Kellie R. Griffin, Former “House of Payne” Head Writer may not have traveled the traditional route to a successful screenwriting career, but nonetheless, her tale serves as a valuable lesson on how to optimize your chances in Hollywood.
During a visit to Los Angeles in 2000, Griffin attended a show taping of “The Parkers.” Eager to get involved, she approached an employee who told her to submit a resume. Soon, she found herself wearing khaki s and a white T-shirt, ushering guests of the show to their seat for a mere $8.00 an hour, despite having a Masters Degree. Forever persistent, Griffin landed a job as the receptionist, and eventually worked her way up to Writer’s Assistant. Within two years, the show runners rewarded her hard work by asking her to write an episode. The show Griffin penned became one of the three-part series-finale and allowed her entry into the Writer’s Guild.
Once the Parkers stint ended, the relationships Griffin had built from the show lead her to a number of various jobs and opportunities. She eventually went through the office of Ralph Farquhar (“Moesha,” “The Proud Family”), who in turn, referred her to Reuben Cannon (“Woman Thou Art Loosed,” “Down In The Delta”).
Seeking writers for a new Tyler Perry show, Cannon asked Griffin to submit a spec script. She vigorously went to work, renting every single Tyler Perry movie and play she could get her hands on to learn Tyler Perry’s style. The homework paid off. Tyler Perry was amazed Griffin was able to capture his voice and hired her as the Head Writer for his new show, “House of Payne.”
One of her first tasks – hire a writing staff. Again, aiming to satisfy her new boss, Griffin selected an eclectic group of people including a comedian and a pastor’s wife, in order to fulfill all the elements Perry would want from his show. The one thing they had in common, other than being good writers, they were all people Kellie had networked with during her time in Hollywood.
A lesson can be learned from Griffin’s remarkable tale. By being pro-active in her career she found a wealth of opportunities she was able to capitalize on. While working as a writer’s assistant, she became a sponge, learning how to pitch an idea, how to format a script, and all the other nuances of screenwriting one would usually gain from a formal education. Also, when asked to submit a spec, Griffin took note of her audience and made specific choices to please Tyler Perry, not herself. Lastly, Griffin networked with not only those in a position to put her on, but assistants and other writers, whom she eventually called on for help.
On April 5th, Kellie R. Griffin stopped by to chat with Tanya Kersey and Tiffini Bowers on Inside Urban Hollywood. Listen to hear her discuss not only her inspiring story, but also what she learned from working with Tyler Perry, and advice to aspiring screenwriting looking to follow in her footsteps.
And tune in on Monday, April 19th at 6:00PM PST/9:00PM EST to hear Paul Battista discuss producing independent feature films for first-time filmmakers. Listeners are welcome to call-in and ask questions at (646) 200-3290.
Kellie R. Griffin on Inside Urban Hollywood: www.blogtalkradio.com/insideurbanhollywood/2010/04/06/inside-urban-hollywood-with-host-tanya-kersey
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