WHO IS BROOKS ELMS?
“Brooks Elms is a screenwriter and independent filmmaker. His specialty is grounded personal characters and writing story tension so thick it knots up your stomach.
He's written 25+ screenplays, a dozen of them on assignment, and sold several scripts, including one this year with Brad Peyton as Executive Producer. Brooks was recently hired to rewrite a screenplay started by an Oscar-winning writer. Brooks began his career writing, directing, and producing two indie features (personal dramas) that he screened all over the world.
And Brooks also loves coaching fellow writers who have a burning ambition to deeply serve their audiences”
- Film Courage (a YouTube channel specializing in filmmaker interviews)
Hi, I’m Brooks.
Three of my life-long passions led to this mentorship program:
1) MAKING MOVIES
The 1st is making movies. I made my first film at age15 when friends asked me to make a Kung Fu film. I did it. I was hooked. 50 shorts later, I studied at NYU film school where I won a screenwriting award for my thesis film. That motivated me to write and direct two indie features. Eventually, I moved to Hollywood where I now sell scripts as a WGA writer.
"I loved working with Brooks. He's smart, creatively agile, always positive. He'll totally bring out your best."
Writer/Producer of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, STAR TREK BEYOND, ENDER’S GAME, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, LIMITLESS
2) PERSONAL GROWTH
My 2nd life-long passion is personal growth. From intense Reichian therapy in my 20s, to gentle Law of Attraction practices as a leader in the ManKind Project international men’s group since 2004 - I love supporting people on their personal path. I don’t try to “fix” writers because there’s nothing to fix. They’re already perfectly developing at their own pace. So I listen, identify and celebrate their unique “Superpower” and offer ideas when they’re most helpful. The results have been exciting: my mentees are finding themselves feeling very comfortable and writing from deeper, more powerful places than they ever thought possible.
"Brooks is a true professional. You are in great hands with him as your writing mentor."
- Brad Peyton
Writer/Producer/Director of RAMPAGE, SAN ANDREAS, DAYBREAK
3) TEAM
My 3rd life-long passion is assembling elite, high performance teams. I was once the captain of a totally mediocre NYU soccer team . It was frustrating and profoundly unsatisfying. That experience launched a lifelong quest to understand what makes legendary programs shine. I studied how Coach K wins at Duke, how Phil Jackson dominated with the Bulls and Lakers, and how UCLA’s John Wooden created a dynasty to win 10 championships in 12 years. Then, one of my scripts attracted a Hall of Fame’s UFC Fighter to become a producer - and I saw first hand how he runs one of the top MMA gyms on the planet.
ANSWER THE CALL is the result of my life-long dream to create a world-class team - a community of writers that I hand-pick and lead into habits that allow screenwriting greatness to become their everyday life - and it’s working!
"Brooks wrote the best screenplay I've read since AMERICAN BEAUTY."
Gerard Roxburgh
— Producer/Editor/Director of GREEN RUSH, ONCE I WAS CHAMPION and the UFC hit show “The Ultimate Fighter”
Written Testimonials
“There are very few people I can think of who have the determination and drive that Brooks has. When he sets out to do something - whether it's writing, directing, and producing a full-length feature film or learning a new skill - he commits absolutely and has always succeeded.”
Glenn Sanders
Sr. Creative Director, Amazon Studios
“Brooks Elms knows independent filmmaking from the inside out. He's a filmmaker and mentor of integrity and heart. I always want to know what he's thinking and what he's up to.”
David Brownstein
Executive / Career / Leadership Coach
“Brooks is very enthusiastic about what he does and it was a real pleasure to be one of his students, his energy is always positive and there is a real interaction between him and the students. He was very reachable and quick to answer our questions and gave us constructive feedback on our work. Moreover, he always brings interesting guest speakers and even helped me get a job interview with one of them!”
Solren Marc
Writer, Former UCLA Student
“Brooks' unique way of presenting feedback on your projects puts a new and exciting light on your work. He is one of the most trustworthy and honest people I know. I would recommend him and his work to anyone.”
Brad Helmink
Writer-Director
“Since 2008 I've benefited from Brooks' vast and diverse experience as film maker. His patient mentoring has focused, inspired, informed and helped turn my film series idea into a success.”
Steven Ritz-Barr
Filmmaker
“There is no one else I will ever trust with my story other than Brooks! He truly is a mastermind. I came to him when I needed a synopsis for a very personal and intricate screenplay, based on a true story, and later went back to him to drum it down into a 2-minute pitch that I simply couldn't do. Brooks took what I was struggling with for 8 months, listened knew immediately what was needed. He's the script savior! His professionalism and expertise should be a benchmark that every other writer in the industry should adopt, and he took the time and care of my material that it sorely needed. I now have a pitch that I would never have without Brooks' expertise and genuine care. I will be going back to Brooks', without hesitation, for my next project.”
Katy Silvester
Entrepreneur , Former Client
“I deeply admire Brooks' relentless enthusiasm and agile strategic mind. Since 2004, I've observed him in the workplace, in men's groups, and even on the soccer field and he always shows up the same way: with passion, insight, and durable integrity..”
Roth Herrlinger
Executive Coach and Strategic Advisor
“Brooks' movies always deliver subtle insight and observations into everyday life and meaningful issues. Even a plot appears on the surface to be zany comedy, it's clear Brooks has enormous affection for his characters, and no doubt that contributes to actors' consistently solid performances.”
Sam Levine
Investment Copywriter and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Wayne State University
“I don't know if I can sum up in words what Brooks has done to evolve my screenwriting technique! I was on a crunch time to submit to fellowships and Brooks gave me detailed notes on my pilot in a timely fashion. His notes aided in making my story stronger and giving the characters added layers. On top of being a well-skilled writer and instructor, Brooks has gone over and beyond by giving me sound advice on the industry and encouraging me along the way! Thanks, Brooks!”
Karimah Campbell-Taylor
Screenwriter, Former Client