“Berkowitz: brilliant or insane?”

The Santa Clauses (Disney+)

Man, I was obsessed with The Santa Clause movies as a kid. Getting to write on this series was a dream. I wrote episode four, and contributed jokes and storylines to the rest of the episodes in the first season!

WRITING EXPERIENCE

IN TV: I’ve written for 8 TV shows (on Netflix, Disney+, CBS, FX, and more). And I’ve also sold 4 of my own TV pitches to studios.

IN FILM: I’ve been hired to write, or co-write, 9 movies.

Below are just a few of my projects!

TELEVISION PROJECTS

Carol’s Second Act (CBS)

This multi-camera comedy shot before a live studio audience. So, in addition to writing two episodes, and pitching in the writers’ room, I also had to write jokes on the fly during the live tapings. Tape nights are the most thrilling/terrifying thing in Hollywood.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FXX)

This was the first show I was hired for as a staff writer. I didn’t write an episode, so you won’t see it on my IMDB, but this was a blast. By the end of the season, I could even pitch jokes to Charlie Day without completely blacking out!

HOOPS (Netflix)

Raunchy and wild, this series had an incredible voice cast (led by Jake Johnson) and world-class producers (Lord & Miller of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The Lego Movie”). It was a thrill to write episode two of this show, and collaborate with the animators and voice actors.

Dawn of The Croods (Netflix)

Writing for families is such a fun challenge. It’s fun to figure out something that is engaging for both kids and their parents. I wrote my episode about a Stone Age beauty pageant — based on my own experience as a 17-year-old competing in the Miss Teen Illinois USA Beauty Pageant.

Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television (YouTube Originals)

I was hired onto the second season of the procedural comedy. This show made fun of cop dramas and LA in equal measure. It was so much fun to write for. And I got to act in my episode! Incredibly, I kept forgetting my lines… even though I wrote them. I do not envy actors!

Benched (USA)

My first TV writing credit! This was a show about the funny (and tragic) world of Public Defenders.

The star, Eliza Coupe, was down for anything, and I love writing physical comedy, so I got to write a bunch of physical gags into my episode.

Lizzie McGuire - Adult Reboot (Disney+)

In 2020, I won a competitive pitching situation and was hired to write an adult reboot of this show. I developed a series document, and wrote a pilot episode for Disney+.

Letters to Santa (Paramount)

I co-wrote half of my feature films with a partner (Ava Tramer! She’s amazing)! This was an original feature film for Paramount, with Hello Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon’s company) producing. There is nothing I love more than writing a Christmas movie.

Multiple Movie Projects

I’m currently working with my feature partner on a book adaptation, two re-writes, for Unwell & Ace Entertainment (owned by Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan).

Unt. Rom-Com Feature (Paramount)

I’m currently adapting a rom-com sports novel into a feature film for Paramount Pictures.

Unt. Horror Comedy Feature (Netflix)

I’m currently adapting a comic book into a horror comedy for Netflix Animation Studios.

Unt. Family Comedy (Paramount+)

A few years ago, I heard Paramount was trying to craft a family comedy film centered on my favorite ‘90s Nickelodeon show. I pitched a story that was a friendship version of “The Parent Trap,” centering around the well-known (very slimy) game show.

My pitch was chosen from five, so I got to write my first (and favorite) family-friendly adventure movie!

While You Were Breeding (Disney)

This was my favorite show to work on. I couldn’t believe how magical it was to be on set for it (in both LA and Argentina). An hour-long dramedy, each episode made me laugh and cry.

It shot in four countries. And then, due to a restructuring at Disney, was put on a shelf as a tax-break. If you ever get a chance to see it, I’m so, so proud to have been a part of it.

Masters of Mini Golf (Warner Bros.)

I write movies with a partner. We teamed up with Mila Kunis and her company to develop a high-stakes comedy about the lowest stakes world: mini-golf! Ashton Kutcher is attached to star.

Various Pilots (20th, ABC, TNT)

Over the course of a few years, I wrote a number of pilots for different studios. Two ensemble comedies and one sci-fi comedy (that I co-wrote with a friend!)