BIO
Lisa Elaine Scott is a writer, mediator, teacher and community peace
builder. She received an undergraduate degree in secondary education
from the University of Maryland, College Park and an MA in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building from California State University, Dominquez Hills.
A former high school teacher, Scott taught social studies, English and theatre for Montgomery County Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1997, Scott began her TV/film career in community television where she became committed to bringing unique, grassroots voices into the media through public access television and independent media production. From there, she moved into the mainstream, and worked at the American Film Institute, E! Entertainment Television and other commercial production companies.
In 1999, Scott was introduced to members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, a Philadelphia-based poor people’s organization. The result of that meeting was The Ultimate Song, a 30-minute documentary directed by Scott about the musician’s role in the struggle to end poverty. The video was featured at Farm Aid and screened at the South by Southwest Media Festival. More than 6,000 copies of the video have been distributed worldwide, and it can now be viewed on youtube.
After learning that “The Golden State” was handing out life sentences for drug possession and shoplifting, Scott began what would turn out to be a decade-long commitment to amend California’s three strikes law. Over a two-year period, she interviewed activists, criminal justice experts, and those directly affected by the law – third strikers and their families. The video, Under Three Strikes, was released in 2004 and has been screened up and down the state of California, around the country and throughout the world.
In 2004, Scott successfully created and executed an international public relations campaign that resulted in clemency for Pamela Martinez. Ms. Martinez had been released from prison after serving seven years for stealing a $30 toolbox. Within 18 months of her release, Martinez had a good job, a nice apartment and a car. Nevertheless, the Attorney General determined that Martinez had been released from prison 65 days early and ordered her to return to prison to serve those days. Scott’s international media campaign that included coverage by CNN, Nightline, Good Morning America, 20/20 and People magazine resulted in a groundswell of support for clemency, which Governor Schwarzenegger could not ignore.
In 2010, Scott decided to pursue a degree in conflict resolution. In an attempt to better understand the effects of conflict, the possibilities for peace, and the avenues that lead to post-conflict reconciliation, Scott has made numerous trips to Northern Ireland to study and document the aftermath of the conflict and the on-going peace process. She has written articles and produced radio segments about the Northern Ireland peace process and continues to follow the post-conflict progress and incorporate the lessons learned into her peace building work at home.
Scott is currently collaborating with members of the Fair Chance Project to develop a reentry mediation program to serve formerly incarcerated individuals. She continues to provide mediation services as a private practitioner and a community volunteer.
Scott is currently completing research for a forthcoming book about the need for an updated US democracy and writing articles about conflict management and community peace building. And she is working on a screenplay, always.
A former high school teacher, Scott taught social studies, English and theatre for Montgomery County Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1997, Scott began her TV/film career in community television where she became committed to bringing unique, grassroots voices into the media through public access television and independent media production. From there, she moved into the mainstream, and worked at the American Film Institute, E! Entertainment Television and other commercial production companies.
In 1999, Scott was introduced to members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, a Philadelphia-based poor people’s organization. The result of that meeting was The Ultimate Song, a 30-minute documentary directed by Scott about the musician’s role in the struggle to end poverty. The video was featured at Farm Aid and screened at the South by Southwest Media Festival. More than 6,000 copies of the video have been distributed worldwide, and it can now be viewed on youtube.
After learning that “The Golden State” was handing out life sentences for drug possession and shoplifting, Scott began what would turn out to be a decade-long commitment to amend California’s three strikes law. Over a two-year period, she interviewed activists, criminal justice experts, and those directly affected by the law – third strikers and their families. The video, Under Three Strikes, was released in 2004 and has been screened up and down the state of California, around the country and throughout the world.
In 2004, Scott successfully created and executed an international public relations campaign that resulted in clemency for Pamela Martinez. Ms. Martinez had been released from prison after serving seven years for stealing a $30 toolbox. Within 18 months of her release, Martinez had a good job, a nice apartment and a car. Nevertheless, the Attorney General determined that Martinez had been released from prison 65 days early and ordered her to return to prison to serve those days. Scott’s international media campaign that included coverage by CNN, Nightline, Good Morning America, 20/20 and People magazine resulted in a groundswell of support for clemency, which Governor Schwarzenegger could not ignore.
In 2010, Scott decided to pursue a degree in conflict resolution. In an attempt to better understand the effects of conflict, the possibilities for peace, and the avenues that lead to post-conflict reconciliation, Scott has made numerous trips to Northern Ireland to study and document the aftermath of the conflict and the on-going peace process. She has written articles and produced radio segments about the Northern Ireland peace process and continues to follow the post-conflict progress and incorporate the lessons learned into her peace building work at home.
