Scott McDanel

Scott McDanel is a writer, director, producer and actor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He will soon hold an MFA in writing for the screen and stage from Point Park University, and currently holds a B.A. in digital media production from Robert Morris University. He was awarded the top prize from the RMU Gold Show in 2023 for his work co-directing the short documentary
“Portrait of the Artist.” McDanel tends to gravitate toward stories that feature interesting and eccentric characters overcoming impossible odds. Whether it’s a Renaissance-era lutenist trying to break out into being the world’s first rock star in “Dowland: History’s First Rock Star,” or a bounty hunter trying to escape a postapocalyptic Las Vegas in “Viva Lost Vegas,” he believes that through failure comes humor. When not writing, McDanel can be found playing video games like Fortnite, listening to either metal music or polka with no in-between, or perfecting new cooking recipes.