The 2023 Next List

Amanda Layne Miller

Amanda Layne Miller is an LA-based queer comedy and genre writer/director from Memphis, whose love for all things magically comedic began with works of art such as Barbie: Fairytopia and That’s So Raven. She hosts the Acast original podcast FANGIRL CENTRAL with her little sister Amber Miller. Currently, she is the Writer’s Assistant on SAY THEIR NAMES for Jonathan I. Kidd and Sonya Winton-Odamtten. She has been Writers’ Assistant on Stacy Osei-Kuffour’s sci-fi satire THE POINDEXTERS (Netflix), Season 2 of WOKE (Hulu), the fantasy series THE UNTAMED (HBO), Season 3 of THE MORNING SHOW (Apple+), and the limited series SULA (HBO) based on the Toni Morrison book. She was also Staff Writer/Writers’ Assistant on American-Chinese sci-fi show DREAM HUNTERS. Her autobiographical dramedy pilot ALL GIRLS has been a Second Rounder in Mike Gauyo’s Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship, Comedy Second Rounder at the Austin Film Festival, Finalist in the Sundance Episodic Lab, and more. Most recently, Amanda wrote, directed, and co-starred in her short comedy film THE DAY I DIDN’T MEET ONE DIRECTION.

Amanda Layne Miller is an LA-based queer comedy and genre writer/director from Memphis, whose love for all things magically comedic began with works of art such as Barbie: Fairytopia and That’s So Raven. She hosts the Acast original podcast FANGIRL CENTRAL with her little sister Amber Miller. Currently, she is the Writer’s Assistant on SAY THEIR NAMES for Jonathan I. Kidd and Sonya Winton-Odamtten. She has been Writers’ Assistant on Stacy Osei-Kuffour’s sci-fi satire THE POINDEXTERS (Netflix), Season 2 of WOKE (Hulu), the fantasy series THE UNTAMED (HBO), Season 3 of THE MORNING SHOW (Apple+), and the limited series SULA (HBO) based on the Toni Morrison book. She was also Staff Writer/Writers’ Assistant on American-Chinese sci-fi show DREAM HUNTERS. Her autobiographical dramedy pilot ALL GIRLS has been a Second Rounder in Mike Gauyo’s Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship, Comedy Second Rounder at the Austin Film Festival, Finalist in the Sundance Episodic Lab, and more. Most recently, Amanda wrote, directed, and co-starred in her short comedy film THE DAY I DIDN’T MEET ONE DIRECTION.

Angel Weaver

Angel Weaver grew up in Southern California, graduated from UC Berkeley where she ran track, and became an engineer in the Tech Industry before realizing she was most passionate about comedy writing. In features, Angel’s romantic comedy spec script, GHOSTED, sold to Paramount with Idris Elba producing. In TV, Angel just went on to a new Kevin Hart produced animated series, staffed as a Story Editor.

Angel Weaver grew up in Southern California, graduated from UC Berkeley where she ran track, and became an engineer in the Tech Industry before realizing she was most passionate about comedy writing. In features, Angel’s romantic comedy spec script, GHOSTED, sold to Paramount with Idris Elba producing. In TV, Angel just went on to a new Kevin Hart produced animated series, staffed as a Story Editor.

Brandi Nicole

Brandi Nicole is currently staffed on the Bosch spinoff RENEE BALLARD for Freevee. Previously, she was staffed on season 2 of Showtime’s YOUR HONOR writing episode 208, and before that was the writer's assistant on the upcoming HAPPY FACE for Paramount+ where she co-wrote episode 108. The daughter of a juvenile detention officer mom and 2nd strike convicted felon dad led Brandi to writing characters that explore duality. While she started off as an actor, she fell in love with the storytelling process after writing & producing MUTED, a short film about media discrepancy when a child of color goes missing, that was acquired by HBO, selected for the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Program and to date has just over 160k views on YouTube via Issa Rae’s #ShortFilmSundays. Brandi followed that up by being awarded the Emergence Filmmaker Grant which supported ALOHA, a short film she wrote, directed & starred in, about a new mom dealing with an unexpected pregnancy complication. A proud HBCU grad, HBO Writers Program alum, Sundance & Austin Film Festival 2nd Rounder and member of RAINN’S Speakers Bureau, her goal as a writer, filmmaker and actor is to use story to spark discussion, create community and help facilitate healing.

