J.D. Zeik

J.D. Zeik, a Purchase College alumnus (BA, 1982), is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Screenwriting and Film in the School of Film and Media Studies at Purchase College, SUNY. He has taught screenwriting in the Playwriting/Screenwriting programs since January 2000, after returning to campus as a guest speaker in 1999. His academic journey and teaching philosophy emphasize collaboration, embracing failure, and artistic risk-taking, shaped by his experience in Purchase's smaller, freedom-oriented environment.

Education:

• BA, Purchase College, SUNY

Zeik is a practicing screenwriter with notable credits including the original screenplay for the film Ronin (starring Robert DeNiro), the TNT film Witchblade (executive produced and later adapted into a TV series), and projects like The Touch (with Michelle Yeoh) and Pistol Whipped (with Steven Seagal). His industry collaborations span diverse talents such as James Cameron, Alfonso Cuaron, and 50 Cent. Currently, he is developing a thriller set in the South China Sea for Universal Studios and Imagine Entertainment, alongside a long-standing project, The Analyst, with producer Barbara De Fina.

Professional Highlights:

• Ronin (1998) - Cult classic screenplay
• Witchblade (1999) - Basis for TV series
• Collaborations with Morgan Freeman, John Cusack, Bruce Beresford
• Current projects: Untitled Universal Studios thriller, The Analyst