Megan Smith-Harris
About
Megan is an entrepreneur with a passion for the arts. Her career encompasses documentary, television, film, theatre, radio, writing, magazine editing, and teaching.
She is a producer on the feature film A Stage of Twilight (Karen Allen, William Sadler) which premieres at the Woods Hole Film Festival in August 2022. She has also helmed multiple long-form documentaries, which have aired nationally and internationally. Notably, she produced and directed the award-winning documentary, The Buddy System and the critically acclaimed feature doc, Trial by Fire: Lives Re-forged, (PBS, Amazon Prime).
Megan is currently the Managing Editor of OUR HOMES London, a quarterly publication focused on "celebrating life at home." From 2014 to 2020 she was the editor of Wilton Magazine, an upscale lifestyle magazine that was part of the TownVibe Media Group with a combined circulation of 225,000. Her work garnered 25 Connecticut Press Club Awards as well as four national NFPW awards. Megan's feature articles have been published in an array of regional and national publications.
Killing Mom, Megan’s 2020 Kilroy-listed full-length play, was scheduled to premiere in New York City in May 2020, but the production was derailed due to the pandemic. A shorter, earlier version of the piece, won first prize in the Bijou One-Act Play competition judged by legendary playwright, Terrence McNally. Killing Mom was selected by ACT of CT for their 2019 New Works Festival where it received a staged Equity reading. Megan’s shorter plays and monologues have been performed at various locations in Connecticut and have aired on WPKN’s “What A Story!”.
For three years (2018 - 2020) Megan was the Festival Director of the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (Ridgefield, CT), rated by FilmFreeway as one of the “Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals” in the world,
As a speaker, Megan has delivered keynote addresses, served as a panelist at industry events, and interviewed dozens of authors and filmmakers.
On the set of the Dr. Oz Show
with J.R. Martinez & Dr. Mehmet Oz
(featuring TRIAL BY FIRE: Lives Re-Forged)
At Artisan, Southport CT with Actor/Author/Activist Jane Fonda
Best-selling author Jane Green presents Megan
with four awards at the
CT Press Club Awards Ceremony.
With the Property Brothers for the article "Brotherly Love." published in Wilton Magazine
Interviewing author John DiLeo
on the Golden Age of Hollywood
Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
With super model Gigi Hadid on a commercial shoot at Megan's home.
With Actor Allison Williams at the
Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
On location backstage at the
Ridgefield Playhouse with legendary
bass player Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick.
With Tommy and Susie Hilfiger
discussing The Buddy System at an Autism benefit
in Greenwich, CT
CURRICULUM VITAE
MEGAN SMITH-HARRIS
PYEWACKITT PRODUCTIONS
OWNER / PRESIDENT (2008-Present)
Pyewackitt Productions is an independent production company dedicated to creating compelling, high-quality television programs, features, and documentary films with a unique perspective. pyewckitt.com
MANAGING EDITOR
OUR HOMES Media (London) (March 2022 - Present)
Responsible for all editorial content, hire writers, collaborate with photographers, write features, edit content, style and produce all HOME features, revise layouts, and serve as an ambassador for the brand
FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
RIDGEFIELD INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (2017-2020)
Responsible for all aspects of running an annual five-day film festival in October, a one-day children's film festival in April, and a series of one-off events throughout the year. Responsible for creating an annual budget, fund-raising, grant proposals, donor relations, and all programming (over 100 films annually). Help facilitate RIFF events at multiple venues throughout Ridgefield, CT. Megan transformed RIFF into a 50/50 gender parity festival committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For three years, RIFF was ranked in the FilmFreeway "Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals" putting RIFF in the top 1.5% of over 9,000 festivals in the world.
MAGAZINE EDITOR
WILTON MAGAZINE (2014-2020)
An award-winning regional lifestyle magazine that was part of the TownVibe Media Group, with a combined reach of over 225,000 readers per issue. Responsible for all editorial content, hired writers, wrote features, edited content, scouted locations, produced all STYLE photo features (including fashion, home, and garden), revised layouts in InDesign, and served as an ambassador for the brand. Won 25 Connecticut Press Club Awards and four NFPW national writing awards for feature articles in TownVibe publications.
