Ellen Gerstein
Actress, Producer, Director
Ellen Gerstein is a director, writer, actor and member of the Alliance of Women Directors. She wrote and directed Waiting For Ronald, which won international awards for its inspiring story of a mentally challenged man creating a new independent life. Her feature script, Just South of Normal, won the Roy W. Dean Screenwriting Grant. She co-wrote, and starred in a short film, Silent Laughter out of the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Ellen also co-wrote, co-produced and starred in the award winning interactive play Club Disco, which ran for eight months at the Lillian Theatre.
She brought her experience as a licensed therapist and standup comedienne to the stage, writing and starring in her one-woman show, My Psychotherapy Comeback Tour, which was a semi-finalist in the Samuel French Short Play Contest and played in the New York Fringe Festival. Ellen Gerstein's film credits include her most recent roles in America is Still the Place, Treasure Of The Black Jaguar, and Swelter with Alfred Molina. Her television credits include recurring roles as Aunt Rande on Shameless for Showtime and as Tina on The Whole Truth for ABC. Ellen studied acting with Lee Strasberg, script analysis with Stella Adler and is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio.
Venom
(
Film
Actress
Hotel Du Loone
(
TV Series
Actress
Liza on Demand
(
TV Series
Actress
Passage
(
Film
Actress
The Interview
(
Film
Actress
Broke A$$ Rich Kid
(
TV Series
Actress
Law & Order True Crime
(
TV Mini
Actress
Firm with Purpose
(
Film
Actress
Fresh Off the Boat
(
TV Series
Actress
After the Hutch
(
Film
Actress
Twin Turbo
(
TV Series
Actress
The Elephant Ride
(
Film
by Michael Arabian (Comedy and Drama)
Actress Vincent Viassio, Hollywood's top gun limo driver embarks on a perilous journey.
Interior Night
(
Film
Actress
Auto-Cowrecked
(
Film (short)
by Hannah Leder (Comedy)
Actress A man's cell phone keeps auto-correcting to things he does not intend, and it turns his life upside down.
Come Away With Me
(
Film (short)
by Ellen Gerstein (Drama and Romance)
Actress, Director, Producer, Composer Still believing in true love Ann Chambers is determined to finally live life her way. She summons the courage to attend her High School reunion to find the love of her life, Michael Blake, an all-star athlete and war veteran. Torn apart by war and misunderstanding, life remains full of surprises for them both.
Come Away with Me: The Documentary
(
Film (short)
by Ellen Gerstein (Documentary)
Director, Writer, Producer, Self
Swelter
(
Film
by Keith Parmer (Action, Crime, Drama and Thriller)
Actress Ten years after their casino heist, four escaped convicts trace their former partner to a desert town, where he is now a lawman with no memory of his criminal past.
Sylvia Rents a Kid
(
Film (short)
by Ellen Gerstein (Comedy and Family)
Actress, Director, Writer A woman without children rents a kid for the day to show her how she has fun, and learns to be in the now from a 9 year old.
Shameless
(
Television
by Paul Abbott (Comedy and Drama)
Actress Meet the fabulously dysfunctional Gallagher family. Dad's a drunk, Mom split long ago, eldest daughter Fiona tries to hold the family together. Eldest son Philip (Lip) trades his physics tutoring skills for sexual favors from neighborhood girls. Middle son Ian is gay. Youngest daughter Debbie is stealing money from her UNICEF collection. Ten-year-old Carl is a budding sociopath and an arsonist, and toddler Liam is - well, he might actually be black, but nobody has a clue how. Written by Showtime Publicity
Southland
(
Television
by Ann Biderman (Crime, Drama and Thriller)
Actress The lives of Police Officers working for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Autumn and George
(
Film (short)
by Guy Norman Bee (Comedy and Romance)
Actress Getting by, breaking up, and the benefits of pineapple pizza.
Baby Boomer Bunnies
(
TV Movie
by Jan Marlyn Reesman (Comedy)
Actress Playboy Bunnies from the early days of the clubs get together for a reunion and never leave. Living at a beach house with their Bunny Mother.
The Whole Truth
(
Television
by Tom Donaghy (Drama)
Actress
Treasure of the Black Jaguar
(
Film
by Mike Bruce (Action and Adventure)
Actress Two boys with a get rich quick scheme end up in prison, but when they meet a famed treasure hunter named Blake West with a plan to break out they agree to journey out into the unforgiving desert to uncover a mysteriously cursed artifact. Blake West's former employer, a Japanese industrialist, is determined to beat our hero to the treasure and stop the boys by any means necessary. Written by Daniel Pleacoff
Break a Leg
(
Film
by Monika Mitchell (Comedy, Drama and Thriller)
Actress When Max's performance is no competition for producers' nephews and bigger "names," his only option is to cripple the competition - literally. But as the roles get bigger, the competition gets stronger, the stakes get higher, and now with an undercover thespian cop on his trail, Max must struggle with his ongoing road to success and the choices he's made. Written by Sean Callahan
You Are So Going to Hell!
(
Film
by Allyson Ames (Comedy)
Actress A Young Man falls in love with a nun, but is thwarted by her Mother Superior ... who just happens to be a martial arts expert! Toss in his Best Friend, the Devil, a Vibrator, and some Angels... and you have a farce of un-Godly proportions.
Waiting for Ronald
(
Film (short)
by Ellen Gerstein (Drama)
Director, Writer After spending most of his years in an institution, developmentally disabled Ronald says good-bye to his friends and caretaker to join his buddy Edgar in the exciting world of independence. Armed with busfare, a lifetime packed into one small suitcase, and a heart full of courage, Ronald boards the bus that will take him to Edgar and a new life. But Edgar, fighting demons of his own, runs into a problem before the bus carrying his new roommate arrives. What happens next is a testament to faith, humor, bravery, and true friendship. Written by Ellen Gerstein
Friends
(
Television
by Marta Kauffman (Comedy and Romance)
Actress In this 1994 sitcom, Rachel Green, Ross Geller, Monica Geller, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing and Phoebe Buffay are all friends, living off of one another in the heart of NY. Over the course of 8 years, these average group of buddys go through massive mayhem, family trouble, past and future romances, fights, laughs, tears and surprises as they learn what it really means to be a friend.
James Dean
(
TV Movie
by Mark Rydell (Biography and Drama)
Actress A biopic about the actor James Dean, whose stardom of the ultimate teenage rebel as well as the premature death made him a legend. His roles are depicted having much in common with his personal life, most notably the difficult relationship with his father. Written by Mario
It's Like, You Know...
(
Television
by Peter Mehlman (Comedy)
Actress New York-writer Arthur Garment moves to L.A. to write a book about his hatred of the city and its vapid and superficial culture, however, the longer he remains there, he finds himself growing increasingly fond of it.
Boys Life 3
(
Film
by David Fourier (Drama and Romance)
Actress Jason Gould satirizes coming out in Hollywood in Inside Out, starring Alexis Arquette and papa Elliot Gould. Lane Janger's Just One Time was a festival favorite recently expanded into a feature film that turns the tables on a groom-to-be and his fantasies of sex with two women. Bradley Rust Gray's Hitch follows two attractive young guys on a dizzying road trip that leads them toward sexual self-discovery. David Fournier's Majorettes in Space is a witty French spoof of post-modern sex, romance, relationships, the Pope and baton-twirling majorettes. And, Gregory Cooke's $30 is the bittersweet story of a closeted teen presented with a young prostitute on his 16th birthday. Written by Strand <strand@strandreleasing.com>
The Wonderful World of Disney
(
TV Series
Actress
Annie
(
TV Movie
by Rob Marshall (Family, Comedy and Musical)
Actress, Soundtrack Eleven-year-old Annie has been living in an orphanage her whole life run by cruel Miss Hannigan. After unsuccessful escape attempts, Grace Farrell comes to take the child home to live two weeks with billionaire Oliver Warbucks during Christmas. The plucky orphan worms her way into the hearts of the staff and Mr. Warbucks and even the president of the United States! Even though Mr. Warbucks wants to adopt her, she is still looking for her real parents who left a locket with her when they dropped her off at the orphanage. Miss Hannigan's brother and his sleazy girlfriend pose as Annie's parents to gather the reward that Warbucks has offered to Annie's real parents. Written by <ragheadchick@hotmail.com>
A Murder of Crows
(
Film
by Rowdy Herrington (Action, Crime and Thriller)
Actress After a lawyer gets disbarred, he goes off to write a book about his experience. He meets a man who lets him read his manuscript. The man dies and the lawyer passes the book off as his. Just when the book becomes a big success. He gets arrested for the true life murders of the five lawyers in his book. He then finds himself, trying to prove that he is innocent of the murders. Written by Anonymous
Inside Out
(
Film (short)
by Jason Gould (Comedy)
Actress A film that shows how "hard" it is to be son of celebrities.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
(
Television
by Jerry Siegel (Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance and 1 More)
