TESTIMONIALS
“Writing scripts is distinct from writing prose. They are as dissimilar as painting is from sculpting—both art yet each form requiring different tools and media. When I decided to adapt my fiction into scripts, I turned to Syd Sidner, a wise, creative and brilliant teacher.”
Min Jin Lee, Author, Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires.
“I can’t begin to imagine my career without Syd Sidner. Without her help I would never have written both the novel, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, and the subsequent film.”
Peter Hedges, Writer/Director
“Syd has been a great resource for me when writing half-hour television scripts and feature screenplays. She’s helped with everything from writer’s block to filling in plot holes in a way that solves not simply the problem at hand, but helps clarify the process as a whole. I’m so grateful for her guidance and skill!”
Naomi Ekperigin, Comedian, Actress and Writer
“After a brilliant author, and dear friend, entrusted me to adapt his first novel into a limited series, I turned to Syd for help.I had previously adapted and produced one of the author’s works as a feature film, but the televised form was new territory. I had heard from some of my favorite TV and film writers that working with Syd was a game changer. I brought a draft of a pilot episode and the rest of my ideas for the series to Syd. With her kind guidance, and keen ability to shape episodes and enliven plot, I was able to move forward, clarify, outline, and embrace the possibilities of the televised form. Syd is a wonderful person, extremely gifted, and a joy to work with”
Elizabeth Cuthrell, Writer, Producer and Co-Founder of Evenstar Films
“Whenever I’m feeling stuck on a script or just want an outside set of eyes, Syd is the first person I turn to. She is always able to give helpful and clear direction while still honoring my own “voice.” Sometimes she can even zero in on what it is I want to communicate before I can! Syd is wonderful to be around and an invaluable resource- you would be very VERY silly if you don’t seize the opportunity to work with her.”
Julie Cavaliere, Actress, Producer and Director
“I had been stuck on a screenplay rewrite for A YEAR. In our first meeting, Syd pinpointed exactly the plot fixes that had been eluding me. The execs said the resulting draft was in the best shape they had ever seen.”
Molly Rydzel, Writer
“If you need a guide on your writing journey, look no further than Syd. No one is more insightful, supportive and creative; she has the rare gift of leading writers back to themselves. Two sessions with Syd and we had a script of which we are exceedingly proud. I can’t wait to work with her again!”
Sunny Turner, Writer
“When I was pushing towards the finish of May We Be Forgiven–I hired Syd. She has a wonderful mind to bounce things off of.”
A.M. Homes, Novelist/Screenwriter
“Syd is the best! Feeling stuck, I contacted her, needing help with an original pilot. She was amazing: smart, kind, and filled with ideas. I could, finally, see what to do, and how to do it. I recommend Syd Sidner to anyone working on any kind of writing. I know I will call on her again. And again. Can I call her now? Syd? Are you home?”
Jacquelyn Reingold, Co-executive producer, The Good Fight. Other shows: Braindead, Grace and Frankie, Smash, In Treatment.
“I would not have: gotten a book deal; figured out what my book was even about; maintained the confidence to rewrite that book…several times; or stayed upbeat and tenacious through the process without Syd. She shepherded a most unruly sheep of a book, and I’m forever grateful.”
Mike Errico, Author, Music Lyrics & Life. Singer-Songwriter, Producer, Professor, and Journalist.
“Syd is an exquisite teacher. She guides with remarkable respect and sensitivity to her students’ aesthetic and style, while also identifying the vital building blocks of a solid script. I can’t imagine a better teacher than Syd in guiding how to write a strong and viable screenplay.”
Rachel Dickstein, Award-winning director, writer and producer, Artistic Director of Ripe Time.
“Syd is the key that opened so many doors, I never knew existed, writing my first pilot! Having a stand-up background, I felt she understood my comedy, approach and how to assist me in going deeper. Her insight for characters, dialogue, even camera angles were invaluable! Her guidance was grounding, educational and honest. Inspired to work with Syd over and over again!”
Valerie Jean Garduno, Actress
“Writing scripts is distinct from writing prose. They are as dissimilar as painting is from sculpting—both art yet each form requiring different tools and media. When I decided to adapt my fiction into scripts, I turned to Syd Sidner, a wise, creative and brilliant teacher.”
