Alan Roth is a screenwriter who completed his undergraduate studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where he earned degrees in History and English Literature. He continued his academic journey at Emerson College in Boston, obtaining an MFA in Creative Writing. As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Roth also shares his expertise as an adjunct professor of screenwriting at Fairleigh Dickinson’s School of the Arts. In the following article, Mr. Roth recalls winning the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship Academy Award (the Oscars) for his screenplay “Jersey City Story”.
Screenwriter Alan Roth
The History of the Nicholl Fellowship Award
The Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting is an international competition established to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters. Gee Nicholl, the widow of legendary producer Don Nicholl, collaborated with Julian Blaustein in 1985 to establish the prestigious program in partnership with the Academy (the Oscars). Many of the talents recognized by the Nicholl Fellowship went on to receive Pulitzer Prizes. The Nicholl Fellowship celebrated its 25th anniversary milestone in 2010, reflecting on its enduring legacy in shaping the landscape of screenwriting.
The Evolution of a Writer
During his high school years, Alan Roth started writing short stories. Although his initial attempts may have been challenging due to the disparity between his themes and personal background, a teacher’s wise counsel transformed his approach. By urging him to “Write what you know, and with your own voice,” this pivotal advice became the cornerstone of Roth’s evolution as a writer.
With a vague notion of pursuing writing as a career, he ventured to Boston, drawn by its vibrant comedy scene. He immersed himself in the world of stand-up comedy, writing material for various comedians. His creative endeavors expanded further when he launched a monthly satirical newspaper, which garnered notable attention within the community.
The Jersey City Story
Roth then embarked on his professional writing journey with a series of short stories, some of which found publication. However, following the passing of a close friend, he sought to uplift his friend’s son during such a difficult time. He accompanied the boy to a sports game where they hoped to meet the young boy’s favorite player. Despite their efforts, they were informed that this player would not be interacting with the public that day. Disheartened, they began to leave, but to their surprise, the player took a moment to speak with the boy, sharing his own experience of loss and offering words of comfort.
Witnessing the profound impact of this encounter on the boy, Roth was inspired. Unable to shake the memory, he felt compelled to capture this special moment in writing. He transformed the experience into a scene for a screenplay, which he later expanded into the full narrative of “Jersey City Story.”
Recognizing Top Talent
Over a quarter century after its inception, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting still stand as a prestigious honor within the film industry, recognizing outstanding talent and originality in the craft of screenwriting each year. Alan Roth was selected as one of five winners for his work. Each winner received a $35,000 prize, marking the beginning of a promising journey in the world of cinema.
Roth’s screenplay was selected from a record-breaking pool of 7,251 scripts submitted for consideration. The award ceremony was accompanied by a live reading of selected scenes from Roth’s winning script by stars such as Taraji P. Henson and Elle Fanning. It was a momentous occasion celebrating the art of storytelling. You can see Alan’s Academy speech here.
Bringing Scripts to Life
Since then, the Fellowship has introduced a captivating tradition of showcasing winning screenplays through live readings performed by respected actors in front of an enthusiastic audience. Despite many challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 that disrupted most of the world, the tradition persisted through virtual readings, maintaining the essence of the Fellowship’s commitment to honoring exceptional storytelling.
Throughout its history, the Nicholl Fellowship has served as a beacon of excellence in the film industry, with 17 winning scripts being successfully produced as feature films in recent years. The Fellowship’s impact extends beyond accolades and recognition, empowering emerging screenwriters to realize their creative visions and contribute compelling narratives to the cinematic landscape.
Fostering Creative Independence
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships are distinguished by a commitment to nurturing up-and-coming talent in screenwriting. Recipients are awarded with the expectation that they will complete a feature-length screenplay during their Fellowship year. Importantly, the Academy does not acquire any rights to the fellows’ works and does not engage commercially with their completed scripts, ensuring creative autonomy for the writers.
Looking Ahead in 2024
The 2023 awards presentation and live reading is scheduled for April 25th 2024, and will feature performances by members of the Academy’s Actors Branch, bringing scenes from the winning scripts to life. The event is open to the public, inviting film enthusiasts to witness the talent and creativity honored by the Nicholl Fellowships.
Tom Rickman, Oscar nominated screenwriter for Coal Miner’s Daughter, presents Alan Roth with his award for Jersey City Story.
The Committee
With a legacy dating back to 1986, the Nicholl Fellowships has awarded 133 Fellowships to date, with past recipients achieving notable success in the film industry. These individuals exemplify the impact and influence of this notoriety in shaping the careers of talented screenwriters.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting represent a pinnacle of achievement for aspiring screenwriters, offering recognition, support, and opportunities for artistic growth. Through its commitment to excellence and innovation, the Nicholl Fellowships continue to shape the future of storytelling in cinema.
