Bryce Zabel

Bryce Zabel

Writer|Producer - Winner, 2008 WGA Screenwriting Award, "Long Form Original"

Greater Los Angeles Area

Current
  • President at Stellar Productions
  • Writer | Producer at Animal Planet
  • Owner | Editor at Movie Smackdown!
  • Producer | Writer at Talking Ed Productions
  • Partner | Executive Producer at "Lights, Camera, Education!"

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Past

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Education
  • "Lights, Camera... Education!"
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Oregon
Recommended
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Connections
334 connections
Industry
Entertainment
Websites

Bryce Zabel’s Summary

A writer|producer|director who has had five separate TV series of his creation air on network and in national syndication... an activist TV Academy chairman whom Television Week called an "Agent of Change"... a feature writer whose first film opened as the number one movie at the box office... the youngest CNN correspondent, there at the start-up of the LA bureau.

-- RELATIONSHIPS -- Respected by peers who elected him as the first writer|producer to lead the TV Academy since Rod Serling, and by the Writers Guild of America who elected him to the Board of Directors, and by employers from the major networks and studios who have worked with him on a repeat basis.

-- QUALITY -- Work has been nominated by Writers Guild of America (including 2008 WGA Award win for outstanding "Long Form Original"), Los Angeles area Emmy Awards, Mystery Writers of America, Environmental Media Association, Golden Mikes, California AP Radio-TV Association, and others.

Bryce Zabel’s Specialties:

Plays well with others, able to teach and inspire under pressure, innovative, collaborative. Development and production experience in TV, features, animation and Internet. Supervision of both creative and technical staffs. Plan and lead meetings -- production to boardrooms. Liaison to broadcast networks, government. Negotiations: license fees, contracts, legal disputes. Speaker, media strategist, brand management.

Bryce Zabel’s Experience

  • President

    Stellar Productions

    (Privately Held; Staffing and Recruiting industry)

    2008 — Present (1 year )

    Current: "Chasing a Dream" aired on Hallmark Channel, April 25, 2009. "Animal Armageddon" aired on Animal Planet, February-March 2009. Since the 80s, projects have included network and syndicated series and pilots, movies-of-the-week, mini-series, and reality shows as well as feature films, both live-action and animation. Network clients: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Showtime, HBO, USA. Studio clients: Warner, Universal, Twentieth, New Line, Disney, SONY, DreamWorks, Hallmark Entertainment, Von Zerneck-Sertner, Wilshire Court, Cosgrove-Meurer. The company name actually is its philosophy: commercial work should also be of the highest quality -- "stellar." Personal loan-out corporation primarily contracting the writing, producing and/or directing services of Bryce and/or Jackie Zabel. Because the entertainment industry is often a project-by-project one, several key experiences have been broken out in what follows, but not all.

  • Writer | Producer

    Animal Planet

    (Entertainment industry)

    May 2008 — Present (1 year 7 months)

    Lead writer and consulting producer on eight part miniseries, "Animal Armageddon," about past mass extinctions that have threatened all life on Earth. Airing February-March 2009. Wrote two-parter about dinosaurs. Studio is Digital Ranch, Sherman Oaks. http://animal.discovery.com/tv/animal-armageddon/

  • Owner | Editor

    Movie Smackdown!

    (Entertainment industry)

    May 2005 — Present (4 years 7 months)

    Two Films... One Review... No Holds Barred! Launched as a "proof of concept" by Bryce in 2005, this film review concept currently has over a dozen contributing critics reviewing films on its flagship website at www.moviesmackdown.com. Expansion plans include licensing for promotion of theatrical ticket sales and DVD rental/download as well as development for adaptation into cell phone content and television series.

  • Producer | Writer

    Talking Ed Productions

    (Entertainment industry)

    January 2005 — Present (4 years 11 months)

    "Let's Do It" is the behind-the-scenes comedy inspired by the true story of the first full-length student film, produced in 1929 when Cecil B. DeMille gave two college students a camera. The film will be shot in Oregon, including the University of Oregon campus on original locations. It is intended to be ready for release in 2009, the 80th anniversary of original film. Screenplay by Bryce Zabel & Jackie Zabel. The film's website is http://www.letsdoitmovie.com

  • Partner | Executive Producer

    "Lights, Camera, Education!"

    (Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    March 2004 — Present (5 years 9 months)

    Our company specializes in higher education capital campaign kickoff events. We began in 2005 with "Lights, Camera, Oregon!" -- the kick-off event for a $600-million capital campaign for the University of Oregon. A "live" comedy/music/dance show performed before 11-hundred dinner guests, it was themed to provide content and inspiration within the look and feel of an elegant Hollywood style awards show. The event was hosted by Fred Willard and had appearances by Tim Matheson, Sam Elliott and Ann Curry, among others. It was here we first created the "parallel universe" concept. (Ask us!)