Min Jin Lee, Author, Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires.
“When I was pushing towards the finish of May We Be Forgiven–I hired Syd. She has a wonderful mind to bounce things off of.”
A.M. Homes, Novelist/Screenwriter
“I can’t begin to imagine my career without Syd Sidner. Without her help I would never have written both the novel, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, and the subsequent film.”
Peter Hedges, Writer/Director
“Syd is the best! Feeling stuck, I contacted her, needing help with an original pilot. She was amazing: smart, kind, and filled with ideas. I could, finally, see what to do, and how to do it. I recommend Syd Sidner to anyone working on any kind of writing. I know I will call on her again. And again. Can I call her now? Syd? Are you home?”
Jacquelyn Reingold, Co-executive producer, The Good Fight. Other shows: Braindead, Grace and Frankie, Smash, In Treatment.
“Syd has been a great resource for me when writing half-hour television scripts and feature screenplays. She’s helped with everything from writer’s block to filling in plot holes in a way that solves not simply the problem at hand, but helps clarify the process as a whole. I’m so grateful for her guidance and skill!”
Naomi Ekperigin, Comedian, Actress and Writer
“I would not have: gotten a book deal; figured out what my book was even about; maintained the confidence to rewrite that book…several times; or stayed upbeat and tenacious through the process without Syd. She shepherded a most unruly sheep of a book, and I’m forever grateful.”
Mike Errico, Author, Music Lyrics & Life. Singer-Songwriter, Producer, Professor, and Journalist.
“After a brilliant author, and dear friend, entrusted me to adapt his first novel into a limited series, I turned to Syd for help.I had previously adapted and produced one of the author’s works as a feature film, but the televised form was new territory. I had heard from some of my favorite TV and film writers that working with Syd was a game changer. I brought a draft of a pilot episode and the rest of my ideas for the series to Syd. With her kind guidance, and keen ability to shape episodes and enliven plot, I was able to move forward, clarify, outline, and embrace the possibilities of the televised form. Syd is a wonderful person, extremely gifted, and a joy to work with.”
Elizabeth Cuthrell, Writer, Producer and Co-Founder of Evenstar Films
“Syd is an exquisite teacher. She guides with remarkable respect and sensitivity to her students’ aesthetic and style, while also identifying the vital building blocks of a solid script. I can’t imagine a better teacher than Syd in guiding how to write a strong and viable screenplay.”
Rachel Dickstein, Award-winning director, writer and producer, Artistic Director of Ripe Time.
“Whenever I’m feeling stuck on a script or just want an outside set of eyes, Syd is the first person I turn to. She is always able to give helpful and clear direction while still honoring my own “voice”. Sometimes she can even zero in on what it is I want to communicate before I can! Syd is wonderful to be around and an invaluable resource- you would be very VERY silly if you don’tseize the opportunity to work with her.”
Julie Cavaliere, Actress, Producer and Director
“Syd is the key that opened so many doors, I never knew existed, writing my first pilot! Having a stand-up background, I felt she understood my comedy, approach and how to assist me in going deeper. Her insight for characters, dialogue, even camera angles were invaluable! Her guidance was grounding, educational and honest. Inspired to work with Syd over and over again!”
Valerie Jean Garduno, Actress
“I had been stuck on a screenplay rewrite for A YEAR. In our first meeting, Syd pinpointed exactly the plot fixes that had been eluding me. The execs said the draft was in the best shape they had ever seen.”
Molly Rydzel, Writer
“If you need a guide on your writing journey, look no further than Syd. No one is more insightful, supportive and creative; she has the rare gift of leading writers back to themselves. Two sessions with Syd and we had a script of which we are exceedingly proud. I can’t wait to work with her again!”
Sunny Turner, Writer
“Syd asked questions about my script that I was too afraid to ask myself, and led me to answers I never thought I’d find. I felt she was as invested as I was in making the pages successful. She helped me to see value in the choices I’d made and the deep down reasons I’d made them.”
Alexandra Hoopes, Former NYU TV writing student, Assistant Editor at MIT Press