Episode 6: Syndi Shumer

 

Home Town: Brooklyn, NY

Current Town: Brooklyn, NY

Tell me, if you will, a story from your childhood that explains who you are as a writer or as a person: It's really not so much a story, per se, as it is having discovered different types of writers across a variety of media who lit a creative spark in me: There were authors skilled in both whimsy and rhyme like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, and sharp-minded comedy writers like those who wrote for "MAD" Magazine. Also in the medium of print, there were the clever-minded writers of tangible fads like "Garbage Pail Kids" cards and "Wacky Packages" (for you young'uns, the latter were collectable stickers that spoofed branded products... see pic below). In other areas of media, there were brilliant television writers, like those who wrote whip-smart sketches for "The Electric Company" and "Square One Television." And on the music front, there was one of the greatest songwriting minds of all time... the amazing "Weird Al" Yankovic. (You might be noticing a pattern here -- most of these writers dealt in the art of parody-writing, in some form or another.) In fact, so immensely inspired by Weird Al's unique genius and vast catalog was I, that as a teen you could often find me writing parody songs about my friends to the tune of popular songs of the day. Without realizing it at the time, absorbing the works of all these various writers was giving me an education in how to write parody. And little did I know it would actually come in handy later in life as a writer in the children's media landscape! If you could change one thing about television, what would it be?: Depending on the show... the channel? ;-)

Who are or were your television heroes?: As far as scriptwriters go, I'd have to say Jane Espenson and Vince Gilligan.

What kind of television excites you?: Can't explain why, but I love angsty teens, and even moreso when they're navigating within a supernatural enviornment. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" anyone? Best. Show. Ever! Well, okay, maybe it ties for first, along with what is, imho, quite possibly the most gripping show ever made -- "Breaking Bad." Two completely different genres, yes, I know. But writing wise? Man oh man, I don't think there's a single flaw in the writing of "Breaking Bad," from start to end.

What advice do you have for TV writers just starting out?: Have confidence in yourself and your ideas. Not always easy, I know. But one thing I've learned is that many accomplished writers admit to having had, or even still experiencing, what's known as Imposter Syndrome. That's the feeling of inadequacy you get despite your evident successes; the feeling that you're a phony and that at any second you might get found out! lol Why are we writers so insecure? I don't know. But my advice is to just trust that if you've made it to the point where someone is hiring you for your creative brain, then you have the goods. I sometimes need to take my own advice here, too. :)

Any Plugs?: Well, since you asked, two wonderfully creative women that I know in the children's media industry are on the development team to reboot of one of my favorite childhood TV series: "The Magic Garden." The show was a regional hit in the tri-state area in the '70s and '80s, and is a great source of nostalgic glee for adults who had the great fortune of getting to watch it as kids. The reboot will be an animated prequel version of the live-action series, featuring the main characters Carole and Paula (now in their 80s in real life) as kids themselves! There's an indiegogo fund going on right now to help produce the pilot where you can learn more. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-magic-garden-a-new-animated-series#/ (For transparency, I've in no way been asked to plug this, I'm just really excited about it!)

Syndi Shumer is a New York based writer and lyricist. She has scripted a broad range of material for pre-school edutainment trailblazer Sesame Workshop, including the international series "Sesame Street: Super Healthy Monsters," direct-to-video projects ("The Best of Elmo 2," "Shalom Sesame"), an original pilot ("Munchin' Impossible"), animated shorts (“Salty & Pierre”), song lyrics ("Do the Robot," "Matzoh in the House", “Rosh Hashanah Hannah Song”, etc.), contributions to the PBS special “A Capitol Fourth,” award show presentations, stage performances, film voice-overs, parodies, and more.

Syndi has also worked with several other powerhouse industry leaders in children's television, such as with Nickelodeon as a freelance writer/lyricist on "Wallykazam!", as well as with The Fred Rogers Company on "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" (PBS Kids), HIT Productions on "Little People" (Sprout), and as a staff writer on "Cloud Bread," an international series produced by hit-maker Little Airplane Productions in partnership with South Korea's GIMC Animation Studios.

Outside of television, Syndi has written original children's content for numerous digital apps and websites. She has also been a featured writer in Jack and Jill Magazine.

Additionally, Syndi's flair for writing goes beyond that of children’s entertainment. In the field of journalism, her interview with Sonia Manzano (Sesame Street's "Maria") was published as a featured article in The Emmy Almanac 2016 Edition, the official program of The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony.

Prior to writing, Syndi freelanced in the field of television production. For several years she served as script supervisor on the acclaimed children's series, "Sesame Street." Additional prior credits include having worked in various capacities on the production staffs of the daytime dramas “Guiding Light,” “As the World Turns,” and “Another World,” as well as the primetime sitcoms “Lateline” (starring Al Franken), “Talk to Me” (Kyra Sedgwick) and “Madigan Men” (Gabriel Byrne).