Brandi Nicole is currently staffed on the Bosch spinoff RENEE BALLARD for Freevee. Previously, she was staffed on season 2 of Showtime’s YOUR HONOR writing episode 208, and before that was the writer's assistant on the upcoming HAPPY FACE for Paramount+ where she co-wrote episode 108. The daughter of a juvenile detention officer mom and 2nd strike convicted felon dad led Brandi to writing characters that explore duality. While she started off as an actor, she fell in love with the storytelling process after writing & producing MUTED, a short film about media discrepancy when a child of color goes missing, that was acquired by HBO, selected for the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Program and to date has just over 160k views on YouTube via Issa Rae’s #ShortFilmSundays. Brandi followed that up by being awarded the Emergence Filmmaker Grant which supported ALOHA, a short film she wrote, directed & starred in, about a new mom dealing with an unexpected pregnancy complication. A proud HBCU grad, HBO Writers Program alum, Sundance & Austin Film Festival 2nd Rounder and member of RAINN’S Speakers Bureau, her goal as a writer, filmmaker and actor is to use story to spark discussion, create community and help facilitate healing.

Brian David Gilbert and Karen Han

Brian David Gilbert and Karen Han sold their original pilot GLEAN, an hour-long sci-fi thriller, to wiip. As a writing team, their independent short films have garnered millions of views on YouTube and received recognition from Nerdist and the AV Club, which has led to work ranging from staffing in a writers' room and a Netflix development mini-room, as well as writing for an indie video game.

Brian David Gilbert and Karen Han sold their original pilot GLEAN, an hour-long sci-fi thriller, to wiip. As a writing team, their independent short films have garnered millions of views on YouTube and received recognition from Nerdist and the AV Club, which has led to work ranging from staffing in a writers' room and a Netflix development mini-room, as well as writing for an indie video game.

Bronson Diallo & Michael Chung

Michael Chung & Bronson Diallo are currently staff writers on a not-yet-titled Netflix show created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, & Dave Stassen. Both LA natives, they recently sold a half-hour pilot to Sony Pictures Television with Matt Tolmach attached to produce. They also have several projects across genres in development, working with companies like River Road Entertainment, Conaco, Marginal Mediaworks, and Bay Mills Entertainment.

Michael Chung & Bronson Diallo are currently staff writers on a not-yet-titled Netflix show created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, & Dave Stassen. Both LA natives, they recently sold a half-hour pilot to Sony Pictures Television with Matt Tolmach attached to produce. They also have several projects across genres in development, working with companies like River Road Entertainment, Conaco, Marginal Mediaworks, and Bay Mills Entertainment.

c. Craig Patterson

c. Craig Patterson is a screenwriter and filmmaker from New Orleans’ 7th Ward who has studied at Columbia University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. His short film FATHEAD, made in partnership with Amazon and Epic Games’ UnReal Engine, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Film, won the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Best Student Short Award after premiering in the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, and was a finalist in the American Black Film Festival’s HBO Short Film Award. His scripts have been included in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, The Blacklist, The Academy’s Nicholl’s Fellowship, the Cannes Screenplay Contest, and the Hillman Grad Rising Voices Initiative. In addition to Cannes, his shorts have also screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and The Austin Film Festival. c. Craig has produced projects for Carnegie Hall, directed the critically acclaimed Roy Wood Jr. comedy special IMPERFECT MESSENGER for Paramount+, and currently has projects in development with Bad Robot, Paramount, and Epic Games. He’s directing an animated film called ChikaBOOM! that has Yara Shahidi attached to star, as well.

