Writers
Welcome to ULSC’s member database! Each writer is hand-selected, vetted, and referred by our team and industry professionals. This list is alphabetized by last name with keywords to help you navigate our roster of talented writers and multi-hyphenates!
SARAH WALLER
EMILY ADAMS
Bio:
emily adams is a screenwriter, actor and croissant enthusiast born and raised in suburban southern california. she graduated from Brown University with a degree in literary arts. her comedy feature, Margot, made the 2020 Blacklist and is currently in development with Canary House Productions. adams has worked as production assistant for Apatow Productions and as a writers' PA for ABC's A Million Little Things. she currently resides in los angeles with her english bulldog, Winifred.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager
Tracy Kopulsky, Grandview Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
comedy, goofy, heartfelt, character-driven, spunky, witty
SARAH WALLER
MICHELLE ALEXANDER
Bio:
Michelle Alexander is a Canadian writer who escaped the cold for the Los Angeles sunshine. She writes mostly comedy and horror (or a bloody/funny mash up of the two).
Currently she is writing on a new AMC feminist horror anthology series. In the past few years she wrote a Thriller for Reel One, was a staff writer for the second season of Haunted Case Files and - much to the surprise of her introverted heart - was a finalist in the Austin Film Festival's 2020 pitch competition, as well as the 2018 Just for Laughs pitch competition.
Michelle is also an actor whose award-winning short film, Blow Out (which she wrote and starred in) has screened at festivals worldwide, winning 8 awards *including winning the Best Performance Award at the Whohahalloween Film Fest.
She's also a graduate of the University of Windsor, was the youngest Associate Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre - Canada's National Feminist Theatre, and is the youngest in her family by 8 years and spent most of her childhood hiding in closets, and having deep conversations with her dog figurine collection.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy horror, comedy, horror, feminist, grounded humor, surreal comedy
SARAH WALLER
LISA ALFORD
Bio:
Lisa Alford is from Springfield, MA, and is a feature film and television screenwriter who specializes in grounded character-driven dramas and offbeat, heartfelt comedies. She has been named a Writer to Watch on the 2018 We For She WriteHer list, which is comprised of 25 original, unproduced pilots nominated by industry executives and creatives, and she has had two drama pilots advance as Second Rounders in the Austin Film Festival. Lisa currently works as a development executive at Johnson Production Group, a boutique production company that specializes in TV movies for Netflix, Tubi, Lifetime, and Hallmark. Prior to joining Johnson Production Group, Lisa worked as an executive at TriStar television where she specialized in identifying IP that supported TriStar’s mission to feature diverse, authentic characters and champion underrepresented voices.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Offbeat comedy, character driven, female forward, heartfelt, grounded
SARAH WALLER
GRACE ANACLERCIO
Bio:
Grace is a comedy writer and performer. She is also the leading consumer of ice cream in the city of Los Angeles.
Writes:
Half-hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, satire, silly, topical, heart
SARAH WALLER
JAMIE ANDERSON
Bio:
Jamie Anderson was recognized as “The New Female Director to Watch Out For in 2020” by Viva Glam Magazine, and “Top 25 Writers to Watch in 2018” by The International Screenwriters’ Association. She has written, directed, and produced three short films that have all won awards, including Best Director for Punching Bag, Best Dark Comedy for I’m F%$#ing Fine, and Best Dark Comedy for Me Too Nice, which was selected for eighteen festivals in 2020. She directed English romantic comedy, I Won’t Say I Love You, in the UK, winning Best Romantic Short, Best Romance, and Best Actress. Most recently, Jamie wrote, directed, and produced her comedy pilot, Pumas, in Los Angeles, safely during the pandemic.
Having grown up in Mississippi, and then Florida, Jamie's work is inspired by the Redneck Riviera, as well as her dating life in Hollywood, both of which are a wealth of material that guarantees she’ll never run out of something to write about. At times with crass humor, she has a knack for turning the painful into the absurd, always with depth and heart. After an acting career in film and television, Jamie realized her greatest love was writing and directing, and helping others shine on screen.
Next, she will direct romantic feature film, Summer in Rome, which she co-wrote, in Italy. Subsequently, she is slated to direct her comedy feature film, Pregnant in Las Vegas, in 2021.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, Dramedy, Dark Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Satire
SARAH WALLER
BRITTANY ASHLEY
Bio:
Brittany Ashley is a Chicago-born, Second City sketch writing grad. For three years, Brittany worked at BuzzFeed, where she created digital series like Lesbian Princess, and wrote and produced over 100 sketches and short films. Since, Brittany has written on a DreamWorks TV series, created an LGBTQ news show, and hosts a grief/pop culture podcast called Don’t Tell The Babysitter Mom’s Dead, where she interviews other guests who have lost a parent. Most recently, Brittany was an Outfest Screenwriting Lab Finalist for a queer romcom feature she wrote.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Representation:
Manager:
Colleen Washington, Fourth Wall Management
Keywords:
queer, comedy, 90s, death, dramedy, horror comedy
SARAH WALLER
GIA EL AYNAOUI
Bio:
Rising in sweet victory from the ashes of a soulless existence in Arizona, Gia has recently relocated to LA. Gia is an Army veteran, Writer’s Assistant Network Fellowship winner and PAGE quarterfinalist. Gia researched, wrote, directed, and produced the 2012 documentary Women of War (as always, ladies must do EVERYTHING), which was selected by the San Diego Film Festival. Gia serves on Roadmap Writer's Diversity Steering Committee and is the creative director of the upcoming horror video game, Colony, as well as the voice of the Freetown podcast.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Female driven, dark comedy, action adventure, military, social justice, interesting characters
SARAH WALLER
LETÍCIA AYROZA
Bio:
Letícia Ayroza was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Growing up loving all things nerd instead of samba, soccer, or anything you typically think of when you think of Brazil made her a bit of an outsider, yearning to belong. So, evidently, she turned to Science-Fiction and Fantasy, and now loves writing about finding one’s purpose and coming into power. Letícia worked as a script supervisor for nearly four years before finally following her dreams and going to the AFI Conservatory Screenwriting Masters program. In 2021, she was selected to be part of the inaugural class of the Mentorship Matters Fellowship. She was the Showrunner’s Assistant on the pilot EPIC for ABC and is currently working as Showrunner’s Assistant for Sera Gamble on Netflix’s YOU.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Allard Cantor and Anastasiya Kukhtareva, Epicenter
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Grounded sci-fi and fantasy, psychological horror, female perspective
SARAH WALLER
MARY ANN ANANE
Bio:
Mary Ann Anane is a Ghanaian-born, New Jersey-raised screenwriter. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with a concentration in playwriting. Anane was a 2022 San Francisco Film Rainin Grantee, a 2021 Sundance Screenwriters Lab Fellow, a 2020 Athena Feature Lab Fellow, and a 2020 Film Independent’s Project Involve Fellow. All her titles are lowercased.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Female
SARAH WALLER
LORI BALABAN
Bio:
Lori Balaban is an award-winning screenwriter Her Family Guy spec script won Scriptapoolza, and Arrested Development spec was a semifinalist in the Austin Film Festival. Balaban advanced in the Fox’s TV Writer’s Lab and WIF/Black List episodic lab. She’s a member of the WGA and PGA. Balaban has recently crafted five original television pilots—three dramas and two comedies—ready for submission. She also has two finished screenplays to shop.
Balaban has written, directed and produced tv and films including the short film Dog Stalker, which featured The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s Ellie Kemper, and aired on the CBS Comedy Night School. Learning Curve and Nie zu Spat debuted at the AFI Ripfest Collaborative Film Project. She has written and produced series for National Geographic, TLC and directed award-winning large scale branded content for NBC, Harley Davidson, A+E and Sundance. She directed Ron Howard for AMC’s Toronto Film Festival content, and worked on projects with such Hollywood talent as Kathy Lee and Hoda Jared Leto and Jeremy Renner.
Balaban is also an accomplished novelist. She has completed two literary thrillers. Left of Bang, which won the prestigious City College of New York’s Jerome Lowell DeJur Prize, and the screenplay won the graduate award in memory of David Dortort—who produced the NBC TV show, Bonanza. Even though there’s plenty of sarcastic Jewish girls already in LA, Balaban dabbles in Improvisation and sketch writing at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade and Second City while teaching screenwriting at NYFA LA and directing at UCLA. However, she still cannot parallel park a car, even a small one.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager
Kim Veasey, Merak Management
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Dark comedy, edgy, topical
SARAH WALLER
EMILIA BARROSSE
Bio:
Hello, my name is Emilia and I like to think of myself as a human being. I've always loved story telling, whether it was at age 5 when I wanted to be an archaeologist to tell the story of dinosaurs, or or age 16 when I wanted to be a journalist to tell the story of humanity, or at age 21 (JUST after I earned my degree in journalism) when I realized what I really wanted to do was tell the stories I made up on my own :)
Writes:
TV
Representation:
Manager
Casey Neumeier & Maggie Haskins, Artists First
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
FUNNY! honest, sharp, progressive, witty
SARAH WALLER
SCARLETT BERMINGHAM
Bio:
Oh man. I could copy paste my bio from the before times but that feels disingenuous to the person currently sitting in front of her laptop pondering if it’s time to move over to the standing desk in 2021.
I’m Scarlett. Re-writing my own bio. I’m deeply excited for when the time comes that other people do this task for me so I can focus on important things like painting my nails at my desk and which treat I’ll procure next from the kitchen.
I started out as an actor and only an actor and that kinda sucked a lot of days so now I write as well and it’s going...well.
I’m currently writing a ghost movie. I can’t say more than that. But it’s a comedy about grief. I’m doing it for the company Particular Crowd, a subsidiary of Warners. And I’m excited about it.
I have pitched three TV shows to everyone in LA, your uncle in Tampa, your fourth grade teacher and your sister’s ex. They went well. They did not sell. It’s okay.
I’ve turned one of them into a novel so in six years it can be reverse engineered and some studio exec can snap it up and slap “based on the book” on the poster. It’s a pretty airtight plan.
The other one I'm turning into a movie with Canary House and Big Cat Productions and I’m eternally grateful for their consistent confidence in me.
The third one I lit on fire and threw into the Atlantic Ocean.
I’ve developed with Lucky Chap, Milojo, James Frey’s 3BLKDOT. I spent a few years pre-pandemic as a writer deep in branching narrative /choose your own adventure shows with Eko. Epic Night, which I’m super proud of and the yet to be released Damage Control which stars Ben Schwartz, Busy Phillips and wait for it…Billy Zane. My seventh grade Titanic loving brain is still splattered all over the floor.
My favorite thing I’ve ever written is a play. It’s a Lady Macbeth origin story in rhyming verse. I want more than anything to get it produced. Once we can theatre again.
