As the middle child caught between the glamour of Los Angeles and the grandeur prestige of New York, Chicago often finds itself underappreciated for the heavy contributions if makes to the blistering commerce, culture, and arts that have come to define the perception of America as a country. Nevertheless, in a city that is as diverse as its colorful architecture, a sophisticated combination of the modern and historical, there is no denying the Chicago's prowess as a juggernaut of the arts -- particularly when it comes to literature. From Saul Bellow to George R.R. Martin, Chi-town has a long history of producing and honing some of the finest writers in the United States. And as it concerns the authoring of narrative meant to be shown on screens of a televisions and movie theatres, the Windy City is certainly no exception:

5. Tarrell Alvin McCraney

Born and raised in Liberty City, Florida, Tarrell Alvin McCraney moved to Chicago for college to attend DePaul University's prestigious Theatre School. Upon graduating, Alvin McCraney remained in the Windy City for a few more years where he wrote the first draft of a script that would eventually become "Moonlight" -- based off a shelved play he authored titled "Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue". Released to the reception of widespread universal acclaim for its haunting, deceptively mellow storyline, Alvin McCraney's efforts resulted in an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, which he shared with Barry Jenkins.

4. Graham Moore

A native Chicagoan, Graham Moore was a product of the prestigious University of Chicago Laboratory Schools before matriculating to Columbia University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious History. Upon the advice of a professor, Moore decided to pursue a literary career, writing from 10-6 on a daily basis before trading a pen and paper for evening shifts as a sound engineer to support himself before he began receiving paychecks for manuscripts and screenplays.

Moore's efforts ultimately paid off in 2011, when his script, "The Imitation Game", based on his childhood hero Alan Turing, took the top spot on The Black List. Produced into a film three years later starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightly, a masterful realization of acting, directing and writing resulted in an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Moore.

3. Shonda Rhimes

Born and raised in the University Park area of Chicago, Shonda Rhimes went on to attend Dartmouth College before moving out west to attend the University of Southern California where she graduated with an MFA in Screenwriting. However, Rhimes's star-studded career did not take off immediately after leaving the halls of what is still today, considered the greatest film school in the world. As an unemployed writer in Hollywood, Rhimes supported herself by taking jobs as an office administrator and a job center counselor until she finally got her first big break on the HBO film "Introducing Dorothy Danridge", which starred Halle Berry.

Since her first screen credit, Rhimes's career shows know signs of slowing down. Going on to write and create the iconic ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" and its spinoff "Private Practice", she also runs the acclaimed political thriller series "Scandal", and serves as the producer for the legal drama "How to Get Away with Murder". Shows that have received their fare share of acclaim and accolades. In 2007 TIME magazine named Rhimes as one of "100 People Who Helped Shape the World".

2. David Mamet

A graduate of Francis W. Parker, an independent school in Chicago known for its progressive streak in its approach to academics, David Mamet's entertainment origins first began in The Second City, where he worked as a busboy. Though known more as a playwright, around Hollywood, David Mamet is praised for a being dialogue virtuoso. Trademarked for its cynical, street smart, edgy tone.

Among famed screenplays that have had the privilege of bearing David Mamet's name are the adaption of his own play "Glengarry Glen Ross", which resulted in an Oscar nomination for Al Pacino, and "The Verdict" and "Wag the Dog" -- both of which translated into Academy Award nominations for Mamet.

1. John Logan

Originally raised in California and New Jersey, John Logan made his way into the Midwest when he was accepted into Northwestern University. Remaining in Chicago after graduating where he found success as a playwright, Logan penned his first screenplay in 1996 for the television film "Tornado!".

Known for his frequent collaborations with Martin Scorcese and Ridley Scott, Logan is responsible for the authorship of iconic movies "Gladiator" and "The Aviator". Hist list of successful screenplays also includes "Hugo", "Rango", "Skyfall" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". He was also the creator and producer of the horror drama series "Penny Dreadful". Though he has yet to win an Oscar, he has three nominations to his name, along with a Golden Globe.