Fast friends: Murphy, Pauszek partner to celebrate the arts

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By Mark Ambrogi

It’s only fitting Jeannine “Andy” Murphy and Amy Pauszek have the right stuff in their partnership.

Murphy is the founder and executive director of WriteStuff Writers and Pauszek serves as an associate. Murphy and Pauszek are also partners in Ever Film Productions.

“I think we have a really great chemistry together because we have fun together,” Pauszek said. “We’re very serious about our profession, but we also have a great time together. We joked we’re like Mutt and Jeff because we want to entertain and we want to have fun.”

Murphy and Pauszek, both Geist residents, will bring the WriteStuff Writers’ second Across the Arts conference from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the 350-seat Venue Theatre at Crosspoint Church, 13678 Silverstone Dr., Fishers. The conference features best-selling authors, filmmakers, producers, literary agents, publishers and the film commissioner. The Indianapolis Museum of Art will be represented.

“Our point is to let people celebrate the arts,” Murphy said.

Debby Knox, longtime Indianapolis TV anchor now with CBS4, serves as the event moderator for the second time. Kelly Vaughn, of WHMB-40, Murphy and Pauszek also serve as moderators. There will be one-on-one interviews and then panel discussions. Michael Lawson, director of public relations from sponsor Reynolds Farm Equipment, is the master of ceremonies.

“We like to have a lot of interaction with the audience so we like questions-and-answers,” Murphy said.

Murphy, the author of four books, has been friends with Knox since researching her first novel “Bloodless,” based on a true story Knox had covered as a reporter. Murphy started the WriteStuff Writers workshops and conference 15 years ago.

Their first Across the Arts conference was held at the Palladium in Carmel in 2013. Murphy hopes to make it an annual event.

“We will bring you the top-notch people in these categories because people want to come when I ask them,” Murphy said. “The Midwest sometimes doesn’t get recognized for having so much talent across, we do. We have wonderful authors. Michael Shelden lives in Bloomington. Julie Lawson Timmer lives right up across the line in Michigan.”

Shelden and Timmer are two of the best-selling authors scheduled to appear at Across the Arts.

Angelo Pizzo, screenwriter and producer of “Hoosiers” and “Rudy,” will discuss his latest movie based on a true story, “My All-American.” Pizzo will bring clips of the movie.

Murphy said Pizzo has always been supportive of the WriteSuff Writers workshops.

“We go with pay it forward or mine is reach backwards,” Murphy said. “If you are successful, come with us. Tell the audience who might want to be a filmmaker or write a book, how (you did) it. Give us all the tips you can. All our participants in the past have been generous with their time.”

Pauszek, whose “Where’s Amy” feature runs in Current, is a public relations and social media specialist.

Murphy and Pauszek have made a documentary “A Sign of the Cross,” based on the Sisters of St. Francis, 3rd order, Oldenburg. Knox serves as one of the narrators.

“I’ve met some many wonderful people that I feel blessed that I fell into this friendship but also this partnership,” Pauszek said. “To me, Andy is a really great mentor. When I’m with her, I just absorb everything she says.”

Famous offspring

Murphy’s own son, Ryan, would be a natural fit for the Across the Arts, but at this stage of his career he is way too busy.

“When he retires, maybe,” Murphy said.

Ryan is a film and television writer, known as creator of “Nip/Tuck” and co-creator of “Glee” and “American Horror Story.” Another series Ryan co-created, “Scream Queens,” debuted this month.

“I don’t know how he does it,” Murphy said. “I’m working on two (documentary) films and if I didn’t have this gray hair, I would be snow white. He loves what he does and he has a lot of energy. He surrounded himself with a lot of talented people. That’s what I’ve done with Amy and Debby.”

WriteStuff Writers Across the Arts Conference

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Where: Crosspoint Church, 13678 Silverstone Dr., Fishers.

Prizes available: Before lunch, audience members will have a chance to win prizes during a game show “Wait! Wait! Do Tell Me.”

Sponsors: Reynolds Farm Equipment and Cambria Suites.

Night before Gala: A VIP Experience will be held at Cambria Suites Hotel in Noblesville from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 2. The cost is $40, which includes a ticket to Saturday’s conference.

Charity: Proceeds will go to Crosspoint’s ministry’s cheer project, which provides cheer food baskets for families in need over the holidays.

Tickets for conference range from $15 to $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit writestuffwriters.com/classroom-workshops.


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