FILM
A STAGE OF TWILIGHT (Release Spring 2023)
Producer (Feature)
Independent feature film starring Karen Allen and William Sadler, written and directed by Sarah T. Scwhab. Actively involved in pre-production, casting decisions, locations, and on-set producer during month-long film shoot in New Milford, CT. Premieres at Woods Hole Film Festival August 2022. astageoftwilightthefilm.com
THE BUDDY SYSTEM (1 hr)
Producer, Director & Writer
Independent documentary about the impact autism assistance dogs can have on the life of children on the spectrum. Responsible for every aspect of production including research, budget, fund-raising, hiring, managing crewing, and marketing and promotion. BuddySystemFilm.org
TRIAL BY FIRE: LIVES RE-FORGED (90 min)
Producer, Director & Writer
Independent feature documentary that follows the journeys of seven charismatic burn survivors as they reclaim their lives after the devastation of fire. Premiered in New York and L.A., Docuweeks pick, featured in Leonard Maltin’s Cinema Series, showcased on Dr. Oz, screened at festivals, continues to air on PBS, distributed by PBS International and available on Amazon Prime. TrialByFireDoc.org
TACKLE GIRLS: ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION (60 min)
Executive Producer
Independent feature documentary that follows an elite group of women tackle football players who form Team USA. The film follows them on their quest for a gold medal in an international competition held in Helsinki, Finland. Responsible for budgeting, fund-raising, creating production schedules, producing, and post-production coordination. Currently in post-production. Tackle Girls Promo
ABUSE HURTS (15 min)
Producer, Director & Writer
Documentary featuring five women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds who overcome domestic abuse. Responsible for all elements of production and post-production. Produced for the YWCA of Greenwich.
TELEVISION
SURROGATE STORIES (2 hr)
Producer, Director & Writer
Two-hour television special exploring the intimate world of surrogacy. Responsible for all research, budgeting, crew management, pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv and distributed by Off the Fence.
CHILD BRIDES (1 hr)
Producer, Director & Writer
One-hour documentary that examines the lives of teens who prematurely become wives and mothers, examining how their decision to marry young has profoundly changed the course of their lives. Responsible for all research, budgeting, crew management, pre-production, production, and post-production. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv and distributed by Off the Fence.
POLYGAMY (1 hr)
Producer & Writer
One-hour documentary that looks inside the hidden world of polygamy featuring women who happily practice plural marriage and those who have broken free of the practice. Commissioned by the Women’s Entertainment Network. Aired on WEtv. (Production Company Blue Sky)
FAME SCHOOL (30 min)
Associate Producer & Writer
One-hour documentary profiling exceptional students at the La Guardia School for the Performing Arts aka "The Fame School." Aired on PBS. (Production company Fresh Produce)
NIGHT ON THE TOWN with Peter Graves
Writer
Peter Graves explores the history of the famed Peter Luger's Steak House. Aired on A&E (Fresh Produce)
TORONTO ARTS AWARDS
Short Film Producer & Live Show Producer
Produced 24, five-minute films (16 mm) on celebrated individuals in the arts over a three-year period. Collaborated with 24 different directors. Aired on CBC, TV Ontario, and Bravo. (Pyewackitt Productions)
WRITER (Magazines, Blogs, Radio, Television, Film, Theater)
FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER (ongoing)
Articles published by the Weston Magazine Group (Greenwich, Weston, Darien, Rye, New York ), E-Chook Digital Publishing, Wilton Magazine, Ridgefield Magazine, Fairfield Magazine, Bedford Magazine, Litchfield Magazine, Ridgefield Media, 068 Magazine, HamletHub, and Brain Child Magazine.
BLOGS
MEGAblog (2014)
Creator, Writer & Photographer
A popular blog for Hearst CT Media. Created, wrote all content, and took photographs for a weekly blog. MEGAblog consistently ranked in the top ten of over 200 blogs.
THEATRE
KILLING MOM (writer) **Kilroy 2020 Listed Play
Staged Equity Showcase Reading at ACT of CT, Ridgefield, CT 2019
Developmental Readings at Theatre Artists Workshop, Norwalk, CT 2017, 2018
THE PLAY DATE (Writer)
A Monologue
Performed at Play With Your Food (Greenwich, CT; Weston, CT; TAW Playwright's Festival (Norwalk, CT)
SMOKE BREAK (Writer)
A Monologue - performed at TAW Spring Playwrights Festival
A WHOLE NEW WORLD (Writer)
Award-winning one-act play (2016 Bijou Theatre One-Act Play Competition judged by Tony-award-winning playwright Terrence McNally)
MY FIRST PROM (Writer/Actor)
20-Minute monologue, performed at TAW Fall Playwrights Festival
DAD (Writer)
Two-hander, 20 minute play
COMPANY'S COMING (Writer)
A Monologue - companion piece to SMOKE BREAK
MAD IN CANADA (Writer/Producer/Co-Director/Actor)
Topical comedy revue - ran for a year (six months in Toronto and six months in Montreal).
