Matt "MJ" Leonard

Screenwriter

Washington, D. C.

Member Since:
March 2024

Last online:
today

Invites sent:
0

About Matt

I'm looking to hone my skills as a screenwriter and network with others. The stories I gravitate toward involve strong female leads and family relationships (I have three daughters in the professional world and this helps inform my perspective). I've recently completed a spec feature screenplay: BELL-BOTTOM NEWS GIRL (I'm very pleased with how this unique story turned out!). I've also written a spec limited series pilot, and written / produced a 24-minute short. Both of these received recognition.

Background:
My early experience includes involvement with news and commercials at an NBC affiliate, marketing and training films for the corporate world, and independent documentaries. After 9/11 the U.S. Army recruited me from a reserve status to active-duty to produce news and b-roll packages highlighting soldier missions. During this time I shot, wrote and edited content in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Following this I transitioned into media relations and strategic communications for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. I recently left federal service and am now able to focus on screenwriting full-time.

Gender:
Male

Badges

2025-03-20

Writers' Room Member

Certifications

Photos

Loglines

Bell-Bottom News Girl Budget: $5M - $10M | Drama A disenfranchised TV journalist with PTSD must overcome 1970’s patriarchy and defy the will of her station to investigate a local hero’s death and become the city’s first news woman.
Beasts of Danu Fantasy While raising a psionic monster, a fallen knight must corral his inner beast in order to defeat mythical creatures, human evil, and a divine force bent on enslaving the world.

Credits

Bell-Bottom News Girl (2025)
(Drama) Writer Feature
Beasts of Danu (2021)
(Fantasy) Writer 1 hour Limited Series Pilot.
Electric Jenny (2018)
Film (short) Writer
United Way of Waukesha County (1996)
(Documentary) Writer / Director
The 84th Division: From the Bulge to the Elbe (1994)
(Documentary) Writer / Producer / Director

Awards

"Beasts of Danu" (screenplay) - Semi-Finalist - Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival
(2021)
"Beasts of Danu" (screenplay) - Honorable Mention - Finish Line Script Competition
(2021)
"Electric Jenny" (film) - Jury Award - Made in Pennsylvannia category - Veritas Film Festival
(2018)
"United Way of Waukesha County (documentary) " - Telly Award
(1996)
"The 84th Division: From the Bulge to the Elbe" (documentary) - U.S. Army Keith L. Ware Award
(1994)

Education

Central Michigan University
(2007-2009)
International Film and Television Workshops Rockport, Maine
(1994)
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
(1982-1986)