I was a producer at Sesame Street. And then The Electric Company. And then I spent a year in the UK researching an American version of Upstairs Downstairs. It got funded but they dumped me for a more experienced producer. (In those days age meant wisdom. Now it means dinosaur.)
I spent a lot of time working with writers during those years, but was afraid to pen anything myself because I didn’t want to find out that I couldn’t do it. Finally, a friend insisted and since it coincided with the birth of my daughter, I tried. It was produced on PBS Visions series.
Set in the NYC blackout, it was, of course, filmed in LA. That producer introduced me to an agent. Sent her my Vision’s script and I soon had representation and more work. Seems too easy, but I did spend many years working with writers first.
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Naomi
Foner’s screenwriting credits include RUNNING
ON EMPTY, A DANGEROUS
WOMAN and LOSING ISIAH.
She was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best
Original Screenplay for RUNNING ON EMPTY.