All About Me
REVA SOLOMON - Writer/Life Coach
Reva Solomon began her career with Merv Griffin Productions and remained for five and one-half years - starting out as a page, seating the audience, moving on to prize coordinator on Wheel of Fortune, and finally, hand-picked by Mr. Griffin to serve as Research Director for the Merv Griffin Show.
As Director of Development for Lin Oliver Productions (with an overall development deal with Hallmark Entertainment, TriStar, and Sony Pictures), Reva was responsible for finding and developing projects for children's television and family feature films. Most projects were generated by developing visual projects based on children's books. Her favorite project "Trumpet of the Swan," based on the E.B. White children's book, was released theatrically May 2001 by TriStar.
Reva served as administrator for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for several years. This organization of over 17,000 members worldwide, includes in it's membership, most notable children's book writers and illustrators, as well as publishers, editors, and agents, with whom Reva has a close working relationship. She continues to serve as the editor of the People Column for the SCBWI magazine - The Bulletin.
For over twenty-seven years, Reva has served in various capacities in freelance production in television and feature film, including two seasons on "Duet" for Fox Television; "Beauty Shop" starring Sheryl Lee Ralph for Castle Rock Television; "Corduroy" a children's animated video based on the best selling picture book; and "'night, Mother" a feature film starring Anne Bancroft and Sissy Spacek for Universal. As Director of Development at Abel/Steffan Music, Reva has developed and pitched "Camille" - A Chamber Musical in Five Movements for composer/musician/producer Ron Abel to the legit stage community.
As a publicist running her own public relations firm, Reva's clients included many Los Angeles based small theatres, organizations such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; Women In Film; and Women In Theatre; various large events, such as the WIF Crystal Awards, as well as individual actors, singers, choreographers, visual artists, and writers.
Reva has produced many theatrical productions for Los Angeles based houses, and planned and produced large events such as the 26th Annual Conference for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Women In Film Crystal Awards, in venues including the Century Plaza Hotel, the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Bonaventure Hotel, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Always on the cutting edge, Reva is a Professional Creative and Business Life Coach, with a practice made up of clients from the entertainment industry, the children's book writers and illustrators world, and other creative individuals.
Additionally, Reva has written and co-produced CD-ROM's for children for Synapse Technologies (with IBM) and Digital Domain (with IBM) as research director, and co-writer of the parents manual for the "Book of Virtues" CD-ROM. This CD-ROM is designed to integrate with the PBS animated series "The Adventures of the Book of Virtues" produced by Porchlight Entertainment. Her writing for CD-ROM'S includes articles about the women's movement; African American writers, literature, and history; many jazz musicians; various historical figures; and adventure heroes.
Two of Reva's plays have been produced in Los Angeles theatres. She is presently writing a middle grade novel for 8-12 year olds, and has completed a Picture Book manuscript, “Ziva the Diva!” which she is writing as a musical. "Just One Thing", an original full-length musical, conceived and written by Reva, debuted May, 2001 in Los Angeles.
Her articles have appeared in various magazines and newsletters, her chapter for writers and illustrators appears in the 2000 edition of the "Children's Writers & Illustrators Market." Reva edited a spiritual book, "A Conscious Life" by Isaiah McGee, and has served as consultant to writers for manuscript reviews.
Reva served on the Board of Directors of Women In Film for three and one-half years under President Marian Rees and on the Board of Directors of Women In Theatre for three years under President Debbie Devine. She is a long standing member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and has served as a judge for several years on the Blue Ribbon Panels for the Emmy Awards in Daytime Programming and Children's Television. Reva is also a member of the Dramatist Guild and newly elected member of P.E.N. USA.
Her love for writing led Reva to create and teach writing classes for adults, including her favorite, “Family Story Quilts,” which teaches people to write stories using their own life events piecing together memoires and their own story quilt. Reva has also taught classes about breaking into the entertainment industry and learning to network at Loyola Marymount, UC Northridge, and Santa Monica College. Other classes include, Breaking into Writing & Illustrating Children’s Books and Personal Development Makeovers. Reva's fascination with computers, has added the skill of creating and writing website content to her repertoire.
In her spare time, Reva volunteers with various organizations, and is a strong supporter of "Girls, Inc." which provides positive alternatives and mentors to girls that might not ordinarily have such opportunities.
As an undergraduate student, Reva studied and received her B.S. Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and taught school in the inner city in Atlanta, Georgia for three and one-half years. She also attended UCLA, studying television production. Reva is presently in her second year in the MFA - Writing for Children & Young Adults graduate program at Vermont College.
In 2000, Reva produced her family's first reunion for eighty-five of her closest relatives in Bermuda and serves as family historian. Reva lives in Los Angeles, with her cats, Elvis and Vinnie.
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Writing
Classes/Workshops
Poppy's Girl Productions (c)
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