Monika Skerbelis

About Me

Monika Skerbelis is the co-author along with Rona Edwards of the critically acclaimed book, I Liked It, Didn’t Love It (Screenplay Development from the Inside Out). Now on her eighth year as the artistic & programming director for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, Ms. Skerbelis is a former Vice President of Creative and Executive Story Editor for Universal Pictures’ story department where she spent ten years overseeing the story department and developing a number of screenplays including BLACK DOG starring Patrick Swayze. While there, she reported to several heads of production for the studio, including Sean Daniel, Casey Silver and Hal Lieberman – all very successful producers today. In addition to her duties at Universal, Ms. Skerbelis scoured film festivals and screenwriting competitions in search of new filmmakers.

Prior to Universal, Ms. Skerbelis was Story Editor for 20th Century Fox having been promoted by Scott Rudin from Assistant Story Editor. She began her career as an assistant in the Story Department for Paramount Pictures under the Jeff Katzenberg-Michael Eisner-Barry Diller regime.

For the past seven years, Ms. Skerbelis has partnered with Rona Edwards teaching a very successful course, "Introduction to Feature Film Development," at UCLA Extension on the campus and online. They also teach a “Basic Screenwriting Fundamentals” class on campus at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and an online course titled "Story Development Process in the Entertainment Industry" at Riverside Community College. Prior to that, she taught “Story Analysis for Film & Television” with CBS Story Analyst, Harrison Reiner. Ms. Skerbelis has made a name for herself fostering new filmmakers and encouraging up-and-coming screenwriters. Her extensive knowledge of the studio system has given students a greater understanding of the development process. She has served on the jury of numerous screenwriting competitions and has guest lectured at film schools, film commissions, film festivals and film organizations across the country.

With Rona Edwards, she has formed Edwards Skerbelis Entertainment (ESE) (www.ESEntertainment.net) and ESE Film Workshops Online, dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and screenwriting talent. ESE is also developing projects to produce. In addition, via consultations, ESE assists talent in developing their screenplays and pitches with development notes and general career advice.

Recently, she co-produced the feature-length mockumentary, Quest for the Yeti, directed by Victoria Arch (Dirty Dancing’s: Havana Nights). Ms. Skerbelis wrote and directed the short film, Reel Footage: The Secret Lives of Shoes and has written five screenplays.

Ms. Skerbelis studied Sales & Marketing and graduated from Mount San Antonio College with a Liberal Arts Degree. She is also a product of UCLA Extension, having graduated there with an Entertainment for the Performing Arts Certificate in Film and Television. She graduated from Rowland High School, today known for its award-winning visual and performing arts department.

Goal

Edwards Skerbelis Entertainment and ESE Film Workshops Online is dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and screenwriting talent. In addition, via consultations, ESE assists talent in developing their screenplays and pitches with development notes and general career advice.

Professional Experience

Author/Producer/Consultant/Teacher
Edwards Skerbelis Entertainment (ESE) & ESE Film Workshops Online
2004 - Present

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