Maryann Ridini Spencer

Maryann Ridini Spencer, a member of the Writers Guild of America, West, and the Producers Guild of America, is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, journalist, TV host, and TV & film producer and director.

Early life

A multi-scholarship winner, Spencer graduated with a degree in Communications from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. While at Hofstra, Spencer served as co-program director of the college station, HTV, and a teaching apprentice at the University's TV Production studios.

Work in theatre

She began her career in the performing arts at the age of twelve, working in local community theatre in Syosset, New York appearing in numerous plays and working behind-the-scenes in costume design and props. At the age of 16, she auditioned for, and secured a position as an acting apprentice with the Equity theatre, The Hampton Playhouse in Hampton, New Hampshire. She also performed and worked as an acting apprentice at The New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire. She later won special commendations for her acting, placing in the top level of The New York City and Staten Island Dramatic Invitationals.

Work in television as a writer, producer, director

Maryann worked for a number of years as a producer, writer, director at the Los Angeles Bureau of Cable News Network where she worked in the field and in-studio on the daily (taped-as-live and live shows) as: The Lee Leonard Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Bill Tush Show. Later, she went on to work as a writer/producer on a number of other television series including the daily series, "Alive & Well," executive produced by Bonnie Hammer for the USA Network.

Work in public relations and marketing

Spencer has had an extensive career in public relations, marketing and promotions. She worked as Senior Vice President of Publicity, Advertising & Promotions at Stephen J. Cannell Productions supervising publicity and marketing initiatives at for The Cannell Studios' facilities in Los Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia. While at the studio, she worked on campaigns for such series as: "Hunter," "Wiseguy", "21 Jump Street," "Sonny Spoon", "Top of the Hill" and MOWs. Before that, Maryann worked as Director of Publicity for Miss Universe, Inc., supervising the national and international publicity for the "Miss Universe", "Miss USA" and "Miss Teen USA" Pageants. Working at a number of high profile PR agencies, she also supervised campaigns for such series as: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (Paramount), "American Gladiators" (Samuel Goldwyn Company) and "Wheel of Fortune" (Merv Griffin Enterprises) and many others.

Ridini Entertainment Corporation

In 1990, Spencer combined her expertise in public relations and marketing and founded Ridini Entertainment Corporation (REC), an award-winning public relations, marketing, website/blog design and TV & Film Production company. REC handled public relations and marketing campaigns for top brands including The United States Olympic Committee, NBC/Universal, E! Entertainment Television and Concorde-New Horizons, Corp. (New Concorde). The head of Concorde, the legendary producer Roger Corman, gave Maryann, (via her company, Ridini Entertainment), her first look, a 3-picture deal to produce movies.

Film Writer and Producer

Under REC's banner, Spencer has served in various producer capacities on a number of television and film projects for the Showtime Networks, USA Networks, SyFy Channel, Movie Channel, and foreign theatrical. Ridini Entertainment currently has a number of TV, film, and documentary projects in the works. Most recently Spencer co-wrote and produced "The Lost Valentine" starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt.[1] The project was a collaborative effort between Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions in association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation. Spencer originally optioned the novel, "The Last Valentine" from novelist James Michael Pratt. The film, which aired on January 30, 2011 on CBS-TV, received critical acclaim and was Hallmark Hall of Fame's most highly rated movie in four years, winning the night for CBS[2] with over 14.6 million viewers tuning in.[3]

TV/Print Journalist and TV Host

In addition to being a screen and TV writer, Spencer worked as a journalist throughout her life for Los Angeles Magazine, Palm Springs Life, Desert Magazine and Ventura County Star among others. She currently creates, hosts and produces the award-winning cooking and lifestyle TV series, "Simply Delicious Living with Maryann® (at Maryann Ridini Spencer - Maryann Ridini Spencer — Award-winning Screenwriter, Author, Producer, Lifestyle Journalist & TV Host) seen on PBS-TV, First Run TV Syndication, DirecTV, Dish, Roku, ifood.tv. She also created, hosted and produced Sustainability News Now (which was broadcast on television in Ventura. The radio show of the same name aaired on KPPQ Radio 104.1 FM).

Author

Spencer published the cookbook Simply Delicious Living with Maryann - Entrees.® (Santa Rosa Press, 2013 & 2019). Her first novel, "Lady in the Window" received the 2017 Best Book Award. Her second book, "The Paradise Table: a Kate Grace Mystery", was published by Santa Rosa Press in (October 22, 2019). She is currently working on other books in the series, as well as a screenplay adaptation, as well as other book and movie projects.

Personal life

Spencer lives between Southern California and Hawaii.

References
  1. "The Lost Valentine (TV Movie 2011) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  2. "Press Express | Not Available". Cbspressexpress.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  3. https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-02-nielchatter02_ST_N.htm?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d49968979bc5631%2C0 USA Today
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.