In closing: ask me about my plants.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager
Cavalry Media, Jared Ceizler
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
scarlett.bermingham@gmail.com
Keywords:
Comedy. Dark Comedy. Hijinks heavy. Female...forward?
SARAH WALLER
JEANIE BERGEN
Bio:
Jeanie Bergen was raised in the sticks of Wisconsin by her grandmother and aunt, after the death of her mother (fuck breast cancer) and subsequent abandonment of her father (his loss). Jeanie received her first Emmy award at age 23 for her work as a broadcast journalist in Tucson, AZ. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy writing and trained at The Groundlings Theatre & School for three years. After receiving her MFA from USC, she joined the Amazon comedy development team, overseeing half-hour series such as FLEABAG and ONE MISSISSIPPI. She left Amazon to work on Season 2 of ONE MISSISSIPPI as the Writers’ Assistant. She was a Story Editor on the second season of ZAC & MIA for Hulu. Jeanie’s autobiographical pilot about her experience taking care of her disabled sister, E IS FOR EDIE, earned her one of five spots in Aaron Sorkin’s Masterclass and sold to Spectrum Originals. Her most recent credits include MR. CORMAN for Apple TV.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager
Chelsea Connors, Mosaic
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
dark comedy, grounded, disability, disabled, caregiving, grief, dating, relationships, taboo
SARAH WALLER
ERIN BISHOP ROSEN
Bio:
From idyllic Bend, Oregon when it was pop. 40,000 (and currently boasts the only Blockbuster on the planet), Erin, an adoptee, juggled cheerleading practice, a horse, and at 14, became caregiver for her dad who suffered a stroke. His sense of humor about his condition and taught Erin to value every day, take chances and laugh. (He was a CPA that died notably on April 15th, of course, without filing an extension on her family’s taxes that year). Erin then drove her dad’s Buick to UCLA to pursue writing. With advice from her first mentor, TV Producer Samm Art Williams, Erin learned the craft from the best in the business as an assistant on the original Murphy Brown, The Hogan Family, and umpteen pilots. After the WB Writing Program, her first gig was on Cybill, and one of her scripts won the Gracie Allen Comedy Award, the Genesis Award, and the Dialogue Award. She also wrote for The Jersey. Now she has a vast library of stories—from fertility issues to raising two boys who have 5 competitive grandmas since finding her biological family, to becoming an organic ketchup entrepreneur (Whole Foods/Jamie Oliver’s food truck). Now, after being a caregiver to her cancer-surviving hubby and adoptive mom with Alzheimer’s, she’s ready for new adventures in writing with her kick-ass millennial writing partner.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy, character-driven, moody, quirky, satire, strong female leads, dramedy
SARAH WALLER
RITZA BLOOM
Bio:
Ritza Bloom was born to loving, yet loud, Haitian immigrants, and just barely survived the many oddities from her Floridian childhood. She attended Duke University, where she studied Sociology & Theatre when she wasn't starting a secret society or throwing inappropriately-themed parties. Since moving to L.A. in 2013, she’s worked in the digital sphere, creating a web-series (Lalaland the Webseries), and writing/producing/directing content for Issa Rae Production's Facebook platform, The Peak (including BSU the Webseries, and Thanksgiving with Black Families that cleared over 1-million views in it’s first week). She was a semi-finalist in the HBO All-Access Writing Fellowship and was selected as a participant in the 2018 Disney/ ABC Writing Program, which led her to get staffed on Grown-ish Season 2 (Freeform), where she got her first script. She was recently staffed on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and currently writes for a family show on a “streamer” synonymous with your phone (unless you’re a green-bubble texter). Outside of work, you can find her hanging out with her husband and baby boy, passionately cheering on the Blue Devils, or floating (face-up) in the calming waters of the Pacific near her home in Playa Vista.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent
APA
Kyle Loftus, Mike Goldberg, Danny Alexander, Halle Mariner
Zero Gravity
Eric Williams
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
Comedy, Provocative, Female-Driven, Black/Immigrant Identity Pieces, YA/Coming of Age
SARAH WALLER
NINA BROOKS
Bio:
Stunning Director, Producer and Writer Nina Brooks debuts her short film, "The Passport" this summer. Early last year, Nina joined and worked alongside the likes of Emmai Alaquiva Jazmine Lewis and Baron J. Littleton to grow and gain her knowledge in film and TV. Brooks made her TV debut in the poignant TV Series portraying the troubled life of an in inner-city Pittsburgh single mother, The Lovers Lyfe, and continued on to work with Lana Bettencourt in The Family Business and Emmy Award winning "Unspeakable", Created by Emmy Award-winning Film Director Emmai Alaquiva, this outstanding :60 second PSA features the voices of the Deaf community and their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Unspeakable was entirely filmed in and around the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Making her directorial debut on The Passport Nina continues her work as writer and producer and behind the camera and is developing a documentary film that centers on strong and inspirational women from all backgrounds. In addition to her film and TV work, Nina's passion lies in serving her community. With her family roots planted in Pittsburgh, PA Nina's long term goals are to mentor young girls in film and empower them to regain their self-esteem and teach them life skills. Nina was born in York, PA to Evelyn Brooks, a seamstress. She now calls Los Angeles home where she lives with her fiance, Chris, co-owner of their independent film production company, CEP Productions, LLC. When she's not juggling between her career and domestic life, she enjoys staying active by doing hiking, swimming, and yoga. Brooks also finds pleasure in traveling and experiencing different cultures throughout the world. One of her favorite locations to visit is Paris, where she can reflect and refuel.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Urban romance, drama, crime
SARAH WALLER
CHRISTINA BROSMAN
Bio:
Christina Brosman was recently awarded the 2019 Humanitas New Voices fellowship for her pilot, Sacrificial, which she developed with ULSC's own Morgan Pichinson during her time at Mosaic. She also won the 2016 New York Television Festival Scripts Competition with her comedy pilot, Medium Well. That script was named One to Watch on WeForShe's 2017 WriteHer List as well. She is currently the Writers Assistant on an as-yet-untitled project by Maria Semple. In 2019, she served as the Script Coordinator on Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q and the final season of The Affair, and on Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner's HBO comedy series Camping in the year prior. She’s written for the forthcoming podcasts Wellness and Other Crimes, produced by The Paragon Collective, and Fishpriest, produced by Treefort. She'll talk to you about Star Wars and Top Chef with equal and possibly alarming passion. She has killed every succulent she's ever owned.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agents:
Melissa Darman & Sara Nestor, Verve
Manager:
Merideth Bajaña, Grandview
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
Grounded-ish genre comedy (like, people acting like actual humans would in outlandish situations, that vibe)
SARAH WALLER
KEAH BROWN
Bio:
Keah Brown is a journalist, author, studying actress and screenwriter. She is the recipient of Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 award, Which is a celebration of 100 inspirational voices around beauty, she is one of The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2018. Keah is a cheesecake loving rom com aficionado with great music taste. She creator of the viral hashtag, #DisabledAndCute. Her work has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. Her essay collection, The Pretty One is and picture book, Sam’s Super Seats is out now. Forthcoming is her YA Debut, The Secret Summer Promise.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Rachel Miller (Haven Entertainment)
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Female-forward, comedy, romantic comedy, LGBTQ+
SARAH WALLER
NYASHA BRYANT
Bio:
Nyasha Bryant is an LA based writer and the founder of Miss Read Books, an independent bookshop that celebrates & elevates stories driven by BIPOC women & non-binary femmes. A military brat with roots in Zimbabwe, Nyasha is well-traveled and channels her international viewpoint into the stories she tells about characters finding their unique place in the world. As both a creative and a business owner, Nyasha’s passion lies in highlighting exciting, relatable stories through unique and diverse perspectives.
Nyasha is currently an associate producer at one of the leading marketing & advertising companies in the country, Herzog & Co. There, she’s worked on projects including Amazon’s UNCLE FRANK, Apple’s GREYHOUND, and Focus Features’ ANTEBELLUM.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Novels, short stories, fantasy, genre, action-adventure, drama, comedy, supernatural, diverse, female-led, offbeat, edgy, dark humor, Black culture
SARAH WALLER
ANDEE BUCCHERI
Bio:
Andee Buccheri is a writer, actor, and comedian currently based in New York (but can be at the airport in like, forty-five minutes.) As a middle child who’s always keeping the peace, Andee uses humor to bring joy and comfort to others. A graduate of NYU Tisch, she appeared on the 2019 National Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical and was a Best of the Fest pick in the 2021 Burbank Comedy Festival. Andee is predominantly a TV comedy writer with an appreciation for crafting story and character development with a flair for collaboration and punching up jokes. She also stumbled into financial and corporate governance knowledge as an assistant at a hedge fund. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her dog, Midge.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Irreverent comedy, female-forward, LGBT-forward
SARAH WALLER
LAUREN ELYSE BUCKLEY
Bio:
Hailing from the land of deep-dish pizza, this little Italian Jew came to LA with dreams of becoming the next Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or at least playing her on TV. After studying theatre and screenwriting at LMU, I dove into the world of TV and film and began working consistently as an actor. Since covid, I've been able to stretch in a variety of creative directions acting, directing, producing, and writing.
Writes:
Film
Representation:
Manager:
Malissa Young Management
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Young adult coming of age dramadies
SARAH WALLER
RACHEL BURGER
Bio:
Hi, I’m Rachel Burger (like a hamburger). I took a very boring 5-day road trip from Chicago to LA in 2012. I’ve spent the last 7 years working Dan Fogelman’s TV production company, Rhode Island Ave. Productions. I know. It was the longest commitment I’ve ever had. But, it allowed me to really craft my writing voice, while also learning what it takes to be a successful producer and showrunner. His credits speak for themselves while mine are just getting started. I’m currently working in the writer’s room for the upcoming 20th/Hulu show, Only Murders in the Building, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It probably will air next year. What else do you need to know? I like hockey, dogs, and have acquired zero extra skills during this quarantine.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Managers:
Tracey Murray & Josh Levy, Industry
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Dark comedy, grounded, heightened reality, adventure
SARAH WALLER
ALEX BURNS
Bio:
Alex Burns has penned over 50 episodes for Spotify’s FEMALE CRIMINALS, a weekly podcast that dives into the psychology of women who break the rules. In her TV work, she writes stories about young women who are stuck in a box and have to fight their way out — whether that’s literally or metaphorically.
Previously, Alex assisted the writer/director on Netflix’s JINGLE JANGLE and EL CAMINO CHRISTMAS. She is a graduate of USC’s Writing for Screen and Television program.
