
Writer, Screenwriter, Comedian
Greater Seattle Area

Writer, Screenwriter, Comedian
Greater Seattle Area
Freelance writer for over ten years. Extensive experience writing stories and scripts for video games. Would like to continue creating great games while expanding into different types of media.
Recent projects include:
"That's So Raven" (Nintendo DS)
"Cake Mania 2" (Sandlot Online)
"Power Rangers: Super Legends" (Nintendo DS)
"Mystery Quest" (Real Networks Online)
"Backyard Football" (all major consoles)
I've also spent the past five years performing stand-up comedy, working with artists like Robin Williams, Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille) Tig Notaro (The Sarah Silverman Show), Brent Weinbach, Emo Philips and many more. You can view some video clips of my act at www.myspace.com/paulmerrill.
Creating unique characters and writing quirky, funny scripts for games/TV/Film.
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)
2006 — Present (2 years)
I am a board member of the People's Republic of Komedy, a Seattle-based non-profit group dedicated to creating intelligent, creative comedy shows featuring stand-up, sketch and improv. We currently produce seven live shows a week in Seattle, and are producing the Regional Comedy stage at Bumbershoot.
In addition to writing and performing, I have helped produce many of the shows and have handled much of the publicity for the group, including writing and distributing press releases and creating the official website, www.prokomedy.org.
(Self-Employed; 1-10 employees; Online Media industry)
2004 — Present (4 years)
I edit and contribute to Supersonicsoul.com, the #1 Seattle Supersonics blog on the internet. I created the website in 2004 (along with Rafael Calonzo and Peter Nussbaum) and it is now the top ranked Sonics blog on almost every search engine (Google, Yahoo!, MSN, etc). Supersonicsoul has also been mentioned in the New York TImes, ESPN.com and SLAM. Besides managing the content, I also handle the advertising and HTML work.
(Entertainment industry)
January 2000 — Present (8 years 9 months)
During the day, I'm a freelance writer, specializing in creating unique characters and writing quirky, funny scripts for games/TV/Film.
By night, I prowl Seattle nightclubs, performing stand-up comedy.
Somewhere in between, I take care of my two kids and, on rare occasion, sleep.
(Public Company; Writing and Editing industry)
1997 — Present (11 years)
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)
April 2006 — June 2006 (3 months)
· - Wrote dialog and in-game text for a Nintendo DS game based on the hit Disney Channel show Thats So Raven
· - Worked closely with producers and game designers to improve game logic and design
- Did extensive research to capture shows unique style
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)
March 2006 — April 2006 (2 months)
· - Wrote two short interactive childrens books (15-20 pages each) for the Telestory system based on the classic kids program "Thomas the Tank Engine".
·
- Worked closely with licensors to ensure the proper tone of characters.
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)
January 2006 — February 2006 (2 months)
- Wrote two short interactive childrens books (15-20 pages each) for the Telestory system based on the Disney Channel show Power Rangers Mystic Force.
·
- Did extensive research on shows characters and plotlines.
(Public Company; Writing and Editing industry)
1999 — 2006 (7 years)
(Public Company; Writing and Editing industry)
2004 — 2005 (1 year)
(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Computer Games industry)
July 2005 — October 2005 (4 months)
· - Wrote several books for Nintendo, including Pups: The Official Nintendogs Companion , Battalion Wars: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide , and Animal Crossing Wild World: The Official Nintendo Player's Guide
·
- Wrote nearly 200 pages of copy for each book, which featured game tips, character bios, and extensive background information
·
- Assisted in copyediting and proofreading final copy before going to press
·
- Researched and playtested pre-release versions of the games
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)
March 1998 — February 2005 (7 years)
·- Wrote game text, scripts, and other copy for entire line of bestselling "Backyard Sports" games (over a dozen titles)
·
- Helped brainstorm ideas to improve gameplay and fun
- Did extensive research on several superstar athletes, including Ken Griffey, Jr., Kevin Garnett, and world-champion skater Andy MacDonald
- Developed characters and storylines for future film, television, and game projects
·
- Wrote script for animated TV pilot based on "Backyard Sports" characters
Writing for Television, Writing for Film 1995 — 1996
Over the course of two summers, I completed the "Writing for Film" and "Writing for Television" programs at Seattle Central.
AA, Journalism, English, 1990 — 1993
Was Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper.
games,comics,nintendo,comedy,tv,film,writing,multi-media