote and directed Dandelion, starring KiKi Layne and Thomas Doherty. She previously wrote and directed Holler, which was honored as a Top 10 Independent Film by the National Board of Review.
Ritabhari Chakraborty (Acting for the Camera) starred in Papa Buka—the official submission for the Oscars from Papua New Guinea in the Best International Feature Film category. Papa Buka is the first co-production between Papua New Guinea and India. Rita recently starred in Batsorik and Grihostho, and has amassed 3.8 million followers on Instagram.
Grace Santos (Producing) produced Almost Popular for Patriot Pictures, and is set to executive produce two of the five projects selected for NATPE Global’s prestigious Pitch Showcase.
Jessica Rowlands’ (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) short film Rise isthe first Zimbabwean film to qualify for the Oscars. Jessica was also the first person in the history of the Professional Programs to win both the Best Screenplay and Best Drama Pilot, in consecutive years, in the annual Professional Programs Competition.
Kayci Laycob (Producing, Acting for the Camera) directed her semi-autobiographical feature film Everything to Me which was released in theaters, and is now streaming.
Charmaine Colina’s (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) Gunslinger Bride, a script she developed in her Professional Programs screenwriting workshop, won the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting.
Sylvia Jones (Writing for Television) wrote Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story, starring Tiffany Black, Sir Brodie and Lauren Buglioli. She previously wrote and produced for Power Book IV: Force, and The Endgame, was Executive Story Editor on Ava Duvernay’s Cherish the Day and wrote for Showtime’s The Chi and Pearson on USA.
Rayne Roberts (Producing) became Senior VP Searchlight Pictures. Prior to Searchlight, she was a producer and executive for Lucasfilm where she was instrumental in the development and production of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, Solo, and the D+ series The Acolyte.
Rafaella Biscayn (Acting for the Camera, Producing) produced and acted in The Strangers: Chapter 1. She previously shot a supporting role in the thriller film Los Angeles Overnight featuring Lin Shaye and Peter Bogdanovich by Australian Director Michael Chrisoulakis, has been in over 18+ commercials including a National Commercial Campaign for NESPRESSO with George Clooney, Danny Devito & Helena Mattson.
Maor Ohzana (Screenwriting) was head writer for the series The Kouncil on Peacock.
Alex Dong’s (Producing) and Thomas Lim’s (Producing) company Sun Entertainment financed the production company that produced Palm Springs. Palm Springs broke the record for biggest sale in Sundance history, broke the streaming record on Hulu for biggest opening weekend, and was nominated for numerous major awards. Thomas previously wrote and directed feature film Sea of Mirrors, shot entirely in Macau (China) on the iPhone.
Olivia Liang (Acting for the Camera) was the lead role in the CW’s Kung Fu. Previously she performed as a guest star on Blackpills’ Pillow Talk, starring Patrick J. Adams, a co-star on Netflix’s One Day At A Time, and a co-star on an episode of ABC’s Grey Anatomy, directed by Ellen Pompeo. In addition, Olivia was selected from thousands of applicants to perform in the ABC Discovers Showcase, and was seen in the recent Marine Biologist commercial for ABC Mouse, and the How To Be A Disney Hero Misfit/OhMyDisney commercial as Mulan.
Steven Canals (Screenwriting) was co-creator and co-executive producer of the FX dance musical series Pose, co-created, directed and executive produced by Ryan Murphy. The series features the largest transgender series regular cast, as well as the largest LGBTQ cast ever for a scripted series. Thiscritically-acclaimed series earned a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series, a Peabody Award – Entertainment, and earned Billy Porter (a UCLA MFA alum) a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Steven also directed for Doctor Odyssey, and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Liberty Hobbs (Acting for the Camera) appeared in Cooper’s Bar, was a series regular on The Syndicate on the BBC, and, as announced on Deadline, set up Lil’ Birdy Productions and is adapting the thriller novel The Perfect Parents. She previously acted on Grey’s Anatomy.
Jean Su (Producing) and A.W. “Tony” Scott‘s (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) Broadvision Entertainment, a production and distribution company, theatrically released its first feature film, Grey Lady. Grey Lady was written and directed by John Shea (Southie), and stars Eric Dane (The Last Ship, Grey’s Anatomy), Natalie Zea (The Detour, Justified) and Oscar-nominated Amy Madigan (Twice in a Lifetime, Places in the Heart, Field of Dreams, Gone Baby Gone). Broadvision produced Grey Lady in association with Beacon Pictures, and Jean Su served as Executive Producer. They are also now in post-production on feature drama Higher Love, starring Dennis Haysbert (24), Marilu Henner (LA Story), Joe Pantoliano (Bad Boys) and Telma Hopkins (The Matrix Resurrections).
Joshua Koopman (Producing, Acting for the Camera) and Sammie Astenah (Producing) executive produced the feature documentary Stolen Kingdom, which chronicles the secretive world of urban explorers who chart the Disney theme parks and, in particular, the mystifying theft of a giant animatronic (Buzzy) from an abandoned EPCOT attraction (Cranium Command).
Bonnie Gross’s Lady Parts won the Jury Award at Austin Film Fest for Best Comedy Feature, the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at Florida Film Fest, and killed it in numerous other festivals.
Rasheeda Garner (Producing, Writing for Television) wrote the holiday film Baking Christmas for OWN and Fatal Affair for Netflix.
Saeed Crumpler (Writing for Television) signed with Sony TV for a first look deal. He previously wrote for Blaze and the Monster Machines, Hip Hop Family Christmas and Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding, and Flatbush Misdemeanors for Showtime.
Chanté Bowser (Acting for the Camera) took on multigenerational roles in A Christmas Prayer, playing a 60 year old character and her younger self. She recently shot an episode for Paradise and for Lessons in Chemistry, wrote and starred in an upcoming short, appeared in current SAG national print ads, starred in Christmas Love Letter on Lifetime, and appeared in Best of Enemies opposite Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell, John Wynn’s Mirror Mirror, Adventures of Dally & Spanky, Chance, Criminal Minds, Lee Daniel’s Star, Lethal Weapon, and in the Lifetime movie Faith Under Fire with Toni Braxton.
Bo Yeon Kim (Screenwriting) wrote for Star Trek: Discovery, KPop Demon Hunters, Star Trek: Section 31, Sweet Tooth and Reign.
Jamison McDermott (Acing for the Camera, Screenwriting) signed with 3 Arts Entertainment for both acting and literary and appeared in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menedez Story, America Warrior, Power Book IV: Force on Starz and Never Have I Ever on Netflix.
As announced on Deadline, Bryerly Long (Acting for the Camera, Producing, Directing) will direct her own script, Gomusin. Yôsuke Kubozuka will star in this Japan-UK-South Korea-set film shooting next year. It will be the first project from Average Plus Productions, a new label set up by former Fremantle drama exec Nastasja Borgeot. Japan’s Generation 11 is on board as a co-production partner. Bryerly was recently signed by Arrested Industries Talent as both actor and director. Bryerly is an American who previously lived in Japan for a decade.
Marissa Tam (Writing for Television) wrote for CSI: Vegas, LA’s Finest, The Dead Girls Detective Agency, and The Blacklist.
Rocco Pucillo (Screenwriting) wrote and produced the animated feature Inspector Sun and The Curse of the Black Widow, starring comedian Ronny Chieng. The script was started in his Professional programs workshop. Since its worldwide theatrical release, it has been a Best Animated Feature nominee for Spain’s Goya Award, and was an official selection of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Rocco previously sold original features to Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Animation, and wrote for Voltron: Legendary Defender and Middlemost Post.
Micah Cyrus (Screenwriting) wrote for All American on the CW and The Dead Girls Detective Agency. He was previously named one of Austin Film Fest’s Screenwriters to Watch.
Selina Ringel (Producing) wrote, produced and acted in You, Me & Her, and Single Mother by Choice on HBO MAx.
Dave Johnson (Screenwriting) signed an overall deal at Nickelodeon where he created Middlemost Post.
Caitlin Fryers (Screenwriting) wrote for Heartland, For Love & Honey, Dying to Belong, Private Eyes, and Wynona Earp on SyFy.
Uday Chopra (Producing), CEO of YRF Entertainment, produced Mandala Murders, The Railway Men, The Romantics, The Longest Week, and Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman.
Tyrrell Shaffner’s feature Katie’s Mom became available on various streaming platforms, and Tyrrell was interviewed by Playgirl to discuss how Katie’s Mom is at the forefront of the new “MILF” genre. She previously directed/wrote/produced the short Bully in NYC for Eli Roth’s Crypt TV, and produced short films for award-winning female directors Rebecca Feldman and Bridget Palard.
Tyron Carter (Writing for Television) wrote for Legends of Tomorrow and Arrow.
Danesh Razvi (Acting for the Camera) appeared in the BBC One production of A Suitable Boy, and in Modern Love: Mumbai, an Amazon Original Series, Blind and Neeyat.
Rita Rucker (Acting for the Camera) appeared in Endangered, Snowfall on FX, Them, Twenties, Single Drunk Female, Missing, and Angie: Lost Girls.
Sarah Link (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) wrote for In The Dark (CW), and Queer As Folk (Peacock).
Lauren Packer (Writing for Television) co-wrote an episode of Marisa Romanov for Amazon Prime.
Sally Jo Effenson (Producing) was a producer on Mudbound.
Daniel Hogg (Screenwriting) produced Esluna: The Crown of Babylon, Esluna: The First Monolith, and was executive producer on the feature film The Devout, which was nominated for the John Dunning Discovery Award at the Canadian Screen Awards (the Canadian Oscars). The Devout stars Charlie Carrick (Reign), Ali Liebert (Wonder, Ten Days in the Valley), and Gabrielle Rose (The Sweet Hereafter).
Kranti Kanadé (Producing) wrote and directed Peepal Tree, and the groundbreaking film CRD. Critics around the world are calling CRD “bold, brilliant & subversive, charming and fearless, and something that no Indian film has done before.” “This astonishing film heralds the arrival of a bold new voice in world cinema where all limits are breached and boundaries crossed. Be prepared for a breathtaking journey, the likes of which you’ve never been on before.”
Rishi Chitkara’s (Screenwriting) wrote for Ghosts on CBS. His script codename: Santa was optioned by USA Network/Universal Cable Productions for development as an original TV holiday special.
Sara Price (Screenwriting) wrote for Mayans MC.
Jacob Nasser (Producing) was Executive Producer of the feature length films Protectors of the Land, A Stranger’s Child, Deadly Inviations, Festival of the Living Dead, Calamity Jane, Deadly Midwife, My Last Best Friend, Deadly Entanglement, Game of Deceit, Secret Society of Lies, All Saints Christmas, The Missing, and Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story .
Jaimie Uyreshiro (Writing for Television) wrote for Freeridge, On My Block, Liza on Demand, Harvey Girls Forever, and Mary + Jane .
Joshua Koopman (Acting for the Camera) produced and acted in the feature films Earlybird and How to Rob, and recently appeared in commercials for: Boston Bruins, IBM, Dunkin Donuts, Maine Tourism Bureau, SAI Global, TJ MAXX, Total Wireless and NH Lottery.
Tiwana Floyd (Acting for the Camera) appeared in numerous shows and commercials, including Hacks, No Good Nick, NCIS, Call Me Kat, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on YouTube Red, Disney’s Raven’s Home, Credit Karma, Ross Dress For Less, Sprint, a National Walmart commercial directed by Antoine Fuqua and in SHADE: A Colorful Musical Comedy at Second City.
Liz Kelly (Screenwriting) is currently Manager of Creative Affairs for 21st Century Fox’s Global Inclusion department, where she manages the Fox Writers Lab and Fox Directors Lab, Fox’s pipeline programs for emerging, diverse television writers and directors. In this role she also serves as a scout for diverse talent at numerous film and TV festivals across the country, including the New York Television Festival, where she judged the Independent Pilot Competition as a member of the JHRTS Next Generation Committee, and the ATX Television Festival, where she will be judging the TV Pitch Competition. Kelly has served as an industry mentor at the NALIP Media Summit and at LA Skins Fest’s Native American Writers Pitch Fest. She was invited to be part of Creative Artists Agency’s “Amplify: Next Gen” group of up-and-coming entertainment artists, agents, and executives. Kelly is a member of the Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society (JHRTS), and was chosen to be part of JHRTS’ exclusive Mentorship Program.
Barbara Curry’s (Screenwriting) thriller script The Boy Next Door was produced by Jason Blum/Blumhouse and starred Jennifer Lopez . Her screenplay Anything for Love premiered on the Hallmark Channel.
Lisa Ebersole (Screenwriting) wrote, directed and produced her hilarious new web series 37 Problems.
Megan Rikos (Screenwriting) wrote for Deadhouse Dark, and premiered her feature film Crushed at the Montreal World Film Festival. The script was written in John Sweet’s screenwriting workshop.
Jaia Thomas (Producing) launched a management company for influencers called The Presley Group and produced 9 Rides, a feature film made entirely on the iPhone which premiered at South by Southwest.
Nicole Favale (Producing) was an Associate Producer on Cash for Gold, Louie Anderson: Big Underwear, and Solomon Grundy.
Kristin Catalano (Screenwriting) wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary Clarence. After being in 15 film festivals, it was picked up by Indican Pictures and is now streaming.
Nanou Matteson ( Screenwriting) co-founded Sparklight Films, a San Francisco Bay Area entertainment production company that champions and produces award-winning female-driven projects, including East Side Sushi, winner of 13 Audience/Best Narrative/Best Screenplay/Jury Awards and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment; Carrie Pilby, starring Bel Powley, Gabriel Byrne and Nathan Lane, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was distributed by The Orchard; and Remember Me, starring Academy Award® winner Rita Moreno.
Jean de Meuron (Producing) is credited as Executive Producer on the Oscar nominated La Femme et le TGV.
Kovid Gupta (Producing) was Assistant Director on Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – the 4th highest grossing film in India of all time. He’s also the Script Head on a prime time soap opera called Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant. and recently authored a book (published by Harper Collins) called Kingdom of The Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms, a non fiction book on one of India’s leading movie and TV studios.
Adam Saunders (Producing) produced When We First Met, starring Adam Devine, Alexandra Daddario and Shelley Hennig, About Alex with Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, starring Aubrey Plaza, Jason Ritter and Maggie Grace, Family Weekend starring Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Modine and Olesya Rulin, and Shimmer Lake starring Rainn Wilson and Ron Livingston.
Marcelo Mitnik (Screenwriting) is credited as Executive Producer and Story on the Oscar nominated Chau, Beyond the Lines.
Alicia Lomas-Gross (Screenwriting) wrote Perfect Harmony for Hallmark.
Liz Buda (Screenwriting) won first prize for excellence in dramatic writing for her script Zero Hour in the 62nd annual Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards.
Michael Buhlman’s second indie feature film Captain Tsunami was honored as the closing night film for Dances With Films LA. Directed by Aaron Sherry (Video Game Reunion) Captain Tsunami is written by and stars PJ Marino (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), also starring Madeleine McGraw (The Black Phone 1 & 2) and features Jeremy Sisto (Clueless, Six Feet Under, The FBI) and Archie Kao (O.G. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). Michael’s sci-fi/fantasy/romance film he co-wrote, Fate, is finishing post production and is currently submitting to film festivals. Produced, co-written, and directed by Jonathan Baker (Inconceivable) its star-studded cast includes Harvey Keitel, Brandon Routh, Janet Montgomery, Cheech Marin, Mena Suvari, Andrew McCarthy & Faye Dunaway. Michael and his producing partner Karla Buhlman have formed WHB Entertainment LLC which focuses on producing low budget feature films and documentaries.
