"I am fond of stories about underdogs who stick to their guns despite being outclassed...who hold out even though they know they are doomed, or characters who embody fairness and justice even if it violates their pragmatic sensibilities. I also like it when a metaphorical family forms in front of our eyes...when characters create forgiving universes by embracing those in their orbit who have been abandoned or who just can't be shoehorned into normal society."

About

Educated at Cambridge University, Westminster College, and the University of Utah, Jeffrey Gold was a member of the Playwright's Group for more than three seasons, through the auspices of the Salt Lake Acting Company (which premiered Tony Kushner's Angels in America) under dramaturg Mike Dorrell (BBC's Soldier, Soldier, Pictures of a Floating World) and playwright-in-residence Julie Jensen (Two-Headed, Last Lists of My Mad Mother, Wait!).

Jeffrey has pitched to Barrie M. Osborne (Lord of the Rings), Jordan Horowitz at Original Headquarters (La La Land, Counterpart), Mark Johnson at Gran Via Productions (Breaking Bad), Rita Wilson (A Man Called Otto), Janet Wu (Moana) at Netflix, Chris Kuser at Dreamworks Animation (MegaMind), Beth Swofford (CAA), Rob Kenneally (CAA), and Christopher Lockhart (William Morris Endeavor).

He has had playwriting and screenwriting masterclasses with Robert McKee (Story), Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men), David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross), Robin Swicord (Memoirs of a Geisha, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Meg LeFauve (Pixar's Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur), Lee Aronsohn (The Big Bang Theory), Lindsey Doran (Sense & Sensibility, The Firm), Gerald DiPego (Phenomenon), Ben Ripley (Source Code), Jack Epps, Jr. (Top Gun), Keith Gordon (Homeland, Mother Night), Barry Schkolnick (Law & Order), and Jon Jory (Actors Theatre of Louisville), among others.

His plays IN THE PURSUIT OF SVETLA, HORST AND GRABEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNFINISHED MAN, FITCH TODD, PERCOLATION THEORY, DEDEKIND, HORST AND GRABEN AT THE CHATEAU GODOT, EXECUTION AT PARADAIS ISLAND, DISPLACEMENT: A FISH IN WATER STORY, FAIR SHAKE, FUTURE PERFECT ("The Russian Play"), A COLD NIGHT FOR A DIVA, PURCHASE, CHAMPAGNE FOR CHEKHOV, and screenplays and teleplays THE LEAVING MAN, STEEN'S FOLLY, KLIEG LIGHT, QUANTUM DREAMS, and SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN have garnered numerous awards, readings, and productions. FAIR SHAKE was selected for the 2013 Smith & Kraus anthology The Best Ten-Minute Plays. THE CLERK was an Official Selection in the 2020 Short+Sweet Theatre Festival Sydney, where it was produced, and the 2019 ALAP Annual Play Reading Festival (Los Angeles). THE CLERK was also shortlisted in the 2020 Short+Sweet Theatre Festival in Dubai, and the 2019 Short+Sweet Theatre Festivals in Manila and Hollywood.

He was an Artist-in-Residence at the Entrada Institute. With over 90 awards and recognitions in playwriting and screenwriting, he has been a Semi-Finalist in Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Impact 2 and Impact 3, a Winner in the SLFS/USP Screenwriting Fellowship (underwritten by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences), a Finalist in the Writers Guild of America West (WGAw) Foundation Pitch Competition, twice Finalist in the Sundance Institute/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Screenwriting Fellowship Competitions, and a Winner, Finalist, and Semi-Finalist in the Napa Valley Film Festival Pitch Competitions.

He lives and works in Los Angeles.