Writes:
Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Managers:
Michael Botti & Brandy Rivers (Industry Entertainment)
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Female-forward, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, genre
SARAH WALLER
RACHAEL BURKE
Bio:
Rachael is a comedian, producer, writer, impressionist, and actor. Currently, she is a Writer/Producer at The Drew Barrymore Show. Her career started when she won Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s Dance Challenge with an original dance move and was interviewed on the show and danced with Jimmy to a song by The Roots. Rachael went on to become a Contributing Writer at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the longest tenured member of the show’s digital team that won 2 Emmy awards while Rachael worked there. While at The Tonight Show, Rachael recieved NBC's Going the Extra Mile Award for "exceptional work and leadership that extends above and beyond what is asked.” Rachael appeared on several episodes of NBC’s Bring the Funny with the sketch team she created, Kids These Days, performing their own original sketches. When they're not on TV, Rachael and Kids These Days has a monthly sketch show at the People's Improv Theater in NYC, has toured the country to SF SketchFest, NY Comedy Festival, and more. Rachael also worked in the research department at The Late Show with David Letterman. Rachael wrote and performed her celebrity impressions, voice acting for a new America’s Funniest Home Videos show.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Female-forward, comedy, socially conscious, grounded comedy, satire, mockumentary, workplace comedies, road trip movies, sketch comedy, musical, musical comedy, Christmas
SARAH WALLER
JACKIE CANINO
Bio:
Jackie is an LGBTQ+ writer who grew up in the Bronx, where she developed a passion for social justice and a love for genre television and movies. Jackie attended Harvard University with the intention of being pre-law, but ended up spending all of her free time there writing and producing plays instead of legal briefs. Much to the disappointment of her traditional Italian family, she graduated with a degree in Film Production and immediately moved out to Los Angeles. Jackie worked in television development at FX Networks, Morgan Freeman's Revelations Entertainment, and DC Comics Entertainment before following her true calling and making the transition to television writing.
Jackie has written two episodes of DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, one of which featured an epic Bollywood musical number and was named one of the Best Television Episodes of 2019 by Paste Magazine. In her spare time, Jackie is a pagan priestess.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV
Representation:
Agent:
Kasey Murazsko, A3 Agency
Manager:
Mike Vanderhei, Rain Mgmt
Preferred Contact:
Reps, Self
Keywords:
grounded sci-fi, character-driven genre, female-forward, LGBTQ+
SARAH WALLER
ANNA CHRISTOPHER
Bio:
Anna Christopher is a television and film writer and director who grew up in Illinois, writing stories and riding horses. Most recently, she was staffed on Amblin’s GREMLINS: SECRETS OF THE MOGWAI for HBO Max. Previously, she wrote on the Emmy-nominated HELPSTERS (Apple), MY LITTLE PONIES: EQUESTRIA GIRLS (Discovery Family), SCREAM: THE TV SERIES (MTV), and the beloved teen comedy AWKWARD (MTV). Currently, she’s developing an IP-based, hybrid live-action/animated pilot with Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Bros. Television. In film, Anna has developed a high school comedy series with Awesomeness TV which she is now adapting into a feature. Her other feature writing work includes a romantic comedy for Maker Studios, adapted from the book WE SHOULD HANG OUT SOME TIME by Josh Sundquist.
As a director, Anna’s short films have screened at film festivals worldwide and won numerous audience awards, a student Emmy and Best Family Pilot at The New York Television Festival. Anna has also directed branded digital and broadcast content for Dannon, Olay, Trojan, Lactaid, and the acclaimed Proctor & Gamble “Raising an Olympian” series. Her recent narrative work includes the comedy short NEVER SEEN YOU SHINE SO BRIGHT starring Lance Barber (Young Sheldon).
Anna’s other talents include key lime pie, losing power struggles with her toddler, and Instacart.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Aaron Kogan, Aaron Kogan Management
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
comedy, dramedy, YA, rom-com, female-driven, action comedy adventures, big genre fun with heartfelt feels
SARAH WALLER
RACHEL CALLMAN
Bio:
Rachel is a TV/Film writer with a focus on strong characters, exploring relationships, and the humor that comes from just being a person. She currently has a comedic biopic about the co-founder of OPI Nail Lacquer in development at Cavalry Media with Dana Brunetti (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS) with Robert Luketic attached to direct and a half-hour pilot in development with Idina Menzel's Loudmouth Media. Previously, she was a Contributing Writer/Digital Associate Producer on Tosh.0 for over four years. She has made the final round for the Creator's Program at Comedy Central, been a finalist for the WB Writer's Workshop, a second-rounder for Austin Film Festival’s Screenplay Competition, and in the Top Ten for Final Draft's Big Break competition. Rachel also serves as the Director of Operations for Untitled Ladies Script Club, a group that empowers femxle screenwriters to build lasting, supportive relationships within the entertainment industry. Additionally, her work has been featured on McSweeney's Internet Tendency, NickMom, XOJane, and in two college textbooks on comedy that her mom keeps on her coffee table.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Managers:
Tracy Kopulsky and Delaney Morris, Grandview
Preferred Contact:
Managers
Keywords:
Grounded, Comedy, Dramedy, Supernatural Comedy, RomCom, Jokes, Late Night, Narrative, Very Good, Hirable, Peanuts?
SARAH WALLER
LAUREN CANNON
Bio:
Lauren Cannon attended Bryn Mawr College, where she converted from literal choir girl to full-blown feminist. She completed the Screenwriting MFA program at USC and has written and produced several award-winning short films including DeComposition (Winner, LA Comedy Film Festival, Finalist Scripted “Narrated Tale” Contest, LA Comedy Shorts Fest) and I’m Dating the Antichrist, (Winner, LA Comedy Film Festival “Best of the Fest.”) Her pilot The Young Lady’s Guide to Surviving Death won the Page International Screenwriting Awards - Gold Prize. Throughout 2020, her short film Basic Witch is making the socially-distant festival rounds. She lives in Santa Monica with her husband, son and a cat named Marco.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Female-forward, socially conscious, grounded comedy, satire, magical realism
SARAH WALLER
JULISSA CASTRO
Bio:
Julissa Castillo is an Afro-Dominican writer who was born in NYC but raised in the self-proclaimed mule capital of the world (Columbia, TN -- seriously, Google it). Scared by the prospect of becoming someone who celebrates Mule Day as a serious holiday, Julissa left Tennessee and moved to Chicago, where she earned her MFA in Writing for the Screen + Stage from Northwestern University. She has previously written for Story House Entertainment (Univision) and is an alum of the NHMC Writers Program. She worked as a staff writer on an upcoming Apple TV+ show and is currently developing a show for HBO with Steven Canals. She co-hosts a podcast called QUE FUNNY where she discusses romcoms and other foolishness with her cousin/BFF. In 2020, Julissa achieved the ultimate nerd's goal when she was a contestant on Jeopardy!
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Rukayat Giwa, CAA
Manager:
Tracy Kopulsky, Grandview
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
dramedy, grounded, family, dysfunctional
SARAH WALLER
LAUREN CIARAVALLI
Bio:
Lauren Ciaravalli is a WGA-Award nominated writer/director with a passion for putting women and young people at the center of cinematic magic. When she's not writing about teenagers, you'll likely find her on set directing them in a variety of narrative, digital and commercial content. She recently directed L.O.L. SURPRISE THE MOVIE (Netflix) which peaked as the #6 Movie on Netflix in the USA in October 2021. On the writing side, Lauren has developed with Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Productions and is a graduate of the Nickelodeon Writing Program. In 2019 she was tapped to direct Season 1 of BratTV’s series SUNNYSIDE UP. Prior to that, AwesomenessTV hired Lauren to write and direct an episode of the romance anthology series LOVE DAILY (Netflix), for which she earned a WGA Award Nomination. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and prolific independent filmmaker, Lauren’s films have played at Oscar-qualifying festivals across the country. Originally from NYC, Lauren makes frequent trips back to the east coast to load up on her love of live theater. More can be found at www.LaurenCiaravalli.com.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Evan Angle (Zero Gravity Management)
Keywords:
female-driven comedy, modern romance, YA
SARAH WALLER
CHELSEA CLARK-JAMES
Bio:
Writing is where the magic is, and magic changes everything. I write drama with social justice undertones and characters who struggle to believe.
Practicing Buddhist, cis, hetero wf raised in interracial lgbtq+ family. Social codes are real but don’t have to be. With a BA in Modern Languages and Cultural Anthropology, I began work in non-profit (housing, mental illness, substance abuse) but pivoted later to film/TV production. Over a decade on set as a grip taught me a script is a blueprint; if it’s done well, other talents can build something beautiful. The art of writing, for me, is a never ending pursuit. I genuinely love the curiosity and persistence good storytelling requires.
Current WIPs include editing a guide for women wanting to work below-the-line film/TV jobs, a character drama feature, and an original fantasy pilot about a Buddhist trash disposal service.
ISO OWAs, rewrites, and international co-productions. Contact for writing sample.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
drama, sci-fi, fantasy, romantic, dramedy
SARAH WALLER
EMILY SARANE COHN
Bio:
My name is Emily Cohn (she/her) and I'm a writer/director/editor who’s finally overcome a fear of elevators. Here's a list of my other accomplishments:
- "CRSHD," my first feature film premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and is currently available on Hulu and other online movie places
- The NYTimes included me as one of 9 filmmakers who should be on your radar
- I've worked professionally for MoMA, American Empirical Pictures, MTV News and a number of other film and TV productions
- Graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Creative Writing from Oberlin College
- Studied screenwriting and directing at the Prague Film School where my diploma film "Czechlist" won the audience award at our graduation screenings
- I was a 2012 Tribeca Film Institute Tribeca Film Fellow where my short film "Pierced" received the top level of funding and went on to win Best Drama at the All American High School Film Festival
- My high school web series, “The Do Not Enter Diaries,” was featured in the NYTimes
- 5s on AP calc and AP French –– since I know no one will ask, but it makes me feel unique
- Fifth generation New Yorker who somehow has a driver's license
- Proud member of Free the Work and Film Fatales
I'm currently revising my second feature script, writing a New York-set comedy pilot and directing the upcoming Riot Grrrl-inspired feature "Guts," written by Isabelle Barbier –– among other passion projects and freelance work.
Some of my all-time favorite films are "Little Miss Sunshine," "Superbad" and "When Harry Met Sally."
Well. That's me! I'd like to move out of my childhood bedroom before I'm 30, so, please hit me up with any and all collabs!
