The leading role

About

Writing across screen, landing page, and brand. Based in Palo Alto.


The short version

I write screenplays to make you feel something.

I write copy to make you buy.

Kellan McDonough

The longer version

I'm currently an MFA Creative Writing candidate at San Jose State University, with a focus on screenwriting. Before that, I earned a B.S. in Graphic Communication from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — a useful, if unsexy, way of saying I learned how to make things visual.

My primary focus is screenwriting, for TV. I'm also writing film, prose, and exploring documentary. I was awarded the Steinbeck Fellowship at SJSU.

Overall, as a screenwriter, I focus on:

Skills

Screenwriting • Prose • Documentary development • Copywriting • Journalism • Editing

Technical and professional communication, which includes:

  • Sales pages
  • Landing pages
  • Email marketing
  • Content marketing
  • Articles
  • Blogs

Education & honors

  • MFA, Creative Writing (in progress) — San Jose State University. Focus: Screenwriting.
  • B.S. Graphic Communication, 2018 — California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Specialization: Business Management for Graphic Communication.
  • Steinbeck Fellow at SJSU.

Currently working on

A half-hour comedy pilot, and of course my weekly-ish Substack. See the Work →

Roll credits

Say hello