A multi-decade broadcast and print journalist turned PR pro, CJ branched out a few years ago into the long-form literary world with the publication of HURRICANE RON (a 2015 Crime Fiction Lover "Ten to Taste"), for which he was approached to adapt into a screenplay as a vehicle for a well-known actor. That endeavor hit the top 4% of Coverfly's discoverable projects and was on their Red List for several months running. HR is a Top 10, in the Table Read My Screenplay Genre Screenplay Competition Summer 2022, Quarterfinalist in The Script Lab - TSL Free Screenplay Contest 2022, Quarterfinalist in the WeScreenplay Feature Contest 2022, Quarterfinalist in the Emerging Screenwriters - Genre Screenplay Competition 2022, Quarterfinalist in the Fresh Voices 12th Annual (2021-22), Semifinalist in the StoryPros International Screenplay Contest 15th Annual - 2021, Quarterfinalist in the BlueCat Screenplay Competition (2022), and Semifinalist in the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards (2022)
CJ also collaborated with longtime friend and playwright Kevin Renshaw on "CECIL'S WOODS," a feature-length comedy about an orphan living amongst unique animals on a densely wooded highway median, which won the 2023 Stage 32 Feature Screenwriting Fellowship, and made it to the finals of the 2022 Catalina Film Festival, Animalis Fabula Screenwriting Contest, and the 14th Annual StoryPro Screenplay competition. It's also a Filmmatic & Scriptation (2021), Ojai Film Festival (2022) and Sidewalk Fest (2022) semifinalist, Vancouver Bridge Fest's March 2022 grand prize winner, and a Santa Barbara Screenplay Awards (2022_ and NY International Screenplay Awards quarterfinalist. CJ's prehistoric horror screenplay Öt-Z, won Bridge Fest's Best Short and Best Short Zombie Screenplay in 2023 and placed in numerous competitions. He is now shopping around an LGBTQ teen drama in the vein of "ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE" and "MOONLIGHT" meets "SUBURBIA" and "THE OUTSIDERS."
CJ's writing style and subject matter can be credited to growing up in a military family, fed a steady diet of 70's and 80's film and television tempered by the highs and lows of 80's & 90's cinema and, of course, several military deployments. He aims for character diversity that allows talent to bring to life relatable, three-dimensional characters. CJ is open to interesting opportunities to collaborate and make the world a better place by telling stories from new perspectives. Agents, publishers, & producers/directors are encouraged to inquire.
All work is copyright protected and registered with WGAW. Please - no spam.
