Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Berrie.
Hi Toni, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have an immense love for books and movies, was an elementary school librarian for ten years and am married with four children. In 2019, during Covid, while my children were homeschooling, I was outlining an idea for a novel but kept envisioning it on a screen and decided to write it as a screenplay. I took an online basic screenwriting course and fell in love with it. I joined an online writing group, The Story Farm, where I learned about structure, story lines and building characters and finished my first screenplay in nine months. From there things just kept growing. I’ve created my network of writers from several writing groups and joined the KC Screenwriters. With all of their support, l began writing short films, learning about production and the film scene in Kansas City. Over these few years I’ve joined and lead teams for the One Night Stand 10 hour film competition, was hired as a PA for the tv show Second Chance Stage and worked on many films for friends learning the trades. This year I partnered with 250 Productions for the 48 Hour film competition and the filming of my first short script, B.R.A.D.
My screenplay portfolio includes six finished features, five rough draft features, and eight short scripts. I’m currently working with six other artists to write and produce our feature film, The Lucidity Project, this spring.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s creative writing, so no. Ha! There are several things that make it challenging. Finding the right balance as a writer, wife and mother takes some practice and a lot of communication. Learning a new craft and transitioning from it being a fun thing to try into it being a career is hard without any kind of guaranteed income. I have been very fortunate to be able to pursue this and do not take that for granted. I’ve battled with imposter syndrome as well but have come to trust my gut and the way it feels to tell my stories to know I am a writer and that this is all worth it.
The other big challenge is learning about the craft of writing itself and how to deal with feedback. Writing screenplays is hard; every word is intentional. It takes dedication and commitment to learn this. Once you understand how the writing works… writing means rewriting… then you can deal with feedback as a means to make it better. In the beginning all feedback feels personal and devastating. I think it’s a matter of building your confidence and learning to trust yourself and your abilities. Once you truly understand that making a film is collaborative, you can appreciate feedback in a whole new way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a screenwriter. I primarily write drama and comedy feature films with strong female leads but also have a few short films. My most known feature scripts are Granny’s Shot and Something to Say, both having placed quarter and semi-finals in several writing competitions. My short script, B.R.A.D., is known for winning Audience Choice award at the KC International film festival script competition in 2025 and is currently in post-production, set to be released next year.
I am most proud of the way I collaborate with other artists. I have helped on many sets and scripts, am co-writing a short film and part of the Kansas City Feature Project. We are a group of KC artists who have come together to write and produce a feature this spring called The Lucidity Project.
What sets me apart from others is my unique point of view, my creativity and my level of compassion. I am a fifty year old mother of four children. I am the youngest of twelve children, grew up on a farm and am so stubborn. I think education is so important and am a perpetual student of the world. I have been a teacher, a homemaker and now a screenwriter. I love to travel, to laugh and can almost always see the bright side of any situation.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Tenacity. Keep going. Keep writing. Keep meeting new people, trying new things, being collaborative, being open to opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tberrie12
- Facebook: @toni.berrie
- Other: https://www.networkisa.org/profile