Saint Thompson (Acting for the Camera) appeared in Magnum P.I., Doogie Kammealoha, M.D. I Know What You Did Last Summer, and a supporting role in the feature film Hollywood.
Jack Gorman (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) and Shannon Walsh (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) wrote and directed feature comedy Mama Duck starring Shannon Walsh, Austin Woods and Catharine Daddario, about an aspiring animator, Caeli, whose new start in LA gets complicated when her ex Sabrina reappears and her brother Jake faces cancer, forcing Caeli to balance personal struggles with her dreams.
Brea Angelo’s Definitely Not a Monster was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding (Live Action) Short Form category.
Screenwriter Connor Martin is making his directorial debut with his comedic thriller The Dregs. Shooting in Italy, The Dregs centers on a friends’ trip to Tuscany that gets derailed by old wounds and a cursed bottle of Vin Santo. Connor also made the Black List with his script Golden Boy.
Mike MacMillan (Producing) produced features In Cold Light, Red Rover, and Don’t Talk to Irene.
Kovid Gupta produced An Unquiet Mind—a feature documentary on the Unseen Side of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)! Directed by Rachel Swarup Immaraj.
Marine Flores-Ruimi (Screenwriting) and Sarah Farkas (Writing for Television) were nominated in the Berlin TV Series Festival’s “Best Series” category for their 6 episode hour crime series Off Season.
Mark Keavney (Screenwriting) sold his script Echo Base, which he wrote in Wendall Thomas’ class in the program. It’s now in preproduction with Cartel Pictures.
David Suwarto (Producing) is currently producing TV soaps for SCTV, an Indonesian TV station and a few series for Vidio, a streamer in Indonesia, including: Garis Cinta (Line of Love), Roda Roda Gila (Crazy Wheels), Love Story the Series, Cinta Setelah Cinta, Buku Harian Seorang Istri (Diary of a Wife), Kupilih Cinta (The Choice), DJS The Movie, Code Helix, a webtoon adaptation webseries and Dilema, a drama webseries.
Chas Jackson (Writing for Television) wrote for Grownish.
Patricia Mizen (Acting for the Camera) appeared on For All Mankind, Promised Land, 9-11 Lone Star, and BoyTalk, was a supporting role in Killer In-Law on Lifetime, booked a series regular in the Judgement Call web series, performed in The Journey of the Little Prince at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and Irrational Emergency at Second City Hollywood. Her film Fly Right, which she wrote, directed and acted in won Best Family Film at the Olympus Film Festival.
Ioanna Meli (Acting for the Camera) starred in a viral youtube video Ascendance with Dwayne The Rock Johnson, an Auschwitz documentary produced by Steven Spielberg, narrated by Meryl Streep and directed by James Moll, and commercials for Babbel and Visa-Commerce. She was a lead in the drama pilot Dirty Laundry, and the short films Isabel (with Jamie Donnelly) and Life in Color.
Raeann Giles (Acting for the Camera, Screenwriting) wrote, directed and starred in the feature Angel. It’s been acquired by Freestyle Digital Media for release on Amazon, iTunes, ATNT U-Verse, DirectTV, iNDEMAND (Spectrum,Comcast), Vudu, Google Play, You Tube Movies, Xbox, Vubiquity (Verizon Fios) and Hoopla Libraries. She previously wrote and produced web series Playdates Anonymous. Eliana Rosen (Acting for the Camera) is also a main actor in the series.
Marine George (Acting for the Camera) starred in the feature film Fried Barry,
Anna Keizer (Writing for Television) wrote and executive produced She Had It Coming, Gedde Watanabe’s directorial debut. Skylar Shock (Acting for the Camera, Producing) executive produced as well and appears in the film with Kurt Kanazawa (Acting for the Camera) and Renata Ribeiro (Acting for the Camera).
Sarah LeJeune (Acting for the Camera) appeared in Amazing Gracie, County Rescue, Lifemark, Deadly Sins, and stars in the feature film Fat Chance, now streaming on Amazon.
Julie Anne Wight (Writing for Television) wrote for 5th Ward for the Urban Movie Channel.
Ivon Millan (Acting for the Camera) appeared in Short Adam, Howard Original and Do Not Reply starring Jackson Rathbone from Twilight.
Lorelei Ignas (Writing for Television) wrote for Devil in Ohio on Netflix.
Samantha Bowling (Acting for the Camera) co-starred in Back to Awesome, Blood Brothers, and The Edge of Her Mind.
Courtney Kocak (Screenwriting) and her writing partner wrote two episodes on the first season of Amazon’s Danger & Eggs, voiced by SNL‘s Aidy Bryant, as well as a Get Out the Latino Vote commercial for the DNC. She, with her best friend, Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Stephanie Beatriz, also launched a sex and dating talk show called Reality Bytes in partnership with JASH.
Lauren Caltagirone (Screenwriting) wrote for Unprisoned, American Housewife, American Woman, Impastor, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.
Paul R. Puri (Writing for Television) wrote and was a medical consultant for Chicago Med.
Jason Ancona (Screenwriting) wrote, directed, and produced Dr. Cheapskate, and Tag Team Truckers.
Jeremy Hsu (Writing for Television) wrote for King of the Hill, American Auto and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Sandra Kate Burck (Acting for the Camera) appeared in College of the Dead, Lessons in Chemistry, Call Me Alpha, Rush Hour and The Middle.
Asit Viyas (Producing) is producing the feature film Thanks You, Cancer.
Shafik Bahou (Acting for the Camera) booked a co-star role on CBS’s Madame Secretary.
Libby de Leon (Producing) produced Captain America Civil War Reenactment for Funny or Die.
Corey Deshon (Producing) co-produced and wrote the feature film Shine.
Brian Craft and Tim Meloney, (Screenwriting) have recently launched their production company Mojo Road Entertainment. Their first feature, the sci-fi thriller I-Volution is in development with David L. Snyder (Academy Award Nominee for Production Design on Blade Runner) attached as production designer.
Marta Suarez (Screenwriting) adapted Lisa Kudrow’s Web Therapy for FreemantleMedia and Telefonica for Spanish television’s premium channel #0.
Rajeev Chhibber (Acting for the Camera) appeared on Fresh Off the Boat on ABC.
Brian King and E.L. Katz (Screenwriting) wrote and directed the feature Cheap Thrills.
Patrick Hasson (Screenwriting) directed the film Blood Shed.
Luis Emilio Guzmán wrote Hangar Rojo, a joint production between Chile, Argentina, and Italy.
Mariam Meliksetyan’s Say My Name had its North American Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival, it’s LA premiere at ARPA International Film Fest (nominated for Best Documentary Film alongside Oscar-winning The Last Repair Shop), and won the Best Experimental Film Award in Sweden at Boden International Film Festival. She appeared in and narrated Lazy People which was officially selected for the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York City. The short film was also a part of the official selection for the 24th Annual ARPA International Film Festival. In addition to narrating the film in English, she also plays an Armenian-speaking role. She also co-starred in the comedy feature film 10E which had a theatrical release and is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Ashok Reddy won Best First Time Screenwriter (Feature) at Los Angeles Film Awards for his script Dreme.
Vanessa Rose’s dance film about The Weight of motherhood won the Best Experimental Film award at Manchester Film Festival, and played in festivals in Venice, Lisbon and Berlin.
Liz Snyder (Writing for Television) was a finalist for the Sundance Episodic Story Lab, a participant in Women in Film + The Black List Episodic Lab, a Quarterfinalist, Cinestory TV/Digital Fellowship, and her two Scripts, Derailed and The Troubles were selected for the ATX Festival/Black List TV staffing consideration partnership.
