University of Winnipeg alum Andrea Shawcross (BA Hons 02) is one of eight emerging television writers selected from across North America as a fellow for the 2024 Moonshot Pilot Accelerator.
The program, based in New York City, was created to support gender parity in film and TV. The fellows, each of whom has a complete script for the pilot episode of an original TV series, will participate in a three-week intensive training program. Following the training, each fellow will pitch their pilot to various studios and production companies which could include Netflix, HBO, Starz, Amazon MGM Studios, and more.
Shawcross’ career in acting, producing, and writing for TV began in Winnipeg.
Having a performing background is super important as a writer. I am drawing on my acting skills that I adopted at UWinnipeg.
Andrea Shawcross
“Winnipeg is my roots,” Shawcross said. “I chose to study at UWinnipeg because it had a prestigious theatre and film program.”
Shawcross obtained a four-year BA Honours in Theatre while also launching a career in stunt doubling, producing, and TV writing.
“I always wanted to work in film. There is something very magical about it.”
It was a second-year Mime and Improv class where Shawcross met Prof. Rick Skene. Skene is a stunt coordinator in Winnipeg and invited Shawcross to be a stunt double in a local film production, Clown at Midnight. The following year, Shawcross was a stunt double for Darryl Hannah in a film shot in Winnipeg.
“This was my meal ticket,” said Shawcross. “My bread and butter for a long time was being a stunt double, body double, and stand-in. This all came out of being at UWinnipeg.”
From acting to writing
Acting was never the long-term career plan for Shawcross. Writing TV shows that was the ultimate goal.
“I always said that once I got over this need for attention, I will be a writer,” laughed Shawcross. “Writing is ageless. It’s less like lighting in a bottle. As an actor, you have to figure out how to harness the character and get it right on the first try. In writing, you can always be improving and writing in a different way.”
Shawcross has already written and produced seven TV shows for Lifetime. She describes herself as a woman obsessed with writing thrillers and mysteries about obsessed women. She hopes the Moonshot Accelerator will help expand her network and get her into a staffed writer’s room.
“I want to meet people that I can continue to work with,” said Shawcross. “Yes, I want to sell the show, but these things take a lot longer to sell.”
Shawcross will learn from experts to help her to prepare a 10-minute TV show pitch, in which she calls more of a 10-minute monologue and performance.
“Having a performing background is super important as a writer. A lot of writers are very shy and introverted. Writers must be able to go into a room and sell their wares. I am drawing on my acting skills that I adopted at UWinnipeg.”
Shawcross is looking forward to building relationships and rising together with the seven other fellows in the program.
“There are a million ways this opportunity could pan out. It’s an accumulation of what I’ve done that have led me to this opportunity,” said Shawcross.
While Shawcross and the other fellows will be pitching their TV pilots in July, it could be months, or even years, before their results will be seen onscreen.
