Experience

Stellar Productions

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Host/Producer, "Need to Know with Coulthart and Zabel" Podcast

  • Dec 2021 - Present

  America / Australia Two award-winning investigative reporters have joined forces to create a global show about the UFO/UAP issue that is not just a podcast but an investigation. Ross Coulthart is the most awarded investigative journalist in Australia. Bryce Zabel began his career as a CNN correspondent and investigative reporter before a successful career as a Hollywood TV and film writer/producer.

• Journalist, "Trail of the Saucers" Column

  • Mar 2020 - Present

  Los Angeles, California, United States "Trail of the Saucers" began as a writer's collective on the Medium publication, focused on the UFO/UAP issue, featuring essays, mostly by Bryce Zabel, that reached over 90,000 readers each month. It will become a monthly column on the popular "The Debrief" site. It will also be the title of Bryce Zabel's next book.

• CEO

  • 1994 - Present

  Los Angeles, California Stellar Productions is a Los Angeles, California production company, owned and operated by Hollywood writer/producers Bryce Zabel and Jackie Zabel. Winners of the WGA award for "Outstanding Longform Original"​ in the miniseries category, Bryce and Jackie have provided writer and producer services for network and syndicated series and pilots, TV films, miniseries, videogames and feature films, both live-action and animation. Clients include Amazon, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Showtime, HBO, USA, SyFy… Show more Stellar Productions is a Los Angeles, California production company, owned and operated by Hollywood writer/producers Bryce Zabel and Jackie Zabel. Winners of the WGA award for "Outstanding Longform Original"​ in the miniseries category, Bryce and Jackie have provided writer and producer services for network and syndicated series and pilots, TV films, miniseries, videogames and feature films, both live-action and animation. Clients include Amazon, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Showtime, HBO, USA, SyFy, Discovery, Warner, Universal, Twentieth, Disney, Sony, DreamWorks, Hallmark, etc. Stellar Productions now specializes in finding key underlying rights for film and TV packages. These film projects now include THE LAST BATTLE,​ based on the 2013 New York Times bestselling book of the same name, about the final conflict of World War II in Europe; CAPTURED,​ based on the true story of the interracial couple behind the first modern UFO abduction case; LET'S DO IT, based on the true story of the first student film ever produced in 1928 and a 2017 Top Ten scoring film package on Slated.com; and UNIDENTIFIED,​ based on two books and two life stories, about the competition to break the Roswell story.​ Stellar's President Bryce Zabel has received the "created by"​ or "developed by"​ credit on five primetime TV series including NBC's cult-hit DARK SKIES, FOX's first African-America superhero series M.A.N.T.I.S., and the syndicated adaption of THE CROW: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. Bryce's first feature film, MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION, opened #1 at the box office. He and Jackie were the first writers hired on the Disney animation success, ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE.

• WGA Award Winning Produced Screenwriter

  • 1993 - Present

  Hollywood Long-form (two hours or more) includes feature films, miniseries, and movies for television. What you see below are productions I received on on-screen writing or producing credit. — The Last Battle (2019, Endurance Media, Pre-Production) — Chasing a Dream (2009, Hallmark) — Pandemic (2008, Hallmark, Winner of WGA Screenwriting Award) — Blackbeard (2006, Hallmark) — The Poseidon Adventure (2005, NBC) — Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001, Disney) — Mortal Kombat:… Show more Long-form (two hours or more) includes feature films, miniseries, and movies for television. What you see below are productions I received on on-screen writing or producing credit. — The Last Battle (2019, Endurance Media, Pre-Production) — Chasing a Dream (2009, Hallmark) — Pandemic (2008, Hallmark, Winner of WGA Screenwriting Award) — Blackbeard (2006, Hallmark) — The Poseidon Adventure (2005, NBC) — Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001, Disney) — Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997, New Line, #1 Box Office) — Official Denial (1993, Syfy) — Victim of Love (1993, NBC)

