About Lawrence Hughes Stern
With a concentration in theatre arts, Lawrence Hughes Stern received his B.A. degree from Brown University. His MFA in writing is from U.C.L.A.'s Department of Theatre, Film, and Television. While in graduate school, he was awarded an academic scholarship, a prestigious teaching assistant's position, and a generous stipend. He graduated with departmental honors/Summa Cum Laude.
At UCLA, he was chosen as the winner in a university-wide competition to adapt his one-act play “UNDERTOW” to film, which was then shot and financed by the film department (and supervised by director Jay Sandrich).
Lawrence's character driven dramatic play LIFE SUPPORT was named an award winner in the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Competition. He has recently adapted this moving and unique play for film. The screenplay version, called "INTENSIVE CARE," is being packaged and has attachments from lots of prestigious actors and actresses. David Mickey Evans (“The Sandlot”, “Radio Flyer”, “First Kid”, etc.) is attached to direct the film. As of 2018, the film is in preproduction - aiming to shoot in the summer.
Lawrence's high concept romantic comedy screenplay "FINDING GRAVITY" has been optioned three times.
Lawrence’s dark thriller screenplay “UNRELENTING” was also optioned (by an indie producer in NYC).
Lawrence was hired to do a polish of the indie action-thriller "WILD SALVATION," and he has also come onboard now as a co-producer.
In September 2016, Lawrence's psychological thriller screenplay "Torment" was optioned.
Lawrence has completed his first one-hour TV drama pilot "Hereditary" - and also a brand new, children's novel.
Some other notable achievements:
Lawrence has written an original stage musical DECEIT (author of the book, music and lyrics) and was awarded the Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme Musical Theatre Scholarship for this show. He’s adapted this script for film too. Twice, he has been a finalist for the Chesterfield Writing Competition. In addition, he’s been a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Conference, as well as the Actors Theatre of Louisville Ten Minute Play Contest. His script "SHEP HUNTLEIGH" (a radical, original, reinterpretation of "Streetcar") moved into the Semi-final round of the Fade In Awards. His drama/love story screenplay "ALONE TOGETHER" also advanced into the Semi-final round of the Fade In Awards.
His musical comedy stage show ALL ABOUT ME (about a former child star gone bad) -- which he wrote and directed -- played to sold-out crowds at the Zephyr Theatre in Hollywood, CA in 2000. It was also selected by LA Weekly as "Pick of the Week." He has since completed three TV pilots, two novels, and has written over 20 original songs – two of which were finalists in the Billboard Magazine Songwriting Competition a couple of years ago.
Lawrence has written and directed several short films, and he's had four plays produced. He is often paid to write, script-doctor, and polish screenplays. Among these indie jobs: director Thomas Makowski hired him to polish/rewrite a new dramatic feature called "MANK" – adapted from the biography of Herman Mankiewicz by Richard Meryman. Thomas also hired him to adapt the historical novel "LORD JAMES" into miniseries format.
In 2012, Lawrence was hired to do a revision of the urban comedy “GOING GREEN” for two independent producers in LA. He was paid to do a polish of the drama “LIKE A COUNTRY SONG” by the producer/director of the project (to be released theatrically in late 2013), and he is a credited screenplay consultant on the picture. In September 2012, Lawrence was hired to write a short, suspenseful drama called “Beyond Hope” – which had its premiere US screening in August 2013. The Latin American screening (in Mexico City) was held in the fall of 2013. In December 2013, Lawrence was paid to do a script polish on the feature “PETS” by the director/producer/writer. In early 2014, he was hired to do two feature film treatments.
Lawrence has a new dark comedy called "CHILDPROOF" (adapted from his award-winning play, “Rockabye Baby”) – and it advanced to the final rounds for the Sundance Screenwriting Lab (Lawrence made it to the final rounds a few years ago with “Intensive Care”).
In addition to his writing and directing credits, Lawrence has worked a great deal at the top literary agencies in Los Angeles (ICM and UTA) as a script analyst/reader – and he has previously been hired at the development level for MGM, Centropolis Entertainment, and FOX. He has also been hired to edit many scripts, novels, and non-fiction works.
Lawrence has taught high school (Beverly Hills Prep School) and college classes (UCLA) in writing, American and English literature, acting, and performance studies. He served as one of the judges in the international screenplay competition called The Page Awards.
Lawrence has performed extensively as an actor (mostly on stage -- but in some film and network TV work too, in Los Angeles) and as a professional pianist and singer on both coasts - jazz, classical, pop, show tunes, and standards. He has just recorded his first songwriting demo. In 2012, he was hired to compose and record the original music for a children’s book, “Your Feet are Getting Sleepy.” He continues to perform at private events and parties on both coasts, as a pianist/singer.
Originally from the east coast, Lawrence now lives in Los Angeles, CA.
His agent is Michael Pio, at Innovative Artists in Los Angeles, CA.
To read more about Lawrence Hughes Stern and some of his film and TV credits, please check out his profile on Imdb.com:
