Michael Sollenberger

I was for many years a stand comic, working with Larry David and Eddie Murphy. I also worked for years in sitcoms here in LA, with two sitcoms, directed by Emmy award winning comedy director Michael Lembeck. I owe my comedy writing chops from one of the greats in the business, Stan Daniels; an enriching experience working with him, where I learned so much about the craft of comedy.
I have worked as a comedy writer back in New York, in which I wrote comedy for the Bruce Bradley radio show, I also wrote acts for many stand-up comedians. I just completed a three act satire on the Christian Evangelical movement in this country and their obsession with Armageddon and the coming “Rapture.” The play is a head-on collision between the Christian Right and National Lampoon; Groucho Marx vs. Jerry Falwell. The play Prodigal Son, is now being held by Trinity Repertory Theatre of Rhode Island and is under consideration for their next season. Also another screenplay "The Night of the Witch," based on a modern day Salem witch trial that actually took place in East Texas, in the early 1990's. It gained momentum, culminating in an option from Odessa films with Lou Diamond Philips attached in the lead role. Needless to say I was really excited with that project.
I had the good fortune of working with Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy on Mad Men which was wonderful learning experience
Now that I have finished up with “Mad Men,” I have finally found the time to polish off my own screenplay, “Hiatus.” (Now, The Tales of Hauphman.) and decided that it was ready. The good news so far, is that Paul Marashlian over at Argonaut Film; "Welcome to the Rileys (James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melisa Leo,) read it and loved it as well as the producer Kenneth Schwenker who co-produced along with Ivan Reitman, "Evolution," starring David Dechovny, as well as producing "The Winner," starring Billy Bob Thorton, Rebecca Demornay. Also, JoryWeitz of Apothecary Films, (Napoleon Dynamite and Edward Scissorhand) have all read my work, called me to tell me they really liked my work and would highly recommend me.

Their recommendations, along with Ivan Reitman’ company, Montecito Pictures and Simon Levy, Artistic Director of the Fountain Theatre are below:

PRODUCER JORY WEITZ

My name is Jory Weitz and I am one of the producers from the film, Napoleon Dynamite. I also produced an indie film, Visioneers which starred Zach Galifianakis, Judy Greer, and a formidable ensemble of comedic actors. My first love is comedy and I am always swimming around the Hollywood waters in search of something that will excite me. And then I stumbled upon Michael Sollenberger's script.



I have to admit this is probably one of the funniest screenplays that I have read in a long time. Michael Sollenberger's "Hiatus" takes you on a really wonderful ride that is both imaginative and inventive and above all...very, very bizarre. I found his style of writing so wonderfully and perversely funny. Probably the best way to describe his work would be of magical realism, I mean situations that involve fantasy-like or supernatural ideas in a hyper-reality, but still grounded in realistic characters or woven seamlessly into our natural world and at the same time extremely funny. He plays with the idea of two realities and how they conflict with each other, or a character with multiple identities or perceptions. A few great examples that might be similar to Michael's work would be: Pleasantville, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. To a lesser extent, Adaptation,. Also, think films of Terry Gilliam, Charlie Kaufman and Woody Allen. I found that I thoroughly enjoyed this script and I think that you will as well.
I hope you will have the moments to take a read.

Many thanks
Jory Weitz

PRODUCER KENNETH SCHWENKER

Mike Sollenberger wrote a script called Hiatus.. below are my notes to him. I have produced about 30 features, including setting up EVOLUTION with Ivan Reitman. I like the writing very much.
wow... very funny and extremely entertaining. Interesting, complex, weird, outrageous, and compelling.
The budget for this is very large. I think you will definitely need an A list director, with an odd sense of humor to pull this off.
Reminds me a little bit of Woody Allen, and Monty Python.

Best regards,

Kenneth Schwenker
Producer GETHSEMANE REVIEWS:
Hey Michael, this is Max in Ali Bell’s office at The Montecito Picture Company.
Thanks for sending GETHSEMANE our way. I was really fired up by the passion, voice and heart that you put into this script. Walter’s drive really resonated with me and I think a lot of people can relate to his anger and frustration. Put in the context of today’s news cycle, I was able to see how a movie like NETWORK could be adapted for the modern media. I think there is definitely an audience and production company that would get behind making a smaller, passionate, character piece about a guy like Walter changing the country. Thank you again for sending.
-Max Lance
Montecito Picture Co.

Kenneth Schwenker:
“I read this amazing script called Gethsemane written by Michael Sollenberger. I have read almost all of his writing and find him to be the most interesting and versatile writer. “
I am a producer of about 30 feature films including setting up EVOLUTION with Ivan Reitman directing back with Dreamworks and my most recent film I produced THE LAST MAN CLUB just won the Houston Film Festival BEST PICTURE and 4 other awards.
Yours Truly,
Kenneth Schwenker

Simon Levy, the Artistic Director of The Fountain Theatre:
"Finally got around to reading THE SPEED OF LIGHT. Thanks for your patience.
It's wonderfully daring and mysterious and scary and challenging and dark and wickedly funny, with lively roles and big, big, ideas.
I appreciate getting to know your work and applaud you for climbing mountains!"
Simon Levy
Producing Director
Fountain Theatre.