Susanna Speier
Scriptwriter
(323) 983-1359
www.susannaspeier.com
susanna@susannaspeier.com
Education:
Post-Graduate Certificate in writing for Film and TV, BU in LA
MFA Playwriting, Brooklyn College, C.U.N.Y., Brooklyn, NY
BA Theater & Cultural Studies, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
Scholarships/Grants/Residencies:
Women in Film Mentor Program
Dramatists Guild Fund
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Artist Recovery Grant
PEN American Writers Fund
Alfred P. Sloane Foundation Writing Desk
Writer’s Room Residency
Dorest Writer’s Colony Residency
Newcombe Foundation Scholarship
Families of Freedom 2 Scholarship
JFEW Rose Biller Scholarship
Film/Video/Television:
PTERODACTYL PRODUCTIONS - Los Angeles, CA - Scriptwriter for feature adaptation of classical myth, in collaboration with Barney Cohen of Pterodactyl Productions. 2008.
P.U.R.E. - New York, NY - Scriptwriter for instructional bellydance for international distribution. Collaborated with choreographer, musicians, director, artistic Director, and dancers. 2007.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation & CSI: New York, Universal City and Studio City, CA - Writing Department Intern for scripted one-hour drama series - Performed research during script development, observed various stages of production, time on set, updating script revisions, writing coverage for CSI:, CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. 2006.
STEFAN WEISMAN, NY - Ode to Fiberoptic Cables and Light: Wrote script for 10 minute animation script produced by Stefan Weisman. 2005.
BELLYQUEEN, NY - Script Consultant for Instructional Video, Bellydancejam, for national and international distribution. 2004.
CHARACTER STUDIES, NY - Researcher, Ten part documentary television series that explores the dramatic arts. Produced by Tony Vilela. 2003.
Playwriting:
FLUSHING LIBRARY, NY – Libretto for concert performed by Random Access Music Lost Dog New Music. 2008
TENRI CULTURAL INSTITUTE, NY – Libretto for concert performed by Random Access Music Lost Dog New Music Ensemble Tenri Cultural Institute. 2008
AIA ACTOR’S STUDIO, CA – Staged reading and writer Q&A. 2008
HERE ARTS CENTER, NY – Two independent full-length theater productions and three workshop productions. 1999-2002.
WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, NY – Staged Reading. 2002.
ARTWARD BOUND, PA – Performing artist residency. 2002.
THE WRITER’S ROOM, NY – Writing residency. 1998-2001
JEAN COCTEAU REPERATORY THEATER, NY – Staged Reading. 2001.
CORNELIA STREET CAFÉ, NY – Two staged readings. 2000.
COLLECTIVE UNCONSIOUS, NY – One act theater production. 1999.
SPACE, Amsterdam, NY – English translation of Dutch play for European Tour. 1998.
BOOM CHICAGO, AMSTERDAM, NL – One act theater production. 1997.
Relevant Classes:
Writing the Television Pilot; Taught by Ellen Sandler in Los Angeles, six week workshop on writing a television pilot. Sandlerink.
Writer in Hollywood; Boston University in Los Angeles. Semester long program on screenwriting and teleplay writing in Hollywood.
Rewrite Workshop; Taught by Maureen Nolan, Story Consultant and Chief Analyst, Notes from the Inside. School of Visual Arts
Writing for Television; Television writing course for M.F.A. television students, Taught by Prof. Jerome Coopersmith, Brooklyn College, C.U.N.Y. Department of Television and Radio.
Independent Study with Prof Campbell Daglish, head of the M.F.A. screenwriting program at City College, C.U.N.Y. on writing coverage.
Independent Study with Prof Robert Singer, Film Studies Department, C.U.N.Y. Graduate Center to write a screenplay adaptation of a segment of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon.
Cinema of Transformation; Cinema of Bergman, Fellini, and Kieslowski; Taught by Prof. Steven Geller, head of Boston University MFA Screenwriting program.
Pageantry and Power; Cinematic interpretations of historic events; Taught by Prof Robert Singer, C.U.N.Y. Graduate Center Film Studies Department.
Employment History:
Freelance Writer – Articles and original ad copy for fashion, financial, theater, real estate and medical industry trade journals, websites, blogs and magazines. 1995-2008.
Freelance Copy Editor and Proofreader - Educational course material for educational companies Scholastic, Inc. and Classroom, Inc. 1997–2008.
Memberships:
Los Angeles Women in Film
Art and Science Collaborations, Inc.
The Dramatists Guild