c. Craig Patterson is a screenwriter and filmmaker from New Orleans’ 7th Ward who has studied at Columbia University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. His short film FATHEAD, made in partnership with Amazon and Epic Games’ UnReal Engine, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Film, won the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Best Student Short Award after premiering in the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, and was a finalist in the American Black Film Festival’s HBO Short Film Award. His scripts have been included in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, The Blacklist, The Academy’s Nicholl’s Fellowship, the Cannes Screenplay Contest, and the Hillman Grad Rising Voices Initiative. In addition to Cannes, his shorts have also screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and The Austin Film Festival. c. Craig has produced projects for Carnegie Hall, directed the critically acclaimed Roy Wood Jr. comedy special IMPERFECT MESSENGER for Paramount+, and currently has projects in development with Bad Robot, Paramount, and Epic Games. He’s directing an animated film called ChikaBOOM! that has Yara Shahidi attached to star, as well.

Cameron Griggs-Posey

Alcoholic turned TV writer, Cameron's life has always been a comedy of errors. A survivor of religion, alcohol addiction, & millennial men, her life is full of stories that she tells through character & story-driven comedy scripts. She’s currently an Associate Producer on The Conners & wrote her first episode for the series last season. She also works on the new NBC sitcom, Lopez Vs Lopez.

Alcoholic turned TV writer, Cameron's life has always been a comedy of errors. A survivor of religion, alcohol addiction, & millennial men, her life is full of stories that she tells through character & story-driven comedy scripts. She’s currently an Associate Producer on The Conners & wrote her first episode for the series last season. She also works on the new NBC sitcom, Lopez Vs Lopez.

Candace Jackson

Candace Jackson recently completed a stint as a staff writer for the upcoming HBO Max series, THE GIRLS ON THE BUS. Prior to writing for tv, she had a dynamic career at the New York Times and a decade at The Wall Street Journal, which afforded her the opportunities to spy on billionaires’ private islands from helicopters, nearly falling off a cliff snowboarding in Alaska, and finding a full-size replica of a Pan Am cabin in a man’s garage. There was rarely a dull moment while reporting on the world of the ultra-wealthy. This was a far cry from Candace spending her formidable years growing up in Minnesota and Arizona in the 80s and 90s – a time when being a biracial Black kid was not at all normal. But neither was having a father who integrated the University of Illinois basketball team, played, and later owned the Harlem Globetrotters and is an inductee in the Basketball Hall of Fame. She always felt like an anthropologist observing the world around her and is happy to have turned that into a successful career writing about bold, complex characters trying to make sense of their dysfunctional families and the world around them. She’s currently developing a feature film about America’s forgotten first Black millionaire (born in 1810, and one of San Francisco’s earliest founders). Candace is a graduate of New York University and has a master’s degree from Columbia University. Her family recently relocated to Los Angeles from the San Francisco. When she’s not writing she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team.

Candace Jackson recently completed a stint as a staff writer for the upcoming HBO Max series, THE GIRLS ON THE BUS. Prior to writing for tv, she had a dynamic career at the New York Times and a decade at The Wall Street Journal, which afforded her the opportunities to spy on billionaires’ private islands from helicopters, nearly falling off a cliff snowboarding in Alaska, and finding a full-size replica of a Pan Am cabin in a man’s garage. There was rarely a dull moment while reporting on the world of the ultra-wealthy. This was a far cry from Candace spending her formidable years growing up in Minnesota and Arizona in the 80s and 90s – a time when being a biracial Black kid was not at all normal. But neither was having a father who integrated the University of Illinois basketball team, played, and later owned the Harlem Globetrotters and is an inductee in the Basketball Hall of Fame. She always felt like an anthropologist observing the world around her and is happy to have turned that into a successful career writing about bold, complex characters trying to make sense of their dysfunctional families and the world around them. She’s currently developing a feature film about America’s forgotten first Black millionaire (born in 1810, and one of San Francisco’s earliest founders). Candace is a graduate of New York University and has a master’s degree from Columbia University. Her family recently relocated to Los Angeles from the San Francisco. When she’s not writing she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team.

