Stacey Evans Morgan is a fifteen-year, seasoned veteran of television writing and producing. With her brother, Bentley Kyle Evans, she's carved a niche out as a go-to writer and producer. She's also independently developing new shows at hers and her brother's production company. She also puts on (with her brother) a series of two day seminars to impart some of that hard-earned wisdom for people interested in breaking into television.
And she still looks and enthusiastically acts like she's in college.
On Saturday, June 15th, Stacey came to the SCWA (www.ocwriters.com) meeting to talk to a group of hungry-to-learn writers of all stripes. To say she was a smashing success would be an understatement. She entralled us.
Stacey actually began writing out of college. Like a lot of us who found ourselves wanting to be writers, rather than choosing a path seemingly set for her, Stacey chose her own. She interned for a few shows and then started writing spec. Her credits are extensive and include stints with "The Parkers" "House of Payne" and "Meet The Browns." She's also contributed quite a bit of writing work to her current show "Love That Girl" on which she is a co-exec producer and which has been nominated for several NAACP Image Awards. A new show "Family Time" is in the works.
Stacey is knowledgeable and cautionary without being cynical. Too many people in this business who've achieved her level of success have a hard scab over their egos - not Stacey. She's open, honest to a fault, and still exudes the joy of what attracted her to this business in the first place. She was a ball of energy that transitioned from one subject to another seamlessly, always in control of mer message.
Her talk was filled with funny anecdotes that carried interesting and solid lessons in how to make it in the fast-paced world of TV production. She mentioned recently finishing a stint of filming 13 eps in 14 days - unheard of! And her well-conceived Powerpoint presentation echoed her verbal points about the breakneck pace of TV production and what is necessary to make it in the biz
I could almost picture Stacey with a young writer in a church on the southside of Chicago. They're sitting forward in a pew. Stacey, holding the key to her production offices, asks the young writer in a Scottish brogue: "And what are you willing to do?" I doubt she'd mention putting one of theirs in the morgue if they put one of yours in the hospital but I wouldn't put anything past this joyful but tough-as-nails woman.
Stacey mentioned her two-day seminar called "The Writers Room" where she plops down said Powerpoint presentation and probably, as she did with us, promptly forgets it's there. She doesn't need it, really. What's in her head that's become infused with her DNA is a wealth of knowledge on what's necessary to succeed in Hollywood TV production and she can spitball for instantly off of one small point.
She spoke of how to get into a position to make good on your desire to become a writer on a show, specifically sitcoms which is her forte. Most of it is what you'd expect: work hard, write a lot, show up on time, intern to get to know people - but there were a few points that really made us think of the level of commitment necessary..
Stacey fairly bubbles with passion for her work. She never mentioned it specifically but that's what I think makes her so successful. She had just come off a grueling shooting schedule, was on the set in Northridge until midnight the previous night, and she fairly vibrated the walls with her excitement about talking to this group of writers. I can well imagine that she went back home, worked 12 hours and went to bed with a smile on her lips anticipating the next day. She made us understand (intuitively if not specifically) that if you don't love this business you will never make it. It's too hard. Too much is demanded to maintain your place in it for you to be lukewarm about it.
And you can never take anything for granted.
Her main show, "Love That Girl" starring Tatyana Ali ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air") had been on an eighteen month hiatus. Even though it was award-winning and highly successful commercially, the future was uncertain. During the hiatus, they lost their star to another show (that was then canceled) but Stacey and her bro never lost the belief that it would be renewed - and it was. That's part of what they just finished shooting - another 33 eps all in which brings the total to just under the 100 needed for syndication. Now that's amazing considering they started in an empty warehouse they had to build out themselves into a sound stage.
But Stacey and Bentley also didn't wait for the show to come back - they were proactive in their production lives, shooting for different goals while they waited for TV One (the show's production company) to make a decision. TVOne (TV1) is available on various cable and satellite outlets. On DirecTV I know it's channel 328 - you'll have to find it on your own particular entertainment provider.
Lorenzo Porricelli and SCWA (www.ocwriters.com) are to be commended for their great "get" of this dynamo. I honestly feel that if the room didn't have to be emptied by 1:30, Stacey would have stayed and talked for another three hours and I doubt anyone there would have left.
I've been in this business for 20+ years and I found Stacey fascinating and supremely wise in the byways of TV. In fact, I liked her and what she had to say so much I'm going to her next seminar.
"Love That Girl" is available to watch on TV1 - and streaming somewhere I'm sure although I couldn't find it on Netflix, Amazon or Hulu - yet! I'm sure Stacey and her brother are working on that as I type so look for it soon.
If you get a chance to hear this dynamic speaker, take it. There's a link below to a YouTube video for her Writers Room. You can also find information on their FaceBook page: HERE.
Writers Room video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0EaXdp1NTU
