SAG-AFTRA | AEA | American Member of British Equity | Dramatists Guild
LITERARY AWARDS
WGA PRODUCERS ACCESS PROGRAM - WINNER
FOUR SCRIPTS SELECTED OUT OF FIFTEEN HUNDRED
CHRISTMAS WISHES formerly titled Heirlooms
EXCELLENCE IN SCREENWRITING - FULL-LENGTH FEATURE
SOMEONE TO LOVE
CINEMA CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER - LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT - PLAYWRITING
RUDE AWAKENING
THE AUDREY SKIRBALL-KENNIS THEATRE
WINNER
RUDE AWAKENING
THE WRITER'S DIGEST PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION
BEST SCREENPLAY
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
WATERFRONT FILM FESTIVAL
International Film Quarterly Festival
Winner, Best Romantic Comedy,
Written, Directed, Produced & Starring Jill Jaress
COMPLETED FEATURE SCRIPTS
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Someone to Love - Romantic Comedy
Love to Steal - action/romance/comedy
Forever Yours? - Romantic Comedy
Christmas Wishes - Uplifting Family Dramedy
China Love -Romantic Drama - Synopsis
SERIES PILOT SYNOPSIES
One Hour Television/Cable - "The Winslow Inn"
One Hour Television/Cable - "The Richmans"
Half Hour Sit-Com Synopsis - "I Love Louie"
Half Hour Sit-com Synopsis - Life in Paradise
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MY LIFE AS AN ACTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER
If you happen to be looking for a former leading lady who is now a brilliant character actress - look no further. I have played every role, both comedic and dramatic, that a Caucasian female can play - except a Nun. No one ever booked me as a Nun.
Comedy is my forte. I'm somewhere between Kristen Wigg and Betty White. I've done stand-up at the Improv, and improv with the Groundlings. I starred in, "Shepards Flock" with Kenny Mars and had recurring roles on The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, and guest starred on every other show MTM produced.
Recurring dramatic roles were on Passions, Bah Bah Blacksheep and Barnaby Jones. I've played murderers, psychotics, cancer patients, etc.
Acting is a joy for me and I'm grateful that I was given this gift. I worked consistently in Television, Film, Theatre on the West End in London and on Broadway. Commercials, and voiceovers. Things started slowing
down when I hit 43. That's when I began writing, and fell in love with it.
I admit it. I'm a compulsive writer. I can't help it. I have to write every day or I get cranky.
At the moment, I'm tweaking the final draft of "FINDING JOY" a dramedy about love, betrayal, and finding joy.
It has a tour 'd force role for a female star who can walk that line between comedy and drama.
A friend of mine was kind enough to critique it for me. Below is the quote she gave me.
"Congratulations. It's great to see a woman score!"
Julie Ansell - Director of Development - Gracie Films
Also in the works is my book, "I'll Never Wear Granny Panties." It's a book to give everyone living through the pandemic some stories, anecdotes and jokes to warm your heart, make you laugh and make your day. After all, "Laughter is The Best Medicine."
Cheers!
Jill Jaress