Location:

Philly

Occupation:

Writer/Screenwriter/Researcher/Collaborator

Production Skills:

• filmmaker/videomaker
• screenwriter
• writer

Biography:

Maralyn Lois Polak specializes in creative collaborations. With Architect Benjamin Nia, she made the widely shown controversial 25-minute documentary short, MY HOMETOWN, about the struggle to save a save a historic neighborhood from demolition to build a skyscraper condo for the rich. With fellow screenwriter Gary Sorkin she co-wrote the quirky comedy/drama TV series, SQUIRRELS EDGE, completed scripts for 20 episodes plus feature currrently seeking a production company. A communications graduate of Temple University, MLP has studied screenwriting and filmmaking through university classes, professional workshops, and industry master classes including UCLA, USC, UCR, Scribe Video, Robert McKee, Dov Simens, Judy Burns, Guy Magar, Doug Wright, Michael Hauge, Michelle Parkerson, Doug Wilkins, Mark LaPadula, Walter Bernstein, Andy Wolk, Nadia Hironaka,, and others. The award-winning journalist, screenwriter, filmmaker, essayist, novelist, editor, spoken-word artist, performance poet, workshop leader, lecturer, Reiki channel, occasional radio personality, former supermarket checker, and forever Jersey girl, brings her eclectic background combining alternative healing, professional writing, psychological sensitivity, mindful meditation, and Buddhist compassion to whatever she does. She's available to help make your movie, research your projects, rewrite or edit your scripts, cast your film, de-stress your workspace, be your personal assistant, or join your crew. In a former life, she wrote a left-wing weekly political satire commentary column for a right-wing internet newspaper. As a nationally syndicated magazine columnist, she interviewed and profiled 1,200 celebrities for the Knight-Ridder news chain, In her spare time she lampoons the human condition in her prize-winning cartoon series, GORILLAWORLD. Her graphic novella, ANOUSHKA ON HER DEATHBED: 101 CARTOONS FROM THE ABYSS, is available for development as a film or stageplay.