I started in the entertainment industry as an actor.
I had an agent as a senior in high school. I studied acting in college at Yale, worked professionally and eventually went to drama school (the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard) to learn more. I understood the skills of the craft, but not how to live the life of a guy who works as an actor. I asked everyone I knew for guidance and direction. Eventually I turned to writing, hungry to create roles that I’d want to play. Theater scripts led to TV writing and I moved from my native New York to L.A. to pursue work. I was still asking those questions, slowly discovering solutions in the real world and capitalizing on what I learned from the Juilliard playwriting program. It’s tremendously gratifying to pass on what I’ve discovered and coach writers to do the inside work and the outside work – along with the planning – to thrive in Hollywood.
I’ve coached artists of all kinds since 2008. I’ve done extensive facilitation and personal growth work through The ManKind Project, an international non-profit. I became a Certified Coach by the Creativity Coaching Association in 2013. I love working with diverse writers one-on-one and in workshops, which I’ve run in New York, Los Angeles and in between. I’ve helped thousands of writers through live events, online seminars, e-blasts and my channels on YouTube, Facebook and X. I’ve been a guest artist / speaker at Hollywood Health and Society, The Dramatists Guild Institute, San Diego Comic Con, NY Film Academy, The Lambda Literary Festival, The Field, Bryn Mawr College, Loyola Marymount University, Interlochen School for the Arts, Chapman University, and I’ve taught at UCLA Extension School, Georgia Southern University and The Harvardwood Writers Program. TV writing includes Co-Executive Producer for Tracker and the CW / Max drama Stargirl. I’ve also written for God Friended Me (CBS), Tell Me Your Secrets (Amazon Prime), American Crime and Covert Affairs. You can find out more about me at HarperCreates.com. Bottom line, I bring all those skills to bear when you and I get to work together.