Celena Cipriaso

Celena Cipriaso is a first-generation Filipina/American Executive Story Editor on Seasons 1-3 of THE CLEANING LADY for Fox. Previously she was Staff Writer on CBS/Secret Hideout's CLARICE, as well as being the writer's assistant on STAR TREK: DISCOVERY for CBS All Access and fellow of the 2017-2018 NBC Writer's on The Verge Program. Prior to her television career, Celena was a pop culture and beer journalist for The Root, Draft, Bitch and CNN as well as a former playwright/spoken word poet who has had her work performed throughout the Northeast, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Celena Cipriaso is a first-generation Filipina/American Executive Story Editor on Seasons 1-3 of THE CLEANING LADY for Fox. Previously she was Staff Writer on CBS/Secret Hideout's CLARICE, as well as being the writer's assistant on STAR TREK: DISCOVERY for CBS All Access and fellow of the 2017-2018 NBC Writer's on The Verge Program. Prior to her television career, Celena was a pop culture and beer journalist for The Root, Draft, Bitch and CNN as well as a former playwright/spoken word poet who has had her work performed throughout the Northeast, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Chas

Chas has always had a love for words. He wrote on Season 5 of the Freeform comedy Grown-ish and sold a scripted podcast to Audible in early 2023. He was a 2021 Disney Writers Fellow, and was one the only male writer on Issa Rae’s groundbreaking web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl (produced by Pharrell William’s iAmOther production company). As a touring SLAM poet, Chas was an integral member of the 2006 Los Angeles Slam Team, 2008 Atlanta Slam Team, and placed 3rd nationally with the 2009 San Francisco Slam Team. These experiences led him to becoming one of the breakout stars of the FX television show, Black.White. (produced by Ice Cube). Chas received high praise for his original writing and delivery on the show, while also earning an Emmy. Chas produced and was an on-air personality on the relationship podcast, Cake and Sausage, which Blavity named one of the “Best Black Sex Podcast You Should Be Listening To.” Chas’ storytelling can also be heard nationally on NPR's "Snap Judgment", and which has also aired on PBS. He performed on Season 3 of TV One’s “Verses and Flow,” and his work from the show was featured on Upworthy.com. Chas is most proud of the seven years he spent working as a Teaching Artist to Title-1 students and the time he spent working in Cameroon, West Africa, working with locals on creating original content for MTN telecommunications.

Chas has always had a love for words. He wrote on Season 5 of the Freeform comedy Grown-ish and sold a scripted podcast to Audible in early 2023. He was a 2021 Disney Writers Fellow, and was one the only male writer on Issa Rae’s groundbreaking web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl (produced by Pharrell William’s iAmOther production company). As a touring SLAM poet, Chas was an integral member of the 2006 Los Angeles Slam Team, 2008 Atlanta Slam Team, and placed 3rd nationally with the 2009 San Francisco Slam Team. These experiences led him to becoming one of the breakout stars of the FX television show, Black.White. (produced by Ice Cube). Chas received high praise for his original writing and delivery on the show, while also earning an Emmy. Chas produced and was an on-air personality on the relationship podcast, Cake and Sausage, which Blavity named one of the “Best Black Sex Podcast You Should Be Listening To.” Chas’ storytelling can also be heard nationally on NPR's "Snap Judgment", and which has also aired on PBS. He performed on Season 3 of TV One’s “Verses and Flow,” and his work from the show was featured on Upworthy.com. Chas is most proud of the seven years he spent working as a Teaching Artist to Title-1 students and the time he spent working in Cameroon, West Africa, working with locals on creating original content for MTN telecommunications.

