OREM — Utah Valley University student Jessa Wright has loved writing since she was a kid, but she likely never imagined her love of writing could someday translate to a built-for-cinema screenplay.
Still, that’s exactly what happened.
Wright, a junior pursuing a degree in digital cinema production, was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when she received a Zoom call from actress and director Katie Cassidy earlier this month. Cassidy said Wright’s script was moving into development with FanX Studios, with Cassidy set to direct.
“I wrote my first story when I was 7 or 8 for the ‘Reading Rainbow’ writing competition, and I never stopped,” Wright said. “It is something that is a fun part of me.”
Her currently untitled screenplay is a supernatural thriller set in the Vatican.
Cassidy, who will be directing Wright’s film, is best known for her portrayal of Laurel Lance, aka Black Canary, in the CW series “Arrow.”
After the news broke that Wright’s script was selected for development, Cassidy told her, “You have done such a great job, and I am looking forward to working with you. I am honored to have a part in this project and I’m looking forward to helping you bring this story to life. You should be proud of yourself. It is a huge accomplishment.”
Wright wrote the screenplay as part of a new program at UVU called the UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room. It’s an experiential program in which students receive an advanced curriculum, real-world critique and an opportunity to compete for one of five, paid screenwriting positions with FanX Studios.
On Feb. 21, 2024, Wright was selected as one of five students from a cohort of 27 in UVU’s screenplay pitching course to participate in the UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room.
“We are incredibly proud of Jessa and all the students who participated in the Writer’s Room,” said Tammy Clark, associate provost for academic innovation at UVU. “They put in tremendous effort, and each of them deserves recognition. The Writer’s Room is one of the ways we are offering exceptional professional experiences that will significantly impact our students and their futures.”
The Writer’s Room program was developed by Brent Baum and Jonathan Schwartz, chief executive officer and chief creative officer of FanX Studios, respectively. The program is based on the old studio system concept from the early days of Hollywood and provides students with valuable, hands-on experience in screenwriting, all with the guidance of industry professionals.
Wright and the four other students in the Writer’s Room cohort had the chance to be mentored by Ed Neumeier, a screenwriter best known for writing “Robocop” and “Starship Troopers.”
Neumeier will serve as producer on Wright’s project and any others generated from the 2024 cohort that eventually make it to the production stage.
“FanX Studios and UVU are an excellent match,” said Baum. “And this is only the beginning. We have plans to expand the variety, depth and scope of the ‘lingua franca’ of how film is taught in schools. We are bringing authenticity to the process so that the students have a real understanding of what happens in Hollywood — and that includes the good, the bad and the ugly. Apologies to Sergio Leone.”
Baum added that UVU will again offer the screenplay pitching class in the 2025 spring semester and encourages students to enroll early due to the high interest the class garners.
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