  • Chairman | CEO

    Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

    (Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Broadcast Media industry)

    September 2001 — February 2008 (6 years 6 months)

    From 2001-2003, served as the top elected officer of this 12,000 member organization of television professionals from 27 different peer groups. Responsible for strategic leadership, vision, planning, monthly Board of Governors meeting of 70, and Executive Committee meeting of 15. In 2001, responsible for managing two post 9/11 cancelations of the Emmy Awards. Consulted White House on international media issues. In 2002, chaired negotiations committee leading to largest license fee increase (250%) in Academy history with the four major broadcast networks. Oversaw historic deal to build an Emmy theater as part of downtown LA revitalization project. Served as the organization's chief spokesman, particularly during the controversial 9/11 cancelations, speaking to worldwide media. Moderated numerous panels of leading executives and celebrities. Worked toward industry-wide policy on issue of on-screen credits. Reviewed COO's contract, and served on search committee for replacement.

  • Creator and/or Developer of Television Series

    NBC, CBS, FBC, CTV, SYN

    (Entertainment industry)

    1986 — February 2008 (22 years )

    As a writer/producer, five separate television pilots have been filmed and aired on networks or in syndication. "Dark Skies" (NBC); "M.A.N.T.I.S." (FBC); "Kay O'Brien" (CBS); "The Crow: Stairway to Heaven" (SYN); "E.N.G." (CTV). In each instance received the WGA on-screen "created by" or "developed for television by" credit.

  • Correspondent

    CNN

    (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Broadcast Media industry)

    April 1980 — January 2008 (27 years 10 months)

    In the early 80s, served as the original hard-news correspondent, reporting all breaking news covered out of the Los Angeles bureau of CNN (Cable News Network), from presidential campaigns to space shuttle landings. On-air as both field reporter and in-studio satellite anchor. At the time, believed to be youngest full-time network correspondent working in television. Prior news experience at NBC affiliates in Oregon, Arizona as anchor, reporter, talk show host.

  • WGA Award Winning Screenwriter

    Hallmark

    (Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    September 2004 — June 2007 (2 years 10 months)

    Responsible for original scripts and production drafts for three four-hour produced mini-series; "The Poseidon Adventure" (NBC, 2005); "Blackbeard" (Hallmark Channel, 2006); "Pandemic" (Hallmark Channel, 2007). "Pandemic" WON the '08 WGA award for "Long Form Original."

  • Adjunct Professor

    University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts

    (Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)

    August 2006 — January 2007 (6 months)

    This graduate level class, CNTV 589, "Produce or Perish!" focused on producing film and television projects in the entertainment industry. Students came from business, entertainment, law. In association with the Marshall School of Business.

  • Consultant

    MediaXchange

    (Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)

    August 2006 — October 2006 (3 months)

    Lead a team of German writers in the week-long Action Concept "Showrunner/Writers Room" held in Cologne. Lectured on American television methods in a seminar environment for writers, producers, television networks and production companies.

  • Director, Board of Directors

    Writers Guild of America

    (Non-Profit; 201-500 employees; Writing and Editing industry)

    September 2000 — September 2002 (2 years 1 month)

    Elected to represent membership of over 9,000 writers in areas of primarily film and television. Partcipated in the important contract negotiations of 2000/2001. Chosen as the chief spokesman on the day of the contract's expiration to explain the Guild's concerns and issues to worldwide media.

  • Screenwriter, "Atlantis: The Lost Empire"

    Disney

    (Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    October 1994 — June 2001 (6 years 9 months)

    On screen credit is "Story By." Co-wrote with Jackie Zabel the original story to the animated feature, starring the voice of Michael J. Fox. The film has become an international box-office success, noted for its revolutionary story-telling in the animation genre.

  • President, Linear Content and Television Production

    Stan Lee Media

    (Public Company; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)

    November 1999 — April 2000 (6 months)

    Served as primary creative liason between Stan Lee and the company employees, responsible for hiring and supervising a writing staff to create "webisodes" for the SLM internet site, coordinating these scripts with animators, producers and computer graphics staff. NOT involved or aware of the finances of the company which the public record now shows were disastrous to the extreme.

  • Executive Producer, "The Crow: Stairway to Heaven"

    Polygram

    (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    January 1998 — June 1999 (1 year 6 months)

    Sydicated weekly drama series, 22 hours produced. Adapted the successful comic book and film franchise, receiving the WGA "Developed By" credit. Ran a creative and production team of over 100 people in Los Angeles and Vancouver, B.C. Episodic budget of nearly $1.1 million per episode. Wrote 6 episodes, supervised writing of all others. Involved in promotion, design, editing, scoring, casting and all pre- and post- production issues. Consulted in the creation of the official series internet site. DVD boxed set will be released in July 2007.

  • Screenwriter, "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation"

    New Line Cinema

    (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)

    February 1996 — November 1997 (1 year 10 months)

    Co-wrote with Brent Friedman the screenplay for the sequel to the "Mortal Kombat" franchise. On the week the film was released, it was the #1 film at the box office in the United States, making $17-million.

