Orem, UT — Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Jessa Wright, a junior from Sparks, Nevada, majoring in digital cinema production at Utah Valley University, received a Zoom call from actress and director Katie Cassidy informing her that her script was moving into development with FanX Studios, with Cassidy set to direct.
Wright received the opportunity to write the screenplay as part of a new program at UVU called the UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room: an experiential program where students receive advanced curriculum, real-world critique, and an opportunity to compete for one of five paid screenwriting positions with FanX Studios.
Wright’s untitled screenplay is a supernatural thriller set at the Vatican. Cassidy is no stranger to the supernatural world, as she is best known for her portrayal of Laurel Lance in the TV series “Arrow.” Cassidy told Wright, “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.”
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.
“I have loved writing since I was a kid,” said Wright. “I wrote my first story when I was seven or eight for the ‘Reading Rainbow’ writing competition, and I never stopped. It is something that is a fun part of me.”
“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 UVU-FanX Studios Writer’s Room was the brainchild of Brent Baum and Jonathan Schwartz, chief executive officer and chief creative officer of FanX Studios, respectively. The Writer’s Room is based on the old studio system concept from the early days of Hollywood. It provides film students with hands-on experience in screenwriting under the guidance of an industry professional and mentor.
Ed Neumeier, who wrote “Robocop” and “Starship Troopers,” mentored Wright and the other four in the Writer’s Room cohort. He will serve as producer on Wright’s project and any others generated from the 2024 cohort that goes into production.
“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 said UVU will offer the screenplay pitching class again in the 2025 spring semester. He encourages students to enroll early because of demand. The course will be taught by assistant professors Jerell Rosales (directing), Max Burnett (writing), Baum, and Schwartz.
For more information about the screenplay pitching class, visit https://catalog.uvu.edu/courses/dgm/
About FanX Studios
FanX Studios was founded by industry veterans Brent Baum and Jonathan Schwartz, who both have 30 years of industry-wide experience in Hollywood at DreamWorks, Maverick, Destination Films, and Relativity Media. They are partnered with the FanX system of conventions with multiple locations across the country.
About Utah Valley University
At Utah Valley University, we believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education — and it needs to be affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn everything from certificates to master’s degrees, our students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. We continue to invite people to come as they are — and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world.
For more information, visit UVU’s Newsroom website for fact sheets, maps, leadership bios, history, photos, b-roll, filming policies, and a list of interview-ready faculty experts at https://www.uvu.edu/newsroom/# or scan this QR code.
Contact
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801.863.6807