If you only know one thing about Roadmap Writers, it’s probably that we’ve put a huge amount of time and effort into creating a tiered program to give our writers all the tools they need to have a successful career. We call it the Career Writer Program, and when you’re thinking about taking the dive into Step 1, it can all seem a bit overwhelming.
After all, are multiple monthly programs really going to build your marketing skills and materials? And is taking each step in sequence worth it? What can you expect out of the program?
To answer all this and more, Roadmap is bringing together a wonderfully talented and diverse group of our Career Writers to share their experiences in the program!
This 90-Minute Panel Will Cover:
- Each step of the Career Writer Program
- How to get the most out of Roadmap
- Lessons on pitching and marketing
- Q&A
After nailing a kiss and a single line in Bye Bye Birdie in 9th grade, Shawn Parikh knew two things for sure: he loved showbiz and he did not love women. Being a gay Indian-Texan-American pursuing a creative career, he is an uberbrown sheep—although, he did his best to make his parents proud with a degree in PoliSci and a Master’s in Psych. A student of improv, standup and sketch at UCB & Groundlings, he has appeared on shows like OUTSOURCED, COUGAR TOWN, WHAT/IF and MOM. In addition to writing and starring in an independent pilot BAD INDIANS with Devanshi Patel and a spoof of HBO’s THE NIGHT OF for Funny or Die, Shawn’s short film KHOL (“open”), starring Sarayu Blue, played a global festival circuit.
He is repped by Klasco Entertainment.
Craig Bealer loves to concoct well-structured and unique character-driven dramas and thrillers that explore contemporary social and political issues. His scripts have been well-received in contests, featured on The Black List website, and praised by evaluators. Craig’s passion for writing and storytelling blossomed at the University of Kentucky where he majored in journalism with a focus in political science and creative writing. After taking a winding road to Los Angeles, which included a stint as a snowboard bum in Breckenridge, Colorado and law school in San Diego, he now calls Santa Monica home. Once in Los Angeles, while working as an attorney, Craig immersed himself in the craft. Among self-study, various writing groups, and course work, Craig earned a Certificate in Screenwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. In 2016, Craig stepped away from a full-time law practice to focus on his writing. Craig has had four one-act plays produced on Theater Row in Hollywood. He also writes marketing materials for one of Los Angeles’s largest law firms, including e-books, blogs, press releases, and scripts for various promotional and infomercial videos.
Jessica Kantor grew up in New York City and currently resides in Santa Monica, CA. Jessica is highly sought after for her virtual and augmented reality work. She has developed a unique perspective of place, movement, and world-building and now brings to traditional filmmaking. Jessica studied film and computer science at New York University. In addition, Jessica is a writer-director specializing in grounded Sci-fi. Jessica is repped by Stephan Dubreuil of Woolf and Lapin.
Jessica’s work has premiered at Film Festivals all over the world. Most recently, her work ASHES was programmed at Venice Film Festival’s VR Extension.
Susan Sassi is a comedy writer, stand-up comedian, and professional Cathy impersonator living in Los Angeles. Her comedy scripts have received recognition from Austin Film Fest, Women In Film, Emerging Writers, CineStory, Fresh Voices, The 'Breakk', Stage 32, Genre Screenwriting Contest, and ScreenCraft TV Writing Contest. You can find her satire in BELLADONNA, WEEKLY HUMORIST, SLACKJAW, WIDGET, ROBOT BUTT, JANE AUSTEN'S WASTEBASKET, MONOCLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, LITTLE OLD LADY COMEDY, GREENER PASTURES, and PLATYPUS NEWS.
Her web series CATHY IN REAL LIFE, a parody of lovable chocoholic Cathy Comic strip, was an official selection of multiple film festivals, including Dances with Films, CineFest, IFS, WRPN, LA Comedy Fest, and Etheria Film Night. Her musical VICTORIAN COURTING AND ZOMBIES, which she wrote and produced, sold out at the 2014 LA Fringe Fest and got a shout-out from NPR.
Susan has studied with UCB LA, iO West, Second City, Miles Stroth Workshop, and Judith Shelton. She is originally from New Jersey and a very proud helicopter cat mom. Her scripts tend to be female-centered, character-driven comedies with a slight bend toward the theatrical and absurd.
Questions?
If you have any questions or any trouble accessing the recording, email our Director of Education Alexandra Davies at alex@roadmapwriters.com!