FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Act One: Writing for Hollywood Awards $40,000
Annual Screenwriting Fellowship

Hollywood, CA - February 1, 2005 - Act One: Writing for Hollywood, a five year-old program training and encouraging faith-friendly screenwriters is proud to announce Haynes Brooke as the first recipient of the Bishop Norman McFarland Writing Fellowship.

The Executive Director of Act One, Barbara Nicolosi explains that "the goal of the Fellowship is to produce a commercial film or television project of great merit and worth. We are also looking to give a creative opportunity to an up and coming screenwriter who combines professional skill with personal integrity, and a profound commitment to Christ." Now in its sixth year, Act One’s rigorous screenwriting program, combines mentorships with industry professionals with studies in the craft and artistry of movies and television, as well as in ethics and spirituality. Over three hundred writers have completed the month-long intensives in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC.

The McFarland Fellowship is the gift of Retired Bishop Norman McFarland, of the Catholic Diocese of Orange. He agreed to the fellowship being named in his honor as a reaffirmation "of the Church's continuing encouragement and support of artists in all arenas during its 2,000 years of history."

Haynes Brook is a Los Angeles screenwriter, actor, and playwright who has had several of his plays staged at Tim Robbins' Actor's Gang theater company. Instant Films produced his ten-minute short "Naomi's Underwear" and he's written and directed the half-hour comedy short "The Seven-Level Secret."

Haynes will be introduced and awarded the first installment of his Fellowship on the evening of Friday the 4th of February, 2005 at the 7:30 Open House of Act One's new offices, fittingly located just below the Hollywood sign at 2690 Beachwood Drive, Lower Floor, Hollywood, CA 90068.

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