Actress Lois and Clark is based on Superman being a Generation X man. In his twenties somewhere Clark must experience life as a pre-thirties pupil. Lois, as always, is by his side at the Daily Planet, adding that oh-so-ever romantic side to his life. The relationship between Lois and Clark, is as always, a platonic but on the edge of mad love, type of experience. Written by Sean Ackley <rhawk@ackind.com>
California Dreams
(
Television
by Ronald B. Solomon (Comedy, Family and Music)
Actress Living in California, a bunch of cool teenagers decide to form a rock band, the Dreams. Between gigs, they have to deal with real-life issues. Written by Steve Richer <sricher@sympatico.ca>
Witch Hunt
(
TV Movie
by Paul Schrader (Crime, Fantasy and Mystery)
Actress Detective Philip Lovecraft lives in Los Angeles in the 1950s when an ambitious Senator is holding hearings, on Magic. Magic is the new influence in Tinsel Town. Lovecraft is unique in that he is the only one who refuses to use magic in his work. Shortly after he is hired, he finds his client, Kim Hudson, accused of the murder of her husband, a film executive. Philip uses the tallents of a local witch, Kropotkin, to explain what is happening only to see her accused of the murder and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Reminiscent of Roger Rabbit, without the toons. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
There Was a Little Boy
(
TV Movie
by Mimi Leder (Drama)
Actress Wealthy Gregg and his wife, English teacher Julie, were happy parents until their little boy Robby was stolen while she took a bath. Their lives have taken off again, but they keep hoping and feeling guilty. Fifteen years later, when Julie is pregnant again, the high school principal appeals to her educational idealism to take under her wing Jesse, a boy who is gifted as a mechanic and artist, but can barely be convinced to keep in school by his single devoted and devout mother Esperanza, who is sick and such a bad provider he has to steal. They alternate between getting on and clashing; Jesse even breaks in to steal a ring from Julie for his girlfriend Nilda. the finding of a Saint Blaise pendant in Robby's crib finally puts Julie on the kidnapper's trace- it leads via parish priest Ramirez, who is now in a home for the demented, to a devout Esperanza... Written by KGF Vissers
Quantum Leap
(
Television
by Donald P. Bellisario (Action, Adventure, Drama, Family and 2 More)
Actress Doctor Sam Beckett led a group of top scientists into the desert to research his theory that a man could time travel within his own lifetime. Unfortunately, in order to save his funding, he was forced to enter the accelerator prematurely and vanished. He then found himself in someone else's body with partial amnesia. His only contact from home is Al, a holographic image only he can see and hear. Setting right things which once went wrong, Sam leaps from life to life, hoping each time that this is the final leap home. Written by Kevin <Kibble@vm.temple.edu>
Vidiots
(
TV Movie
by Howard Storm (Comedy)
Actress Unsold series pilot about three brothers who inherit their dead brothers business, as well as his eight-year-old son.
I'm Dangerous Tonight
(
TV Movie
by Tobe Hooper (Horror and Thriller)
Actress An ancient Aztec cloth with a curse accidentally finds its way into the possession of a young woman. She decides to make a dress from the cloth. Whoever wears this cloth/dress comes under its spell; all inhibitions and moral responsibilities are lost. Written by Rob Hartill
Seinfeld
(
Television
by Jerry Seinfeld (Comedy)
Actress Jerry Seinfeld stars in this television comedy series as himself, a comedian. The premise of this sitcom is Jerry and his friends going through everyday life, discussing various quirky situations that we can all relate to (especially if we live in New York). The eccentric personalities of the offbeat characters who make up Jerry's social circle contribute to the fun. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Daddy's Boys
(
Film
by Joseph Minion (Action, Comedy, Crime and Drama)
Actress A dark comedy set in 1930s America. Jimmy and Christie become celebrity bank robbers whose stardom ends in a bloody shootout when Daddy's Boys catch up with them.
Emanon
(
Film
by Stuart Paul
Actress A crippled child watches the world go by from the window of his limo. He befriends a homeless man, whom he believes to be Christ.