Sam Jay Gold’s (Writing for Television) one-hour adventure/drama TV pilot, Converso, became the #1 rated pilot on The Black List. His new Podcast Musical about the End of the World, Newts!, has been recommended by Vulture, The Guardian, NPR, the CBC, and the LA Review of Books — and called “the most interesting musical podcast since the invention of musical podcasts” by Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Newts! is arguably the hottest amphibious dystopian podcast musical of the summer.
Heidi Hornbacher’s (Screenwriting) short film Arrow won best short doc at the Malibu film festival.
Jonathan Dennill (Producing) was promoted to Senior Producer, Social & Digital for entertainment agency And Company.
Jennifer Young (Acting for the Camera) shot commercials for Cox Communications and McDonald’s.
Khalid Abdulqaadir (Screenwriting) was accepted into the 2022-2023 Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project.
Destiny Macon (Screenwriting) was a finalist for the HBO’s American Black Film Festival’s Annual Short Film Award for her film Talk Black. The film, which she wrote and directed, has also been accepted at The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and the Micheaux Film Festival.
Sarah Chrisina Polhaus (Screenwriting) and Kristin Tegtmeier Higgins (Screenwriting) teamed up with for their short film The Boy’s Gone, with Kristin as EP/Producer and Sarah as Writer/Director. It was an official selection and screened at the Austin Film Festival, and also won the Fade in Awards grand prize for best short film and the Los Angeles International Film Festival for best short.
Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Screenwriting) produced Boston Metaphysical Society: The Ghost Ship, her first audio drama, based on her successful graphic novel series.
Lakpathy Wijesekara directed the film Free By Noon starring John Eisen, Raechel Wong, Justine Herron and Melissa Howell.
Tsismari Kshutashvili (Acting for the Camera) created the International film production company Kiseki Pictures, based in Tbilisi, Georgia. The company has already produced 1 feature and 3 short films – all directed by emerging female directors.
Alia Amzeid (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) and friend collaborated on a short storyreel called Toro and were awarded the Story Xperiential Best Storyreel from Pixar. Alia’s short script You Are (Not) Alone was ranked as a quarterfinalist in the Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition and is currently being developed into a short film.
Jaime Estepa (Writing for Television) was awarded a Manuel G. Flores Prize by Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc (PAWA), a scholarship to attend the VONA/Voices Workshop for writers of color as a playwriting fellow.
Michael Sturgis (Screenwriting) wrote, produced and starred in the short film Every Other Week – it premiered on Short of the Week, and is a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Vitor Cardoso’s (Screenwriting) short film Edward was selected for more than 10 festivals, winning Short Film Factory in San Francisco and getting an Honorable Mention and Nomination as Best Script at Prague International Indie Film Festival (Czech Republic).
Franck Gombert (Writing for Television)sold a 10X30mn fictional podcast (post-apocalyptic horror show) to Audible originals France.
Hieu Gray (Producing) recently completed the short food documentary Quan 13 about the Vietnamese Diaspora in Paris told through the lens of food.
Bessy Adut (Screenwriting) and Xenia Puiggros (Screenwriting) won the Best Screenplay award and Best Second Film Overall award at the Feel the Reel International Film Festival with their film Escape Room. Brandon Miree(Producing, Writing for Television) was a producer on the project.
Jason Sleisenger (Acting for the Camera) did a Regal Cinemas Moviebill AR (Augmented Reality) promo/commercial which airs at Regal Cinemas Nationwide before every feature film.
Marisa Luz (Screenwriting) shot an 8 episode web series called Sycamore Valley, starring Rachel Hroncich (Writing for Television).
Bryan Kett (Writing for Television) won the Slamdance award for best original teleplay with a pilot he wrote in our program. Slamdance received a record-breaking 3,600 submissions for the Writing Competition.
Sarah Polhaus (Screenwriting) won the Austin Film Festival in the short category for her script FutureHealth.
Davina Willett (Writing for Television) won Best TV Pilot teleplay contest at LA Femme International Film Festival.
Joe Saroufim (Screenwriting) is now a Creative Executive at CAA Marketing.
Former Professional Programs Director Eyal Alony’s script Skin Deep was chosen for Film Independent’s Directing Lab.
John Ward (Screenwriting) was one of the winners of the Telefilm Canada New Voices Award.
Chris Kyle (Screenwriting) co-wrote the screenplay Jody, which has been produced by the Black List Table Reads podcast.
Natasha Pincus (Screenwriting) was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards (Video of the Year and Best Editing).
Christian Kaps wrote a German crime drama feature that shot in Hamburg. The Protector: In the Crosshairs was produced by Björn Vosgerau, directed by Ziska Riemann, and starred Tobias Oertel, Paula Essam, Jan Krauter, and Wanda Perlewitz.
Ahuatl Amaro (Writing for Television) directed Warehouse, a workplace comedy about four LGBTQ friends, and wrote and directed Physical Therapy starring Jason Genao (Netflix’s On My Block), which won the community filmmaker award at the LA Shorts Fest and is now available on AppleTV, Amazon Video, Google Play and Roku. He also wrote and directed Mean Goals, a sports comedy about a team of mean-spirited LGBTQ soccer players, which premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). Mean Goals was also produced by alum Barbara Lettieri. Ahuatl was recently awarded a grant to produce his next short Sucio, about a Latinx badboy and MMA world champion that contracts HIV.
Rodrigo Carvalhedo (Writing for Television) wrote for Moonbug on CoComelon Story Time. He’s currently producing and directing his first short film Wishful Thinking.
Sy Huq (Producing) produced The Journey with studios Toei Animation (Dragon Ball Z, One Piece) and Manga Productions for Sony Pictures on Crunchyroll. It’s the first animation feature collaboration between Japanese and Saudi animation studios in history. It’s been dubbed in over six languages, with a stellar cast including Jackie Chan, Chris Judge (Kratos, God of War), Chris Sabat (Vegeta, Dragon Ball Z), Johnny Yong Bosch (Kaneda, Akira), Bryce Papenbrook (Eren, Attack on Titan), and many more. He also produced Oh, Mighty Ocean, starring Jack Griffo (The Thundermans), Peyton List (Cobra Kai), and Jacob Bertrand (Cobra Kai). It’s been picked up by Omeleto, Shorts.TV, and Gonella for distribution.
Tim O’Leary’s (Writing for Television) Demonhuntr aired on hereTV, and received a green light for another limited series.
Helene Gombert (Writing for Television) had her script Flight 912, which she wrote during the program, optioned by a French production company.
Mikhael Bassili (Screenwriting, Producing) wrote, developed, financed, produced, and inked a worldwide distribution deal for his first feature film, Baby Money.
Rogan Christopher‘s (Screenwriting) CODA was released on Amazon.
Noushin Jahanian’s (Screenwriting) script The Start Up sold to eOne for low six figures.
Kelly Sorrenti (Acting for the Camera) appeared in the series Stories From Our Future, on Netflix and YouTube, and Matthew Weiner’s The Romanoffs for Amazon.
Rachel Hroncich (Writing for Television) is in development at Thunder Road (John Wick, Sicario) with Hooked, a pilot she wrote during the program.
Special Guests
Here’s a partial list of industry professionals who have visited our students:
(See below for pics.)