SCREENPLAYS
THE GHOST OF YOU
Feature Screenplay - Dramedy (in development)
After Jennifer Cabot’s teenage son, Jack, dies, overwhelming grief and guilt lead her down a self-destructive path and into an unlikely friendship with a streetwise teen mom who has a sketchy past. When Jack’s ghost begins to randomly appear—only to Jennifer—in eccentric and unexpected ways, she questions her sanity but clings to the hope that her son’s otherworldly presence can help repair the wreckage of her life.
KILLING MOM
Feature Screenplay - Dramedy (adapted from Kilroy 2020 Listed play, in development)
Think of all the times you’ve argued with your mother and thought, “I could just kill her!" What if one day, she asked you to do exactly that?
BEHIND THE HEDGEROWS
Feature Screenplay - Psychological Suspense
At precisely 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday before the Labor Day weekend, Ulla Angstrom rings the doorbell of 127 Lilly Pond Lane, East Hampton, and sets into motion a series of events that will rupture many lives—including her own. She must grapple first with misfortune and then with her conscience as one child dies and another disappears. Behind the Hedgerows, beneath the patina of wealth and privilege, an emotional noose tightens as an elaborate deception unravels.
CRYPTIC
Feature Screenplay - Suspense (Optioned)
Life for cryptic crossword creator, Claire Spencer, is comfortably predictable until she is unwittingly catapulted into a high-stakes political scandal. With a killer on her trail, a broken heart to mend, and a deadline to make, Claire’s world implodes over a heart-pounding 72-hour period. Claire must use her cryptic crossword skills to solve the biggest puzzle of her life— in order to save it.
SPEAKER, PRESENTER, & MODERATOR
Speaker for conferences of all sizes including arts groups, women's groups, community groups, and non-profits.
Emcees, leads workshops, celebrity author/filmmaker interviews, and industry panelist,
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Fairfield Film Festival (2021)
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Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (2018-2020)
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The New Perspectives Documentary Series (10 years)
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Millford Readers & Writers Festival (moderator 2018, 2019)
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Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO)
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Ridgefield's Women Forum
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Nevada Burn Foundation
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National Association of State Fire Chiefs
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Phoenix Society
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Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
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National Speakers Association
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Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation
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Firefighters Burn Institute
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Utah Winter Fire School
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Canadian Burn Survivor's Conference
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The Power of Trial By Fire (Edmonton)
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Ridgefield Library
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Wilton Library
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Rotary Clubs in CT
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Kiwanis Clubs in CT
EDUCATION
CANADIAN FILM CENTRE | Producer Resident
One of 4 Producer Residents chosen from across Canada. Toronto, Ontario
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY | Bachelor of Arts (Theatre Major & English Minor)
Kingston, Ontario
BANFF CENTRE FOR FINE ARTS | Women In The Director's Chair Resident
One of 15 women chosen from across Canada. Banff, Alberta
NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA | Acting
One of 7 women actors chosen from across Canada. Montreal, Quebec
AWARDS & HONORS
BEHIND THE SCENES Award 2022 (for work at RIFF)
25 Connecticut Press Club Awards 2015-2021
KILROYS List 2020 (KILLING MOM)
4 NFPW National Journalism Awards 2015-2019
BEST FILM "The Buddy System" Autfest 2017
FIRST PRIZE WINNER | Bijou Theatre 2016 One-Act Play Contest (Terrence McNally)
FIRST PRIZE WINNER | Right/Left/Center Writing Contest
OFDC Market Mentorship | International Documentary Forum Amsterdam (IDFA)
Market Simulation HONOREE | Banff Television Festival
CTV Fellowship
Scholarship | Canadian Film Centre
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Connecticut Press Club
Dramatists Guild of America
International Screenwriters Association (ISA)
League of Professional Theater Women (CT Chapter)
National Federation of Press Women (NFPW)
New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT)
Playwrights Guild of Canada
GIVING BACK
MODERATOR/PROGRAMMER New Perspectives Documentary Series (10 Years)
BOARD Member Theatre Artists’ Workshop
AUCTIONEER (multiple organizations)
GALA CHAIR CT Friends School
AUCTION CHAIR Weir Farm Art Center
ARTS ENRICHMENT Coordinator Cider Mill School
CO-PRESIDENT Canaan Ridge Parent's Association
AUCTION CO-CHAIR Greenwich Red Cross
PRESIDENT A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Women in Business
FILMMAKER Greenwich YWCA Gala
BOARD MEMBER Greenwich Newcomers Association
EVENT CHAIR "Climb For Hope" Gala for Rett Syndrome Association
