Prior to becoming a writer/producer/director, Carol Hoffman (a.k.a. Tracy St. John) was a radio news anchor/news director at top rated stations in Cleveland, Ohio, and a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer Sunday and Friday Magazines. She used her investigative reporting skills to research and write the multi-award winning documentary “Punk” The Robert R. Young Story. The program received a New York Festivals Bronze Award for Best Writing, a Gold Award for Independent Video at Worldfest Flagstaff, a Silver Award for Independent Video at Worldfest-Houston and a Bronze Award for Short Subject Film & Video Historical at Worldfest-Houston. Hoffman provided research, photographs and film for a segment on Young and The Greenbrier Hotel on A&E’s Mansions, Monuments and Masterpieces. Her husband, Bruce Ryan, who was the air-personality during her news shifts, narrated the documentary. Hoffman is also an award-winning songwriter and wrote the lyrics for the closing credits song “Gimme Independence" performed by her singer/songwriter daughter, Carly. The song was a Finalist at the New York International Film & Video Festival and Carly won a Gold Award at Worldfest-Houston in the “Best New Artist” category. Hoffman, a native of Massillon, Ohio, was active in high school speech and drama, winning several competitions for her original and dramatic speeches. She played Miss Casewell in “The Mousetrap” and the Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland” and was a member of the Tiger Swing Band and concert band.