Screenplays

Unrealized (TV series, in development)

Possession (feature, in development)

Aia (feature, in development)

Untitled TV Series Project (TV series, in development)

Black and White and Red All Over (feature, in development)

Future Perfect (feature, future-sci courtroom drama, in development)

Niceland (romantic comedy, in development)

Interregnum (TV series, in development)

The World Back Then (in development)

The Green Piano (feature, drama, in development)

China Doll (feature, comedy, in development)

Brussels Sprouts (feature, comedy, in development)

ExtraOrdinary (feature, animation, in development)

Snowflake Obsidian [Sci-future Short]

Future Perfect (Sci-fi courtroom drama, Short)

Quantum Dreams [TV Pilot, 30 min comedy series]

Hollywood Hacienda [feature, comedy]

Steen's Folly [feature, historical biopic, Americana]

The Leaving Man (short)

Plays

Handle (in development)

Amusement (in development)

Black and White and Red All Over (in development)

Waisenhaus (in development)

Space Ex

Aia/Solid 8 [Dramedy]

Champagne For Chekhov [Tragedietta]

The Clerk [Drama]

Purchase [Drama]

A Cold Night For A Diva [Comedy]

Future Perfect ("The Russian Play") [Sci-Fi Courtroom Drama]

Fair Shake

Displacement: A Fish in Water Story

Candycane Hurricane

Execution at Paradais Island

Horst and Graben at the Chateau Godot

Dedekind

Percolation Theory

Fitch Todd

Horst and Graben in the Context of the Unfinished Man

In the Pursuit of Svetla

Contact

Reviews

"I had a chance to read FUTURE PERFECT on my plane ride today. I found it a really intriguing concept, and the literateness of the language was delightful and stimulating."

–Stephen Schwartz, Lyricist/Composer (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin), on FUTURE PERFECT

"Comedy being the hardest mountain to climb, the writer has a great sense of humor and it shows in this piece. Congratulations, as that is a gift few people have. The dialogue is clearly smart, witty and breezy."

–Janet Leahy, Emmy-nominated Writer/Producer (Crashing [HBO], Mad Men, Boston Legal, Gilmore Girls, Cheers), on QUANTUM DREAMS

"I've read a number of Jeffrey's scripts over the years: stage plays, feature screenplays, and TV pilots. He recently shared with me a pilot set in a university physics department that was darkly funny, quirky, and disturbing—in a fantastic, un-put-downable way. The anti-"Big Bang Theory." I loved it. Jeffrey has a knack for dialogue and a way of creating real, honest, unique, and quirky characters that jump off the page: searchers, dreamers, schemers. He has a sense of story that seems effortless, but comes, I think, from both study and practice—and a natural ear/eye for drama."

–Luke Schelhaas, Co-Executive Producer (Outlander, The Good Wife), on QUANTUM DREAMS

"Dialogue is smooth and human, very readable. The whole sequence with Cassandra and the discussion afterward feels real and nicely drawn. Overall you build a great sense of mystery and foreboding, I'm up for learning about just what goes on inside [Amaranth]."

–Brian Nelson, Writer/Producer (Altered Carbon, Hard Candy), on SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN

"THE CLERK is a monologue with a dark twist. The only character, The Clerk, is a simple, unworldly man as evidenced by how his dialogue parrots his mother, and how she expressed her doubts about him being able to live on his own, and how he asks the audience for dating advice. Hints throughout—the Wagnerian opera, his love vanishing with her family in the middle of the night, etc. Since this is a monologue, the dialogue was key in this play, and it didn't disappoint. Lines like "you deserve the abuse you seek" become all the more chilling once we finally figure out that the clerk is a low-level Nazi. And the Clerk telling the captives that he sees their value in society lets us know that he likely isn't quite clued in as to what will actually happen to the prisoners. His last line, "If you see Ariel Sonnenschein, please tell her I'm still thinking of her," is chilling, but again shows us that the Clerk likely isn't aware of the true nature of the "final destination" he mentions. The Clerk was an affecting script in a small package. Very well done."

–2019 Austin Film Festival judge's comments, on THE CLERK

"I enjoyed it. Nice austere but riveting small piece."