50 Cent (Power, For Life)
Aaron Lipstadt (Director of Elementary, Grimm)
Adam Chase (TV EP of Mom)
Alfred Molina (Angie Tribeca, Raiders of the Lost Ark)
Ali Liebegott (Transparent)
Alison Tafel (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Bo Jack Horseman)
Alon Aranya (Your Honor, Tehran)
Alyshia Ochse (Days of Our Lives, The Purge, General Hospital)
Amanda Green (Manifest)
Amanda Lund (Fresh Off the Boat, Another Period, Drunk History)
Amanda Shull (Center Stage, 12 Monkeys, Suits, Pretty Little Liars)
Amy Aniobi (Writer/EP Insecure, Silicon Valley)
Amy Ryan (Only Murders in the Building, The Office, Bridge of Spies)
Andrea Berloff (Screenwriter Straight Outta Compton)
Andy Weil (Netflix, The Ranch, Bo Jack Horseman, Lady Dynamite)
Anna Konkle (Pen15)
Anna Silk (Lost Girl, Blood & Treasure)
Anya Colloff (Casting Director of Fresh Off the Boat, New Girl)
April Webster (Casting Director of Star Wars)
Ari Greenburg (President WME)
Ashley Williams (Actor/Producer/Director How I Met Your Mother, Jim Gaffigan Show)
Ashton Kutcher (Actor/Producer That 70’s Show, Two and a Half Men, The Ranch)
Azie Tesfai (Jane the Virgin)
Barbara Curry (The Boy Next Door, Interrogation)
Barry Fanaro (Writer/Producer Golden Girls, Kingpin, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry)
Beau Willimon (House of Cards)
Billy Ray (Richard Jewel, Terminator: Dark Fate, Overlord, Hunger Games, Captain Phillips)
Blumhouse Execs (Get Out, BlacKkKlansman, Sharp Objects)
Bo Yeon Kim (Star Trek Discovery)
Bonnie Zane (Casting Director)
Bradley Ableson (Minions, The Simpsons, Good Vibes)
Brett Dier (Jane the Virgin)
Brian Stack (Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)
Brian Turner (Writer/Producer/Showrunner Snow Globe, Gortimer)
Bridget Bedard (Transparent)
Cameron Porsandeh (Helix)
Carlos Bernard (24, The Lincoln Lawyer, Dallas, Scoundrels)
Caroline Liem (Casting Director Jimmy Kimmel Live, Parental Discretion)
Charlotte Chatton (California Typewriter, Woman of the White Buffalo, Titanic, Dr. Quinn)
Chelsea Handler (Hello Privilege. It’s me, Chelsea, Are you There, Chelsea?)
Chris Brancato (Hannibal, Narcos)
Chris Mundy (Ozark)
Chris Rice (WME)
Christine Lakin, (Step By Step, The Goldbergs, Family Guy, Schooled)
Chuck McCollum (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Agents of SHIELD, Castle, Lethal Weapon)
Craig Borten (The Dallas Buyers Club)
Craig Van Sickle (Writer/EP Tin Man, The Pretender, 24, NCIS)
Damon Lindeloff (Watchmen, Tomorrowland, The Leftovers, Lost)
Dan Futterman (Capote)
Danielle Sanchez-Witzell (New Girl, Whitney, My Name Is Earl)
Dara Weintraub (Better Things, As We See It, Made for Love)
Dave Annable (Walker, What/If, Red Band Society, Brothers & Sisters)
David Amann (FBI, Blacklist: Redemption, Castle, Without a Trace, Crossing Jordan, X-Files)
David Anaxagoras (Gortimer Gibbons’ Life On Normal Street)
David Boxerbaum (Partner at Verve)
David Caparelliotis (Casting Director New Amsterdam, American Odyssey)
David Garfinkle (Renegade 83, Murdered by Morning, Naked and Afraid, Sugar)
David Jimenez-Katsman (Literary manager/producer at Sugar23)
David Semel (The Man in the High Castle),
David Zuckerman (Family Guy, Wilfred)
Davita Scarlett (The Good Fight, Evil)
Debbie Berman (Editor Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Donna Rosenstein (Worldwide Head of Casting Amazon Studios)
Drew Greenberg (Buffy, Agents of SHIELD, Warehouse 13, Dexter, The O.C.)
Ed Solomon (Men in Black, Now You See Me, Bill and Ted, Mosaic, Levity)
Ellen Kreamer (Friends, The New Adventures of Old Christine, I Hate My Teenage Daughter)
Elliott Knight (Sinbad)
Emily Cutler (The Odd Couple, Suburgatory, Community, Entourage)
Emily Swallow (The Mandalorian, Supernatural, SEAL Team)
Felischa Marye (Writer/Producer Bigger, 13 Reasons Why)
Francesca Sloane (Atlanta, Fargo)
Gary Pearl (Jane the Virgin)
Gaye Hirsch (Jane the Virgin)
Genny Hutchison (Better Call Saul)
Gina Reyes (TV literary agent at Verve)
Gordon Smith (Better Call Saul)
Grace Wu (EVP Casting at NBC)
Greg Garcia (Writer/Producer/Creator Yes, Dear, My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope)
Howard Gordon (Showrunner 24, Homeland, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, X-Files)
Jack Coleman (Heroes, Castle, Scandal, Burn Notice, The Office)
James Ponsoldt (Director of The Circle, The Spectacular Now)
Jane Anderson (Olive Kitteridge)
Janet Tamaro (Rizzoli and Isles)
Jas Water (This is Us)
Jason Bateman (Ozark, Arrested Development)
Jason Ensler (Director/EP Love Victor, The Passage, The Exorcist, Franklin & Bash)
Jeanne Mau (Senior VP, Viacom CBS Global Inclusion)
Jeffrey Reiner (Director of The Affair)
Jenna Bans (Scandal)
Jennifer Aniston (Friends, The Morning Show)
Jill Anthony Thomas (Casting director Santa Clarita Diet, AP Bio)
Joan Wai (Director of Nicholl Fellowhips in Screenwriting)
Joe Henderson (Showrunner Lucifer)
Joe Manganiello (Zach Snyder’s Justice League, True Blood)
Joey Slamon (Writer/EP/Showrunner Arrested Development)
John Strauss (Mozart in the Jungle, There’s Something About Mary)
Josh Bycel (Scrubs, Happy Endings, Telenova)
Josh Malina (Shameless, The Big Bang Theory)
Julia Fontana (Lucifer)
Justin Hillian (Writer/EP The Chi, Snowfall)
Karen McCullah (Legally Blonde, House Bunny, Ugly Truth, 10 Things I Hate About You)
Kate Adler (EVP Comedy at CBS),
Keenen Ivory Wayans (Actor/Writer The Last O.G., In Living Color, Scary Movie)
Keesha Sharp (Empire, Lethal Weapon, The Last OG, Black Lightning)
Keith David (Princess and the Frog, Requiem for a Dream, There’s Something About Mary)
Keith Sharon (Showtime, Finding Steve McQueen)
Ken Lipman (Amazon Studios)
Kevin Weisman (Scorpion, Goliath, Marvel’s Runaways, Alias)
Kiley Donovan (Station 19, Grey’s Anatomy)
Kimberly Foster-McCollum (Casting Rebel, A Christmas For the Books, Stitchers)
Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds, Shelf Life)
Kranti Kanade (CRD, Ghandi of the Month)
Kurt Patino (Manager)
Laura McCreary (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
Laurie Kilmartin (Standup, Conan, Bonnie Hunt, Craig Ferguson)
Lili Simmons (Banshee, True Detective, Ray Donovan)
Lionsgate Execs (Moonfall, Minx, American Gods, John Wick, Devil You Know, Knives Out)
Liz Kelly (Disney, Manager of Creative Talent and Inclusion)
Lucia Aniello (Broad City)
Mageina Tovah (Lincoln Lawyer, Magicians, You’re the Worst, Joan of Arcadia, Spiderman 2)
Maggie Malone (Frozen II, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Moana, Zootopia, Big Hero 6)
Marco Fargnoli (DP/Director The Mindy Project, Good Trouble, Childrens Hospital)
Mariana Palka (Glow)
Marissa Berlin (Writer/Producer Baby Daddy, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, Mighty Ducks GC)
Marissa Matteo (Writer/Producer Bull)
Mark Tinkler (Director/Producer Chicago P.D., Private Practice, Deadwood, Scandal)
Mark Wilding (Scandal)
Marla Sokoloff (Fuller House, The Fosters, The Practice, Dude, Where’s My Car?)
Matthew Carnahan (House of Lies)
Maya Erskine (Pen15)
Meg LeFauve (Captain Marvel, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur)
Meredith Stiehm (The Bridge, Homeland)
Michael Colleary (Face/Off)
Michael Hitchcock (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Barb and Star Go to Visit Del Mar, Glee, MADtv)
Michael Kostroff (The Wire, Billions, The Wizard of Lies, The Plot Against America)
Mike Medavoy (Producer Black Swan, Miss Potter, Zodiac, Shutter Island, All the King’s Men)
Mila Kunis (Actor/Producer That 70’s Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Black Swan)
Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers)
Nancy Oliver (Lars and the Real Girl, True Blood)
Nat Bernstein (Writer/ EP Ally McBeal, Doogie Howser, See Dad Run, Center of the Universe)
Nate Moore (Marvel, Black Panther)
Nicole Riegel (Holler)
Nikki Justice (American Cherry, Leave No Traces, Cold Planet, Givers of Death)
Noga Landau (The Magicians)
Odette Annable (Walker, Supergirl, Tell Me a Story)
Pamela Soper (Jane the Virgin)
Patrick Moran (Former President ABC Studios/ABC Signature, Exec at 20th TV, FOX, UPN)
Paul Downs (Broad City)
Paul Haggis (Crash, Quantum of Solace, Walker)
Paul Young (Black*ish, Key & Peele, Central Intelligence, Keanu)
Peter Gould (Better Call Saul)
Rachel Rothman (Manager at Rothman Andres Entertainment)
Randy Goodwin (Actor/Creator Dynasty, Girlfriends, The Vampire Diaries)
Raphael Bob Waksberg (Bojack Horseman)
Richard Hatem (Titans, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, The Mothman Prophecies)
Richard Schiff (The Good Doctor, Ballers, The Affair, House of Lies)
Rick Porras (Lord of the Rings trilogy, Forrest Gump, Contact)
Robin Weigert (AHS, Bombshell, Big Little Lies, Jessica Jones, Sons of Anarchy, Deadwood)
Ryan Stiles (The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?)
Sacha Gervasi (The Terminal, My Dinner with Herve, November Criminals, Anvil)
Sam Svibleman (Pen15)
Samantha Corbin-Miller (Showrunner/EP ER, The Practice, L&O:SVU, Absentia, Swagger)
Sara Hess (Orange is the New Black)
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (UnReal)
Sarah Watson (Parenthood, About A Boy)
Scott Kosar (The Machinist, The Haunting of Hill House, The Crazies, The Amityville Horror)
Scott Winant (Director/Producer (True Blood, Breaking Bad, Fargo, My So Called Life)
Seth Green (Austin Powers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Robot Chicken, Changeland)
Steve Balderson (Bloody Famous, Hell Town)
Steve O’Donnell (Letterman, Kimmel, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Oscars, The Chris Rock Show)
Steven Canals (Creator/Writer/Director/Producer Pose)
Steven Conrad (Patriot)
Steven Tylor O’ Connor (Casting The OA, Liv and Maddie, The Healing Powers of Dude)
Sue Chung (Gotham, Agent Carter)
Susan Esrock (Casting On My Block, Just Roll With It, Walk the Prank)
Taofik Kolade (Atlanta, Barry)
Ted Sarandos (Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer for Netflix)
Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple, Reno 911!)
Tim Grant (Writer/Producer (Bait Night, Buzz Kill)
Tom Jennings (Real Right Stuff, Diana: In her Own Words, MLK: Assassination Tapes)
Tom O’Connor (Writer/EP The Courier, Hitman’s Bodyguard, Hitman’s Bodyguard’s Wife)
Tony Sepulveda (Senior VP Casting at WB)
Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Jack Ryan, Chicago P.D.)
Wendy O’Brien (Casting Director You’re the Worst, Mayans MC, It’s Always Sunny…)
Will Beinbrink (Exorcism of God, Dark, It Chapter Two)
Zora DeHorter (Casting director She Spies, Ali G)
KEENEN IVORY WAYANS joined our actors and writers.
Showrunner of 24, Homeland and Tyrant, the legendary HOWARD GORDON.
WENDY O’BRIEN, Casting Director of You’re the Worst, Mayans MC, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
A live taping of ALYSHIA OCHSE‘s That One Audition podcast with special guests MARIANA PALKA of Glow and ELLIOT KNIGHT of Sinbad for our actors and alumni.
Actors Pitch Night with special guests WESLEY AMBRECHT, BRIDGET WILEY, MICHELE WEISLER and CONRAD SUN.
MARK TINKER Director/Producer of Chicago P.D., Private Practice, Deadwood, Scandal.
Congratulations to our newest alumni from our Professional Programs in Screenwriting, Writing for Television and Acting for the Camera. Here is a clip from our Certificate Ceremony on June 8, as well as a pic of our awesome special guest WHITNEY CUMMINGS!
The writing staff from the Oprah network’s David Makes Man talked to our students about their upcoming show.
Writers JAS WATER (This is Us), TAOFIK KOLADE (Atlanta, Barry), JOHN STRAUSS (Mozart in the Jungle, There’s Something About Mary) and SUE CHUNG (Gotham, Agent Carter) joined our Writing for Television students.
Our Producing students spent an evening with TED SARANDOS, Chief Content Officer Netflix.
Our Acting for the Camera students visited the Mom set to meet with cast, writers and producers and watch a taping.
JON WAX, Head of Drama Series and Movies for YouTube Originals, visited our Writing for Television students.
JENNIFER ANISTON taught her second master class for UCLA’s Professional Program in Acting for the Camera. (Click the video!)
Improv legend RYAN STILES joined TV legend JOEL MURRAY‘s class for a night of improv.
Writer/Producer DAMON LINDELOF was a special guest in our Screenwriting and Writing for Television programs.
JASON BATEMAN!
JOE MANGANIELLO visited our screenwriters.
WENDELL PIERCE from HBO’s The Wire.
Director SACHA GERVASI taught an excellent master class during prep for his new HBO movie starring Peter Dinklage.
Writer/Actor/Producer/Comedian WHITNEY CUMMINGS.
Acting legend ALFRED MOLINA.
Screenwriter ANDREA BERLOFF.
Actor CARLOS BERNARD.
A fantastic master class by director JAMES PONSOLDT. He’s also a Professional Program in Screenwriting alum!
MARCO FARGNOLI, Director, The Mindy Project.
Actor MINDY STERLING from Austin Powers!
Actor JACK COLEMAN of Heroes, Castle, Scandal, Burn Notice and The Office.
Q&A – Instructor Neil Landau – Writing for Television
What is the future of the television industry? We asked UCLA Writing for Television instructor and author of TV OUTSIDE THE BOX: Trailblazing in the Digital Television Revolution in this month’s Q&A.
Over the next five years, how can we expect the television industry to change?
We’re moving from a linear TV business, with scheduled shows in time slots, commercials, and overnight TV ratings, into an on-demand global digital/streaming TV business. It’s not just about ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox anymore. We now have a plethora of on-demand TV networks (broadcast, premium cable, basic cable), both AVOD (advertiser supprted video on demand: Hulu, Sony Crackle, CW Seed, and now virtually every network offers an “all-access” AVOD option) and, of course SVOD (subscription video on demand) streaming networks like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu+. The viewer is now in charge of what and when to watch. Serialized series are now preferred because they create an ongoing relationship with an audience, and no one is worried that if a viewer misses an episode or two that he won’t be able to catch up. But with so many platforms and networks, the audience is now fragmented, and the only programs that are getting huge ratings are live sports and some major events. On-demand has also made anthology and limited series viable again (Fargo, American Horror Story, True Detective, Black Mirror, Making a Murderer). We’ve also added the term “binge-viewing” to the vernacular. Netflix doesn’t like the term because it sounds perjorative, but I love having the option of watching every episode as fast as I choose, a la a great page-turner novel. If you can’t put it down, why is that bad?