• Film Producer @ The Last Battle

  • Feb 2018 - Present

  Hollywood Produced with Endurance Media. The Last Battle -- the true story of the final major conflict in Europe in World War II -- is based on the 2013 New York Times bestseller by military historian Stephen Harding. The feature film, headed for production in the spring of 2020, is produced by Endurance Media and Stellar Productions. I will receive a "Produced By" credit along with Steve Richards and Steve Barnett. Jackie Zabel will receive a "Producer" credit. The film's underlying rights are… Show more Produced with Endurance Media. The Last Battle -- the true story of the final major conflict in Europe in World War II -- is based on the 2013 New York Times bestseller by military historian Stephen Harding. The feature film, headed for production in the spring of 2020, is produced by Endurance Media and Stellar Productions. I will receive a "Produced By" credit along with Steve Richards and Steve Barnett. Jackie Zabel will receive a "Producer" credit. The film's underlying rights are the non-fiction book "The Last Battle: When U.S. and German Soldiers Joined Forces in the Final Hours of World War II in Europe." Author Harding, a respected military historian and editor, spent years independently investigating the events at Castle Itter in May 1945 and has written the comprehensive, complete and unique account.

• Primetime Network TV Creator and Producer

  • 1994 - Present

  Hollywood All five of the produced pilots I've written have been ordered to series and included Writers Guild "Created By" or "Developed for Television By" credit: — The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (Syndicated, 1998-1999, Executive Producer) — Dark Skies (NBC, 1996-1997, Executive Producer) — M.A.N.T.I.S. (Fox, 1994-1995, Co-Executive Producer) — E.N.G. (CTV, 1989-1995, Consulting Producer) — Kay O'Brien (CBS, 1986-1987, Co-Producer) TV staff work includes Steven Spielberg's Taken… Show more All five of the produced pilots I've written have been ordered to series and included Writers Guild "Created By" or "Developed for Television By" credit: — The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (Syndicated, 1998-1999, Executive Producer) — Dark Skies (NBC, 1996-1997, Executive Producer) — M.A.N.T.I.S. (Fox, 1994-1995, Co-Executive Producer) — E.N.G. (CTV, 1989-1995, Consulting Producer) — Kay O'Brien (CBS, 1986-1987, Co-Producer) TV staff work includes Steven Spielberg's Taken (Co-Executive Producer), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Supervising Producer), Animal Armageddon (Consulting Producer), L.A. Law (Multiple Episodes), Equal Justice (Executive Story Editor), Life Goes On (Executive Story Editor).



Diversion Books

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Award-Winning Author

  • 2010 - Present

  United States I've written two alternate history novels recently — part of what I call the Breakpoint series — and BOTH of them have won the coveted Sidewise Award for Alternate History, a prestigious award previously won by the likes World Con held in San Jose. The Breakpoint books are meant to be the underlying intellectual property to a one-hour anthological drama series. One Book = One Season = 10 Episodes. The most recent novel is "Once There Was a Way: What if The Beatles Stayed… Show more I've written two alternate history novels recently — part of what I call the Breakpoint series — and BOTH of them have won the coveted Sidewise Award for Alternate History, a prestigious award previously won by the likes World Con held in San Jose. The Breakpoint books are meant to be the underlying intellectual property to a one-hour anthological drama series. One Book = One Season = 10 Episodes. The most recent novel is "Once There Was a Way: What if The Beatles Stayed Together?"​ It's a very fun run of new Beatles adventures, but it reads as a credible piece of rock journalism. My previous novel was "Surrounded by Enemies: What if Kennedy Survived Dallas?"​ It's written as if it's a Newsweek-style fiftieth anniversary piece telling the story of how Jack and Bobby became the first conspiracy theorists post failed assassination attempt. "A.D. After Disclosure" is a work of speculative non-fiction that details how the world will change when we acknowledge hard proof that we are not alone. It is in its fourth printing and was a Barnes and Noble new and noteworthy selection. It's published by New Page Books. My creative partner on the NBC "Dark Skies" TV series, Brent Friedman, has joined with me to develop "A.D." as a one-hour series. It's a pretty bold concept we've come up, not really like anything that's been on TV. Show less



Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 100 - 200 Employee

• CEO - Chairman of the Board - Board of Governors - Past Presidents Committee

  • 1997 - Present

  North Hollywood My election in 2001 made me the first writer/producer to lead the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences since Rod Serling. Responsibilities included running a 12,000 member organization of TV professionals from 27 different peer groups with a Board of Governors of 70 and an Executive Committee of 15. My term began within days of 9/11 (concluding in 2003) and included two Emmy postponements as a consequence. This made me the TV Academy's chief spokesman to worldwide media at a time when… Show more My election in 2001 made me the first writer/producer to lead the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences since Rod Serling. Responsibilities included running a 12,000 member organization of TV professionals from 27 different peer groups with a Board of Governors of 70 and an Executive Committee of 15. My term began within days of 9/11 (concluding in 2003) and included two Emmy postponements as a consequence. This made me the TV Academy's chief spokesman to worldwide media at a time when the TV Academy was the first group to face putting on a red carpet in the shadow of terrorism. The White House twice invited me to consult on international media issues at West Wing meetings. My watch included managing the license fee negotiation with the four broadcast networks that saw the Academy achieve the largest increase (250%) in its history in a $52-million deal that also doubled the length of the contract. I also oversaw the historic deal to support building the Nokia (now Microsoft) Theater to host future Emmy telecasts. My chairmanship expanded the Board of Governors to include the first Interactive Media and Stunt Performers peer groups. Before being elected Chairman, I served two terms as the Governor of the Writers Peer Group. Currently, I serve on the Council of Former Chairs committee that is composed of former Chairs, CEOs and Presidents.

• CEO

  • 2001 - 2004

  North Hollywood My election in 2001 made me the first writer/producer to lead the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences since Rod Serling. Responsibilities included running a 12,000 member organization of TV professionals from 27 different peer groups with a Board of Governors of 70 and an Executive Committee of 15. My term began within days of 9/11 (concluding in 2003) and included two Emmy postponements as a consequence. This made me the TV Academy's chief spokesman to worldwide media at a time when… Show more My election in 2001 made me the first writer/producer to lead the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences since Rod Serling. Responsibilities included running a 12,000 member organization of TV professionals from 27 different peer groups with a Board of Governors of 70 and an Executive Committee of 15. My term began within days of 9/11 (concluding in 2003) and included two Emmy postponements as a consequence. This made me the TV Academy's chief spokesman to worldwide media at a time when the TV Academy was the first group to face putting on a red carpet in the shadow of terrorism. The White House twice invited me to consult on international media issues at West Wing meetings. My watch included managing the license fee negotiation with the four broadcast networks that saw the Academy achieve the largest increase (250%) in its history in a $52-million deal that also doubled the length of the contract. I also oversaw the historic deal to support building the Nokia Theater to host future Emmy telecasts. My chairmanship expanded the Board of Governors to include the first Interactive Media and Stunt Performers peer groups.



University of Southern California

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Professor, School of Cinematic Arts

  • 2006 - 2016

  Greater Los Angeles Area In 2016, I taught the USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate writing class, CTWR 539 ("Advanced Hour Long Dramatic Television Pilot"). Last year I taught two fall semester classes on writing the one-hour TV drama; the graduate level CTWR 521 ("Advanced Hour Long Television Drama"​) and the undergraduate CTWR 421 ("Hour Long Television Drama"​). The small group of students allowed in are among USC's best and brightest, making all classes challenging and deeply rewarding. Last year The… Show more In 2016, I taught the USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate writing class, CTWR 539 ("Advanced Hour Long Dramatic Television Pilot"). Last year I taught two fall semester classes on writing the one-hour TV drama; the graduate level CTWR 521 ("Advanced Hour Long Television Drama"​) and the undergraduate CTWR 421 ("Hour Long Television Drama"​). The small group of students allowed in are among USC's best and brightest, making all classes challenging and deeply rewarding. Last year The Hollywood Reporter selected USC's School of Cinematic Arts as the best film school in the country for the third year in a row. Previously, I taught the graduate level CNTV 589 ("The Role of the Producer in Motion Pictures and Television"​) in 2006. This class was a joint enterprise between the School of Cinematic Arts and the Marshall School of Business. Show less



Writers Guild of America West

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 100 - 200 Employee

• WGA Board of Directors

  • Sep 2000 - Sep 2002

  Elected to represent membership of over 9,000 writers in areas of primarily film and television. Partcipated in the important contract negotiations of 2000/2001. Chosen as the chief spokesman on the day of the contract's expiration to explain the Guild's concerns and issues to worldwide media.



Stan Lee Media, Inc.

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet

• President, Linear Content and Television Production

  • Nov 1999 - Apr 2000

  Served as primary creative liason between Stan Lee and the company employees, responsible for hiring and supervising a writing staff to create "webisodes" for the SLM internet site, coordinating these scripts with animators, producers and computer graphics staff.