Sooo, it's introduce yourself time. Here I go...
I'm Shannan E. Johnson, a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO of the first black-owned Script Consultancy in the entertainment business. I'm a storytelling expert who develops screenwriters from idea to pitch. I honed my skills in all stages of the development process taking showrunners from pitch to production on ​Alphas, Being Human, Haven, Sanctuary, Warehouse 13, and more Syfy dramedies.
I left the industry for 8 years to travel the globe as a performing artist in dance companies and Broadway National Tours, then came back to Hollywood and started my career as a consultant.
I think of myself as a teacher + therapist, developing the whole human, not just their stories, and remaining objective in my feedback. I access my clients’ (I call them Pen Pals) vulnerabilities and make them put themselves on the page in order to create impactful stories.
I also serve as a development consultant for scripted programming departments at studios, networks and production companies training their executives in giving constructive notes and helping them develop their slates from pitch to production.
As a screenwriter, I take on writer-for-hire contracts in all genres. I'm a rewrite go-to when a story lacks structure. When I get to write my own stories, I write coming-of-age stories about how trauma presents itself when unhealed. This is the thing that makes us human and motivates our good and bad choices.
Happy to be here.
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Great to meet you, Shannan. Tell us more about what it was like to tour as a performing artist and dancer, that sounds amazing!
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Welcome to the community, Shannan E. Johnson. Congratulations on being the CEO of the first black-owned Script Consultancy in the entertainment business!!! :D
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It was exhilarating. 48 states, 19 countries, hundreds of thousands of people.
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Honored to meet you, Shannan E. Johnson . I love it that you focus on the whole person in your consultancy. We are, after all, a whole person! Welcome to S32. You'll love it here. Everyone is extremely supportive!
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Thank you!
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HI Shannan, nice to virtually meet you
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Pleasure to meet you, Jan.
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Hi Shannan, I saw some of your videos on Film Courage on YouTube. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
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Thank you, Kenneth. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
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I knew I recognized you from somewhere, Shannan E. Johnson. Film Courage!
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Hola, Maurice!
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Hi, Shannan E. Johnson. Are you working on any coming-of-age stories? Speaking of coming-of-age stories, my favorite one is "Akeelah and the Bee."