Hi, I’m Jay Cipriani—a screenwriter, story consultant, and educator with a career spanning studio features, television, and digital media. I earned a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from West Virginia University, studied film at NYU Tisch, and earned an MFA in Film Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. I love collaborating with creators to solve narrative problems, calibrate tone, and refine structure. I’ve written produced screenplays for Ion Television and Hallmark, and I’ve developed a wide range of original and commissioned projects across drama, comedy, thriller, horror, and prestige character-driven features. My work includes A Golden Christmas (2009) and projects for Hallmark and OWN, along with over 40 short films for Dhar Mann Studios. I also teach screenwriting at the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California, and continue to develop new film and television projects.

Jay Cipriani

Hi, I’m Jay Cipriani—a screenwriter, story consultant, and educator with a career spanning studio features, television, and digital media. I earned a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from West Virginia University, studied film at NYU Tisch, and earned an MFA in Film Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. I love collaborating with creators to solve narrative problems, calibrate tone, and refine structure. I’ve written produced screenplays for Ion Television and Hallmark, and I’ve developed a wide range of original and commissioned projects across drama, comedy, thriller, horror, and prestige character-driven features. My work includes A Golden Christmas (2009) and projects for Hallmark and OWN, along with over 40 short films for Dhar Mann Studios. I also teach screenwriting at the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California, and continue to develop new film and television projects.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Jay Cipriani—a screenwriter, story consultant, and educator with a career spanning studio features, television, and digital media. I earned a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from West Virginia University, studied film at NYU Tisch, and earned an MFA in Film Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. I love collaborating with creators to solve narrative problems, calibrate tone, and refine structure.

I’ve written produced screenplays for Ion Television and Hallmark, and I’ve developed a wide range of original and commissioned projects across drama, comedy, thriller, horror, and prestige character-driven features. My work includes A Golden Christmas (2009) and projects for Hallmark and OWN, along with over 40 short films for Dhar Mann Studios. I also teach screenwriting at the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California, and continue to develop new film and television projects.

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Experience Level

Expert

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Story Development / Writing Assistant at HBO - Curb Your Enthusiasm
January 1, 2008 - Present
Assisted the show's writing team, collaborating with Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, and David Mandel.
Screenwriter at ION Television
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
First produced screenplay for A Golden Christmas (2009), Ion Television's first original film.
Screenwriter at Hallmark
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Wrote Christmas Land (2015).
Screenwriter at Hallmark
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Wrote Sleigh Bells Ring (2016).
Screenwriter at Hallmark
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Wrote Sharing Christmas (2017).
Screenwriter at OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Wrote Carole’s Christmas (2019) for OWN.
Screenwriter at OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Wrote A Christmas for Mary (2020) for OWN.

Education

BA in English (Creative Writing) at West Virginia University
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
MFA in Film Production at University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
Film Studies Coursework at New York University - Tisch School of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026

Qualifications

Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
New Blood
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
Top 100 Emerging Screenwriters
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
Spotlight Screenwriting Competition
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
The Tracking Board’s Launch Pad
January 11, 2030 - March 3, 2026
Pride Films and Plays Screenwriting Competition - Winner (Somebody to Love)
January 1, 2015 - March 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education