Ian Brennan (writer)
Encyclopedia
Ian Brennan is a television writer
, actor
and producer
. He is best known for his work on the television show Glee
.
in Mount Prospect, Illinois
in the mid-1990s, and was a member of the school show choir
, which he did not find particularly enjoyable. He aspired to be an actor, and as his high school musical director was also the show choir director, he joined the choir to enhance his chance of being cast in musical productions. Brennan credits his high school theatre director John Marquette for inspiring him to act. The character Will Schuester
in Glee is partially based on Marquette. Brennan went on to study theatre at Loyola University Chicago
. He graduated in 2000, and acted for a time in Chicago, studying at The Second City Training Center and working with the Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre
s, before moving to New York
to continue acting. He has performed in off-Broadway
plays at the Vineyard
, Playwrights Horizons
and MCC Theatres. His early writing experience was limited to sketch pieces in high school, and college plays he describes as "terrible".
Mike Novick, a television producer and a friend of Brennan's from Los Angeles
, was a member of the same gym as writer and producer Ryan Murphy, and gave him a copy of Brennan's script. Murphy had been in a show choir while at college, and as such felt he could relate to the script. Murphy and his Nip/Tuck
colleague Brad Falchuk
suggested that Glee be adapted to a television show format. The script was entirely re-written, and was picked up by Fox
within 15 hours of being received. Murphy and Falchuk became the show's executive producers and showrunners, while Brennan is a co-executive producer and Novick is a producer. Brennan, Falchuk and Murphy write all of the show's episodes, and were nominated for two 2010 Writers Guild of America Award
s for Glee, with nominations in the "Comedy Series" and "New Series" categories.
and Los Angeles
, and works on the Glee scripts in the latter.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
. He is best known for his work on the television show Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
.
Early life
Brennan is the son of John and Charman Brennan. His sister, Sarah Brennan, is one of the founders of Amandla Charter School in Chicago. He spent four years at Prospect High SchoolProspect High School (Illinois)
Prospect High School, or Prospect, is a public four-year high school located in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Township High School District 214, which also includes Buffalo Grove High School, Elk Grove High School, John Hersey...
in Mount Prospect, Illinois
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Mount Prospect is a village in Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships in Cook County, Illinois, about northwest of downtown Chicago. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 54,167.-Geography:...
in the mid-1990s, and was a member of the school show choir
Show choir
A show choir is a group of people who combine choral singing with dance movements, sometimes within the context of a specific idea or story.-History:...
, which he did not find particularly enjoyable. He aspired to be an actor, and as his high school musical director was also the show choir director, he joined the choir to enhance his chance of being cast in musical productions. Brennan credits his high school theatre director John Marquette for inspiring him to act. The character Will Schuester
Will Schuester
William "Will" Schuester, often referred to as Mr. Schue, is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Matthew Morrison and has appeared in Glee since its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Will was developed by Glee...
in Glee is partially based on Marquette. Brennan went on to study theatre at Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
. He graduated in 2000, and acted for a time in Chicago, studying at The Second City Training Center and working with the Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre
The Goodman Theatre is a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop. A major part of Chicago theatre, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization...
s, before moving to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to continue acting. He has performed in off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
plays at the Vineyard
Vineyard Theatre
The Vineyard Theatre is an Off-Broadway non-profit theatre company, located at 108 East 15th Street in Manhattan, New York City, near Union Square. Its first production was in 1981...
, Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work....
and MCC Theatres. His early writing experience was limited to sketch pieces in high school, and college plays he describes as "terrible".
Career
Brennan conceived the idea for Glee based on his own experience as a member of the Prospect High School show choir. He explained: "I find it interesting that there is something in everybody, a longing for something transcendent, particularly in a place like Mt. Prospect, a place that’s very suburban and normal and plain. Even in places like that, there’s this desire to shine. That’s fascinating and very funny to me, especially when people try to accomplish this through show choir – which, to me, is inherently a little ridiculous." In 2005, a choir director at Prospect High was accused of inappropriate behavior with a student, and was later convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Brennan was inspired by these events, and in August 2005, purchased a copy of "Screenwriting for Dummies" and wrote the first draft of Glee, initially envisioned as a film rather than a television series. He completed the script in 2005, but could not generate interest in the project for several years.Mike Novick, a television producer and a friend of Brennan's from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, was a member of the same gym as writer and producer Ryan Murphy, and gave him a copy of Brennan's script. Murphy had been in a show choir while at college, and as such felt he could relate to the script. Murphy and his Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck
Nip/Tuck is an American drama series created by Ryan Murphy, which aired on FX in the United States. The series focuses on McNamara/Troy, a plastic surgery practice, and follows its founders, Sean McNamara and Christian Troy...
