Instructors - 2024

Workshops and panels at Script-Com are hosted by industry professionals who are either working screenwriters, screenwriting instructors, or experienced independent filmmakers, including (in alphabetical order):

WILLIAM AKERS

Writer, Author, Screenwriting Instructor, Consultant

Author of the book Your Screenplay Sucks! 100 Ways To Make It Great, Will is a WGA Lifetime Member and has written for studios, independent producers, and network television. He's had three features produced from his screenplays, including DESERTER starring Tom Hardy, THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE starring Stephanie Beacham, and ERNEST RIDES AGAIN starring the late, great Jim Varney.

Will's novel, Mrs. Ravenbach's Way, was traditionally published. He recently retired from teaching screenwriting and filmmaking at the university level and, with a former student, founded Key to Storytelling, which offers self-paced screenwriting courses and gives comprehensive script notes to clients around the world.

Will has conducted writing workshops in Paris, London, Beijing, and all over the United States. He speaks reasonable French and was a "Jeopardy!" contestant. He didn't win. He's on Instagram @keytostorytelling. Visit the website at keytostorytelling.com.

STEVE ANDERSON

Writer, Director, Producer

Steve's films have been distributed theatrically and on home video, cable, streaming, and have screened in dozens of film festivals around the world. His credits include:

THE RIVER MURDERS starring Ray Liotta, Christian Slater, and Ving Rhames.
THE BIG EMPTY starring Jon Favreau, Kelsey Grammer, Daryl Hannah, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Sean Bean.
WHITE ORCHID starring Olivia Thirlby, John Carroll Lynch and Jennifer Beals.
THIS LAST LONELY PLACE starring Rhys Coiro, Xander Berkeley and Carly Pope which was a Kickstarter success story.

Steve also produced and directed the free speech documentary F*CK, which was released theatrically by THINKFilm. He is a Peabody Award filmmaker with multiple documentaries shown on PBS and a former journalist. He lives in Nashville.

HANK BEDFORD

Writer, Director

Hank wrote and directed his debut feature, DIXIELAND, which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival and was also in competition at the Deauville American Film Festival. The film stars Riley Keough and Faith Hill and was released by IFC Films.

Hank began his work in the industry assisting director David O. Russell on the Oscar-winning film THE FIGHTER, and later credits include producing the Oscar-nominated FOXCATCHER with Bennett Miller.

Most recently Hank co-wrote, directed, and produced the horror thriller EUGENE THE MARINE, which was partially filmed in Middle Tennessee. It stars Scott Glenn, Annette O'Toole, and Jim Gaffigan. He is a native Nashvillian.

RICKY BURCHELL

Writer, Director

Ricky's first feature-length film, WHERE IS GOOD?, shot on a small budget and with a local cast, gained international success after signing a worldwide distribution deal which included Netflix Brazil, streaming services throughout Latin America, Africa, and a Walmart distribution deal. The film won an award for Best Editing and Best Leading Actress from the Faith Film Festival.

Ricky has written and directed the features 3 STRANGERS, ONE MORE DREAM, CONSIDER THE LILIES, and ANYBODY. His film AM RADIO was featured at the Las Vegas Film Festival where it was awarded “Best Actor” for Omar Gooding’s performance. Ricky has three films currently in post-production scheduled to be released in 2024.

Ricky has partnered with Abingdon Press, where he wrote and produced over 100 children’s songs, 20 music videos, and 7 short films and documentaries. Ricky has also written and directed a large number of commercials as well as writing, performing, and producing the theme song for ESPN2 show “King of the Strip”. He lives in Middle Tennessee.

CESARE GAGLIARDONI

Writer, Post-Production Coordinator

Cesare is a screenwriter and producer. Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and later went on to work in various roles in the film industry.

The projects he's worked on range from micro-budget indies to giant studio blockbusters at companies like Legendary Pictures on films that include CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, THE GREAT WALL, and TED.

Most recently, Cesare co-wrote and produced EUGENE THE MARINE starring Scott Glenn, Annette O'Toole, and Jim Gaffigan.

BEN JONES

Writer, Director, Producer

Ben has served as a producer for the 54 Film Fest since its Middle Tennessee inception in 2013. Through the 54, he and his team have inspired filmmakers to craft hundreds of stories in a multitude of genres.

As a filmmaker, Ben has produced 20 short films and television programs and he is currently in post-production on a documentary and in pre-production for a 54 Film Fest TV show. His films have garnered award recognition and address the heart of the human experience. He specializes in micro-budget storytelling, and his favorite pastimes include mentoring artists, encouraging creativity, and writing in all its forms.

Among his other creative pursuits, Ben helped birth escape room businesses in both Chattanooga and Nashville, and his stage play "Love, Murder, Love: The Pickpocket Pawns" was performed at Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival.