Corey Dashaun

Corey most recently served as Story Editor on the upcoming Ben and Daniel Barnz Amazon series BAND, and prior to that was on ONE OF US IS LYING for UCP/Peacock as Staff Writer. He is currently developing his original half hour script FUCK! SUMMER'S OVER with Propagate Content, with Dewayne Perkins attached to supervise and executive produce. Corey was a member of the 2022 class of the Starz #TakeTheLead Writers Intensive. He is also a member of the prestigious and selective 2021 Sundance Institute Episodic Lab, where he has developed an original series under the tutelage of Elgin James and Brandon Sonnier. Corey also won a 2021 PROJECT iNVOLVE Fellowship from Film Independent. Through the Fellowship, Corey funded and shot his comedic short film HARD. His TV pilots have placed in several competitions such as the Carol Mendelsohn Drama Fellowship with Humanitas. Corey is LGBTQ+ and prior to writing was an 8th grade teacher in New York City and Atlanta.

Corey most recently served as Story Editor on the upcoming Ben and Daniel Barnz Amazon series BAND, and prior to that was on ONE OF US IS LYING for UCP/Peacock as Staff Writer. He is currently developing his original half hour script FUCK! SUMMER'S OVER with Propagate Content, with Dewayne Perkins attached to supervise and executive produce. Corey was a member of the 2022 class of the Starz #TakeTheLead Writers Intensive. He is also a member of the prestigious and selective 2021 Sundance Institute Episodic Lab, where he has developed an original series under the tutelage of Elgin James and Brandon Sonnier. Corey also won a 2021 PROJECT iNVOLVE Fellowship from Film Independent. Through the Fellowship, Corey funded and shot his comedic short film HARD. His TV pilots have placed in several competitions such as the Carol Mendelsohn Drama Fellowship with Humanitas. Corey is LGBTQ+ and prior to writing was an 8th grade teacher in New York City and Atlanta.

Davon Briggs

Davon recently wrapped on FX's 6th season of SNOWFALL. He was born and raised in Staten Island, New York - a small, eclectic town that often serves as the backdrop for his dynamic and gritty character-driven dramas. While honing his skills at New York University’s Dramatic Writing Masters’ program, he workshopped his feature-length screenplay, ROMAN’S ROAD, alongside his mentor, Spike Lee. When he made it onto the Tracking Board Young and Hungry List, it became his calling card to Los Angeles where he expanded his writers’ room experience under the tutelage of heavy-hitters like Melissa Rosenberg, Krista Vernoff, Chris Morgan and Dave Andron. He’s eager to let people know that there’s a new scribe in town.

Davon recently wrapped on FX's 6th season of SNOWFALL. He was born and raised in Staten Island, New York - a small, eclectic town that often serves as the backdrop for his dynamic and gritty character-driven dramas. While honing his skills at New York University’s Dramatic Writing Masters’ program, he workshopped his feature-length screenplay, ROMAN’S ROAD, alongside his mentor, Spike Lee. When he made it onto the Tracking Board Young and Hungry List, it became his calling card to Los Angeles where he expanded his writers’ room experience under the tutelage of heavy-hitters like Melissa Rosenberg, Krista Vernoff, Chris Morgan and Dave Andron. He’s eager to let people know that there’s a new scribe in town.

Evan McGahey

Evan McGahey is a first generation Iranian American writer, currently working as the staff writer on season 8 of OUTLANDER for Starz and SPTV, where he served as the writers’ assistant for 3 seasons and was given the chance to write a freelance episode for season 7. Evan graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of science in Human Biology and a healthy exposure to film and television production. His writing focuses on the effects technological advances have on humanity – and vice versa. Prior to Outlander, he worked as an assistant on The Blacklist and the MADtv reboot. He has also written a variety of episodes for Spotify's podcast company, Parcast. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California with four roommates, three televisions, two guitars and one piece of Taco Bell wall art. Evan has a deep appreciation for his Persian heritage and leans into the culture and lore in his storytelling.