colleague Brad Falchuk
Brad Falchuk
Brad Falchuk is a television writer, director and producer. He is best known for his work on the television series Nip/Tuck, Glee, and American Horror Story.-Early life:...
suggested that Glee be adapted to a television show format. The script was entirely re-written, and was picked up by Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
within 15 hours of being received. Murphy and Falchuk became the show's executive producers and showrunners, while Brennan is a co-executive producer and Novick is a producer. Brennan, Falchuk and Murphy write all of the show's episodes, and were nominated for two 2010 Writers Guild of America Award
Writers Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949...
s for Glee, with nominations in the "Comedy Series" and "New Series" categories.
Personal life
Brennan lives in both New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and works on the Glee scripts in the latter.
Film and television
| Year | Title | Format | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Early Edition Early Edition Early Edition is an American television series that aired on CBS from September 28, 1996 to May 27, 2000. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois, it follows the adventures of a man who mysteriously receives each Chicago Sun-Times newspaper the day before it is actually published, and who uses this... |
Television series | Valet | Episode "Everybody Goes to Rick's" |
| Too Much Flesh | Film | Bert | ||
| 2002 | No Sleep 'til Madison | Film | Dave | |
| 2006 | Flourish Flourish (film) Flourish is a film written, produced and directed by Kevin Palys and starring Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Leighton Meester and Ian Brennan .-Plot:... |
Film | Dr. Carter Kaufman | |
| Growing | Short film | Writer, actor (Jeremy) | ||
| Save the Last Dance 2 Save the Last Dance 2 Save the Last Dance 2 is a direct-to-video sequel to 2001's theatrical feature Save the Last Dance. It was released to DVD on October 10, 2006 by Paramount Home Entertainment and MTV... |
Direct-to-DVD film | Franz | ||
| 2007 | I Think I Love My Wife I Think I Love My Wife I Think I Love My Wife is a romantic comedy-drama 2007 film directed by and starring Chris Rock and Kerry Washington. Rock co-wrote and produced the film... |
Film | Department Store Salesman #1 | |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and produced by Dick Wolf and René Balcer, the series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the second spin-off of Wolf's successful crime drama... |
Television series | Lance Morein | Episode "Renewal Renewal (Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode) "Renewal" is the sixth season finale episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and the last original episode to air on NBC.-Plot summary:Detectives Logan and Wheeler investigate the murder of a police recruit whose decomposed body is found in the trunk of a car... " |
|
| CSI: NY CSI: NY CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes... |
Television series | Joe Silver | Episode "Buzzkill" | |
| 2008 | New Amsterdam New Amsterdam (TV series) New Amsterdam is an American television drama, which premiered March 4, 2008 on Fox, and ended after its eighth episode.-Premise and plot:... |
Television series | Chris Duncan | Episode "Keep the Change" |
| 2009 | Glee Glee (TV series) Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues... |
Television series | Co-creator, writer, narrator | |
| Staten Island Staten Island (film) Staten Island is a 2009 crime film written and directed by James DeMonaco. It starred Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Seymour Cassel as three Staten Islanders whose lives intersected through a crime... |
Film | Hippie in Tree | ||
| Infamous | Video game | Voice | ||
| The Glee Project The Glee Project The Glee Project is an American reality television series from Oxygen. It serves as an audition for the FOX TV series Glee. Although originally planned to begin broadcasting in late May 2011, The Glee Project premiered on June 12, 2011... |
TV program | Judge |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Saturday Night Saturday Night (musical) Saturday Night is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and the book by brothers Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, based on their play, Front Porch in Flatbush.... |
Gene Gorman | O'Rourke Center for the Performing Arts, Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
| Finian's Rainbow Finian's Rainbow Finian's Rainbow is a musical with a book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane. The 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances. Several revivals and a 1968 film version followed. A Broadway revival ran from October 8, 2009 until January 17, 2010... |
Performer | Marriott Theatre Marriott Theatre The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA is a respected Chicago area regional theatre. Attached to the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, the theatre produces an average of five musicals each year, presented in the round, as well as productions aimed at younger audiences... , Chicago |
|
| 2005-6 | The Man in the White Suit The Man in the White Suit The Man In The White Suit is a 1951 satirical comedy film made by Ealing Studios. It starred Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood, and Cecil Parker, and was directed by Alexander Mackendrick. It followed a common Ealing Studios theme of the "common man" against the Establishment... |
Performer | Martel Theatre, Poughkeepsie, New York and Beckett Theatre New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
External links
- Ian Brennan at the New York Times