Jessica Bendinger

Quickly building a reputation as a trailblazer in Hollywood, Jessica Bendinger has become a role model for those aspiring to make their marks in the entertainment industry.  She began as a model with the famed Elite Modeling Agency, an unexpected beginning for a filmmaker.

While still attending college at Columbia University in New York City, Bendinger landed her first writing gig, covering hip-hop music for Spin.  MTV News followed, and Bendinger continued honing her insights and ability to translate concepts to the page.

This early foundation in the music world facilitated her segue into directing music videos. Bendinger directed artists in diverse genres from critics’ favorites such as Masters of Reality; Japanese metal stars, Loudness; and Latin freestyle artist Coro.  Her talent for directing led to two 1991 Billboard nominations for Best Rap Video and Best Director for Queen Latifah’s “Fly Girl.”

Writing for television encouraged a move to Los Angeles, where Bendinger endured 27 studio rejections to her first original idea, “Bring it On.” Eventually, Beacon Pictures purchased the idea and her script, and the result was staggering success for the first time screenwriter. The film debuted at Number One and remained there for two weeks, becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of 2000. "Bring It On" remains one of the highest-grossing teen comedies of all time.

Bendinger’s most recent film, “Stick It,” was her first original script since “Bring It On.”  “Stick It,”  scored a coveted triple crown with its spec sale:

Jessica was attached as the film’s director and producer, securing a seven-figure sale and a rare progress-to-production deal that guaranteed a green-light within six months of purchase.  "Stick It" debuted at #3 at the box office, and was subsequently the most downloaded movie on iTunes for seven consecutive weeks.

Named by Glamour Magazine as one of Hollywood's Most Powerful Women Under 40 in 2005, Bendinger's writing credits include the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Season Four of “Sex and The City."  Her screenwriting credits include:  “The Truth About Charlie,” “First Daughter,” and the 2006 release, “Aquamarine.”   Her uncredited work includes "Freaky Friday," "What a Girl Wants," "Mean Girls,"  and "Just Like Heaven" and "Hitch."

Jessica has served as an advisor for the Sundance Institute and is a frequent panelist at USC, AFI, the Austin Film Festival.   Bendinger plans to continue encouraging young people to pursue careers in the arts, and is featured in two books: "Creative Careers: Paths for Aspiring Actors, Artists, Dancers, Musicians, and Writers" and "Doing It for Money: The Agony and Ecstasy of Writing and Surviving in Hollywood."

Currently residing in Los Angeles with her two dogs, Jessica's debut novel THE SEVEN RAYS will be released by Simon & Schuster on November 24th, 2009.