Wendell Wellman
(an image from the movie The Klansman, Wendell Wellman on the left, Lee Marvin on the right)
Biography
Through his books and teaching endeavors, veteran screenwriter and storyteller Wendell Wellman has a vision to reintroduce redemptive storytelling in film and TV series. In his latest book, A Hero's Delusion, he reveals the hidden flaw that plagues modern storytelling: the absence of a true, transformative journey for the protagonist.
Wendell was born and raised in the Midwest. He began as a musician, but developed a love for the theatre while pursuing graduate studies at UCLA. He studied with Lee Strasberg and Peggy Feury at the Strasberg Institute and at the Loft Theater for an additional ten years. He was cast as Lee Marvin's son in the Paramount film, The Klansman, starring Lee Marvin and Richard Burton, his first major break. He began to work in episodic television, the theatre, and motion pictures, including prominent roles in the films, Sudden Impact, Sommersby, Street of Dreams, and Curfew. As a writer, Mr. Wellman teamed up with UCLA friend, Alex Lasker to adapt the book Firefox for the screen for director Clint Eastwood. Wendell worked with Clint Eastwood on three projects. In addition to co-writing Firefox, Wendell did on set revisions on Clint's "Dirty Harry" hit, Sudden Impact, while also playing the role of Tyrone in the movie. Wendell took no credit for his work. But, Clint Eastwood rewarded Wellman handsomely by persuading Warner Bros (Marc Rosenberg, Studio Chief) to offer Wendell a two-picture writing deal the following spring. Ultimately, Mr. Eastwood hired Wendell once again to develop a final Dirty Harry project, which Mr. Eastwood has kept under lock and key to this day.
As part of the package, Warner Bros hired Wellman to adapt a novel, "Fair Game," for the screen, in hopes of hiring Sylvester Stallone to star. Mr. Wellman adapted the book, and Stallone signed on to star (Cobra). Stallone did his own on-set revisions during the shoot. Wendell lost his screen credit in a close WGA arbitration by one percentage point.
In addition to his work at Warner Bros., Wendell also completed paid studio writing assignments at Paramount, Universal, Fox, and Embassy Pictures. Wendell has also lectured and taught screenwriting courses at UCLA, Santa Fe Screenwriting Festival, "Artists and Residents" in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and at StoryBoard at Fox Studios, Los Angeles.
Through his books and teaching endeavors, veteran screenwriter and storyteller Wendell Wellman has a vision to reintroduce redemptive storytelling in film and TV series. In his latest book, A Hero's Delusion, he reveals the hidden flaw that plagues modern storytelling: the absence of a true, transformative journey for the protagonist.
Wendell was born and raised in the Midwest. He began as a musician, but developed a love for the theatre while pursuing graduate studies at UCLA. He studied with Lee Strasberg and Peggy Feury at the Strasberg Institute and at the Loft Theater for an additional ten years. He was cast as Lee Marvin's son in the Paramount film, The Klansman, starring Lee Marvin and Richard Burton, his first major break. He began to work in episodic television, the theatre, and motion pictures, including prominent roles in the films, Sudden Impact, Sommersby, Street of Dreams, and Curfew. As a writer, Mr. Wellman teamed up with UCLA friend, Alex Lasker to adapt the book Firefox for the screen for director Clint Eastwood. Wendell worked with Clint Eastwood on three projects. In addition to co-writing Firefox, Wendell did on set revisions on Clint's "Dirty Harry" hit, Sudden Impact, while also playing the role of Tyrone in the movie. Wendell took no credit for his work. But, Clint Eastwood rewarded Wellman handsomely by persuading Warner Bros (Marc Rosenberg, Studio Chief) to offer Wendell a two-picture writing deal the following spring. Ultimately, Mr. Eastwood hired Wendell once again to develop a final Dirty Harry project, which Mr. Eastwood has kept under lock and key to this day.
As part of the package, Warner Bros hired Wellman to adapt a novel, "Fair Game," for the screen, in hopes of hiring Sylvester Stallone to star. Mr. Wellman adapted the book, and Stallone signed on to star (Cobra). Stallone did his own on-set revisions during the shoot. Wendell lost his screen credit in a close WGA arbitration by one percentage point.
In addition to his work at Warner Bros., Wendell also completed paid studio writing assignments at Paramount, Universal, Fox, and Embassy Pictures. Wendell has also lectured and taught screenwriting courses at UCLA, Santa Fe Screenwriting Festival, "Artists and Residents" in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and at StoryBoard at Fox Studios, Los Angeles.