Recommended Screenwriters

ScreenwritingU Alum Sara McDermott Jain ( Proseries 40, MSC 6) optioned her script STILL WATERS to producer Bruce Miles and his partner, Dennis Trombly. The script was written in the ProSeries and is currently in development. Sara has been hired for numerous writing assignments, including one where Disney was a sales agent, and also sold her

ScreenwritingU Alum Richard Willett (ProSeries 57, MSC 7) was hired by producers Alexander Svezia and William Pennell of SP Immersive Entertainment to write a screenplay. The project is an animated feature based on their concept, and inspired by their work in creating immersive underwater exhibits. Richard had met them previously and then completed a short

ScreenwritingU Alum Dan Gordon (ProSeries 40, MSC 2) has been hired by producer Janet Place to co-write a historical bio! The biopic is focused on Lavinia Fisher, “America’s first female serial killer” who committed their crimes based in Charleston, SC. The project is currently in development. After having a couple of his screenplays optioned, Dan’s

ScreenwritingU Alum JoAnn Hess (ProSeries 43, MSC 3) was hired to rewrite the original screenplay, THE YIN YANG AND THE TREASURE, a family/fantasy film. JoAnn will be working closely with both the original writer Andre Eichstedt from Germany, and the film’s director Tom Delmar. The project is scheduled to be filmed this year in the

ScreenwritingU Aum James Ridgley (ProSeries 60, MSC 8) lands a writing assignment with producer Michael Mesirow of Mesirow Family Films. Details are under wraps, but it’s in the Comedy genre – one of Ridgley’s specialties. James and Michael connected through his many years working in the film industry as a production sound mixer. Previously, James

ScreenwritingU Alum Nicola Pittam (ProSeries 43, MSC 2) has landed representation with literary manager Adam Harris Engelhard, of Mailroom LA. Adam will represent Nicola on her screenplays, novels, non-fiction and other writing-based projects. Nicola connected with Adam when she pitched her TV Pilot, THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SON, which made the 2019 Bitch List

ScreenwritingU Alum Geoff Dupuy-Holder’s (ProSeries 53, MSC 8) horror script NIGHT BUS has been optioned by producer Anthony Alleyne, and is now in development. This is Geoff’s sixth optioned screenplay, and he is also currently working on several unrelated writing assignments. Geoff specializes in the paranormal, historical witchcraft, and Urban Legends. He’s also the author

ScreenwritingU Alum Linda Freeman (ProSeries 65, MSC 11) had her screenplay optioned by an all-female, LA-based production company. The details of the project are still under wraps, but Linda is currently in the process of rewriting the screenplay based on her own true story. Linda marketed the script while in the Master Screenwriter Certificate Program,

ScreenwritingU alum Margaret Riseley ( ProSeries 21, MSC 4) just had her action-thriller WOUNDED optioned by Mark Castaldo of Destiny Pictures. The script was also a 2017 PAGE Awards finalist. Margaret first connected with producer Mark during the Master Screenwriter Certificate Program. Margaret was also recently hired to write the pilot and bible of a

ScreenwritingU Alum JD Oppen’s (ProSeries 50, MSC 4) comedy screenplay BAD LUCK BRIAN – Return Of The Sweater Vest was optioned by producer Byron Loker of Sanchopix CC, located in Cape Town, South Africa. JD connected with producer Byron while working together on a previous project. The screenplay is based on a true story about Kyle