Screenwriter/Producer/Actor
About
Chris’ roots in drama grew out of his own experiences. At age fourteen, he left a lower-middle-class Black neighborhood in Ohio to attend a boarding school program in an affluent white community in Massachusetts. He draws his “fish-out-of-water” stories from those disparate worlds. He attended Tufts University, triple-majoring in child development, drama, and Spanish literature, and received his MFA in acting from Columbia University. There, he honed the craft of character and story development. After living in Spain and working with children with language disorders, touring the United States, performing Shakespeare’s canon, and landing numerous acting roles in half-hour comedies and dramas, he knew he wanted to pen diverse stories from his unique perspective. So he applied to the CBS/Paramount Writers Mentoring Program, was accepted and, after finishing the program in 2016, got his break staffing on the first season of the CBS series Bull. He continued to move up the ranks by joining ABC’s hit drama A Million Little Things; after two seasons there, he joined Fox’s Monarch. Most recently, Chris served as writer/producer for CW’s Dynasty and Amazon’s The Greatest.Noteworthy
- 14-year industry veteran
- Developed with JuVee Prods., Incognegro, Bassett Vance Prods., Dana Honor, Franklin Ent., Orion TV, 20th TV & CBS
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Habla español
THE ART OF THE PITCH | GROUP SESSION
Before a studio, network, streamer or financier buys your film or TV project, they need to see its potential – and that starts with your pitch. In this high-impact, 120-minute session, actor, writer and producer Chris Erric Maddox breaks down what it really takes to sell your story: a sharp, high-concept pitch that grabs attention and doesn’t let go. You’ll learn what every buyer looks for (and what instantly turns them off), how to structure your pitch for maximum impact, and how to present it with confidence, clarity, and just the right amount of sizzle. If you want to walk into your next pitch meeting like a pro, this class is your launchpad. Includes feedback.
- A logline for one of the projects you'd like to pitch.
PRO PITCH COACHING | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
With his expertise as an actor, writer, and producer, Chris will give you tips on delivering a pitch that sells in the room. Learn how to pitch confidently (and with the right amount of enthusiasm and visual aids) to leave a lasting impression.
GENERAL | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
Choose your topic(s) and Chris will give you the best course of action!
How do I move my career to the next level?
How do I decide between managers and agents?
How can I have a successful meeting with an industry professional?
How do I follow up with my professional contacts?
What logline, script, and feature highlight my life story and writing skills?
How do I transition from actor to writer?
How do I become a multihyphenate?
Should I move to Los Angeles or work remotely?
How can I create more dynamic and multilayered characters on the page?
What are the basics of story structure?
Do I even have a story to tell?
* Habla español fluido
SOLD OUT!
CRAFT A KILLER LOGLINE | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
A logline is the heartbeat of your project, encapsulating its core essence while also being captivating enough to grab the attention of executives, producers and reps. It must be both compelling and intriguing, sparking enough interest to secure a meeting and get your material read. Not surprisingly, coming up with a perfect logline is notoriously challenging. Some would argue this one sentence is harder to write than the entire script. Chris Erric Maddox to the rescue! Chris will read your one- to two-page synopsis and help you craft a killer logline that demands attention.
- Logline and 1-3 page synopsis
STORY DEVELOPMENT | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
Experience what it’s like to be in a writers’ room, as Chris helps develop your story idea at whatever stage it’s in. Whether you’re starting out with a logline to pitch, a pitch to outline, or you’re already in draft, Chris will work with you to take your concept to the next level.
- Experience a personalized, writers' room-style development session tailored to your specific story idea, no matter what stage it's in – logline, pitch, outline or draft.
- Gain actionable feedback & brainstorming support on your story structure, character development and plot progression.
- Work through creative blocks & identify solutions to story problems with a seasoned professional.
- Learn industry-standard techniques to make your project more compelling to producers & executives.
- Walk away with a concrete action-plan for your next steps.