  • Executive Producer / Creator, "Dark Skies"

    Columbia Pictures Television

    (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    April 1995 — May 1997 (2 years 2 months)

    NBC-TV weekly drama series, 20 hours produced in Los Angeles. Received the WGA "Create By" credit for the series which was ordered and promoted as the anchor of the network's launch of its Saturday "Thrillogy" evening. Ran a creative and production team of over 100 people. Episodic budget of nearly $1.6 million per episode. Wrote eight episodes, supervised writing of all others. Involved in promotion, publicity, casting, design, editing, scoring and all pre- and post- production issues. Consulted on "The Dark Site" -- an internet and interactive game destination. Pilot script nominated by the WGA as "Outstanding Long-Form Television Movie." DVD boxed set will be released in October 2007.

  • Co-Executive Producer, "M.A.N.T.I.S."

    Universal Television

    (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    April 1994 — May 1995 (1 year 2 months)

    FOX drama series, 22 hours produced Vancouver, B.C. Supervised writing staff in Los Angeles, and production staff in Canada. Received the WGA "Developed By" credit for the show which was recognized as the first depiction of an African-American superhero in primetime.

  • Supervising Producer, "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"

    Warner Brothers Television

    (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    June 1993 — April 1994 (11 months)

    Wrote and produced on the initial season, helping to define the new Superman mythology. Wrote episodes teaming Clark and Lois as a journalistic team, the first visit to Smallville and the introduction of Kryptonite.

  • Executive Consultant / Creator, "E.N.G. -- Electronic News Gathering"

    Alliance Entertainment

    (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Entertainment industry)

    January 1989 — March 1994 (5 years 3 months)

    Wrote the pilot, receiving the WGA "Created By" credit on the series which ran for five seasons on CTV. The one hour drama series received repeated Gemini nominations and win (the Canadian equivalent of the Emmy) and was based on his experience as a TV reporter in Oregon and Arizona.

  • Producer / Creator, "Kay O'Brien"

    Orion Television

    (Public Company; 201-500 employees; Entertainment industry)

    February 1985 — May 1986 (1 year 4 months)

    Produced 13 one-hour epsiodes in Toronto, Canada. Received WGA "Created By" credit. Wrote four episodes, supervised writing on all others. Mentored by executive producer Bill Asher in all aspect of pre- and post- production.

  • Director, "Eye On L.A."

    ABC-TV

    (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Broadcast Media industry)

    March 1982 — April 1986 (4 years 2 months)

    Produced, wrote and directed magazine segments for cutting edge local television reality series. Involved international travel assignments, celebrity profiles and lifestyle pieces. Extremely high level production values in music, editing and production.

Bryce Zabel’s Education

  • "Lights, Camera... Education!"

    Partner | Executive Producer 2004 — 2012 (expected)

    Our company specializes in higher education capital campaign kickoff events. We began in 2005 with "Lights, Camera, Oregon!" -- the kick-off event for a $600-million capital campaign for the University of Oregon. It was a "live" comedy/music/dance show performed before 11-hundred dinner guests, themed to provide content and inspiration within the look and feel of an elegant Hollywood style awards show. The event was hosted by Fred Willard and had appearances by Tim Matheson, Sam Elliott and Ann Curry, among others. It was here that we first refined the "parallel universe" concept. (Ask us!)

  • University of Southern California

    Adjunct Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, Marshall School of Business 2006 — 2007

    Taught graduate level class, CNTV 589, "Produce or Perish!" focused on producing film and television projects in the entertainment industry. Students came from business, entertainment, law. In association with both the School of Cinematic Arts and the Marshall School of Business.

  • University of Oregon

    BA , Broadcast Journalism , September 1972 — March 1976

    -- Reporter, Oregon Daily Emerald.
    -- Intern, Congressman Jim Weaver.
    -- Morning Anchor, KZEL-FM.

    Activities and Societies:
    Student newspaper, University Senate, Journalism Scholarship.

Additional Information

Bryce Zabel’s Websites:

Bryce Zabel’s Interests:

Supporting Barack Obama, playing in the MacWorld, technology gone wild, swimming in the digital sea, championship dining, political punditry, comic books, film criticism, afterlife phenomena, escalating UFO reality, growing strong kids, daily walks, Hollywood, television trends, media scandals, headline trials, JFK's secret life, public speaking, mountain biking, collecting Time and Newsweek, American history, seeking the Ultimate Answer...

Bryce Zabel’s Groups:

Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, University of Oregon Alumni, Newport Beach Film Festival, DGA, WGA, AFTRA, ATAS, Obama for President, LINKED IN, Creative Artists Agency, KCBS, Dreamscape Studios

  •    Obama for America
  •    CNN News
  •    Filmmakers
  •    Film TV Professionals

Bryce Zabel’s Honors:

-- Writers Guild of America (WGA): Winner, 2008 "Long Form Original" - Nominee, 1998, "Long Form Original" - Nominee, 1993, "Television Episode"
-- Los Angeles area Emmy nomination, "Host/Moderator"
-- Mystery Writers of America nomination, "Best TV Episode"
-- Environmental Media Awards nomination, "Oustanding TV Movie"

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