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Anna Weinstein, Hannah Davis, Amanda Hacohen, WME
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Self
Keywords:
Dramedy, Coming-of-Age, Surreal/Inventive, Comedy
SARAH WALLER
SASHA COMPERE
Writes:
Hour TV
Representation:
Manager:
Anne Hong, Mosaic
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Self
Keywords:
Grounded and POC/Immigrant based
SARAH WALLER
CAMILLE CORBETT
Bio:
Camille Corbett is an Atlanta native and a queer-identifying, first-generation Jamaican American. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama and a Fulbright Scholar. Camille was recently staffed on the Jamie Foxx series, DAD, STOP EMBARRASSING ME, for Netflix. She has also written episodes for the Quibi series BREF produced by DreamCrew. Camille currently has an original animated pilot BADDIES in development with Cartuna. In addition, Camille has directed music videos, proof of concepts, and commercials. In fact, Camille is currently in pre-production for THE ISLAND, a horror film funded by Outback Presents, where Camille is set to direct and play the villain, Martisha. Pre-Covid, Camille raised a Kickstarter goal and for her independent pilot CRYSTAL & CHELSEA, that she starred in, wrote, and produced (ask for link) that is currently being distributed by Comcast. Not to mention, Spring 2022, Camille will release her comedic rap album, The Witty Girl. Previously, She was the TA for the NBC writing fellowship: Writers on the Verge.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Angela Nikas (Lit)/Chris Allen (Theatrical), Buchwald
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Self
nichole.corbett@fulbrightmail.org
camillecorbettcreations.tumblr.com
Keywords:
Comedy, Sharp Humor, female-forward, Caribbean, Jamaican, Dark Comedy, Dramedy, Multi-Cam, Animation
SARAH WALLER
BETH CURRY
Bio:
As a toothless child with a red-headed afro and a giant forehead making me like like Eric Stotlz in Mask, I turned to telling jokes to keep the attention off of my appearance. To this day I love the shit out of writing. Yes, I'm a dork and actually friggin' love it. I need it for my mental health. A world that I can control? Uh...yeah, sign me up.
This year I won the Nicholl Fellowship for my feature Lemon which was just optioned by Mandalay films. I have a few other features in various stages of development. Just honored to be included into a group of badass creative ladies. I love what I do...and am grateful to be a part of this empowering community.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Representation:
Agent -
Sheryl Petersen, APA
Manager -
Jenny Wood, Raquelle David, Elevate Entertainment
Keywords:
Honest, funny, dramedy, grounded, real, quirky, accessible, unique voice
SARAH WALLER
MELODY COOPER
Bio:
I'm a genre writer focused on social issues, BIPOC characters, and female protagonists. I was raised by parents who were activists and teachers in a Blerd (Black nerd) family that loved science and literature, and proved that Black people DO go camping. And yes, my brother is Chris Cooper, the Central Park Birder, and I'm the one who posted his video on Twitter and wrote that NY Times Op-Ed piece. After writing a Defund the Police article and doing a WGA panel on the need for more Black writers in cop show rooms, I was tapped to become story editor on the 22nd season of NBCUniversal’s Law & Order: SVU. I was selected for the 2020/21 Sundance Episodic Lab’s new Idea Lab to develop a grounded sci-fi pilot. I started out in TV in 2019 as staff writer on the second season of the CW series Two Sentence Horror Stories for which I wrote two wild episodes. In 2020 I also co-wrote a comedy sci-fi episode starring Wayne Brady for The Insiders, a new series headed by Greg Grunberg. A 2019 HBO Access Writing Fellow, I was winner of the 2018 Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay at the Urbanworld Film Festival with my dramatic feature script NORTHERN CROSS about a Black woman and Latine immigrant on the run. My horror TV pilot, SUNDOWN, has been a Finalist for several labs. Winner of Stowe Story Labs Tangerine Entertainment Fellowship, I was also selected for AMC Shudder Lab with a supernatural feature script THE SOUND OF DARKNESS. My activist heart beats strong and a short documentary, DETAINED, which I wrote, produced and directed, received a 2018 IndieFest Award of Recognition. Writing residencies I've done include Yaddo (2019) and La Napoule Art Foundation in France in 2018 (in a beautiful, haunted castle on the Mediterranean for a month). Also an award-winning playwright, I received a Ford Foundation grant to travel to Rwanda to develop my play SWEET MERCY, which was later developed by NY Stage and Film, starring Danai Gurira. DAY OF RECKONING about Lucy Parsons and the early Labor Movement in the U.S., was produced in NY and won the Jane Chambers Award. I currently write the comic book OMNI about a Black woman doctor with super intelligence (Issues #5 - 10) published by Mark Waid at Humanoids. I started a group of women horror writers and filmmakers called NYX Horror Collective, and I'm developing an original feature with Fear Works to direct in Canada in 2021. Website: www.melodyMcooper.com
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Brandon Lawrence, Pete Stein, Jim Nicolay, Carlos Segarra & Anna Jinks, CAA
Manager:
Corey Trent Ackerman
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Dramatic thrillers, horror and grounded sci fi
SARAH WALLER
MORGAN DAMERON
Bio:
Morgan Dameron is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who has a passion for female-empowerment stories, and an affinity for working with actors. Her feature film, Different Flowers, starring Emmy-Award-Winner Shelley Long, won Best Feature Film at KC Film Fest. After its World Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and theatrical release in 2017, Different Flowers is now airing on Showtime. As a participant of Ryan Murphy’s HALF initiative, Dameron shadowed Gwyneth Horder-Payton on American Horror Story Season 7. She was also selected for the Paul Feig FUSE mentorship program, and a competitive Producers’ Caucus fellowship. Her digital series and branded content have garnered tens of millions of views online for brands such as MTV, Halo Top Creamery, Canadamark Diamonds, and Nickelodeon.
Dameron got her start working for J.J. Abrams at Bad Robot, on films Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Dameron was honored with Kansas City Women in Film and Television’s “Spirit of Kansas City” award, Duke’s Talent Identification Program’s “Early Achievement Award,” and USC’s “Renaissance Prize,” awarded to only ten students per graduating class. Dameron is currently in development on her second feature, produced by Paul Feig’s Powderkeg and 3BlackDot.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Kendrick Tan, Lit Entertainment Group
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Comedy, sci-fi, heartwarming
SARAH WALLER
KELLY LYNNE D'ANGELO
Bio:
Kelly Lynne D'Angelo is a Two-Spirit Tuscarora (Haudenosaunee) and Muscowpetung Cree writer, performer, and activist who has done her fair share of storytelling in different mediums, including television, books, and stage musicals. Recent credits include TBS’ Miracle Workers, Netflix’s Spirit Rangers, and Adult Swim's Final Space. Her musical, Starry, beside her co-writer Matt Dahan, is set to run on London’s West End in 2023. You can also catch her on various online platforms as a professional Dungeon Master - yes, that's right - for Dungeons & Dragons, Geek & Sundry, College Humor, Buzzfeed, and more. Awarded "Writer of The Year" at the 2019 LA Skin's Fest Annual Gala and listed on BroadwayWorld as one of the “Top 100 Twitter Accounts to Follow in 2021,” Kelly is also a proud Selection Committee member for Outfest’s Screenwriter Lab as well as Mentor and Coach for Creative Lab Hawai’i’s Ideation Program for Indigenous Storytellers. She also owns a life-sized dragonhead, once worked at a zoo, and directed a version of “Macbeth” with the live audience in a pool because, why not. @kellylynnedang
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agents:
Manal Hammad & Jake Dillman, Verve
Manager:
Impossibly Possible Inc
Preferred Contact:
Agents, Manager
Keywords:
Musical, Earnest Comedy, High Fantasy, Magical Surrealism, Four Quadrant, Historical Absurdism
SARAH WALLER
TERESA DECHER
Bio:
Teresa Decher is a writer, actor, and more recently, director and author. Whether on the page, behind the camera or in front, Teresa is dedicated to creating space for women to be their beautifully imperfect and messy selves, while often commenting, either directly or indirectly, on mental health. Her background is in comedy and her writing team Yes Please! has reached over one million views on YouTube, collaborated with Comedy Central and Funny or Die, developed a pilot with DiGA Studios (the production company behind "Scream" and "Teen Wolf"), and been featured at Los Angeles Film Festival, NYTVF, Raindance, and more. She has also expanded into sci-fi and horror with her directorial debut “Subject 3”, which premiered at FrightFest 2020, and is currently working on her debut novel in the YA space. Her writing has been featured on Thought Catalog and she was a top finalist for NaNoWriMo’s Los Angeles Anthology competition.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
female-driven, mental health, messy characters, anti-heroes, misfits, comedy, sci-fi, horror, and young adult
SARAH WALLER
ANA MARIA DEFILLO
Bio:
Ana Maria Defillo is a Caracas-born, Miami-raised, Dominican writer, producer, and recovering people pleaser.
Before her career in television, she paved her road to hell as a Christian missionary, human rights graduate student, & nonprofit professional. Now she’s spreading her gospel of cynicism to the world.
She studied sketch comedy, improv, and satire writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade, The People’s Improv Theater, and Second City.
As a late bloomer, Ana’s a proud student of humanity. She lived on four continents while getting her Masters in Global Affairs from New York University, a graduate certificate in Human Rights from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies from the University of Central Florida.
Ana’s writing has been featured in McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, Vulture, and more. Her TV credits include Desus and Mero on Showtime, The Read on Fuse, and The Vote on PBS. Ana is a proud alum of NHMC’s Series Scriptwriters Program sponsored by Disney/ABC, NBC, and Netflix. This year she was chosen as a writer/director for Gold Comedy’s inaugural all-women/nonbinary digital sketch team, We’ll Call You. Her genre-blending dark comedy, Momentous, based on her experiences in a purity cult and the nonprofit industry, is a semi-finalist at the 2022 Austin Film Festival. Currently, she’s writing and producing for Complex’s daily pop-culture news show, The Daily Drift, on Twitch.
Writes:
Half-hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
High concept, comedy, dark comedy, satire, genre-blending comedy, female-forward, people of color, women of color, hard comedy, biting humor, pathos
SARAH WALLER
COURTNEY DONNELLY
Bio:
Courtney Donnelly and Jenna Finley Moller (writing partners) grew up as only children just miles from each other in Texas. They both went on to get Journalism degrees from NYU and Baylor, respectively, finally meeting years later in Los Angeles in a comedy class where director Richie Keen made them cry. Well, he didn’t make them cry, but making them sing acapella in front of their peers did.
Knowing they would never win THE VOICE, Courtney and Jenna became a writing team, drawing on their similar backgrounds of being from Texas, performing sketch comedy, and sporting “angry bangs” (maybe that was just Jenna). Writing was cheaper than therapy so they began to hone their voice of whip smart humor, always with a touch of heart.
Jenna and Courtney have collaborated with writer Shauna Cross on an original feature script and recently redeveloped it with Sean Robins and Debra Neil Fisher who is attached to direct. As for TV, they just locked a half hour comedy pitch with Tracy Mercer of Amasia Entertainment with veteran Cindy Caponera attached to showrun. They have many fans in both the TV and feature worlds and are eagerly writing new material. Just please don’t make them sing.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Managers:
Syndey Blanke & Colleen Washington, Fourth Wall Management
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, female-driven, heart
SARAH WALLER
EMMA DUDLEY
Bio:
Born in Philadelphia and raised in the Bay Area, Emma Dudley is a comedy and drama writer transplanted to Los Angeles. She has developed series for DreamWorks and Nickelodeon, staffed on DreamWorks series for both Netflix and Hulu, and has written for Netflix, Warner Bros., and Miramax in the feature space. FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE was on the 2020 Black List, and Emma's work has also gone through the Sundance Screenwriting Intensive Lab and been featured on the WeForShe WriteHer List. Additionally, she's an ongoing contributor for Reductress.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Amanda Jo Smith, UTA
Manager:
Lauren Dineley, Writ Large
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy, dramedy, character-driven
SARAH WALLER
SIENA EAST
Bio:
Siena East is a writer, comedian, and actress based in Los Angeles. She was worked on shows like HBOMAX’s upcoming Clone High, was featured in llluminative's 25 comedians to follow, and ABC's Native American Heritage Month campaign where she spoke about the freedom to be flawed, but they cut the part about catching a barf with her hands. Or rather... failing to catch a barf with her hands.
Siena studied Film and Television Production at New York University where she was selected to produce her first short film. Her short film “Lycanphobic” was included in both the LA Skins Film Festival, where it was nominated in the Emerging Filmmaker category, and the NYU First Run Festival, where it won an award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2018, Siena was a part of the 3rd LA Skins Television Writers’ lab, a lab that works with Native American writers. Her original pilot “Mixed Up” was selected for a live reading at the LA Skins 12th Annual Film Festival. In 2019, she was in You're Welcome: A Pre-Thanksgiving All Native American Improv Show, the first all Native improv show at UCB.
As a comedian, Siena was first featured in the Kibitz Room’s clean showcase, where she won the audience choice award "The Best of the Bunch" and has performed all over LA.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent
Thuan Dang, APA
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Funny, Out of control, broad comedy, flawed characters, discomfort, Native, irreverent, coming of age, raunchy, ridiculous, high concept, conversational
SARAH WALLER
LISA EBERSOLE
Bio:
I write comedy that will make you cry and make your mother blush.
Born and bred in Washington DC, Lisa Ebersole is the Creator and star of 37 PROBLEMS (Amazon Prime Video, Gravitas, Elizabeth Banks WHOHAHA.) She is currently writing an autobiographical half hour, TERRIBLE THINGS about a single, 43 year-old orphan trying to figure out what went wrong; writing/directing a feature Christmas movie for Mar Vista; pitching an adult animation show, MALIBU BEAR.
Lisa received her MFA Screenwriting from UCLA in 2014. Prior to that, she was a NY Playwright known for the Off Broadway plays BROTHER (Samuel French); MOTHER (starring Holland Taylor & Buck Henry.) While spending her money making plays and films, Lisa worked as Editor-In-Chief of the kids’ animated movie site, BrainPOP.com and was a Producer for Disney Interactive’s apps: Toy Story, Cars, Beauty And The Beast etc.
Lisa is a two-time finalist for Juilliard’s Playwriting Fellowship and winner of UCLA’s George Burns Comedy Fellowship and Showcase Competition. During quarantine, she has hosted a monthly Happy Hour for Hollywood Womxn which has lead to jobs, connections, and collaborations when most of our industry has been shut down. Lisa also runs a coaching business for Screenwriters, which teaches writers the process of writing through their Authentic Lens (writing a script that only they can) which is what got her noticed and paid after many years of “i love your wriitng” but no job offers - lisaebersole.net
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, raw, human, authentic
SARAH WALLER
REEM EDAN
Bio:
Reem Edan is an Iraqi-American comedian, award-winning writer and content creator known for her unique brand of Muslim-ennial humor. After working in marketing at studios including Paramount, Disney and STX Entertainment, Reem took the leap to being a full-time creative and has since performed at venues and universities across the US, Europe, Japan and Middle East. She’s opened for comics including Iliza Schlesinger and Arsenio Hall and has acted in several viral content pieces, including with Elizabeth Banks to promote "Pitch Perfect 3." Since completing the prestigious NBC Late Night Writing Workshop and working as a synposis writer for Netflix, Reem has been featured on ShahidVIP’s "Stand Up Sketch Show," a national campaign for Headspace, Showtime’s "Desus & Mero," and on Bustle’s list of “5 Muslim Women Comedians to Get You Through Social Distancing.” Reem currently pens comedic content for the official Twitter pages of "Tom & Jerry," "Scooby Doo," and "Looney Tunes.”
Writes:
Half-hour TV
Representation:
Agent:
Danny Alexander, APA
Manager:
Matt Sadeghian & Isaac Horne, Avalon
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
Comedy, buddy comedy, adult animation, identity, multi-cultural
SARAH WALLER
CLAIRE EPSTEIN
Bio:
Hi! I'm Claire. I'm originally from Washington, DC, and after college I pursued acting for a while in New York, performing at off-Broadway places and then at UCB. And then TWIST I got a job ghostwriting romance novels and what was supposed to be just a day job turned into a career. I ended up writing 15 books (one was translated into German, which was fun), and while I found that I loved writing, it wasn't a genre I was passionate about - I really wanted to write for TV and film. I decided to write a half-hour TV pilot that then won a festival called SeriesFest, which is how I got my first reps and led to my move to LA.
Since then, I've staffed for a Quibi show, written a freelance episode for Dreamworks, and written for the Calm app and the podcast company Parcast. I've also developed an interactive project with John Milhiser (SNL) for Eko with Powderkeg and Big Breakfast and a romcom feature with The Cartel. I'm currently developing a feminist horror feature with Debbie Liebling and Scotty Landes and an edgy half-hour with Piller/Segan.
I really love to write stories with complicated female leads and use genre to explore some kind of social problem. I want my work to be entertaining before it's anything else. I'm interested in comedy, mystery, horror, thrillers, sci-fi...pretty much anything but sentimental drama. My dream is to be thought of alongside women like Leslye Headland, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Nia DaCosta, Aline Brosh-McKenna, Lorene Scafaria, and Lena Waithe, who work in a variety of genres but always bring their distinctive voice. I'll just come out and say it: I want to write a ten-episode comedy series followed by a Marvel movie.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Christopher Nold, MGMT Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Comedic, edgy, grounded, fun.
SARAH WALLER
CAROLINE FARAH
Bio:
Caroline Farah is a television and film writer originally from New York City. But it was not exactly a straight line for her to get here. Caroline started out working as a Respiratory Therapist in a Level 1 trauma unit in the ER and I.C.U. She also worked in the O.R. and was bedside for open heart surgeries and babies being born. She should definitely be writing more medical shows, but instead, Caroline writes comedy.
Caroline’s first screenplay was based on a true story – her mom found out her husband was having an affair while watching the "Late Show with David Letterman" (everyone else her mom knew was watching, too). So of course, she had to turn her mom’s horror into a comedy. The script went into development with Marc Rosen at Georgeville Films. Caroline created, developed, and wrote a live-action half-hour with Mark Gordon for ABC. She also created and developed two live-action half-hours with Overbrook Entertainment.
In addition to live-action, Caroline has written on animated shows for Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon, and Marvel. One of her favorites was a Warner Bros. Animation series she wrote on for two seasons with weekly celebrity guest stars. Caroline wrote episodes that starred Cher, Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Schaal, Steve Buscemi, Wanda Sykes, Lucy Liu and the one and only Carol Burnett – as well as many very cool others – but obviously not as cool as Carol Burnett.
In Caroline’s free time, she likes to…oh, wait…she writes in her free time, too. That’s not sad, right?
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, Dark Comedy, RomCom, Character Driven, Female Driven
SARAH WALLER
RACHEL FARRELL FISCHER
Bio:
Cowgirl. Soldier. Traveller. Pilot. Only sometimes procrastinator. Writer.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Val McElroy, Epigram
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Military. Grounded Sci-fi. Adventure. Mystery.
SARAH WALLER
JANEY FEINGOLD
Bio:
Janey Feingold is a writer, director and lyricist. In 2017, Janey wrote and created the viral teen musical series CHICKEN GIRLS for the Brat Youtube Network. The series received over 100 million views in the first season alone and is currently in its 7th season. CHICKEN GIRLS was nominated for 2018 and 2019 Streamy Awards. Janey has written and directed short films, music videos, branded content and musical theater work. Most recently, Janey produced and directed “Creativity Isn’t Canceled” a digital song cycle live stream event featuring original musical theater work written entirely in quarantine. Janey is a co-founder and Writer-in-Residence of CLUB BYOSS, an organization that works with writers and actors to create community through networking, advocacy, education and creative events. Janey is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a BA in Film Production, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Musical Theater Writing at the NYU Tisch School of the arts.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Drew Shenfield, Mosiac Media Group
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Teen, musical, comedy, digital, film, tv, stage
SARAH WALLER
JORI LYNN FELKER
Bio:
Hailing from the harsh winds of Chicago, Jori once graduated with a Neuroscience degree just to spite an ex-boyfriend. But upon realizing Grey’s Anatomy poorly resembled her vision of working in the medical field, she pivoted into entertainment. Clawing her way across various lit desks, she debuted her cerebral yet heartfelt voice in the frozen-time coming-of-age drama BETWEEN THE RAINDROPS, which currently has Charlie Bean (LADY & THE TRAMP) attached to direct. A true nerd at heart, she produces video game-inspired content centered on tackling gaming from a female perspective. She currently supports the season 2 staff of GABBY DURAN & THE UNSITTABLES on Disney Channel and can touch her tongue to her nose.
Writes:
Film
Representation:
Agent:
David Boxerbaum, Verve
Manager:
Trip Bennewitz
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
Weird, surreal, YA, coming of age, dark comedy, psychological, fantastical, witty
SARAH WALLER
MIKA FRANK
Bio:
A native of Cleveland, Mika began her storytelling career as a songwriter. However, the struggles of being a kid parent hindered her from pursuing an unconventional career. Mika then went on to become a pharmacist. After Mika discovered the world of film and television writing, she refocused her talents and moved to Los Angeles. Mika has since placed in the 2018 AFI Directing Workshop for Women, the 2019 WeScreenplay Contest, and the 2020 WB TV Writer’s Workshop. Mika has written and directed the webseries, My Girlfriend is Black, and a number of short films. Mika is best at penning flawed female-driven stories that explore the intricacies of being a strong woman often with an evolutionary arc that leads to liberation. Mika currently works as a showrunner’s assistant on MacGyver.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Conrad Sun, Meridian Artists
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
I am best at writing flawed strong female leads and not the trope-y type of strong, but authentic three-dimensional women. Often times, the character will often undergo an evolutionary arc that leads her to some liberating or freeing place in life.
