Stephanie Leschek

I am interested in working in the television or film development and/or production. I recently received my Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing and Producing for Television (TV Writers Studio) from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus. During graduate school, I had the honor and privilege of working with an extraordinary mentor, Norman Steinberg (Blazing Saddles, My Favorite Year, Cosby), creator and director of the TV Writers Studio program. I also had the opportunity to work closely with a number of other talented and accomplished people, including Bernie Orenstein (Sanford and Son, That Girl, What’s Happening) and Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Librarians).

I have experience in film, television and web series development and production (including pre- and post-production), and have written, produced, directed, edited, and acted in many original productions. I have a number of additional strengths that make me well qualified for a development/production position in the film/television industry. I am energetic, motivated, hardworking, organized, dependable, creative, and a team player. I have excellent communication skills, I work well in the fast-paced environment of television and film, and I meet all tasks with enthusiasm and vigor.

During the summer of 2015, I interned at Hiker Productions, a New York/Los Angeles production company that creates and develops original film and advertising content. My work at Hiker involved all aspects of production, as well as oversight of the company’s social media presence. I actively participated in scouting and auditioning, including reading lines and improvising with actors. In 2013, I interned at Maven Pictures, a film pre-production company in New York. During this internship, I provided script coverage and book reviews, evaluated foreign films for potential English language adaptation, researched potential actors and directors for movies in pre-production, and explored possible event sponsors for movies in production. Last fall I interned with the NBCUniversal Casting Department. I researched new talent for pilot show casting, managed the schedule for actor auditions and appointments, and attended shows to scout potential new talent. In January 2016, I was second assistant director/casting director for Rainbow City, a sizzle reel written by my graduate school cohort and directed by Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Librarians). As casting director, I sought out potential actors, arranged and conducted auditions, negotiated with agents and actors, and managed the cast throughout the shoot. I recently completed a talent internship with the Roger Paul Entertainment Agency. In this capacity, I booked talent using Breakdown Services.

Since moving to New York in September 2014, I have taken many courses at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). I successfully completed all classes in the UCB improvisation core and sketch programs, and am now taking advanced improvisation (Harold) and sketch classes. I am currently writing with St. Olaf, a BoogieManja sketch comedy team at the Peoples Improvisation Theater.

My references, Norman Steinberg (Norman.Steinberg@LIU.edu; 323-828-2956), Bernie Orenstein (roark31@; 203-222-7872) and Jonathan Frakes (windyoaks1@; 310-869-3867), are looking forward to speaking to potential employers on my behalf.