–Jon Jory, The Actors Theatre of Louisville, on HORST AND GRABEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNFINISHED MAN

"Jeff Gold's work is smart, original, surprising, and satisfying. He knows the theatre well, what it can do and what makes it exciting. He also has a nose for interesting characters in unique situations. His is a wonderful theatrical voice. No question about it."

–Julie Jensen, Award-Winning Playwright (Wait!, Two-Headed, Last Lists of My Mad Mother, White Money)

"FITCH TODD by Jeffrey Gold shows a playwright very much in command of the form—able to shape rich and dense content into a short play with mystery and humor. The payoff of this play is very strong. You know why you've been watching it with attention from its opening moment and feel the curtain pays all that attention off."

–David Kranes, founding Artistic Director, Sundance Playwright's Lab

"Jeff Gold's work has a unique and quirky feel about it. His plays get under your skin, get stuck in your teeth until you find yourself compelled to laugh...to cry. A welcome voice in the world of theater."

–Playwright Jeff Metcalf, Founder, Sawtooth Writer's Conference

"Jeff is an inventive playwright with a wicked wit. His plays and a recent screenplay have deservedly won many contests. And he always has helpful insights about other people's work."

–Elaine Jarvik, Award-winning Playwright

"I professionally reviewed one of Jeff's scripts and found it to be fundamentally sound, well written, and emotionally involving."

–Dave Trottier, Screenwriting Consultant/Author (The Screenwriting Bible)

"Jeffrey Gold is an exceptional, creative professional. I have benefited from his musical talents, and admire his contributions as a playwright."

–Ken Verdoia, Producer/Journalist, KUED (PBS)

"I was truly affected by your well written concise work. In each play, the dialogue flowed naturally, the ending gripped me and the final irony left me entertained with strong emotions."

–Kristin Ettinger, Assistant Editor, Pioneer Drama Service on HORST AND GRABEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNFINISHED MAN and FITCH TODD

"Your play HORST & GRABEN caught our attention as an unusual, interesting and well written piece...we'd like to include it in our annual Short Play Reading Festival."

–Dena Nathanson, Director, Boca Raton Theatre Guild

"HORST AND GRABEN takes the conflicts and hardships of daily life and presents them in the form of a Vaudeville routine, in the spirit of Samuel Beckett."

–Steve Mathews, Director, Just Off Broadway Theater, Kansas City, Missouri

"DEDEKIND by Jeffrey Gold...is sure to hit the mark with a Lab [Theatre] audience. You know, them artsy types."

–Craig Froehlich, Red Magazine

Filmography

Valleyheart

Composer
Director: Kofi Boakye, Los Angeles (2018)

I've Said And Done Things That No-One Will Ever Remember (Episode: Government Secrets)

Composer
Director: Eric Kochmer, Los Angeles (2018)

Coin

Composer
Director: Tehana Weeks, Los Angeles (2018)
*WINNER - Bronze Remi Award, 2020 WorldFest Houston
*WINNER - 2019 Akademia Awards - Best Song, Ambient/Instrumental

We Can Do Better America (PSA)

Composer
Director: Curtis Bechdholt, Los Angeles (2018)

Tony & Louise

Composer
Director: Curtis Bechdholt, Los Angeles (2017)

Nowhere Fast: The Forgotten Story of Approach Control

Producer, Writer, Composer (Temp Score)
Director: R. R. Williams, Los Angeles (2013)
*WINNER - Gold Remi Award, 2013 WorldFest Houston

Dyke

Executive Producer
Director: Nicholas West (2012)

In the Company of Friends

Composer
Director: Thom Jensen, Salt Lake City (2011)
*WINNER - Audience Choice: Silver Medal for Excellence - 2011 Park City Film Music Festival

Message from Mother Earth (VI)

Composer
Director: Gabriel Lakey (2009)

Message from Mother Earth (III) 2012

Composer
Director: Gabriel Lakey (2009)
Moab Film Festival
*Winner - 2009 Moab Film Festival

Given

Composer
Director: Jason Painter (2009)
48 Hour Film Festival
*WINNER - Audience Choice Award - 2009 48 Hour Film Festival