SARAH WALLER
ARI FRIEDMAN
Bio:
Ari is a queer, bicultural writer and director who grew up Ultra-Orthodox Jewish, only to turn around at 25 and get her hand tattooed like a schmuck. She writes about given versus chosen identity, with an emphasis on strong female leads and mental illness. Her tone has been described as "traumedy" and "who hurt you???". Currently she works on Star Trek: Discovery (P+), and previously worked on The Cool Kids (FOX), and Bless This Mess (ABC).
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV
Representation:
John Dunne (Independent Artists Media)
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Traumedy, Quirky, Dark Humor, Broad Comedy, Female Centric, LGBTQ+, Coming of Age, Mental Illness
SARAH WALLER
KAITLIN FONTANA
Bio:
Kaitlin Fontana is an Emmy-nominated TV and film writer, director, and producer, and a National Magazine award-winning essayist. In a not-so-distant past life, she was a music journalist. She's the current host of the WGAE's craft and process podcast, OnWriting.
Kaitlin's feature film script, GIRLFRIEND ON MARS, is on the 2019 Black List. She is a 2018 NYTVF Development Deal recipient (Audible) as well as a finalist in the 2018 HBOAccess Directing Fellowship. Her directorial debut, FRANCHESCA, was an official 2018 Sundance Film Festival selection. She was a Field Producer on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Kaitlin was a 2018 WriteHer List Honoree, an inaugural 2017 WGA/Made in New York Writers Room Fellow, 2017 Showtime Tony Cox Award winner, 2017 Nantucket Comedy Colonist, and 2017 Bitch List Honoree.
Kaitlin sits on the Writers Guild of America, East council and believes in the power of collective action. She lives in Los Angeles, CA and was born in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada, a distinction she shares with Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Christina Campagnola, GRLBND
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Elevated dark comedies with genre twists, weird dramas, magical realist sci-fi
SARAH WALLER
MEAGAN FULPS
Bio:
Born in a small Denver suburb where playing sports and going to outdoor concerts were the only things to do besides drugs, young Meagan Fulps desperately prayed that she’d become a professional athlete and marry Nick Jonas. Thankfully God knows best and only one of the two came to be. Despite being height challenged and reminded her whole career that boys sports were somehow more important, she excelled as an elite baller and makes sure to remind every single person she meets for a general multiple times. In addition to championing female athletes on the page, she has an affinity for asshole characters and quirky, contemporary worlds. When she’s not pounding the keys, she’s being told to “f*ck off” (lovingly) by her training clients or attending couples therapy with her fiancé in the form of paintball.
Writes:
Half-hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy, dramedy, grounded, female led, workplace
SARAH WALLER
ROBIN FUSCO
Bio:
Robin creates layered crime and medical dramas that take the women you love to hate, put them in fucked-up situations, and make you root for them. She previously coached physicians from around the world on empathy and medical ethics, and she draws on this expertise to bring emotional truth to complex, morally ambiguous narratives. A new media medical series she was hired to write is scheduled for release this year. Robin is a 2022 WIF Writing Circle Mentee and was a NYSCA Screenwriting Fellow, and her scripts have placed in numerous competitions including WeScreenplay, ScreenCraft, and Cinequest. She’s also a commissioned and published playwright whose work has been produced internationally. A proud member of the WGA Independent Writers Caucus and The Dramatists Guild, she was awarded an MFA in screenwriting from Point Park University. Robin tells stories that immerse us in lives unlike our own, and when she’s not writing, you can often find her out in nature hiking and conquering mountains — another way in which she expands her perspective.
Writes:
Hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
female-centric, dark drama, twisted, medical, crime
SARAH WALLER
YAEL GALENA
Bio:
Raised in a macrobiotic modern-orthodox Jewish home, Yael Galena, an agnostic carnivore, is familiar with avoiding the beaten path. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from George Washington University with a degree in Electronic Media, but cites her two years of traveling the world solo as her master class in character, storytelling and the human condition. Yael spent ten years producing docu-reality television in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to follow her true passion, writing. Yael is drawn to strong female-driven dramedies gleaning from her overly-involved Jewish family, her absurdist backpacking adventures and growing up with parents who thought tropical flavored Tums were an adequate school snack.
She has two original pilots in development, one at Warner Bros. and one at Sony. Her feature script made it to the 2020 Semifinalists of the Nicholl Fellowship. She was featured on 2019’s WriteHer List, 2018’s Young & Hungry List and was one of six Hedgebrook writing fellows. She worked as a Writers’ Assistant on TNT’s hit Claws.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent:
Maude Reilly, APA
Manager:
Corrine Aquino, Artists First
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
grounded, female driven dramedy and comedy
SARAH WALLER
KIANA GARNER
Bio:
Kiana is a Los Angeles native from the diverse region of the South Bay, specifically Torrance and Inglewood. At a young age she was inappropriately allowed to watch “In Living Color” and SNL and dreamed ever since of becoming the black Tina Fey. Kiana enjoys writing stories about people with diverse backgrounds & intersectionalities and the quirkiness of everyday life, whether it's in the form of a stoner comedy or a dramedy about being haunted by the ghost of your terrible ex. Kiana has written for web series’, TV review sites, and was a punch up writer for Comedy Central’s "The Legend of Chamberlain Heights." Her current project is writing and developing "For Evan's Sake," a half hour dramedy streaming on Tubi. In her free time she enjoys cooking vegetarian recipes from Pintrest, discovering new music on KCRW and experimenting with natural hairstyles.
Writes:
TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedic, topical, quick witted
SARAH WALLER
ASHLEY GLACEL
Bio:
Ashley Glacel is a screenwriter based in Los Angeles who writes witty, conversational, and funny scripts that attempt to capture the angst of a certain period of life and often center on a group of brazen female friends. At present she has a rom-com called SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY in development. An East Coast native and political junkie at heart, she previously served as a press secretary and speechwriter in both the U.S. House and Senate. She holds a B.A. from William & Mary, an M.A. from the New School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where her research centered on narrative structure and storytelling. Pieces she's written on the intersection of politics and pop culture can be found everywhere from the Village Voice to long-defunct e-zines from the early 2000s. Her parody of Lizzo's "Truth Hurts" currently boasts a *not-inconsequential* amount of views on YouTube, as do her *NSYNC dance tutorials.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Keywords:
mainstream comedy, indie comedy, rom-com, dramedy, female-forward, witty, conversational, political, music tie-ins
SARAH WALLER
ALYSSA MAY GOLD
Bio:
Alyssa May Gold is a theater/filmmaker, and a native New Yorker. These two things make up almost her entire personality, the rest of which is her deeply held belief that corn muffins should never have lemon or whole corn kernels in them. She holds a multidisciplinary bachelor’s from NYU Gallatin, a master’s in classical acting from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art, and has been working on stage and screen and behind the scenes for the last two decades. When she couldn’t watch one more ingenue fall in love/to her knees begging for mercy while someone else went on a journey, she founded Pocket Universe, a production company dedicated to reconsidering and reimagining classic stories and conventions. Pocket Universe’s inaugural production of her concept for Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAESAR set in an all-girls high school was hailed by the NY Times as a “radical take on the tragedy…[with] the capacity to take women seriously at the heart.” It was followed by a new spin on ROMEO + JULIET about a modern teenager reading the play for the first time, and an original rom-com-with-a-twist web series, “You Made it Worse,” both of which Alyssa adapted/wrote and directed. Her half hour pilot, MOVE THE FURNITURE, a work-(from home)-place dramedy about a sidelined choreographer and a young, injured dancer who team up to run a company while being haunted by their dream ballet alter egos, was a 2021 finalist for absolutely nothing but she loves it dearly. In 2022, Alyssa will appear in the Broadway premiere of Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer prize-winning play HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, while continuing to write/rewrite/give up on writing/remember why it’s so important to write stories that upend the cultural narratives that no longer serve us. She believes if we want to change the world, we start by changing the stories we tell.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Patrick Murray, Untitled Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Sharp, Witty, Grounded, Naturalistic, Dramedy
SARAH WALLER
ELANA GOLDBERG
Bio:
Elana Goldberg is a New Orleans Saints fan despite growing up in Philadelphia, and has somehow ended up in Los Angeles. She is a screenwriter and fiction writer, but her sister is a doctor which people usually find more interesting. Most recently, she did script revisions on THE WEDDING YEAR, a romantic-comedy that was released in theaters in the fall of 2019, and is currently building her portfolio. She studied at Carnegie Mellon University's undergraduate creative writing program where she graduated in 2015 with multiple honors. She is currently out to publishers with her first novel.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Anastasiya Kukhtareva, Epicenter
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Dramedy, grounded comedy, rom-com, coming-of-age
SARAH WALLER
STEPHANIE GROFF
Bio:
Stephanie Groff is a screenwriter and an award-winning copywriter living in Los Angeles. She got her career start working at Twentieth Century Fox in Feature Film Production and left the studio to pursue screenwriting, getting her first big break adapting Dean Koontz’s best-selling memoir, A Big Little Life.
As a copywriter, Stephanie creates original content for major film franchises, such as Spiderman (Marvel/Sony), Wonder Woman (WB), X-Men (Fox/Disney), and Jumanji (Sony). She won a Golden Trailer Award for her featurette, “Planet Pandora," an original piece promoting James Cameron’s Avatar.
Stephanie is a Career Member of Women In Film and advocates for female-led content and increased opportunities for women in entertainment.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
SARAH WALLER
KARI GRANLUND
Bio:
Kari is an accomplished comedy writer who earned early acclaim when her original action comedy, THE SET UP, landed on the 2015 Black List with Red Hour attached to produce. Since then, Kari has worked on a variety of projects, including THE BABY SHOWER, MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE, and LADY & THE TRAMP, which she received screen credit for. She also pitched and wrote an original feature for Disney, GODMOTHERED, which was released in December 2020 starring Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher. She's currently developing a television series with Annapurna based on a graphic novel by Tom Gauld, and is also writing a new ROBIN HOOD adaptation for Disney with Carlos Lopez Estrada attached to direct. She hails from Portland, Oregon and the only thing she loves more than writing is the Trail Blazers.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent:
Melissa Fried, Chris Noriega, & Bill Weinstein, VERVE
Manager:
Sarah Dodge, Industry Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager
Keywords:
comedy, character-driven, female-driven, left of center, action, tentpole, animation
SARAH WALLER
MARY GULINO
Bio:
Mary is an LA-based writer from New Jersey. She's currently staffed on the animated series Hailey’s On It! for Disney as well as writing the adapted screenplay of The QB Bad Boy and Me, starring Noah Beck. Previously, she staffed on Upload (Amazon Prime) and consulted on Decoys (CBC Gem). Her satirical writing has been published in Reductress, The Belladonna, Points in Case, The American Bystander, and more. Mary got glasses when she was two, and would love to talk optometry sometime. Find out more at maryegulino.com or on Twitter @maryegulino. (Or don’t—you probably have a lot of things going on.)