EXPERT TV PILOT ANALYSIS
Receive headline and scene notes on your pilot of choice and discuss questions regarding what steps to take to begin the rewriting process.
- Gain an impartial, professional perspective from a seasoned TV writer, offering insights you might miss on your own.
- Learn industry expectations for TV pilots, helping you position your script for potential representation and production consideration.
- Obtain actionable, personalized guidance on next steps for the rewriting process, including how to refine character arcs, tighten plot lines and enhance dialogue.
- Understand the strengths & weaknesses of your script, including character development, dialogue, structure, pacing and overall story arc.
Five-Star Reviews
Video Tips
FAQ
You don't get a second chance to make a great first impression when it comes to buyers and reps. Next-Level Scribe mentors will share with you what they learned on their way to the top, which, in turn, can fast-track your success. In addition to setting goals for you and showing you how to achieve them, Next-Level Scribe mentors know the producers, agents, managers, studio and production executives you want to be in business with. If they determine your project is market ready, Next-Level Scribe mentors can introduce you to and/or set up meetings with buyers and reps, at no extra cost. One recent example: 1) After a writer booked a session with Next-Level Scribe mentor Pam Falk (The Wedding Planner), Falk set up meetings for her with managers and producers.
First, find the mentor you want to work with. Next, select one of their sessions that best describes what you’d like to work on (e.g., pitching, story development, rewriting, career counseling, etc.). Then find a date and time on their calendar that works with your schedule. Once booked, you will be sent a Zoom link to connect with your mentor on the chosen date. At the conclusion of your session, you will receive a written transcript.
Reviews are just one factor to consider when selecting a mentor. It's important to find a mentor who is a good fit for your individual needs and goals. Read each mentor's session descriptions, watch their videos if available and review their bios and notations before booking.
Yes. Even though mentors are busy with their own projects, email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to see if the mentor can accommodate you.
Next-Level Scribe sessions are catered to your specific project and/or situation. And because sessions are live (and not pre-recorded like a MasterClass or BBC Maestro) you are able to interact with your mentor one-on-one, ask questions and receive real-time feedback. You're also establishing a viable, Hollywood contact who has the ability to introduce you to others in the industry, when the time is right.
Come prepared to work; have a notepad and pens at the ready, silence your phone, and prepare a list of questions.
Recording/filming the mentor is strictly forbidden and against our Terms of Use. Note: Your session will be preserved (recorded) by your mentor via Zoom and kept on file in case of any needed follow-up clarifications. A transcript of your one-on-one session will be made available to you within approximately 48 hours.
Most mentors offer a 15-minute follow-up session as an option. If you just have a follow-up question regarding your session, you can email it to us and we will forward your email to your mentor for a response.
There is no extra charge if you want your writing partner to be on the Zoom call. Just be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can notify your mentor before your session.
We believe you should learn from the pros rather than screenwriting books and gurus. Not only can Next-Level Scribe mentors take you much further much faster, they also can give you tools beyond the basic principles you might find in a how-to book. You can learn how to outline a feature or pilot, write dynamic scenes, adapt a book and create a killer logline and/or compelling synopsis. If you already have a first draft, Next-Level Scribe mentors can read your script and show you what’s working and what’s not and how to fix it.
Oftentimes, Next-Level Scribe mentors will follow-up with their mentees via email with helpful tools they themselves use to write or even just words of encouragement. Several of our mentors also offer a secret menu (not available to the public) of exclusive sessions only current and previous mentees have access to. These secret sessions are more tailored and unique.
You can reschedule a session a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the session start time. For any cancellations within 48 hours of the session start time, the session will be automatically forfeited along with the session fee, as there are no refunds. All cancellations or requests to cancel or reschedule a session must be made in writing by emailing [email protected].
We accept all major credit cards in USD, and also offer book-now, pay-later sessions with Klarna.
Email us: [email protected]
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