Pigweed Philosopher: The Untethered Zen of Kimball Johnson

Executive Producer & Music Supervisor
Director: Gabriel Lakey (2009)
2009 Moab Film Festival
2009 Port Townsend Film Festival
2009 London Independent Film Festival
2009 Park City Film Music Festival
*WINNER - Best Documentary (Foreign) - 2009 London Independent Film Festival
*WINNER - Best Documentary (Foreign) - 2009 Toronto Independent Film Festival
*WINNER - Director's Choice: Gold Medal for Excellence - 2009 Park City Film Music Festival
*WINNER - 2009 Moab International Film Festival (cinematography)

Hoot in the Hole: The Story of the Jackson Hole Hootenanny

Sound Editor
Director: Juliet Sonnenberg, Atlanta (2007)
2008 Vail Film Festival
2008 Big Bear Lake Film Festival
2008 Appalachian Film Festival
2008 Park City Film Music Festival
*WINNER - Silver Medal: Excellence in a Music Documentary - 2008 Park City Film Music Festival

Eritrea: Living in a Border War

Composer
Director: Mario DeAngelis (2006)

The Teacher

Composer
Director: Nathan Rollins, New York (2006)

Long Distance

Composer
Director: Shu-Ling Hsieh, Milwaukee (2005)
*WINNER - Festival Award, Best Gay Short, 2005 New York City Short Film Festival
*NOMINEE - Audience Choice Award, Best Gay Short, 2005 New York City Short Film Festival

Abby Singer

Composer
Director: R. R. Williams, Los Angeles (2003)
2005 Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival
2005 MassBay Film Festival
2004 Park City Film Music Festival
2003 New Orleans Media Experience
*WINNER - Independent Spirit Award - 2005 MassBay Film Festival
*WINNER - Director's Choice: Gold Medal for Excellence - 2004 Park City Film Music Festival
*WINNER - Fleur de Lis Award - Best Feature Film - 2003 New Orleans Media Experience
*WINNER - Fleur de Lis Award - Best Independent Film - 2003 New Orleans Media Experience

Edge Running

Composer
Director: R. R. Williams (2002)

Proteus Point

Composer (contributing)
Director: Michael J. Cox (2002)

The Racketeers

Composer (Theme)
Director: Geoff Hansen (2002)

Promontory

Composer (Main Contributing)
Director: Ken Verdoia, KUED (PBS) (2002)

Reach

Composer
Director: Charles Bird (2002)

Children of the Wind

Composer
Director/Producer: Jeffrey Gold, U.K. (1997)

Monk

Composer
Director: Alkesh Vaja, U.K. (1997)

Isles in the Midst of the Great Green Sea

Composer
Director: Jeffrey Gold (1995)

Twilight

Composer
Director: Jeffrey Gold (1995)

Bio

Nothing worse than an autobiography.

Questions & Answers

What are your favorite movies?

Some of my favorite movies (in no particular order) include The Shawshank Redemption, Onegin, Black Robe, Five Easy Pieces, Downfall, Stalingrad, Dunkirk, The Lives of Others, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Urga, Anna, Burnt by the Sun, Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears, Chinese Box, The King of Devil Island, Good Morning, Mr. Wallenberg, Pelle the Conqueror, Roxanne, Out of Africa, and many more.

Who are your favorite screenwriters?

Some of my favorite screenwriters (in no particular order) include Robert Bolt, Peter Morgan, Paul Attanasio, Richard LaGravenese, Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Robert Towne, William Goldman, Richard Price, Billy Ray, Oliver Stone, and more.

Who are your favorite playwrights?

Some of my favorite screenwriters (in no particular order) include Robert Bolt, Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekhov, August Wilson, and more.

What are your favorite plays?

Some of my favorite plays include The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, Bus Stop, Educating Rita, Glengarry Glen Ross, When You Comin' Back Red Ryder?, The Glass Menagerie, This Property is Condemned, Fences, Jitney.