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agents:
Ilana Goren and Norris Brooks, CAA
Manager:
Lisa Mierke, Mosaic
Preferred Contact:
Self, Reps
Keywords:
character-driven, comedy, horror comedy, genre-bending, cynical optimism
SARAH WALLER
JUSTINE COGAN GUNN
Bio:
I write kids live action and animation along with a nice dose of rom-com. I love creating weird, imaginative, wish-fulfillment-packed worlds for puppets and humans where life’s comedy plays out in bright colors and soft felt--always with a little heart.
My writing partner on family scripts--Brian Newlin--and I were staffed on TAB TIME, a hybrid live action-animation preschool show for YouTube Originals. We just delivered our original family comedy for the Jim Henson Company and Universal. We’ve got a live action family project with MiMO Studios and we’re currently pitching a kids three-camera sitcom with producers.
Independently, I write female-driven rom-coms of all different flavors. I’ve written and co-written a few that have aired on the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime—COOKING WITH LOVE (2018), praised as a Hallmark unicorn where the guy changes HIS plans to fit the girl’s and HOLLY’S HOLIDAY (2012).
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Managers:
Alison Mann, Colleen Washington, Fourth Wall Management
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
character-driven, family, kids, rom com, animation, magical, emotional, aspirational
SARAH WALLER
ALI GUSBERG
Bio:
Ali Gusberg is a comedy writer with two feature films in development with production companies, and she wrote and developed two movies for Hallmark. She wrote on the Amazon show FOREVER starring Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen. She also wrote, directed, produced, and starred in her short comedy film COUPLE FRIENDS. Her Hollywood break came when she won a $500-screenwriting contest with her 30 ROCK spec script that shuttled her into a showrunner’s assistant job for former 30 ROCK writer Matt Hubbard under his NBCUniversal deal. Ali helped Hubbard take three pilots through production and a fourth through script, developing with Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Mike Schur.
Prior to screenwriting, Ali was a copywriter at Ammirati, a New York City advertising agency, where her clients included Vitaminwater, Smartwater, Pirate’s Booty, Woodchuck Cider, among others. Before that, Ali was a copywriter at Coca-Cola’s wholly-owned subsidiary Glaceau. Previous to Glaceau, Ali worked on the management team of Savored, a restaurant reservations technology start-up.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Ken Freimann, Josh Adler, Circle of Confusion
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
grounded comedy
SARAH WALLER
NIKITA T. HAMILTON
Bio:
Born and raised in Miami, Nikita is a first-generation Jamaican-American. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and later moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where she earned her Masters and Doctorate in Communication. Her research focused on representations of Black women in television, culture, and gender, and it was towards the end of her studies at USC that Nikita realized she wanted to write for television and not just write about it. With that decision made, Nikita landed a position as the Writers’ Assistant for the second season of FX’s acclaimed series, ATLANTA, which not only gave her a crash course in comedy writing, but also solidified that creating engaging shows was what she wanted to do with her life. Nikita has contributed a book chapter about HBO’s GIRLS, entitled, "So They Say You Have a Race Problem? You're in Your Twenties, You Have Way More Problems Than That" to the book, HBO's Girls: Questions of Gender, Politics, and Millennial Angst and wrote, co-produced, and starred in the short film CALL OUT BLACK, which received the Dolores Huerta Award at the Long Beach Indie Film Festival. This year, Nikita co-created and wrote for the comedy web series “(Best) Friends.” She is currently a Staff Writer on ABC’s A MILLION LITTLE THINGS.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Korin Williams and Monique Nash, Kronicle Media
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
comedy, dramedy, grounded, women-centric
SARAH WALLER
CARLI HANEY
Bio:
Carli Haney has worked in Film/TV development for the last decade as a Creative Executive and Director of Development. She’s worked with A-list companies such as Jennifer Lopez Enterprises, RatPac Entertainment, and most recently, Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions. Under these banners, she has sold and developed TV and Film projects at most major studios and networks. Additionally, Carli produced and starred in the Netflix Docuseries KEVIN HART: DON’T F**K THIS UP and Executive Produced Sony’s FATHERHOOD. Carli has a BFA in Technical Theatre, Stage Direction, and Play Analysis from Creighton University. She’s a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and teaches Indoor Cycling in Studio City.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Matthew Einstein, Tradition Pictures
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
High concept comedy, broad comedy, female-forward, character-driven
SARAH WALLER
BRIANA HANSEN
Bio:
Briana Hansen is a comedic writer and actress based in LA. Her hyperactive imagination, sharp and often-wicked sense of humor, and general Midwestern do-gooder sensibilities seep their way into almost all her stories. Her writing typically features unique female protagonists who are often relatable weirdos and fish out of water searching for some sense of belonging. A big fan of shaking up traditional narratives, she recently wrote, produced, and starred in an interactive Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style sketch comedy show for AmazeVR available on Oculus. She studied and performed writing, improvisation, and sketch comedy at The Second City Chicago, iO, The Groundlings, UCB, and a bunch of other places you've likely never heard of. She has a stand-up comedy special on Amazon called "Articulate Neanderthal" and continues to work regularly as a SAG AFTRA actress, VO artist, and freelance writer. She's obsessed with her dogs, always available to listen to a good ghost or alien abduction story, is a big fan of crystals, conspiracy theories, and pretty much all of life's mysteries. She does not, however, want to discuss vampires. She's also a new mom and generally running on fumes.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Daniel Clark, Anthem Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy, dark, irreverent, goofy, absurd, playful, supernatural, philosophical, heart-felt, character-driven
SARAH WALLER
TATE ELIZABETH HANYOK
Bio:
Tate Hanyok is a writer-actor focused on female-driven comedy and young adult stories. She was named one of the AFF & Moviemaker Top 25 Writers to Watch and named one of the Top 100 Emerging Writers on Tracking Board's 2019 Young and Hungry List. Her perspective is steeped in backyard humor, themes of awkward displacement, found family, and the endlessly unpredictable (and hilarious) reality of the underdog. Her stories are chock full of characters with fresh and unique perspectives.
Most recently, she's been hired by Picturestart to adapt the Watt Pad novel Along for the Ride into a motion picture, has also written Pet Nup and Family Week for Mucho Mas. Her TV Series April F*#ing May is in development with Blue Ant Media. She’s produced the independent feature Love and Baseball, and is currently producing her feature script Sex APPeal alongside American High for Hulu .
Guest starring in comedies such as The Office, Superstore, Community, Shameless, Transparent, Burt Wonderstone, and many more, Tate has a rich actor's perspective to bring to her characters. She’s the private performance/comedy coach to many teens on numerous network TV series/studio films, and is also a seasoned improviser and alum of UCB.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Ayala Cohen, Melissa Orton Cortez, James Robins Early, ICM
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Self
Keywords:
Female forward, feminist, character driven, diverse, progressive, socially conscious, environmentalist, comedy, dark comedy, dramady, romance, adaptation, stage comedy, sketch comedy, YA, Teen, coming of age, edgy, sexual awakening, family, mockumentary, workplace, Christmas, anti-heroes, misfits, heart-felt, character-driven
SARAH WALLER
ASHLEI HARDENBURG-CARTAGENA
Bio:
Ashlei Hardenburg-Cartagena is a queer German-Puerto Rican writer originally from Jersey City, NJ. She writes gritty crime dramas peppered with casual violence and grim realism. Ashlei began her career working in production on documentaries as well as on New York based shows including ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK and JESSICA JONES. Since turning to writing, Ashlei's screenplays have been honored at various festivals and competitions including as a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab and as a selection for the RoadMap Writers Diversity Initiative. Ashlei has a B.F.A. in Film from Vassar College and finds guilty pleasure in karaoke and historical dramas.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Manager:
Jason Lubin, First Story Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Dramatic, Violent, Authentic, Blunt
SARAH WALLER
NATALIE JASMINE HARRIS
Bio:
Natalie Jasmine Harris is a Black queer writer, director, and producer from Silver Spring, Maryland currently based in NYC. She received her BFA in Film and Television from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in May 2020.
Her NYU thesis film, "Pure," received The 2020 Directors Guild of America's Student Film Award and recently finished a film festival run that included over 40 festival screenings worldwide. In February 2022, the short film was acquired by HBO and is now available to stream on HBOMax. Natalie is currently adapting the concept behind "Pure" into a feature-length film of the same name that is a 2021 recipient of The SFFILM Rainin Grant and was selected to be a part of last year's Gotham Project Market and Outfest Screenwriting Lab.
Natalie is currently a Creative Culture Filmmaking Fellow at The Jacob Burns Film Center and is in post-production for her very first commercial that she directed for Hyundai.
Natalie's work has been featured in publications that include Teen Vogue, THEM Magazine, The Cut, and NBC.
Writes:
Film
Representation:
Manager:
Christina Campagnola and Kim Veasey, GRLBND
Preferred Contact:
Manager
Keywords:
Coming-of-age, drama, female-forward, queer, dramedy
SARAH WALLER
JESSICA HAYMOND
Bio:
Jessica Haymond is a writer and actor who regularly performs at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and has been featured on Drunk History as well as in various national commercials. Jessica created and directed the MTV series “Fast Food Heights” starring Nicole Byer. Jessica has written for Adult Swim, MTV, The New York Television Festival, and several shows at UCBLA. She studied Public Policy at USC and is a licensed attorney in California. She once wrote a joke that Beyoncé retweeted.
Writes:
TV
Representation:
Manager:
Tracy Kopulsky, MXN Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Comedy, absurd, satire, female, fringe
SARAH WALLER
LESLEY HENNEN
Bio:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Lesley Hennen is a writer, producer, and recovering publicist currently based in Los Angeles. She holds a B.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, and is also a graduate of The Second City’s Harold Ramis Film School, where she honed her niche of telling female-driven dark comedies, often inspired by her own life experiences of living with a physical disability.
Lesley’s original pilot script, "Walk & Roll" recently placed in the second round of both the 2021 Austin Film Festival and Sundance Episodic Labs, as well as in the top 100 scripts of The Tracking Board’s 2021 Launch Pad Pilot Competition. "Walk & Roll" was also a Finalist in WeScreenplay’s Diverse Voices Lab, and TV Pilot Contest, as well as a Semi-finalist in ScreenCraft’s TV Pilot Contest. Another of Lesley’s original pilot scripts, "Uninspired", was chosen as “Best of Fest” at the 2020 Women in Comedy Festival’s "Pitch Your First Five Pages" competition, presented by HBO.
Lesley is currently one of eight Fellows in Blackmagic Collective’s All Access: Disabled Filmmakers on the Move career advancement initiative, as well as an inaugural member of Tribe, a mentorship and networking program for writers led by Executive Producer, Amy Aniobi (Insecure).