Is there too much content out there?
FX Chief Jon Landgraff recently made headlines by pronouncing that we’re now in a “content bubble” with an unprecedented 415+ scipted series available across multiple platforms. But I take the view that lots of choice is a good thing, especially when it encourages connection; we may not have the office water cooler, but we now have the global water cooler conversation happening via social media. To me, there may be too much mediocre TV series, but there can never be too much great TV. I wouldn’t call it a content bubble. I’d call it a content Renaissance. There has never been a greater demand for fresh, original, authentic voices in the TV business than right now… and I anticipate that need will continue to expand in 2016… and then plateau due to what I’ve coined as “digital Darwinism.” We also need to bear in mind that “high quality” television is very subjective. House of Cards might fit the bill for one viewer; Fuller House might fit the bill for another viewer. It’s all about many choices as opposed to one series needing to appeal to everyone in the broadest (safest) sense possible; now we have something for everyone.
What is the formula for creating good content?
Originality + authenticity. Fresh ideas, distinctive voices, and arenas — a glimpse into a world we don’t know, or only know superficially. But, as with movies and plays and novels: it always comes down to creating iconic characters and then seeing how they perform under pressure. Great storytelling is always about fascinating, flawed, complex, and sympathetic characters getting in and out of trouble. One of my former UCLA Screenwriting professors, William Froug used to tell us: “In real estate, it’s location, location, location. But in screenwriting it’s conflict, conflict conflict.” Or as our leader Richard Walter always says (it’s our credo): “Don’t be boring.” I like to encourage my TV writing students to take risks on the page by pushing their characters to the edge. What’s the line he or she might never cross? Then have them cross it. You can learn how to create great TV series by studying brilliant TV series, from Oz and The Wire, to The Sopranos and Breaking Bad; from All in the Family, M*A*S*H, Taxi and Cheers to Seinfeld, Modern Family, Veep, Louie… and way too many to mention here.
In what way will the Professional Program in Writing for Television prepare students for a career in this changing television industry?
Our motto in the School of Theater, Film & Television is “Creating What’s Next.” So while it’s essential to learn from the masters from the past, we keep our eye on the future. We’re on the cutting edge of new streaming series on Netflix and Amazon and Hulu. I’ve invited in panelists from Orange Is the New Black, Transparent, Casual, along with creators/producers/ writers/showrunners from Better Call Saul, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jane the Virgin, Switched at Birth, Homeland, and, again, too many to mention here. The Professional Program in Writing for Television encourages innovation, so I’m going to invite experts from the rapdily expanding field of Virtual Reality storytelling, as well as web series. We also encourage diverse voices writing from their own authentic experience. While we’re nimble and adpating to the ever-changing TV biz, we’re also pragmatic and want to see our students succeed by not only creating and selling their original pilots, but also seeing them get staffed on TV series — where the majority of the jobs exist for screenwriters today. We want your fresh, unique, specific voice and can help you develop and hone your craft. We teach the basic nuts and bolts so you can learn them, but then transcend them. There is no formula for success except talent and hard work; you can’t succeed with one without the other. 90% perspiration, 10% inspiration is the common analogy. Luck and timing also play a large role. The harder I work, the luckier I get.
You can learn more from Neil every week in our Professional Program in Writing for Television.
Q&A – Instructor Tim Albaugh – Screenwriting
Meet UCLA Screenwriting Lecturer Tim Albaugh.
In this issue’s Q&A Tim discusses the state of the industry, the five most important screenplay elements, securing representation, and more.
THE FILM INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING. WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE FILM INDUSTRY, AND HOW CAN SCREENWRITERS BREAK IN?
Even though the state of the industry is constantly changing, one thing remains the same: good material makes waves. Write a great script; something original and fresh. I always tell my students to write the movie only they can write. The days of the huge spec script sale are gone, but writers can’t lose sight of the fact that their scripts are pieces of their resumes; and a good script will get you noticed. It may never get made, but it will get you work. Everyone talks about how owning an IP (intellectual property) gets you into the game. Sure, the studios all tend to be adapting comic books into huge films, but you aren’t going to break into the business writing a movie like that. There are already tons of working writers out there who do it well, and get paid very well to do it. Write that personal script. One that shows you can tell a story well. Opportunity will follow.
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION ON SCREENWRITING AVAILABLE IN BOOKS AND ON THE INTERNET. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STUDYING SCREENWRITING AT UCLA?
Yes, it seems every day there is a new book or blog about writing that promises to pass along the secret to success. But, it’s one thing to read about it; it’s another thing to actually do it. In our program, you are forced to write. Every day. Whether you want to or not. And you are held accountable for the work. At the end of your first year in our program you will have written two feature screenplays. That’s a lot of work.
Besides accountability, another benefit is the relationships you will build. Hollywood is a town built on relationships. It’s nice to have a great script, but it’s worthless if you can’t get anybody to read it. In our program you will not only forge relationships with your instructors (who are working writer/producers), but you will forge relationships with the writers, directors, producers and studio executives of tomorrow: your classmates.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF AN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY?
Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict.
I digress. Besides conflict (both external and internal) you need a protagonist who can sustain the film and drive the narrative. Someone who is relatable to an audience. Someone who is flawed. And their flaw needs to create the narrative of the film. For example, in “Finding Nemo” Marlin is overprotective to a fault. We understand why: his whole family was eaten. Except for Nemo. Nemo, on the other hand, is inquisitive and a tad rebellious. Why? Because his father is overprotective. And from those elements comes the plot.
A strong premise is important, too. It’s the argument you are making about the human condition with your script. Some may call it theme. It’s the whole point of your script. But, it needs to come organically from the characters’ pursuit of a goal. You don’t want the tail to wag the dog. By pursuing what she wants (plot), a character comes to discover what she needs (premise/theme). Not every character will arc, but every story should have a premise.
A clear, tangible goal is an important element of a screenplay, as well. It gives a script focus. It doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal in “Finding Nemo” is, uh, to find Nemo. In “Tangerine” it’s to find the pimp. Simple is the key. Then that gives you the room to explore character.
Another important element of a screenplay is subplots. Too many times I find screenplays flat and one dimensional and that’s because they lack subplots. Subplots serve to complicate the protagonist’s goal, but they also carry the larger thematic thread, or premise. For example, in
“The Sixth Sense” the subplots not only complicate Malcolm’s attempts to “cure” Cole, but they also share the same thematic thread revolving around lack of communication. It is only when the characters in the film communicate that they succeed.
These five elements are just the foundation of a good script. There are other elements such as dialogue and action that also play a role, but all the extras fall on deaf ears without a strong grounding in those five core elements.
THERE ARE A MILLION CONTESTS OUT THERE. ARE THEY WORTH ENTERING?
Yes. But you need to do your homework. Focus on the contests with strong ties to The Industry. The “Written in South Dakota” screenplay contest probably won’t do you any good in terms of industry access, but winning it may stroke your ego. But, the goal of a contest is to get you and your writing noticed. Industry insiders pay attention to contests like The Nicholl Fellowship; The Disney Fellowship; Austin Film Festival’s competition. Major competitions with direct access to The Industry. And, of course, The UCLA Professional Program contest is important as well. The school’s reputation catapults winners of our contest to the “must read” pile. And, we publicize the winners in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter and on Deadline Hollywood.
HOW DO YOU GET REPRESENTATION?
By winning a contest! Well, it’s not the only way, but it helps. But, again, we don’t want the tail to wag the dog or to put the proverbial cart before the horse. You get representation by writing an original screenplay that showcases your unique voice. Not just once, but over and over again. Then you parlay the relationships you’ve made at UCLA to get that script read. It all fits together nicely. Your instructors or classmates will have connections. When they see something good, they will pass it along. I get requests from agents and managers all the time asking me who the next hot person is coming out of my UCLA classes. And, of course, I refer the writers I feel have to chops and material to fill the bill. Don’t forget; agents only get 10% of your earnings because they only do ten percent of the work. You need to be proactive in the development of your career. That means not only working hard to be the best writer you can be, but also working hard to forge relationships that will get you read. At UCLA, we help you do both.
