WRITING BACKGROUND
Debra's creative writing experience has spanned various media and genres: scripts for film and TV; poetry (published in Cosmopolitan Magazine); travel articles (published in Elle and Ladies' Home Journal); and short stories.
Debra's current scripts--two feature screenplays and a TV sitcom pilot--are described below, together with links to Scene Readings of these scripts.
WRITING AWARDS Please see FILM page for Film Awards.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Please contact Debra for further details about these projects.
All of these Scene Readings were "cold reads" (first-time, unrehearsed readings) by the actors.
Left: Conferring with Jon Freda (of The Family fame) at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC.
Miami Feist
(Feature screenplay)
In this family comedy / action-adventure story, three senior citizens in a Miami retirement community set out to rescue their kidnapped grandson.
Scene Reading of Miami Feist at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC.
Scene Reading of Miami Feist at the Action on Film
International Film Festival in Pasadena, CA.
Special Thanks re. Scene Readings: Many thanks to all of the actors who participated in these Scene Readings! In some cases Debra was unaware that scene readings of her work had been produced until she arrived at film festivals and learned that the festival judges had selected her work, cast actors, shot the scene readings, and then screened them at the festivals. Thank you, AOF Fest and NYWIFT! Kudos to all of the actors!
Brewski
(TV sitcom - original pilot and series bible)
Like an updated Honeymooners, in this TV series a hapless middle-aged couple in Milwaukee hates all the changes of modern life -- they just want a quiet, predictable routine -- but life always seems to get in the way.
Miami Feist (feature screenplay) - Best Script at New Hope Film Festival, the Runner-Up for Best Alternative / Social Script at Action on Film International Film Festival, Finalist for Best Comedy at New Hope Film Festival, Semifinalist at Screenplay Festival, Semifinalist at Circus Road Screenplay Contest, Semifinalist at Big Bear Lake Screenwriting Competition, Quarterfinalist at Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition, and Quarterfinalist at StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest.
Beastly Relations (feature screenplay) - the Runner-Up for the Canole Award at Action on Film International Film Festival, Finalist for Best Scene at Action on Film International Film Festival, and Quarterfinalist at Big Bear Lake Screenwriting Competition.
Brewski (teleplay) - Finalist for Best Teleplay at New Hope Film Festival.
Trust, Manhattan-Style (short story) - ranked 65th, out of 13,000 entries, in the
Literary Short Story Category of the Writer's Digest Writing Competition.
Scene Reading of Brewski at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC.
Beastly Relations
(Feature screenplay)
A dark comedy about two sisters who hate each other, this story explores the bounds of family loyalty. The sisters go for the jugular as they vie for fame, love and the future of Central Park.
Scene Reading of Beastly Relations at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC.
Scene Reading of Beastly Relations at the Action on Film
International Film Festival in Pasadena, CA.