Maryann Ridini Spencer
Maryann Ridini Spencer, a member of the Writer's Guild of America, West, and the Producers Guild of America, is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, journalist, TV host, and TV & Film producer and director.
Early life
A multi-scholarship winner, Maryann graduated with a degree in Communications from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. While at Hofstra, Maryann served as co-program director of the college station, HTV, and a teaching apprentice at the University's TV Production studios.
Work in theatre
She began her career in the performing arts at the age of twelve, working in local community theatre in Syosset, New York appearing in numerous plays and working behind-the-scenes in costume design and props. At the age of 16, she auditioned for, and secured a position as an acting apprentice with the Equity theatre, The Hampton Playhouse in Hampton, New Hampshire. She also performed and worked as an acting apprentice with another well known summertheatree, The New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire. For her acting, she later won special commendations, for placing in the top level of The New York City and Staten Island Dramatic Invitationals.
Work in television as a writer, producer, director
Maryann worked for a number of years as a producer, writer, director at the Los Angeles Bureau of Cable News Network where she worked in the field and in-studio on the daily (taped-as-live and live shows) as: The Lee Leonard Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Bill Tush Show. Later, she went on to work as a writer/producer on a number of other television series including the daily series, "Alive & Well," executive produced by Bonnie Hammer for the USA Network.
Work in public relations and marketing
Maryann has an extensive career in public relations, marketing and promotions. She worked as Senior Vice President of Publicity, Advertising & Promotions at Stephen J. Cannell Productions supervising publicity and marketing initiatives at for The Cannell Studios' facilities in Los Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia. While at the studio, she worked on campaigns for such series as: "Hunter," "Wiseguy", "21 Jump Street," "Sonny Spoon", "Top of the Hill" and MOWs. Before that, Maryann worked as Director of Publicity for Miss Universe, Inc., supervising the national and international publicity for the "Miss Universe", "Miss USA" and "Miss Teen USA" Pageants. Working at a number of high profile PR agencies, she also supervised campaigns for such series as: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (Paramount), "American Gladiators" (Samuel Goldwyn Company) and "Wheel of Fortune" (Merv Griffin Enterprises) and many others.
Founder of Ridini Entertainment Corporation
In 1990 to present, in order to combine her expertise in public relations and marketing as well as pursue writing and production endeavors, Maryann founded Ridini Entertainment Corporation (REC), an award-winning public relations, marketing, website/blog design and TV & Film Production company. Under the company banner, REC has handled campaigns PR & Marketing campaigns for top brands including: The United States Olympic Committee working with athletes in all sports and the GAMES, NBC/Universal, E! Entertainment Television and Concorde-New Horizons, Corp. (New Concorde). It was the head of Concorde, the legendary producer Roger Corman, that gave Maryann, (via her company, Ridini Entertainment), her first look, a 3-picture deal to produce movies.
Career as a film writer and producer
Under REC's banner, Maryann has served in various producer capacities on a number of television and film projects for the Showtime Networks, USA Networks, SyFy Channel, Movie Channel, and foreign theatrical. Most recently Maryann co-wrote/produced "The Lost Valentine starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt.[1] The project was a collaborative effort between Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions in Association with Paulist Productions, Atchity Entertainment International and Ridini Entertainment Corporation. Maryann originally optioned the novel, "The Last Valentine" from novelist James Michael Pratt. The film, which aired on January 30, 2011 on CBS-TV, received critical acclaim and was Hallmark Hall of Fame's most highly rated movie in four years, winning the night for CBS[2] with over 14.6 million viewers tuning in.[3] Ridini Entertainment currently has a number of TV, Film and documentary projects in the works.
TV/Print Journalist and TV Host
Throughout her career, in addition to being a screen and TV writer, Maryann has worked as a journalist (writer and/or editor) for numerous print publications including: Los Angeles Magazine, Palm Springs Life, Desert Magazine and Ventura County Star. Currently, through her company, Ridini Entertainment (http://RidiniEntertainment.com) she created, hosts and produces the Telly Award-Winning cooking/lifestyle TV series, "Simply Delicious Living with Maryann® (at Maryann Ridini Spencer - Maryann Ridini Spencer — Award-winning Screenwriter, Author, Producer, Lifestyle Journalist & TV Host) seen on PBS-TV, First Run TV Syndication, DirecTV, Dish, Roku, ifood.tv. She also created, hosted and produced Sustainability News Now (which was broadcast on television in Ventura. The radio show of the same name aaired on KPPQ Radio 104.1 FM).
Author
As a book author Maryann has published the cookbook Simply Delicious Living with Maryann - Entrees.® (Santa Rosa Press, 2013 & 2019). Her first novel, "Lady in the Window" received the 2017 Best Book Award (2017, Selectbooks, 2019 Santa Rosa Press). In her second book, "The Paradise Table: a Kate Grace Mystery" (the second book in the Kate Grace Mystery series following "Lady in the Window" is published by Santa Rosa Press (October 22, 2019). She is currently working on other books in the series as well as their screenplay adaptations and other book and movie projects.
Personal life
Maryann lives between Southern California and Hawaii.
References
- "The Lost Valentine (TV Movie 2011) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
- "Press Express | Not Available". Cbspressexpress.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-02-nielchatter02_ST_N.htm?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d49968979bc5631%2C0 USA Today