In 2020, Lesley was accepted into RespectAbility's Summer Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities. After completing the program, Lesley continues to work on staff with RespectAbility, facilitating consultation requests from studios, production companies, and independent filmmakers in an effort to promote more authentic representations of people with disabilities on-screen, as well as more inclusive and accessible working environments for disabled creatives behind the camera.
Writes:
Half-hour TV
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
comedy, dark comedy, female-led, anti-hero, disability
SARAH WALLER
WARNESSA HIGHTOWER
Bio:
Hailing from Houston, Texas, Warnessa Hightower has had a love for story since the age of 13. She found her passion to write as one of the most popular B2K Fanfiction writers, and to this day, holds those stories dear to her heart.
With a knack and passion for story structure, Warnessa has spent the last decade curating story development for Urban Theater as Director of Development for Je'Caryous Johnson Entertainment, which granted her the opportunity to develop and help write nationally touring stage plays including Snoop Dogg's inaugural stage play, Redemption of a Dogg, and the stage adaptation of the cult classics Set It Off and BAPs. Stepping out of Urban Theater, Warnessa is currently a story producer for the iconic reality television show, Big Brother and recently wrapped as a talent producer for The Bachelorette. But as her ultimate love for scripted television has persisted, she continues to hone her screenwriting craft building her slate of projects including being a part of the writer’s room for KevOnStage’s first scripted web series Love After.
And as a lifelong philanthropist, Warnessa now serves as President-Elect of the LA Chapter of Texas Exes, the alumni organization for The University of Texas @ Austin, garnering national attention with the chapter’s innovative fundraising activities and social justice initiatives.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Warnessa.m.hightower@gmail.com
Keywords:
dramedy, suspense, Black female lead, dark humor, comedy, drama, anthology
SARAH WALLER
JULIA HLADKOWICZ
Bio:
Julia Hladkowicz is a comedian, writer and actor in LA by way of Toronto who has written for the CBC, MTV and Much. is a regular at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, making her debut in New faces Canada in 2015. You've seen her on Comedy Network, MTV, HBO, YTV, PBS, TruTV, Conan and heard her comedy album “LAD-KO-WITS” on SiriusXM. She's done multiple TV tapings at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal including CBC's comedy night, CTV's All Access and Kevin Hart's LOL. She's a two-time finalist in SiriusXM’s Top Comic and is a part of Laff Tracks on TruTV. Julia has a Canadian Comedy Award and an I Heart Jokes nomination for Best Female Stand-up. Her self titled comedy album “LAD-KO-WITS” debuted at #1 on iTunes comedy. Check out her podcast, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? hosting by her and her comedian husband, Matt O’Brien!
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Agent:
Carolyn Sterling, Grand Wave Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Agent
Keywords:
Rom com, joke writing, female-forward, sketch comedy
SARAH WALLER
CHRISTINE HOANG
Bio:
Christine Hoang is a Vietnamese American comedy writer whose stories are centered on Southern BIPOC characters trying to find their way. She’s an Unlock Her Potential mentee of Brian Yorkey (2022), WarnerMedia 150 South Pitch winner (2021), and The Writers Lab fellow (2020). Born and raised in New Orleans and now based in Austin, Christine is also a mom, wife, and former lawyer.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
coming of age, female-forward, BIPOC, Asian American, Southern, broad comedy
SARAH WALLER
TAYLOR HOLT
Bio:
A former Division 1 athlete, Taylor Holt is a Californian who hates the beach. She specializes in writing bitchy women both for TV and film but don’t call it autobiographical; she’ll get angry. Her pilot script MEAN COACH was a finalist at multiple festivals. She currently assists TV veteran Marc Firek.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
Comedy, bitchy women
SARAH WALLER
REBECCA HOOBLER
Bio:
I'm a Los Angeles based TV writer who does a little feature work on the side... I started as a writer on Fox's Duncanville and am currently working on a Netflix series with Alex Hirsch that will one day, hopefully, have a title. I'm a tiny human who apparently gives off "tall person vibes" but I credit that to my massive amount of hair and teeth. I love writing dark and emotional comedy, if it's a little surreal, even better. I'm really drawn to stories about grief, mental illness, forgiveness or the complexity of being alive, you know, the real light-hearted stuff. Or sometimes, I just like writing about cats.
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
Representation:
Agent -
Chris Noriega, Jake Dillman, Jenna Block, Verve
Manager -
Merideth Bajana and Erick Mendoza, Grandview
Keywords:
Dark comedy, surreal, emotional comedy, character-driven, a moment in time, tv and film.
SARAH WALLER
MICHELLE HSU
Bio:
Michelle Hsu is an exciting new diverse voice in the grounded sci fi/horror genre. With a background in environmental science, Michelle spent time cave diving and conducting water research before starting her career in the entertainment industry. As a second generation Asian American, Michelle is passionate about diversity in entertainment and media. In her writing, she focuses on stories about women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+. She is currently staffed on a soon to be announced Amazon TV show, and writing on SANGUINE, a scripted horror podcast for QCode Media.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent:
Mark Ross & Olivia Faletti, Paradigm Agency
Manager:
Matt Dy, Lit Entertainment
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
sci-fi, horror, LGBTQIA+, drama, thriller, coming of age, commercial
SARAH WALLER
JOSELYN HUGHES
Bio:
Joselyn Hughes is a Los Angeles based writer and performer. She was named one of "30 Under 35: Female Comedians to Watch" by JaneDough.com, "25 Female Comedians Everyone Should Know" by Flavorwire.com, “18 Funny Women You Should Be Following on Twitter” by the Huffington Post, and “30 Under 30: Comedians You Should Watch” by Splashlife and Funny or Die.
Joselyn has appeared on Chelsea Lately, Tosh.0, The Fab Life, MTV, VH1, Spike and has written for Comedy Central, Vanity Fair, MTV, VH1, OWN, TBS and the Huffington Post.
Her web series DIY, Dammit! can be seen on her YouTube channel and her first book, "DIY, Dammit! A Practical Guide to Curse-Free Crafting" is available now everywhere books are sold.
You can catch her live in Los Angeles performing stand up. Follow and like all her things on the internet so she can feel cool!
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent:
Laura McDonald, Gersh
Preferred Contact:
Agent
Keywords:
comedy
SARAH WALLER
KATHERINE HUGHES
Writes:
Half-hour TV, Film
Representation:
Manager:
Christina Gualazzi
Preferred Contact:
Manager, Self
Keywords:
Sci-fi, comedy, action
SARAH WALLER
SABRINA JAGLOM
Bio:
Sabrina Jaglom is a LA-based writer & director. She studied film at RADA in London, FAMU in Prague, and graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film & Television. At NYU, she wrote, directed, and produced several shorts, many of which screened and won awards at major film festivals. Upon graduation, she worked in production on various projects including Showtime’s The Affair and assisted Nancy Meyers on The Intern. Sabrina then had enough of winter and moved back to LA to work in Film/TV development at Whalerock Industries, which had an overhead deal with MGM. She then went on to serve as associate producer on the feature Home Again, which was released nationwide in the fall of 2017. Most recently, Sabrina directed a music video for the Nashville artist Charlie Rodgers, produced a commercial for Walmart/The Oscars, directed an AirBnB commercial, and directed the West Coast premiere of a play titled Empathitrax. Currently, she is writing a podcast for Automatik's QCode Media and is preparing to direct her first feature JANE, which she co-wrote with Rishi Rajani, and will be produced by Debbie Liebling and American High.
Writes:
TV and Film
Representation:
Agent:
Anna Flickenger & Charlie Ferraro, UTA
Manager:
Merideth Bajana & Gabrielle Lewis, Grandview
Preferred Contact:
Agent, Manager, Self
Keywords:
grounded genre, thriller, drama
SARAH WALLER
HYUNJIN JO
Bio:
I was born in South Korea. By the time I was eight years old, I had lived in various places such as Hawaii and Kansas. Primarily, I grew up as a latchkey kid in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, watching a LOT of unsupervised police/detective/ sci-fi television. When I was nine, I adapted a novel into a 110-page screenplay and directed my classmates in the film. I spent many years taking fine art and documentary photographs around the world, spending some time living in Italy. With cinematographer John Alonzo’s mentorship, my film career began as an union A.C. on various productions where I was oftentimes the only female, and only ethnic minority. Several years ago, I was preparing to direct a feature when a woman in a SUV hit me while I was walking my dog. It took a year to hold a pen correctly—longer to deal with the aphasia issues. Because of the constant pain level, I no longer need anesthesia at the dentist. I have quite a bit of knowledge of issues with diseases, physical and mental health, non-combat post-traumatic stress, and the lengths one has to go to pay for health “care” in America (game show winnings has paid for medical care). Additionally, I am developing an essay collection (in the vein of David Sedaris/Sloane Crosley) on my various solo childhood adventures—ranging from being beat up on the walk to kindergarten, to being left in a country where I did not know the language in eighth grade.
Writes:
TV and Film
Preferred Contact:
Self
hyunjin@jojoroadproductions.com
Keywords:
Adaptations and rewrites specialist, thrillers, sci-fi, action, horror, women, strong voice POV
SARAH WALLER
STEPHANIE JOALLAND
Bio:
Stéphanie is usually on the Moon or away with the stars. She is a screenwriter by trade, a film director, a geek by nature and a lover of sci-fi. She was born and raised in Brittany, France, not too far from Jules Verne penned his tales of rockets of the future but London is currently her Earthly home. A globe-trotter, she has lived in Norway, the U.S., Germany, and Canada and studied filmmaking at UCLA. Stéphanie began her career in story development at TF1 International and Canal Plus, worked as a story editor and screenwriter for French TV, co-creating the animated version of VALERIAN for Luc Besson. Her first feature film was THE QUIET HOUR, a sci-fi thriller which starred Dakota Blue Richards, premiered at Galway Film Fleadh, was nominated Best British Film at Raindance Film Festival, won Best Film at Kansas City Film Fest, and showcased at Newport Beach. The Quiet Hour sold to Sky Cinema in the UK and is available on Amazon in the U.S. Her next film as a writer-director, ICE, a sci-fi thriller, was a Finalist of the 2020 ScreenCraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy competition and Top 10 of Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices. NYC-based Visit Films recently boarded ICE to market and distribute the film. Stéphanie’s projects were selected for top genre co-production markets such as Fantasia's Frontières and BiFan's NAFF in South Korea. She is an alumna of Berlinale Talents and IFP Emerging Narrative in NYC. Stéphanie also lectures on filmmaking on Masters of Arts in Screenwriting at the University of Arts London (U.A.L.) and DeMontfort University.
Writes:
Film
Manager:
Jeffrey Belkin (Zero Gravity Management)
Preferred Contact:
Self
Keywords:
elevated genre, sci-fi, science-driven, grounded sci-fi