In their new film "White Chicks," Shawn and Marlon Wayans had to pick up some pointers from their female co-stars in order to pass, or at least try to, as a couple of beautiful blonde socialites on the Hamptons scene. Now, one of their co-stars, Brittany Daniel, is returning the favor a bit by taking some pointers from the Wayans' own multi-hyphenate creativity. Daniel, who plays rich girl Megan Vandergeld in Sony Pictures/Revolution Studios' "Chicks," is stepping behind the camera for the first time to write a romantic comedy spec that she is writing with her "Chicks" co-star Jennifer Carpenter. "I can't just wait around for the parts that I want to play to be delivered to me," Daniel says. "I'm really happy with the work that I have done so far, but if I want to take that next step then this is something I need to do." Of course, actors, when they reach a certain point in their careers, often branch into writing, directing or producing. But usually it's the more established thespians who make that move once they have racked up some industry clout. Today, as it gets harder and harder to put together a movie and with the increasing consolidation of the studio system (such as the proposed merger of Sony and MGM), the urge to establish credentials beyond acting affects more and more performers. Daniel is representative of a booming trend.

Increasingly, younger performers are looking for ways to take control of their own careers by creating roles for themselves. Daniel herself appears empowered by the opportunity to create something that someday could serve as a vehicle for her. "Seeing the Wayans brothers on set was really, really cool," says the actress, fresh from her CineVegas showing of another new film, "The Hillside Strangler" in which she stars as a psychiatrist assigned to the murder case. "(The Wayans brothers) really pushed us to improvise and come up with our own dialogue and play with our characters. It was very freeing."

Another actor seeking to take charge of her own destiny is Samantha Mathis, who plays the female lead opposite Rob Lowe in TNT's Stephen King telefilm "Salem's Lot," which debuted Sunday. With more than three dozen credits on her resume, she is eyeing a segue into producing. In fact, Mathis is partnering with management-production outfit Benderspink on a feature film project. Though the details are being kept under wraps, Mathis came across the concept herself and brought it to Benderspink (which manages her) to help acquire the rights. Mathis also has been involved in another indie film, before as a co-producer, but the project she is currently developing would mark her first major effort behind the scenes on the big screen. "Sometimes on films that I'm working on, I have 10 or 15 years more experience than the people that I'm working for," says the actress, whose breakout role came opposite Christian Slater in 1990's "Pump Up the Volume." "So this only makes sense for me and it's something that I've been thinking about as I look forward in my career."

• "The Game" .... Kelly Pitts / ... (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
       - Oh, What a Night (2008) TV episode .... Kelly Pitts
       - White Coats and White Lies (2008) TV episode .... Kelly Pitts
       - A Delectable Basket of Treats (2008) TV episode .... Kelly Pitts
       - Just When I Thought I Was Out, She Pulls Me Back In (2008) TV episode .... Kelly Pitts
       - Baby on Board (2008) TV episode .... Kelly Pitts
        (24 more)
• "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" .... Carmen / ... (2 episodes, 2005-2007)
  ... aka It's Always Sunny (USA: promotional title)
       - Mac Is a Serial Killer (2007) TV episode .... Carmen the Transsexual
       - Charlie Has Cancer (2005) TV episode .... Carmen
• Loveless in Los Angeles (2007) .... Kelly
• Last of the Romantics (2007) .... Sarah Xavier
• The Hamiltons (2006) .... Dani Cummings
• Totally Awesome (2006) (TV) .... Kimberly
• Little Man (2006/I) .... Brittany
  ... aka Perfect Gem & Valuable (Philippines: English title)
• Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders (2006) .... Samantha Stone
• Community Service (2006) (TV) .... Carly Phillips
• Dirty (2005) .... Tatiana
• White Chicks (2004) .... Megan Vandergeld
• "North Shore" .... Cari Layne (1 episode, 2004)
       - Pilot (2004) TV episode .... Cari Layne
• Club Dread (2004) .... Jenny
  ... aka Broken Lizard's Club Dread (USA: complete title)
• "Just Shoot Me!" .... Sarah (1 episode, 2003)
       - The Goodbye Girl (2003) TV episode .... Sarah
• 111 Gramercy Park (2003) (TV) .... Brynn Martin
• "That '80s Show" .... Sophia (13 episodes, 2002)
       - Sophia's Depressed (2002) TV episode .... Sophia
       - Beach Party (2002) TV episode .... Sophia
       - Road Trip (2002) TV episode .... Sophia
       - Punk Club (2002) TV episode .... Sophia
       - Double Date (2002) TV episode .... Sophia
        (8 more)
• "That '70s Show" .... Penny (1 episode, 2002)
       - Eric's Hot Cousin (2002) TV episode .... Penny
• Joe Dirt (2001) .... Brandy
  ... aka The Adventures of Joe Dirt (Canada: English title: TV title) (USA: working title)