Chanté Bowser – Acting for the Camera
UCLA was such a game-changer for me! While I was fortunate to act in the indie world, I always wanted to formally study acting so that I could take it to the next level but having gone to law school and practicing for a few years, I didn’t think it was feasible to enter UCLA! I finally have technique to go with the talent and am forever grateful to the program for the exposure to amazing decision-makers in the industry as well as the friendships forged. It has been life changing!
Kovid Gupta – Producing
UCLA’s Producing Program was truly eye-opening. With little knowledge of the inner workings of Hollywood, receiving a crash course in content production provided a perfect starting point. A traditional film and television professional, I found the video game production class incredibly interesting; the amount of storytelling and creative development that goes into the medium was fascinating. Hearing from various industry-wide experts gave me a solid glimpse into the daily process of creating path-breaking content. Would recommend this program to everyone interested in breaking into the film business!
A.W. Tony Scott – Screenwriting, Writing for Television
One of the best academic programs I’ve ever undertaken – professional screenwriting, writing for television, and advanced courses in screenwriting and television writing. Great instructors and talented classmates. An outstanding experience – worth every penny if you are serious about trying to make it as a professional screenwriter for film or television.
Thank You to Jennifer Aniston
Gigantic thanks to Jennifer Aniston for teaching UCLA’s Professional Program in Acting for the Camera students! She went above and beyond!
Spring 2017 Update
Since last we spoke…
Stephanie Allain (Writing for Television) produced Burning Sands, which made it into the U.S Dramatic Competition at Sundance.
Jacob Nasser (Producing) was Executive Producer of 3 feature length films. Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story starring Trace Adkins Judd Nelson & Kim Coates – US distribution by Cinedigm released in 20 cities theatrically, sold 75,000 in first 3 weeks. Running Away – Film is in post production starring Paula Tricky, Holly Deveaux, and William McNamara. My Daddy Is In Heaven – Film is in production starring Jenn Gotzen, Corbin Bersen, T.C. Stalling.
Chanté Bowser (Acting for the Camera) appeared on Lee Daniel’s acclaimed NBC show Star.
Jean Su (Producing) and A.W. “Tony” Scott‘s (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) Broadvision Entertainment, a production and distribution company, is theatrically releasing its first feature film, “Grey Lady”, on April 21, 2017. “Grey Lady” was written and directed by John Shea (“Southie”), and stars Eric Dane (“The Last Ship”; “Grey’s Anatomy”), Natalie Zea (“The Detour”, “Justified”) and Oscar-nominated Amy Madigan (“Twice in a Lifetime”, “Places in the Heart”, “Field of Dreams”, “Gone Baby Gone”). Broadvision produced “Grey Lady” in association with Beacon Pictures, and Jean Su served as Executive Producer. Broadvision is leading the marketing and distribution strategy for the theatrical release of “Grey Lady” and is distributing it with Lionsgate. Broadvision will be solely responsible for the distribution of “Grey Lady” in China.
Robyn Osborne Paris (Screenwriting) wrote, directed and starred in The Room Actors: Where Are They Now? It premiered at Raindance in London, won Best Director at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival, was accepted into ITVFest, Seattle Web Fest, Miami Web Fest, and Vancouver Web Fest.
Tiwana FLoyd (Acting for the Camera) booked a National Walmart commercial directed by Antoine Fuqua to premiere during the 89th Academy Awards.
Liz Kelly (Screenwriting), works at 20th Century Fox and recently coordinated the studio’s inaugural Fox Filmmakers Lab, a partnership between Fox and the American Film Institute to increase the number of female directors working on major studio films by giving select alumni of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women opportunities to direct short films based on the studio’s franchises. The Fox Lab Week, which ran from January 9-12, 2017, included educational panels featuring Fox creative film executives and guest speakers, such as writer/director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters).
Sara Price (Screenwriting) is now Kurt Sutter’s assistant. They’ve been developing projects throughout 2016 and a new spinoff of Sons of Anarchy, MAYANS MC, has been ordered to pilot.
Lorelei Ignas (Writing for Television) is now a writer at NBC’s Writers on the Verge.
Sharon Rapose (Screenwriting, Writing for Television) produced and edited “Konnichiwa Brick Lane” which will screen at Tampere Film Festival in March.
Samantha Bowling (Acting for the Camera) co-starred in the indie feature film, Back to Awesome, which was released on Amazon and iTunes in November.
Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Screenwriting) guest lectured at Dreamworks on crowdfunding and was interviewed in an article about crowdfunding in the Berlin Film Festival Magazine.
Christine Roney (Screenwriting) published her novel, Beyond Stone, based on one of the loglines she created in the program.
Jen Tousey and Darren Fitch (Producing) wrapped principal photography on an inspirational short film.
Geetika Budhiraja (Screenwriting, Acting for the Camera) produced, wrote, directed and acted in the film “Naked” for the 48 Hour Film Project. Her film made it to the top films of the festival. It was screened at the LA LIVE, Regal cinemas.
Bryan Kett (Writing for Television) won the Slamdance award for best original teleplay with a pilot he wrote in our program. Slamdance received a record-breaking 3,600 submissions for the 2016 Writing Competition.
Sarah Polhaus (Screenwriting) won the Austin Film Festival this year in the short category for her script ‘FutureHealth’.
Davina Willett (Writing for Television) won Best TV Pilot teleplay contest at LA Femme International Film Festival.
Heather Faris (Screenwriting) won the Page Awards (Action/Adventure) and was a Semifinalist for the 2016 Nicholls Fellowship with her feature script RIPPLE.
Heidi Nyburg (Screenwriting and Writing for Television) has done well in many festivals with scripts written in our workshops. Her pilot script Focus was: Top 5% Tracking Board Launch Pad 2016, Semifinalist Script Pipeline 2016, Semifinalist Screen Craft Pilot Launch 2016, Quarterfinalist Final Draft Big Break 2016, Quarterfinalist Page International 2016, Quarterfinalist at Cinestory. Her feature Just Be Cool was Scriptapalooza Semifinalist 2016, Quarter Finalist Final Draft Big Break 2016, and her feature Meeting Lorne Michaels was Semi Finalist Final Draft Big Break 2016.
Matt Clingempeel and Brendan Vogel (Screenwriting) were finalists in the Spotlight Screenplay Competition. Brendan completed the first draft of the script during his time in UCLA’s Professional Program under the guidance of Wendall Thomas. Brendan was also a quarter-finalist in Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Contest.
Matt Clemons (Screenwriting) was a Semifinalist in the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowship.
Sarah Marsh (Writing for Television) advanced to the second round (top 15%) of the Austin Film Festival for her pilot Hell In Heels.
Rachael Blackwood (Writing for Television) advanced to the final three of Final Draft’s Big Break contest.
Ana R. Dominick (Screenwriting) won 1st Prize in the Rhode Island International Film Festival, was a Top 3 Finalist in Nantucket Film Festival and LA Shorts Fest, a Semi-Finalist in the Fade In Awards, and a Quarter Finalist in BlueCat Screenplay Competition.
Professional Programs alumni dominated the finals and semi-finals of the CineStory Foundation competition. Congratulations to Dave Pirinelli, Alice Denard, Barbara Rey, Tyler Chatham, Erin Fischer, Odin Ozdil, Christina Pamies, Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, Heidi Nyburg, Jo Buckman, Tameson Duffy, Michael Miller, Paige VanTassell and Renee Buck.
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Taught by top industry experts and leaders working in the entertainment industry. Learn more about the Professional Programs at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
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