Arik Martin
Raconteur. Jokesmith. Fictioneer.
Samples
As Head Writer of the 2015 Showcase I managed, mentored and motivated a staff of over 40 writers and noted, punched-up and/or re-wrote over 1,300 submitted sketches. In addition, I wrote the sketch "Take It Off," a parody of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" about Hollywood's sexualization of Latinas. Starring Vannessa Vasquez (Hulu's EAST LOS HIGH), Yani Marin (Fox's EMPIRE), Joanna Jones (Las Vegas's BAZ) and Cole Escola (Hulu's DIFFICULT PEOPLE). From the 2015 CBS Diversity Showcase. LINK BELOW
A sampler platter of some favorite bits from my time as the Head Writer of Equals Three Studios, starring Carlos Santos (2 BROKE GIRLS, YO SOY UN POLITICO). LINK BELOW
Parody of the show SCANDAL set in the Thomas Jefferson White House, starring Bresha Webb (MARLON), Diona Reasonover (CLIPPED), Drew Tarver (BAJILLION DOLLAR PROPERTIE$) and Justin Rupple (FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH DANA CARVEY). From the 2014 CBS Diversity Showcase. LINK BELOW
A playlist of some of the best episodes from my time as the writer of TOP 6, starring Kelly Landry (WRITING WITH GRACE HELBIG). LINK BELOW
Original comedy pilot, written, directed and produced by Arik Martin. Finalist in the NexTV writing and pitch competition. LINK TO TRAILER BELOW
AintItCool.com called my feature screenwriting debut, the indie thriller SYMPATHY, which I wrote and produced, their "favorite film" of the Hollywood ScreamFest. Variety called it a "well-guided female empowerment missile." SYMPATHY was purchased by Shoreline Entertainment, distributed in North America by Breaking Glass/Vicious Circle, and streamed on Netflix. In Europe, the film was distributed by and aired on HBO. LINK TO TRAILER BELOW
In the Press
Arik Martin may be one of the smartest playwrights working in Chicago
today -- or at least one of the most masterful at manipulating the
audience.
Nick Green,
CHICAGO READER
My favorite film of the fest... SYMPATHY is the new direction I hope the genre heads in... it's an incredibly smart thriller, with definite shades of horror... one of the great cat & mouse games you'll ever see... I've been completely fucking entertained.
Moriarty,
AINTITCOOL.COM
What really makes the play hum is Martin's sharp, funny dialogue, along with his ability to give even the most outrageous characters an underlying humanity without condescending to them... Martin balances the farcical and menacing elements with a sure hand.
Kerry Reid,
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
The best legit playwright Chicago has seen since David Mamet... This collision between horror and farce has a volatility rarely achieved in contemporary theatre... Whether he learned his methods from Mamet or Shepard is immaterial -- what's important is that Martin makes this difficult kind of locked-down dramaturgy look easy.
Justin Hayford,
CHICAGO READER
Bio
Arik Martin is a screenwriter, playwright, sketch writer and producer from Chicago, where he cut his teeth producing underground theatre in a dilapidated storefront, and where critics hailed him as "the best legit playwright Chicago has seen since David Mamet."
Now based in Los Angeles, he was the Head Writer of the CBS Diversity Showcase, where he managed, mentored and motivated a staff of over 40 writers, and noted, punched-up and/or rewrote over 1,300 (!!!) submitted sketches.​
As the Head Writer of Equals Three Studios, he researched, wrote and produced two weekly hit web series, averaging 350,000-750,000 YouTube views per episode. In addition, he wrote integrated ad spots based on brand talking points.
​His original drama pilot CONSUMPTION was listed on the Staffing Survey, which catalogs the hottest TV writing samples. His comedy pilot DUDES IN TOYLAND was a finalist in the NexTV writing & pitch competition.
AintItCool.com called his feature screenwriting debut, the indie thriller SYMPATHY, which he wrote and produced, their "favorite film" of Hollywood ScreamFest. Variety called it "a well-guided female empowerment missile." SYMPATHY was sold to Shoreline Entertainment, distributed in North America by Breaking Glass/Vicious Circle and streamed on NETFLIX. In Europe, the film was disrtibuted by and aired on HBO.
​
Arik was awarded a writing residency at the prestigious Ragdale Foundation. When not writing, he volunteers as a mentor with the Young Storytellers Foundation, where he teaches the fundamentals of storytelling and screenwriting to middle school students.
News & Events
"MY OWN SHOT (HAMILTON DONALD TRUMP PARODY)" GOES VIRAL
Arik wrote (and rapped!) a parody of the song "My Shot" from the musical Hamilton, which was picked up by nationally-syndicated talk show host David Pakman, who released it on his YouTube channel!
SYMPATHY SHOUT OUT
Episode #340 of the ESO Podcast features one of the hosts giving some love to SYMPATHY, the indie thriller Arik wrote & produced, during a segment on great indie films you may have missed (around the 1:20:00 mark).
CANNES LIONS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CREATIVITY
A virtual reality stop-motion short film Arik wrote for Vertebrae, Inc. debuted at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France!
© 2016 by Arik Martin. Proudly created with Wix.com