Screenwriter

 Academy Award Nominee for "King Richard"

“At Hopkins, Film and Media Studies is much more than an academic program—it’s a thriving, collaborative, artistic community. When I was a student there (twenty years ago!) I met amazing teachers and advisers who taught me, not just how to think critically (and creatively) about film, writing, and story, but gave me the support, skills, and courage to pursue a real career in film development and production. The film community at Hopkins, and wonderful teachers and mentors like Lucy Bucknell, John Mann, and Linda DeLibero introduced me to films and techniques I still rely on and return to in my work today. Through classes and special events, I met amazing filmmakers like John Waters and Guinevere Turner and explored the unique, thriving, independent art and cinema scene in Baltimore. For a young filmmaker, or for anyone just inspired by cinema and story, FMS at Hopkins is an incredibly nurturing community I’m proud to be a part of.”

Zach Baylin is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter and co-founder of Youngblood Pictures. His script, King Richard, about the father of tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams and was nominated for an Academy Award after its theatrical release in 2021. He has since co-written Creed III with Keenan Coogler, Gran Turismo with Jason Hall, and Bob Marley: One Love with Terence Winter and Frank E. Flowers. Still to come is the 2024 theatrical release of The Crow, a gothic super hero film penned by Baylin and William Schneider. Baylin and his partner Kate Susman (JHU ’02) created and co-wrote Netflix’s upcoming limited series Black Rabbit, starring Jason Bateman and Jude Law, for which they’ll serve as showrunners and executive producers. A two-time Academic All-American on the JHU football team, Baylin is represented by Grandview Management and CAA.