Eunice N. Smith on Educating and Providing Aspiring Screenwriters With a Platform to Shine
While the entertainment industry is often praised for the faces in front of the camera and the directors giving instructions about how things are run, screenwriters usually go unnoticed and seldom get the same praises. However, that hasn’t stopped aspiring screenwriters from shooting for the moon in hopes they find a place in the film industry. Eunice N. Smith knows that raw talent isn’t enough to make it in Hollywood, which is why she developed programs to help polish the potential writers of tomorrow.
Eunice N. Smith is a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur and screenwriter. She is responsible for the vision, programming, and execution of the Flip the Script Filmmaking Competition. This immersive development experience culminates in a showcase of short films written and directed by emerging filmmakers. She is also responsible for The WordSmith Writer’s Lab, where she offers screenwriting programs and coaching that helps aspiring screenwriters carve a film industry path. Eunice is also a film production Covid-Compliance Coordinator, children’s book author, writer of Chicago-based film & television scripts, and co-creator of television series pilots.
One would think that Eunice had spent her entire career working in her passion and the creative writing space for entertainment. However, before venturing out to follow her passion, Eunice spent over two decades transforming large corporations and creating opportunities for teams as a performance coach and change champion for Fortune 500 organizations. As a natural leader, Eunice is attracted to opportunity gaps in the film industry. She sees it as her sweet spot to develop, design, and deliver programs that demystify complex topics. Eunice curates programs and events that adds value and eases the disparity for black creatives.
Eunice has always been passionate about screenwriting, and even more so when it comes to teaching others. She created the Flip the Script Filmmaking Competition to provide education, tools, and resources for aspiring screenwriters to give them the platform and opportunity to become filmmakers. Eunice also co-founded Script to Silver Screen, an initiative that helps screenwriters carve their path in the industry with an annual competition that allows screenwriters to connect with producers and talent management resources.
Flip the Script Filmmaking Competition is the world’s first virtual screenwriting competition that helped writers develop, produce, and direct short films for over two weeks. The competition was developed and produced during the pandemic. It was entirely self-funded by Eunice to create opportunities for black indie filmmakers. Eunice provides comprehensive, white-glove service experience and programs that focus on empowerment, growth mindset, and creating a production pipeline for new screenwriters.
With so many programs under her belt, Eunice understands her responsibility to provide opportunities, break down barriers, and unite creatives across disciplines. Because the film industry is a vast one, Eunice emphasizes the importance of community. She works in partnership with mission-aligned organizations and nonprofits like The Chicago South Side Film Festival and Free Spirit. Eunice contributes as a mentor, speaker, or initiative organizer.
Eunice N. Smith hopes to make her brand known to film industry bloggers, media, and magazine publications to invite self-taught aspiring screenwriters who understand the value of becoming educated when film school is not a viable option.
To learn more about Eunice N. Smith, you may visit her website. She can also be reached through Facebook and Instagram.