Howie Klausner, writer and director of the film Reagan

HOWARD KLAUSNER

Writer, Director, Producer, Author

Howie is the author of 60 screenplays and three books. His credits include:

REAGAN starring Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, Mena Suvari, C. Thomas Howell, and Jon Voigt - releasing worldwide in 2024.
SPACE COWBOYS starring Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, and Marcia Gay Harden.
THE IDENTICAL starring Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd,
THE LAST RIDE starring Henry Thomas and Kaley Cuoco.
THE SECRET HANDSHAKE starring Kevin Sorbo and Amy Grant.
HOOVEY starring Patrick Warburton and Lauren Holly.

After over two decades in LA, Howie returned to his native Middle Tennessee; still writing and producing, and occasionally drafting his neighborhood friends to act in a movie. He also speaks frequently to colleges and organizations around the country, encourages and mentors upcoming writers and producers, and sings in the Nashville rock and roll party band, Doctor Fun. Howie lives in Middle Tennessee.

CAMERON McCASLAND

Writer, Producer, Director

Cameron is an Emmy-nominated writer, director, and film producer. Working in long-form narrative, documentary, and short-form content, Cameron’s films have been seen by millions globally.

His debut film THE LASHMAN garnered critical praise, winning the Indieville Director of The Year award. He has produced music videos in Nashville by several #1 Billboard chart-toppers including Florida Georgia Line, Maren Morris, and Morgan Wallen. His production company Red Headed Revolution partnered on films like PATERNITY LEAVE and WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH GERALD? which Cameron produced.

His documentary JUMPIN' JOHNNY: THE TRUE STORY OF DR. JOHN KLINE about the former Harlem Globetrotters star was a winner at the Fort Worth Indie Showcase and the Franklin Film Festival. For several years, McCasland has collaborated on various Dr. Gangrene TV projects including the anthology FILM TALES FROM PARTS UNKNOWN which was exhibited at drive-ins across America.

Currently, Cameron produces special television programs for the NECAT Network in Nashville where he lives with his wife and two children.

MIKE NAWROCKI

Writer, Producer, Director

As co-creator of VEGGIE TALES, co-founder of Big Idea Entertainment and the voice of the beloved Larry The Cucumber, Mike has been dedicated to helping parents pass on wholesome values to their kids through storytelling for nearly three decades. Mike has written and directed most of the extremely popular “Silly Songs with Larry” segments, including fan favorites “His Cheeseburger” and “The Hairbrush Song.” He has also lent his screenwriting and directing talents to dozens of VeggieTales episodes such as 'Madame Blueberry' and 'The League of Incredible Vegetables,' as well as both of the properties’ theatrical release films, JONAH and THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING.

Mike serves as an Assistant Professor of Film and Animation at Lipscomb University in Nashville and makes his home in nearby Franklin, TN. His most recent project, a twelve-book children’s early reader series titled THE DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS, is currently in release through Tyndale Publishing with an animated series based on the books in production.

RICK REICHMAN

Screenwriting Instructor, Author, Consultant

Rick has taught screenwriting at University of Virginia, American University, Georgetown University, Santa Fe Community College and at Watkins College and Nashville Film Institute here in Tennessee. He’s also taught at writing conferences and retreats across the country.

Rick’s students would go on to careers in the film and TV industry writing and staffing on productions including HOME IMPROVEMENT, ROSEANNE, THE NANNY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, MURPHY BROWN, CROSSING JORDAN, FAMILY LAW, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE MENTALIST, and the recent reboot of MAGNUM P.I., among many others.

Rick has authored two books on screenwriting, 20 Things You Must Know to Write a Great Screenplay and Formatting Your Screenplay, which is in its fourth printing. He is an optioned writer, placed or won multiple screenplay contests, and has done coverage for several production companies. Rick has also written columns for The Writer and Creative Screenwriting magazines. He lives in Nashville and does script consultations.

JR ROBLES

Writer, Director, Actor, Instructor

JR is an actor, writer, and filmmaker based in Nashville, TN. His recent stage credits include Crybully and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime with Nashville Repertory Theatre, Kindling Arts’ A Very Special Holiday Special, and The Cackleberry County Fair.

JR's recent film and television credits include QUEEN OF THE RING, FUNNY HOW, and HOLLYWOOD ADJACENT. He is also co-producer for the Dare to Fail Short Film Showcase, as well as a co-creator of DTF! TV: A Sketch Comedy Show.

As a writer, JR is a 2023-2024 Oz Arts Artwire Fellow, and was a finalist for the Porch Prize in creative nonfiction.

ALVARO RODRIGUEZ

Writer, Producer

Born and raised along the South Texas border, ALVARO RODRIGUEZ is the co-creator and executive producer of the adult-animated series SEIS MANOS (Netflix). He is also the co-screenwriter of the iconic film MACHETE and less iconic kids’ movie SHORTS. He also wrote and co-produced the true-crime drama feature THE LAST RAMPAGE.

Never one to feel constrained by genre, Alvaro has written on the vampire series FROM DUSK TILL DAWN for El Rey Network/Netflix, spent a hot minute on NBC’s CHICAGO FIRE, did time in the comic crime caper limited series FLORIDA MAN (Netflix), and served as supervising producer on Showtime/Amazon’s AMERICAN RUST.

Alvaro's short fiction has appeared in the Bram Stoker Award-winning anthology AFTER DEATH, among others. He serves on the board of advisors for the Austin Film Festival and has been a guest speaker at screenwriting conferences across the country. He is currently developing projects in the animated space with Line Mileage, IDW and Anima Studios. He is developing dramatic projects for film and television with Invention Studios/Abot Hameiri/Fremantle Media, Bender/Brown Productions, and is co-executive producer on ME, YOU an international feature from Danish director Bille August.

BOB SAENZ

Writer, Author, Actor

Bob is a screenwriter, author, and actor. His written and produced screen works include HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS, RESCUING MADISON, SWEET SURRENDER, ON THE 12th DAY OF CHRISTMAS, SOUND OF CHRISTMAS, THE RIGHT GIRL, CHRISTMAS IN LOVE, CHURCH PEOPLE, and the dark-comedy thriller EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

Bob does rewrites and polishes on film and TV projects for producers and production companies. He's the author of the screenwriting book, That's Not the Way It Works: A No-Nonsense Look at the Craft and Business of Screenwriting and most recently the novel Jessica's Vampire Diary. His acting roles include a six-year recurring character run on the TV show NASH BRIDGES, Francis Ford Coppola’s JACK, and David Fincher’s ZODIAC, among dozens of others. He was a radio DJ on KYCY in San Francisco and has done voice work on video games, documentaries, and commercials.

Bob also has contributed columns to Script Magazine, Symposium, and is a frequent guest on podcasts and at writing conferences. He lives in Middle Tennessee.

AUDREY SHULMAN

Writer, Author

A native Nashvillian, Audrey spent an entire year baking cakes and taking them to bars across LA and chronicling her adventures for The Huffington Post. This led to a book deal and then a writing assignment for Amazon for a movie based on her experience called SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE, which stars Yara Shahidi, Ron Livingston, and Bette Midler.

Early in her career, Audrey served as a writers assistant and script coordinator on kids shows like KODY CAPOW and FAST LAYNE. Since then, she has written an impressive number of films for Hallmark, including A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS, EVERY TIME A BELL RINGS, THE 27-HOUR DAY, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, and LOVE, FALL AND ORDER.

Outside of writing, reading, and making empty promises to herself about composting, Audrey is a new mom with a lot of opinions about children's books.

CAT STEWART

Writer, Consultant

Cat is the Screenwriting Competition Manager at the Nashville Film Festival and a consultant at Borderless Entertainment.

Working for Web3 studio The Feature, she provides additional insight into the ever-evolving landscape of content creation and creative financing options utilizing digital assets.

Under the umbrella of N-Development, Cat has developed two original series, one from a pitch the other from a script that she did coverage for that were both picked up by major companies.

Cat continues to do coverage for several providers including the Austin Film Festival.

J. CHRIS WALL

Writer, Producer

Chris is an influential creator of kids-and-family, redemptive content. He is Executive Producer and showrunner of THE WINGFEATHER SAGA animated series, now in production on Season Three.

Before creating Shining Isle Productions in 2016 to develop and produce family content with an entertainment first strategy, Chris spent over a decade collaborating with industry leaders at Dreamworks Animation and Big Idea producing the direct-to-video VEGGIE TALES animated movies. That included the wildly successful "WONDERFUL WIZARD OF HA'S," "SAINT NICHOLAS," "NOAH'S ARK" and thirteen other productions. He is also creator of the acclaimed "SLUGS & BUGS SHOW."

Chris is passionate about creating stories that will serve families with stories of truth and beauty. He lives in Franklin, TN.

STEVEN WOMACK

Writer, Author, Consultant

Steve is a screenwriter and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He co-wrote the CableAce-nominated movie PROUDHEART starring Lorrie Morgan and the ABC TV movie VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN starring Cynthia Gibb.

He is an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author who created the groundbreaking Music City Murders series and a number of other novels, including the New York Times Notable Book Murphy's Fault. His latest novel, Fade Up from Black: The Return of Harry James Denton, brings the Music City Murders series back into print.

Steve is a founding member of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association and joined the faculty of Tennessee’s first film school—Watkins Film School—in 1995. For the next 25 years, he anchored the screenwriting program there until the college closed in 2020.

MARTI KING-YOUNG

Writer, Director, Producer, Instructor

Marti has worked on ANNABELLE COMES HOME, THE CONJURING 3, SWEET MAGNOLIAS, CLASS OF ’09, GENIUS: ARETHA, and is currently staffed on the ABC hit series, WILL TRENT.

She has worked alongside industry giants such as James Wan (Saw, Aquaman), Nina Jacobson (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Hunger Games), and Sheryl Anderson (Charmed, Sweet Magnolias) and continues to create her own content including THE ADVENTURES OF WONDERBOY and MEMORY LANE.

Marti teaches screenwriting annually at The Good Word Writer’s Retreat in Patmos, Greece. She was featured in the German publication Cinewomen for her contributions to advancing women in film and is a proud member of the Alliance of Women Directors.

More Instructors TO BE ANNOUNCED!