Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
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John Morrison

Philadelphia,PA

Summary

Experienced Screenwriter with extensive knowledge of music, culture and what makes characters tick. Adept at collaborating with on-screen talent, writers, directors and producers.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Screenwriter

Rap Dad (Pilot)
Philadelphia, PA
01.2022 - Current
  • Designed compelling scripts and interactions for initial TV episode
  • Collaborated with producers and directors to ensure the script was consistent with the overall vision of the project.
  • Revised scripts based on feedback from the director and animators.
  • Edited existing scripts to improve clarity and structure of material.
  • Drafted outlines for scripts that adhered to production guidelines.

Writer

World Cafe (NPR)
Philadelphia, PA
01.2021 - Current
  • Writing scripts for NPR's syndicated music show, World Cafe.
  • Generated ideas for new stories or topics to write about.
  • Monitored current events for potential story ideas or topics relevant to company objectives.

Music Journalist

Self Employed Writer
Philadelphia, PA
03.1999 - Current

For 25 years, Morrison has worked as a music journalist, covering hip-hop, rock, jazz, and beyond. His writing has appeared in NPR Music, Complex, SPIN Magazine, RedBull Music Academy, Grammy.com, and more. Morrison also wrote a book on Boyz II Men for Epik Ink/Quarto books.

Script Writer

Black Opry Residency (Podcast)
Philadelphia, PA
01.2023 - 03.2023
  • Wrote and co-hosted a podcast series on African-American Country music artists.
  • Collaborated with directors, producers, and other writers to ensure accuracy in scripts.
  • Attended meetings with production staff to discuss storylines and plot points.

Script Writer

Vinyl Me, Please
Denver, CO
10.2021 - 12.2021
  • Developed scripts for a 4-episode podcast on the history of Philadelphia Soul music.
  • Collaborated with directors, producers, and other writers to ensure accuracy in scripts.
  • Assisted in editing and proofreading scripts prior to production.

Screenwriter

Black Star Live!
Philadelphia, PA
12.2020 - 07.2021
  • Screenwriting for a Daily Morning show for the Black Star Film Festival.
  • Drafted outlines for scripts that adhered to production guidelines.
  • Proofread drafts of scripts before submission for review.
  • Reviewed daily shooting schedules to ensure theaccuracy of script content within allotted time frames.

Screenwriter

Another Word for Paradise (film)
Mumbai
03.2020 - 04.2021
  • Researched and wrote scripts for a documentary film on India's burgeoning hip-hop scene.
  • Collaborated with producers, directors, and editors to ensure the accuracy of the content.
  • Developed storyboards outlining the narrative structure of a documentary.
  • Gathered and organized historical documents, photographs, video clips, and audio recordings. relevant to the project.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Music

Community College of Philadephia
Philadelphia, PA

Skills

  • Script writing
  • Journalism
  • Strong research skills
  • Researching
  • Editing
  • Storyboarding
  • Pitching
  • Interviewing
  • Shooting script writing
  • Character Development
  • Idea Brainstorming
  • Print media

Accomplishments

  • 2024 Drexel University Writing Fellow.
  • Wrote an in-depth book on the popular music group Boyz II Men.
  • Wrote and co-produced Block By Block, a community news radio show that won a national Hometown Media award.
  • Philadelphia Independent Media Fund Grant Winner for filmmakers/writers
  • 2021 Hip-Hop Film Festival Best documentary nominee.

Affiliations

  • Lifelong pro-wrestling fan. From the old NWA and WWWF shows at the Civic Center in Philly to ECW in the 90s to today.
  • Began working as a freelance music journalist in high school, like a Black Cameron Crowe

Timeline

Script Writer

Black Opry Residency (Podcast)
01.2023 - 03.2023

Screenwriter

Rap Dad (Pilot)
01.2022 - Current

Script Writer

Vinyl Me, Please
10.2021 - 12.2021

Writer

World Cafe (NPR)
01.2021 - Current

Screenwriter

Black Star Live!
12.2020 - 07.2021

Screenwriter

Another Word for Paradise (film)
03.2020 - 04.2021

Music Journalist

Self Employed Writer
03.1999 - Current

Some College (No Degree) - Music

Community College of Philadephia
John Morrison