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Matthew Chen is an experienced Development Executive/Producer who most recently served as Senior Director of Development for Film & Television at Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, where he worked on numerous television and film projects, ranging from pitch to release and every stage of development/production/post in between. Recent projects he worked on as executive and producer for Hello Sunshine include the Octavia Spencer-starring series TRUTH BE TOLD for Apple and Fifth Season/Chernin Entertainment, as well as the upcoming second season of the Gugu Mbatha-Raw starring series SURFACE for Apple. Before Hello Sunshine, he worked for production companies Ethea Entertainment and Offspring Entertainment on a wide variety of film and television projects, including the film HE’S ALL THAT starring Addison Rae & Tanner Buchanan for Netflix and studio Miramax, the AFTER film series starring Josephine Langford & Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and the television series STEP UP: HIGH WATER for YouTube/Starz and Lionsgate. Full Bio »
The Pitch Tank
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Pitch your scirpts to FilmRise's Rachel Swearingen. In this Pitch Tank, Rachel offers her critique of pitches that include a murder mystery drama, fantasy television project, a romantic comedy, and home invasion thriller.
The Pitch Tank Webcast returns! This week, our guest is Literary Manager & Kersey Management founder Andrew Kersey! Andrew started his career as a production company intern at 3Arts Entertainment and later at a Universal Production company. His credits include clients who have sold pilots to or been staffed on series for ABC, FOX, NBC, Disney Channel, CW, Nickelodeon, and WGN. AMAZON STUDIOS bought its client’s action comedy spec NEVER TOO OLD TO DIE with Sylvester Stallone, and THUNDER ROAD PICTURES (JOHN WICK franchise) is producing another client’s project, SUSPENSION. Another of Andrew's clients wrote VACATION FRIENDS starring John Cena and Lil Rel, which was Hulu's biggest 3-day weekend opener for an original in the streamer's history. His client list has been represented by all the major talent agencies. In Andrew's own words: " I'm looking for storytellers who can concisely pitch their idea (any genre, format) from start to finish. It all begins with a logline and ideal comps. Also, a personal touch in a sentence or two, regarding why the writer chose the idea." Join us for great educational fun right here on Stage 32!
We're back in the Writers' Room for The Pitch Tank. Writers will have a precisely timed 5-minute window to present their pitches, while our seasoned experts meticulously dissect each presentation, providing constructive feedback. Step into a welcoming and supportive space where everyone is invited to participate and grow together. Elevate your pitching skills in an atmosphere dedicated to fostering growth and creativity!
Art/Work Entertainment Manager, Spencer Robinson joins our panel as we listen and read your pitches live to help educate the Writers' Room screenwriters on what is and isn't working in their pitch.
This week the Writers' Room welcomes in Development Executive Anna Henry into the Pitch Tank! Anna began her 20-year career as a development executive at Nickelodeon, working on the development and production of animated television series, pilots and features. Anna has been a script consultant and screenwriting instructor, as well as building her own slate as an independent producer. Her clients have worked on hit television series on all major networks, such as "THE DEUCE", "POWER", "IN CONTEMPT", "TOMMY", "HUNG", "CHICAGO FIRE", "FEAR THE WALKING DEAD", "THIS IS US", and "THE FLASH". Her clients have worked on shows at virtually every broadcast, cable and streaming television network, and have set up projects at Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. Anna enjoys having a close collaboration with writers in refining scripts, expanding their range of material, and finding the best home for each project, which is why she was an incredible guest!
With the help of producer Jason Piette, we'll be taking a look at a few different Writers' Room pitches and giving live feedback to help improve each pitch while simultaneously guiding each of you in your craft.