TV/FILM PRODUCTIONS & SCRIPTWRITNG CONSULTING
HELPING YOU TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY NON-TRADITIONALLY
checkmySTAATS, inc.
Creative Writing Specialists
Welcome to checkmySTAATS, inc., where your TV writing dreams take center stage! Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, we're here to help you make a splash in the vibrant TV industry. As specialists in TV writing and screenplays, we offer an exciting array of services designed to accelerate your career: from polished resume building and ace interview skills to cutting-edge writing tools and immersive mock writer's room experiences.
Our mission is to empower passionate writers just like you, and we’re proud to showcase the glowing testimonials from our successful alumni. Discover the expertise of our stellar instructors and join our dynamic community of budding TV writers ready to make their mark. Your breakthrough is just a step away—let’s craft your success story together!
OUR TEAM
DEONTÉ STAATS, Founder, CEO
Deonte' Staats, a Philly native raised in Baltimore, pens gritty, secret laced, character-driven one-hour TV dramas and satirical half-hour dramedies. Staats, who identifies as bisexual, is a proud "Blerd" that sprinkles his love for sci-fi and comics into his storytelling. He attended
North Carolina A&T, an HBCU where he majored in Computer Science and minored in English while producing TV commercials and performing spoken word. Don't tell his parents about his poetry tour and how he ended up at the NuYoRican Café in the East Village.
Staats' storytelling as the Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer for the hit dramedy "À La Carte" on AMC's streamer ALLBLK made it the number one scripted show its first season. With his experience as the Script Coordinator for season 2 of "Bel-Air" (Peacock) and Co-writer of the penultimate episode for season 4 of "The CHI" (Showtime), Staats has established himself as a skilled and versatile writer. He also worked as a Writer's Assistant for Lee Daniels' pilot "The Spook Who Sat By The Door" (FX) and Ali Leroi's feature film "The Obituary of Tunde Johnson"
(Hulu).
Staats' work doesn't stop there, he’s served as EP, Producer and Assistant Director for numerous commercials for brands like Bonefish Grill, ESPN, Food Network, and Intel Sports. With a passion for service and helping others, Deonte' has transitioned a former career of Training & Development into helping other screenwriters break into the industry, non-traditionally. His Always Write workshops have graduated over fifty cohorts since 2018, with many of them currently working in Writer's Room support jobs and other TV & Film incubators.
Managed by Trevor Engelson and Josh Turner at Underground and represented by literary agent Jeff Greenberg with GERSH and legal representation with Jamice Oxley, Esq. Staats is a rising star in the entertainment industry.
OUR TEAM
LEE EDWARD COLSTON II, MASTER CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Philly native Lee Edward Colston II is a Black, Queer, former prison guard and MMA Fighter turned actor, writer, director, teacher, and author.
He was a finalist for the 2017 IAMA Theatre Company’s Shonda Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission and a recipient of the National Black Theatre’s I AM SOUL Playwrights Residency. The First Deep Breath received critical acclaim as “…one of the best Chicago plays of the decade…” after its world premiere at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, earning Colston a 2020 Jeff Award for Best New Work as well as a 2020 Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award given by the American Theatre Critics Association. Past winners include Lynn Nottage, August Wilson, and Horton Foote. Some of Colston’s other plays include: Roost, For Which It Stands, Solitary, Holla, and Birthday Cake.
His electrifying 2023 production of 'The First Deep Breath' at the world renowned Geffen Playhouse (that he also starred in) was critically acclaimed with the LA Times writing, "Colston doesn't so much end his play as detonate it." And Arts Beat LA writing "Colston is very much a talent to watch."
The production was submitted for consideration for the Pulitzer Prize.
For television, Colston previously wrote on 'Fargo' (FX) starring Chris Rock. His episode “East/West” was named one of the top TV Episodes of 2020 by The Hollywood Reporter. Colston has developed television projects at HBO with Academy Award winners Laura Dern, Eric Roth, and Alex Gibney. He has also worked with Emmy nominee Jon Bernthal also at HBO. He has also developed with Emmy Award winners Joe Fields and Joel Weisberg at FX. Most recently, Lee is a producer on Ryan Murphy’s 'American Sports Story: Gladiator' (FX) and has developed with Emmy Award–winning 'The Handmaid’s Tale' producer Warren Littlefield.
Colston earned his M.F.A. in Acting from The Juilliard School and has been part of the teaching faculty for USC's School of Cinematic Arts, NYU, University of the Arts, and more. He is repped by Range Media Partners and CAA.
ALWAYS WRITE WRITING INTENSIVE
CLASS INSTRUCTOR: DEONTÉ STAATS
Always Write, increases the chances for underrepresented TV and Film writers to write your way into the Writer’s Room through creative consistency. We help studios and networks make more diverse and innovative stories behind the scenes. In an Industry full of the answer no, let Always Write be your first YES!
JOIN CYCLE 5: "FIELD OF DREAMS"
8-WEEK PROGRAM
STARTS OCTOBER 19TH, 2024
*BRAINSTORMING *BEAT SHEETS
*OUTLINES *PITCH TO FIRST DRAFT
*MOCK WRITING ROOM EXPERIENCE
*SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
*ZOOM CLASSES
Interested? Send an email to alwayswrite2020@gmail.com
Course Cost
2 PAYMENTS OF $450
(1st payment due immediately; 2nd payment due by Week 4)
UNSTOPPABLE SCREENWRITING METHOD - MASTER CLASS
CLASS INSTRUCTOR: LEE EDWARD COLSTON II
Are you bursting with a brilliant idea but stuck on how to bring it to life? Do you dream of turning your passion into a career as a 'must-hire' screenwriter? This isn’t just another class. This is your breakthrough moment.
In UNSTOPPABLE SCREENWRITING, you’ll master the art of character-driven storytelling—where unforgettable characters collide with addictive, edge-of-your-seat narratives that leave readers breathless.
You’ll unlock the secret techniques that the pros use to craft stories producers can’t resist. From electrifying dialogue that crackles to emotionally explosive character arcs, you’ll discover how to design compelling characters so real, they leap off the page—and craft stories so addictive, your audience will binge from beginning to end.
Ready to finally get that idea out of your head and onto the page?
Ready to break into the industry?
Ready to take your script from ordinary to unstoppable?
This course will elevate your writing, ignite your imagination, and unleash your potential.
Your future as a top-tier screenwriter is just one script away.
Don't wait—your story is too powerful to stay untold!
8-WEEK PROGRAM
STARTS 10/22/2024
Masterclass Course Pre-Requisite:
*Letter of Recommendation from Writing Industry Professional
*A One-Sheet of Your Script Idea & Or 10 pages of 1st Draft
*Artistic Resume/CV
Interested: Send an email to alwayswrite2020@gmail.com
Course Cost
2 PAYMENTS OF $450
(1st payment due immediately; 2nd payment due by Week 4)