My Demon Lover
(
Film
by Charlie Loventhal (Comedy, Fantasy and Horror)
Actress Denny has yet again been left by her thug boyfriend Chip. It seems as if she is doomed to be stuck with awful guys, this time she has to choose between nerdy Charles and the strange Kaz, who turns into a monster when sexually aroused. Written by Mattias Thuresson
The Education of Allison Tate
(
Film
by Paul Leder (Drama)
Actress When wealthy real estate developer Richard Tate seizes land belonging to a Native American tribe for his next construction project, a group of young men from the tribe decide to kidnap Tate's daughter Allison as a means of persuading her father to abandon the project and return their land. As time drags on with no resolution in sight, Allison begins to sympathize with the plight of her captors and joins them in their fight against her father. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
L.A. Law
(
Television
by Terry Louise Fisher (Drama)
Actress This popular TV drama depicted life in a large Los Angeles law firm. The plots were strongly character-based and dealt with both the personal lives and professional activities of the partners, associates, and staff. Scenes centered around the courtroom and the law offices. Often, an episode would open with a surprising twist, which would then be played out during the rest of the show. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Cheers
(
Television
by Les Charles (Comedy and Drama)
Actress The lives of the disparate group of employees and patrons at a Boston watering hole called Cheers over eleven years is presented. Over much of this period, Sam Malone, a womanizing ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher and an alcoholic, owns the bar, its purchase and this life which was his salvation from his alcoholism which was largely the cause of the end of his baseball career. He ends up having a love-hate relationship with intellectual Diane Chambers, who he hires as a waitress and whose cultured mentality is foreign to anyone else in the bar. He also has an evolving relationship with Rebecca Howe, who managed the bar for the Lily Corporation which bought it from Sam, but whose outward business savvy belied the fact that she was a mess of a woman who was struggling to find her place in life. The regular patrons are largely a bunch of self-identified losers, who bond because of their shared place in life, and because Cheers is their home away from home, and in many ways more a home than ... Written by Huggo
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
(
TV Movie
by Peter H. Hunt (Drama and Family)
Actress Mickey Rooney plays Mike Halligan, a retired cop from Manhattan living in California with his family who decides to show his grandson, who has never seen snow before, what a real white Christmas in New York is like. But he dies from a sudden heart attack in which Halligan makes a deal with the Archangel of Heaven to return to Earth for a week until Christmas and show his grandson the seasonal glories of New York City. Written by Anonymous
Body Rock
(
Film
by Marcelo Epstein (Drama, Music and Musical)
Actress Chilly D is a young man in New York who just lives for the thrill of rapping and breakdancing with his gang, the Body Rocks. One night after performing in a club with his friends, Chilly gets an offer to perform at a high-class nightspot with a chance at becoming a star. He grabs the opportunity and soon he's on top of the world. Surrounded by all the trappings of his new-found fame, however, Chilly loses touch with the people and lifestyle that made him what he is. Will he turn his back forever on his past, or remain true to his roots? Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
Joy of Sex
(
Film
by Martha Coolidge (Comedy and Romance)
Actress Teenager Leslie Hindenberg, mistakenly believing she has just weeks to live, decides she will lose her virginity before she dies. Meanwhile, hormone-crazed Alan Holt pursues some sex for himself, with predictable results. Written by Aaron Teitlebaum <aaront@norden1.com>
Likely Stories, Vol. 4
(
TV Movie
Actress
I'm Going to Be Famous
(
Film
by Paul Leder
Actress
Going Ape!
(
Film
by Jeremy Joe Kronsberg (Comedy, Crime, Family and Romance)
Actress When his father - who owned a circus - dies, Foster inherits 5 million dollars - and 3 orangutans. However there's a condition connected to the money: if he gives away the orangutans or just one gets sick or dies during the next 3 years, the zoological society will get all the money. So he not only has to deal with 3 apes and an annoyed girlfriend, but also with Laszlo, a kooky new roommate who came from the circus to help with the apes, a greedy zoological society's president, 3 bumbling henchmen and a cranky landlord. Written by Tom Zoerner <Tom.Zoerner@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
Coast to Coast
(
Film
by Joseph Sargent (Comedy, Drama and Romance)
Actress Madie Levrington is a neurotic, wealthy woman who escapes from a New York mental institution where her unwholesome husband had her committed to avoid the trial of an expensive divorce. She manages by taking her doctor hostage and leaving him behind in an open field, and flees into the night. Madie hitches a ride back to California with Charles Callahan, a moody, debt-ridden truck driver. Madie and Charles eventually fall in love while evading an assortment of villains including a pair of thugs hired by Madie's husband to prevent her from returning to California, and a repo man sent to reclaim Charles' truck. Written by Matthew Patay
Jokes My Folks Never Told Me
(
Film
by Gerry Woolery (Comedy)
Actress
The Billion Dollar Hobo
(
Film
by Stuart E. McGowan (Comedy and Family)
Actress Vernon Praiseworthy is a clumsy but lovable dope who stands to inherit his uncle's fortune. The condition is that he travel the rails as a penniless hobo just as his uncle did in the dark days of the depression. That seems simple enough until he gets involved in a dog-napping plot. Written by Jerry Roberts
Just South of Normal
TV Serie
Actress
The Dead of Night
Actress
The Golden Age
Actress
Turnover
Actress