Scott is currently collaborating with members of the Fair Chance Project to develop a reentry mediation program to serve formerly incarcerated individuals. She continues to provide mediation services as a private practitioner and a community volunteer.
Scott is currently completing research for a forthcoming book about the need for an updated US democracy and writing articles about conflict management and community peace building. And she is working on a screenplay, always.
_Curriculum Vitae
_EDUCATION
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA MA in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, 3.8 GPA
LA City Attorney’s Office Dispute Resolution Program, Los Angeles, CA Certificate obtained completed classroom training and workshops;
conducted mediations and community facilitations.
Glendale University College of Law, Glendale, CA Completed Courses in Tort, Criminal and Contract Law, 3.0 GPA
University of Maryland, College Park, MD Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, 3.4 GPA
Montgomery Community College, Takoma Park, MD Paralegal Certificate obtained
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Video Symphony AVID Training Center, Burbank, CA AVID certificate obtained
Omega Recording Studio School, Rockville, MD Sound recording certificate obtained
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD Studio and field production certificates obtained
TEACHING
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA Credential
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD Credential
Traffic School / Drivers Education Instrutor
CA State Certified Traffic School Instructor
Teaching Assistant
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD
Taught classes in field/studio production, administered certification exams
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Writer
Various clients including
The Irish Herald, San Francisco
Music Connection, Van Nuys
Write feature stories, live performance reviews, press releases
Director/Videographer/Editor, Los Angeles
Created, developed and researched program content, Directed and edited video productions, Created and maintained production websites
Film Projectionist, American Film Institute, Los Angeles
Projected 35mm, 16mm, digital video, set-up and maintained audio-visual equipment
Campaign Coordinator, Peter Camejo for Governor
Created and issued press releases, Planned, scheduled and produced campaign events, Arranged press conferences
Film/Video Projectionist, American Film Institute, Los Angeles Projected film/video, Set up and recorded live seminar events Maintained all classroom A/V equipment
Int’l Duplications Operator, E! Ent Television, Los Angeles
Converted NTSC programs to PAL for international distribution Logged and archived tapes, Maintained equipment
Television Director, MediaOne, Los Angeles
Directed studio productions, Collaborated with producers Managed an eight-person crew
Live Sound Engineer, Phantasmagoria, Silver Spring, MD
Provided sound engineering for live musical acts, Recorded live shows
Production Technician
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD
Assisted in studio with lighting, audio, cameras, teleprompter, TD, CG Operator, VTR Operator
COMPUTER/SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS
Proficient in Final Cut Pro, AVID Media Composer, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Photoshop, also have experience with Windows; Create and administer
content for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia; Proficient in WordPress, NationBuilder and other website creation software
PUBLIC and CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Peace and Politics in Northern Ireland, California State University Dominguez Hills, December 2013
Fairness and Restorative Justice, Los Angels Valley College, October 2013
Mediation and the Adoption Triad, California State University Dominguez Hills, October 2013
Ex-Combatant Reintegration in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland, Los Angels Valley College, May 2013
California's Three Strikes Law Forum, Los Angeles Valley College, October 2012
California's Three Strikes Law Forum, Chuco's Justice Center, August 2012
Under Three Strikes, Chuco's Justice Center, July 2012
Under Three Strikes, California State University Fullerton, December 2010
WEBSITES
lisaelainescott.com
interactla.com
youtube.com/streetlevelvideo
youtube.com/irvforla
imdb.com
PRODUCTION CREDITS
◈ Writer/Director, Under Three Strikes (2008)
◈ Writer/Director, Peace and Politics in Northern Ireland (2006)
◈ Director, The Ultimate Song: Music’s Role In The Struggle To End Poverty (2005)
◈ Production Assistant, Children of the Corn, Pt. V (2002)
◈ Production Assistant, The Window (2002)
◈ Production Assistant, P.U.N.K.S (1999)
◈ Associate Producer/Camera Operator, The Audubon Society: The First 100 Years (1997)
MEMBERSHIPS / COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
ArtActs, Co-Chairperson
CARE (California Adoption Reform Effort), Board Member
FACTS (Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes), member
Fair Chance Project, member
Santa Monica Ranked Choice Voting, member
An Claidheamh Soluis/The Celtic Arts Center, member
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Western Justice Center – peer mediation coach
Days of Dialogue – community facilitator
Los Angeles County Dispute Resolution Program – mediator
Fair Chance Project – videographer/editor
FACTS – videographer/editor, archivist and media advisor
Mediators Beyond Borders – mediator at Occupy LA
Brave New Films – Rethink Afghanistan campaign coordinator
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA MA in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, 3.8 GPA
LA City Attorney’s Office Dispute Resolution Program, Los Angeles, CA Certificate obtained completed classroom training and workshops;
conducted mediations and community facilitations.
