Sheri Elwood

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Sheri Elwood is an LA-based Canadian-born television producer, director and screenwriter, working in film and television. She is most known for her work on smash hit Lucifer, a dark comedy procedural about the devil in LA. She is also known for Call Me Fitz [1] and Moonshine . [2]

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She has garnered several awards throughout her career, including Gemini Award nominations for Best Short Drama for Eb & Flo, [3] Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series at the 26th Gemini Awards for Call Me Fitz. [4] and Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series for Call Me Fitz "Hell Hath No Drink Limit" [5] at the 1st Canadian Screen Awards in 2013.

She also created The Admissions for Starz, Candace Bushnell's Is There Still Sex in the City? for Paramount, Troubleshooter[1] for David Ayer and FoxTV, and Shitshow for Elizabeth Banks and WBTV.

While she is most known for her writing, Sheri Elwood's directorial portfolio spans television series, films, and short films, showcasing her ability to craft engaging narratives across genres. Her work on Lucifer,Moonshine and Call Me Fitz demonstrates her talent in creating and directing compelling and often quirky character-driven stories with a cinematic yet grounded style.

Early Career

After graduating with a degree in Fine Art (painting) and Cinema (writing and directing), Elwood began her television career writing and directing for Disney and Fox. One of her early notable projects was the creation of the show I Was A Sixth Grade Alien , which became an unexpected hit with college-age stoners. Despite being fresh from Film School, Sheri's leadership qualities and unique voice caught the attention of YA author Bruce Coville who later based his series of books of the same name on the television series. She also wrote and directed the feature film Deeply , [6] starring Kirsten Dunst and Lynn Redgrave, a romantic drama about grief and lost love.

Notable Works

Lucifer

Elwood worked as an executive producer and writer on the one-hour comedic fantasy-procedural Lucifer (2015-2020) for WBTV/Fox/Netflix and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

Lucifer follows the Devil who, disillusioned with his reign in Hell, decides to take a vacation to Los Angeles and opens a high-end nightclub called Lux. Known for its blend of witty dialogue, emotional depth, and supernatural intrigue, it offers a mix of crime-solving, supernatural drama, and character-driven storytelling, appealing to fans of both procedural dramas and urban fantasy.

A significant aspect of the show is Lucifer's growth and self-discovery — a common theme in all of Elwood's shows. Lucifer's relationships, particularly with Chloe, evolve from playful flirtation to deep emotional connections. The show explores themes of redemption, identity, and the struggle between good and evil.

The show developed a strong fanbase and became a massive hit, leading to it being picked up by Netflix after leaving Fox. It ran for six seasons, concluding in 2021.

Call Me Fitz

Before Lucifer, Elwood was best known for creating the dark, semi-autobiographical comedy series Call Me Fitz , for HBO Canada and the Audience Network. The series, in which she served as director, writer, and showrunner, stars Jason Priestley as a morally degenerate car salesman who goes into business with his conscience. Known for its creative use of expletives and wild storylines, the dark sophisticated comedy went on to score multiple international awards, ran for four successful seasons (2009-2013) and was broadcast in 142 international territories. Elwood received recognition from the Directors Guild of Canada, the Writers Guild of Canada, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy.

Moonshine

Elwood's most recent series is female-forward, critically acclaimed Moonshine . Once again using real life as inspiration, Moonshine [7] follows the Finley-Cullens, a dysfunctional clan of adult half-siblings battling for control of The Moonshine, a dilapidated summer campground and resort, on the brink of financial ruin. Filmed on Elwood's parents' actual campground, [8] it very loosely depicts the antics of her blended family and growing up in a small community on Nova Scotia's South Shore.

Lovingly described as a Hallmark movie on crack, Moonshine is a portrait of women in their 40s told through a comedic and heartfelt lens, and is available on The CW and CBC. It has been nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and Writers Guild of Canada Awards.

Recent and Upcoming Projects

Television

Elwood is currently adapting Welsh TV Series Keeping Faith with BBC America, Lionsgate, and Beverly-Timberman. Additionally, she is developing several projects with Blink49 Studios, [9] including At Least You Have Your Health and CLAW, a feminist spin on monsters, mountains, and all things après-ski.

Film

On the feature film side, Elwood is directing the R-rated comedic-fantasy Heather of the Valley with Elevation Pictures and is writing the comedy Sequels for Anonymous Content.

Impact and Influence

Lacking a true female mentor when she was coming up, Elwood makes time to mentor other female filmmakers. She believes in telling personal stories and staying away from cookie cutter male-driven narratives.

Sheri Elwood's achievements reflect her talent and dedication to the television industry. Her breadth of work highlights her versatility in both comedy and drama, establishing her as a prominent figure in comedic storytelling.

Filmography

Television

YearShowCredit
1995–1996 Ready or Not Writer/Assistant Story Editor
1996–1999 Flash Forward Writer/Story Editor/Creative Consultant
1999 I Was a Sixth Grade Alien Writer
2002 Strange Days at Blake Holsey High Director
2004 15/Love Writer/Executive Story Consultant
2006 The Jane Show Writer/Supervising Producer
2009 Defying Gravity Writer/Producer
2010–2014 Call Me Fitz Creator/Executive Producer/Writer/Director
2016–2017 Lucifer Writer/Executive Producer
2019 Whiskey Cavalier Writer/Executive Producer
2020 Moonshine Writer/Producer/showrunner

Film

YearFilmRole
1997The Swimming LessonWriter/Director/Editor
1998Eb & FloWriter/Director
2000 Deeply Writer/Director

Awards and Honors

Canadian Screen Awards

Gemini Awards

DGC Awards (Directors Guild of Canada)

  • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series: Call Me Fitz (2011)
  • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Family Series: Northern Town (2007)

Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards

International Awards

Other Nominations

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References

  1. ↑ "Priestley plays scoundrel". Calgary Herald , August 19, 2010.
  2. ↑ Melissa Hank, "All in the dysfunctional family; Creator plumbs memories for new CBC dramedy Moonshine". Windsor Star , September 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "List of key nominations for 13th Gemini Awards for Canadian TV". Vancouver Sun , August 12, 1998.
  4. ↑ "26TH Annual Gemini Awards". Tribute , September 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ W. Andrew Powell, "Winners at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards". TheGATE.ca , March 3, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Truly, madly, silly Deeply". The Globe and Mail. February 9, 2001. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Lyons, Margaret (February 22, 2024). "What to Watch This Weekend: A Dysfunctional Family Dramedy". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Opinion: Making my TV show in Nova Scotia put the ideas of homecoming and the simple life to the test". The Globe and Mail. April 23, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  9. ↑ White, Peter (March 3, 2022). "Sheri Elwood Strikes First-Look Deal With Blink49 Studios As John Morayniss' New Company Rebrands". Deadline. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
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