Sue Zarco Kramer threw up on stage
Sue Zarco Kramer is a multi-hyphen writer, director and producer–a proud, Latina filmmaker with Guatemalan roots. Sue is a graduate of UCLA Film School, where she won the coveted Jim Morrison Award for Best Direction and Writing. Kramer wears the title of Creative Disruptor proudly, with her distinctive, witty voice and her original lens.
In 2023 Sue wrote, directed, and produced the short SWIPE NYC, starring Lisa Eldelstein, Richard Schiff, and Bridget Moynahan–soon to be turned into a series. Kramer also co-wrote the title theme song, titled “Lost.” Premiering in April 2023, Swipe won the Best Short Film audience award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and has collected accolades and awards in the 2023/2024 festival circuit.
Sue has written extensively for most Hollywood studios including, WALKING BACKWARDS for Julia Roberts and SONY, LONDON IN JUNE for Touchstone and Nancy Meyers, WANDA for Lawrence Mark Prods, BULLIES and THE BROADWALK for Amy Baer’s Landline media, DUSTED for Nickelodeon and adapted two best-selling novels: THE GOD OF DRIVING by Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins and EVERY WOMAN LOVES A RUSSIAN POET for Constantin Films and her script THE GOLDBERGS AND THE ROMANOS (aka THE LOCALS) has been on the best never made scripts of Hollywood list.
Sue is a proud member of the WGAW for over 30 years and DGAE for 15 years. A sought-after, dynamic speaker, Sue has lectured at the University of Pennsylvania, Brooklyn College, Pace University, The School of Visual Arts, and at the International Screenwriters’ Festival in Provence.
What were you like as a teen?
I knew I wanted to be a screenwriter/director (or in other words “behind the scenes”) because I threw up on stage as a “hot box girl” in Guys & Dolls from stage fright! I was always pretty funny but not in front of large crowds.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
My starter job out of UCLA Film School was working on Bull Durham as Kevin Costner and Tim Robbin’s production assistant. I didn’t have an “in”–they made me go to the same café three times to get the same breakfast which kept coming back cold to their dismay because I had to drive 25 minutes to pick it up! It was very un-sexy! I did get to see production in action and know I wanted to be the one calling the shots not picking up cold French Toast!
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
My film “Swipe NYC” (@
swipe.nyc) it’s thrilling to be in an audience and to hear uproarious laughter laughter.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
I had great mentors like Larry Gelbart. He was a comic genius. I was often invited to his house and be surrounded by comic legends like Mel Brooks and Milton Berle. Larry lived next to Lucille Ball. She was my idol! Her and Carol Burnett.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Critics. Fuck ’em if they can’t take a joke. Or don’t like mine. Comedy, as all art, is subjective.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Use your life experience to write the most authentic comedy. Authentic lands as truth. Truth lands as relatable. Relatable lands as familiar. Familiar is funny!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Kill your babies. Meaning: your funniest line might not push a story forward so sometimes you have to cut (kill) your favorite lines.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
Put fart jokes in your material. I passed. Not gas. Just passed on the bad idea.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
Turning tragedy into comedy. It heals wounds.
What specific things should a novice comic or comedy writer do to shape their voice?
Write daily. Get your voice down, don’t try to emulate others.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into the comedy world?
Not really one. I loved movies and TV and knew I wanted to be a comedy writer since I was around eight. Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Marlo Thomas, and Cher were all inspirations. Larry Gelbart was a mentor and James Brooks was my highest bar of brilliance!
Do you have a writing routine?
I try to write daily but I procrastinate a lot!
What is your go-to movie when you’ve had a bad day?
Terms of Endearment! I cry my eyes out! I’ve seen it at least 50 times.
What single word always cracks you up?
