Portfolio
My name is Tristan Clarke. I am a screenwriter and animator.
I am currently a Junior completing a degree in Writing for Screen and Television with a minor in 3D Animation from University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. This September, I was honored as a Second Rounder for my pilot Downfall in the Original Comedy Teleplay category at Austin Film Festival.
My interests lie in family animation, including but not limited to writing, storyboarding, and animating. I have previously completed a development internship under Todd Lieberman at Hidden Pictures Media, a production internship at Ambient Skies Media, and a staff writer on USC Comedy Live .
News:
9/2025: Downfall named Second Rounder in Original Comedy Teleplay category at Austin Film Festival
5/2025 : Join Hidden Pictures Media as a Development Intern
1/2024: Join USC Comedy Live Season Nine as a Staff Writer
8/2023: Begin BFA Writing for Screen and Television degree at USC
10/2022: Join Ambient Skies Media as a Production Intern
USC Comedy Live | Season Nine Staff Writer
January 2024 - May 2024
Develop original sketches for live television programing | Partner with directors and production team to execute sketches from page to screen
Experience
Hidden Pictures Media | Production Intern
May 2025 - August 2025
Script coverage on features, writing samples, and assorted literary material | Attend staff meetings with Todd Lieberman and other executives | Research IP, talent, and industry trends
Ambient Skies Media | Production Intern
October 2022 - July 2024
Dress sets, construct lighting, and manage gaffing tasks | Direct on-location transportation | Assist Head of Production, Rebekah Nylander, with copywriting and development
Animation
Canyon Tool | Houdini
May 2025
Procedural canyon 3D environment generation tool | Final project for CTAN 497
Inside Out of an Animation Studio | Harmony + Maya
May 2025
Hybrid 2D-3D short | Final project for CTAN 425
Animation Reel | Harmony + Maya + Houdini
October 2025
ScreenWriting
DownFall
Pilot | May 2025
Austin Film Festival Best Original Comedy Teleplay Second Rounder
“It’s coronation days in the final days of Rome, and as the prince prepares to inherit his father’s empire, he battles not invading hordes but a family so incompetent they may destroy civilization faster than the barbarians ever could.”
Comedy | Sword and Sandal
lAst Train to Bisbee
Feature | May 2025
“When a straightforward cross-country challenge is announced in territorial Arizona, a washed-up cowboy, a plucky orphan, a delusional politician, a scheming belle, and an overlooked inventor compete for a fabulous cash prize. As English expats, Aliens, and the Bandit King of the Grand Canyon enter the fray, the competitors discover that nothing in the Wild West is quite as simple as it seems.”
Comedy | Western
