FEBRUARY/MARCH 2001
HOPING TO BE AN ACTOR, GRAD FINDS HIMSELF WRITING SCRIPTS
When Steven Sears was a student in FSU's School of Theatre, he met a successful television professional and FSU grad, Chip Chalmers, director of shows like "Melrose Place," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."
"Chip said if I was ever in L.A. to give him a call," Sears said. "I went and sat on the set of 'MASH,' where he was working. It was a great experience that I'll never forget. He didn't even have time to talk to me, but just being around the excitement made me want to be a part of the business."
For 10 years now, Sears has been in the business - writer and producer of numerous hit shows, including "Xena: Warrior Princess." And now he tries to help FSU students the way Chalmers helped him.
Sears came to FSU hoping to be an actor. He earned a B.A. in theatre in 1980 and moved to Los Angeles where he auditioned for acting roles and was finally noticed - but not for acting. He was writing his own scenes for auditions, and a casting director was impressed by them. She suggested he try his hand at writing scripts, and Sears wrote an episode-length script of the show "Benson."
"Believe me, it was the worst script that has ever been
written," says Sears of his effort. But he found a love
for writing and a talent in himself.
"I could act out all the characters," Sears said. "So
I thought I would write some more."
About 18 months later, he became a staff writer on the series, "Riptide," and has been a writer or producer ever since.
His credits include "The A-Team," "J.J. Starbuck," "The Father Dowling Mysteries," "Swamp Thing" and "Raven." As executive producer, he also wrote 25 episodes of "Xena: Warrior Princess."
"When I write any character, male or female, I like to
make them heroes," he says. "I like writing powerful
women characters who are not victims."
Sears left "Xena" to become creator and executive producer
of "Sheena," an action adventure based on the classic
comic book. Sheena is a brave and beautiful defender of a tropical
African paradise threatened by modern civilization. She has the
power to turn into animals, but uses it rarely.
Sears brings his love of Florida State football into the series. An adventurer in the show has a football in his bar signed by Bobby Bowden, which is really Sears' football signed by Bowden. Sheena steals the ball in a plot line in one episode.
"I enjoy coming back to FSU and speaking with students," he said. "I like to give students an idea of what it's really like and to let them know it's possible for them to find a career in something they love if they just try. Dick Fallen (former dean of the School of Theatre) was a very big influence for me when I was at FSU, and Chip Chalmers came to speak to us when I was a student, and that's why I called him when I went to L.A. I would like to be like that for current theatre students."
Not only does Sears try to be inspirational to students; he has also contributed more than $150,000 to the FSU School of Theatre for scholarships.
"I love the students and the school," he said. "I didn't go out to L.A. to become a writer or producer. But I love what I'm doing. You just have to let things happen and do what you feel is right. If it ends tomorrow, I'll be happy." - Bayard Stern
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