Glendale University College of Law, Glendale, CA Completed Courses in Tort, Criminal and Contract Law, 3.0 GPA
University of Maryland, College Park, MD Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, 3.4 GPA
Montgomery Community College, Takoma Park, MD Paralegal Certificate obtained
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Video Symphony AVID Training Center, Burbank, CA AVID certificate obtained
Omega Recording Studio School, Rockville, MD Sound recording certificate obtained
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD Studio and field production certificates obtained
TEACHING
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA Credential
Montgomery County Public Schools, MD Credential
Traffic School / Drivers Education Instrutor
CA State Certified Traffic School Instructor
Teaching Assistant
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD
Taught classes in field/studio production, administered certification exams
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Writer
Various clients including
The Irish Herald, San Francisco
Music Connection, Van Nuys
Write feature stories, live performance reviews, press releases
Director/Videographer/Editor, Los Angeles
Created, developed and researched program content, Directed and edited video productions, Created and maintained production websites
Film Projectionist, American Film Institute, Los Angeles
Projected 35mm, 16mm, digital video, set-up and maintained audio-visual equipment
Campaign Coordinator, Peter Camejo for Governor
Created and issued press releases, Planned, scheduled and produced campaign events, Arranged press conferences
Film/Video Projectionist, American Film Institute, Los Angeles Projected film/video, Set up and recorded live seminar events Maintained all classroom A/V equipment
Int’l Duplications Operator, E! Ent Television, Los Angeles
Converted NTSC programs to PAL for international distribution Logged and archived tapes, Maintained equipment
Television Director, MediaOne, Los Angeles
Directed studio productions, Collaborated with producers Managed an eight-person crew
Live Sound Engineer, Phantasmagoria, Silver Spring, MD
Provided sound engineering for live musical acts, Recorded live shows
Production Technician
Montgomery Community Television, Rockville, MD
Assisted in studio with lighting, audio, cameras, teleprompter, TD, CG Operator, VTR Operator
COMPUTER/SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS
Proficient in Final Cut Pro, AVID Media Composer, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, Photoshop, also have experience with Windows; Create and administer
content for Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia; Proficient in WordPress, NationBuilder and other website creation software
PUBLIC and CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Peace and Politics in Northern Ireland, California State University Dominguez Hills, December 2013
Fairness and Restorative Justice, Los Angels Valley College, October 2013
Mediation and the Adoption Triad, California State University Dominguez Hills, October 2013
Ex-Combatant Reintegration in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland, Los Angels Valley College, May 2013
California's Three Strikes Law Forum, Los Angeles Valley College, October 2012
California's Three Strikes Law Forum, Chuco's Justice Center, August 2012
Under Three Strikes, Chuco's Justice Center, July 2012
Under Three Strikes, California State University Fullerton, December 2010
WEBSITES
lisaelainescott.com
interactla.com
youtube.com/streetlevelvideo
youtube.com/irvforla
imdb.com
PRODUCTION CREDITS
◈ Writer/Director, Under Three Strikes (2008)
◈ Writer/Director, Peace and Politics in Northern Ireland (2006)
◈ Director, The Ultimate Song: Music’s Role In The Struggle To End Poverty (2005)
◈ Production Assistant, Children of the Corn, Pt. V (2002)
◈ Production Assistant, The Window (2002)
◈ Production Assistant, P.U.N.K.S (1999)
◈ Associate Producer/Camera Operator, The Audubon Society: The First 100 Years (1997)
MEMBERSHIPS / COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
ArtActs, Co-Chairperson
CARE (California Adoption Reform Effort), Board Member
FACTS (Families to Amend California’s Three Strikes), member
Fair Chance Project, member
Santa Monica Ranked Choice Voting, member
An Claidheamh Soluis/The Celtic Arts Center, member
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Western Justice Center – peer mediation coach
Days of Dialogue – community facilitator
Los Angeles County Dispute Resolution Program – mediator
Fair Chance Project – videographer/editor
FACTS – videographer/editor, archivist and media advisor
Mediators Beyond Borders – mediator at Occupy LA
Brave New Films – Rethink Afghanistan campaign coordinator