Evan McGahey is a first generation Iranian American writer, currently working as the staff writer on season 8 of OUTLANDER for Starz and SPTV, where he served as the writers’ assistant for 3 seasons and was given the chance to write a freelance episode for season 7. Evan graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of science in Human Biology and a healthy exposure to film and television production. His writing focuses on the effects technological advances have on humanity – and vice versa. Prior to Outlander, he worked as an assistant on The Blacklist and the MADtv reboot. He has also written a variety of episodes for Spotify's podcast company, Parcast. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California with four roommates, three televisions, two guitars and one piece of Taco Bell wall art. Evan has a deep appreciation for his Persian heritage and leans into the culture and lore in his storytelling.

Hayley Muñoz

Hayley recently wrapped Season 4 of Nancy Drew as a Staff Writer, where she co-wrote and co-produced two episodes. Hailing from McAllen, Texas and fueled by her Mexican-American roots, Hayley enjoys crafting stories that champion underdogs and showcase diverse, relatable characters from all walks of life. She aims to create content that resonates deeply, offering audiences a sense of recognition, healing, and empowerment. She attended The University of Texas at Austin, and studied Radio, Television, and Film, and participated in the UTLA Program, securing a Development Internship with Wind Dancer Films. Upon graduation, Hayley swiftly entrenched herself in the industry, navigating through various support roles within Writers' Offices in Los Angeles.

Hayley recently wrapped Season 4 of Nancy Drew as a Staff Writer, where she co-wrote and co-produced two episodes. Hailing from McAllen, Texas and fueled by her Mexican-American roots, Hayley enjoys crafting stories that champion underdogs and showcase diverse, relatable characters from all walks of life. She aims to create content that resonates deeply, offering audiences a sense of recognition, healing, and empowerment. She attended The University of Texas at Austin, and studied Radio, Television, and Film, and participated in the UTLA Program, securing a Development Internship with Wind Dancer Films. Upon graduation, Hayley swiftly entrenched herself in the industry, navigating through various support roles within Writers' Offices in Los Angeles.

Heather Dean & Rosie Borchert

Heather Dean & Rosie Borchert is a queer, biracial writing team, who was most recently Story Editors on Amazon’s The Hospital. They previously staffed on Netflix’s The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia. Having met in the room of ABC’s Speechless, these dynamic, quirky women are sharp joke writers and incredible storytellers.

Heather Dean & Rosie Borchert is a queer, biracial writing team, who was most recently Story Editors on Amazon’s The Hospital. They previously staffed on Netflix’s The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia. Having met in the room of ABC’s Speechless, these dynamic, quirky women are sharp joke writers and incredible storytellers.

Hernán Barangan

Hernán Barangan is a Filipino Latino writer who survived leukemia as a teenager and is a wheelchair user. He recently won both a Humanitas Prize and a WGA Award for writing the episode “Prison or Palace” on Apple’s LIFE BY ELLA. He is currently in the 2022-23 NBC TV Writers Program. In 2018, he directed and starred in the documentary CANCER REBELLION, executive produced by The Who’s Roger Daltrey. For the documentary, he traveled to all 50 US states to interview young cancer patients. He also directed THE 100%, a fully immersive interactive experience that won the Tribeca X Award and was nominated for an Emmy.

Hernán Barangan is a Filipino Latino writer who survived leukemia as a teenager and is a wheelchair user. He recently won both a Humanitas Prize and a WGA Award for writing the episode “Prison or Palace” on Apple’s LIFE BY ELLA. He is currently in the 2022-23 NBC TV Writers Program. In 2018, he directed and starred in the documentary CANCER REBELLION, executive produced by The Who’s Roger Daltrey. For the documentary, he traveled to all 50 US states to interview young cancer patients. He also directed THE 100%, a fully immersive interactive experience that won the Tribeca X Award and was nominated for an Emmy.

Iraisa Ann Reilly

Iraisa Ann Reilly (She/Ella) is a writer, performer, and educator who is half-Cuban, half-Irish, and whole New Jersey. Select full-length plays include Good Cuban Girls (Teatro del Sol, at The Arden Theatre), The Jersey Devil is a Papi Chulo (Latinx New Play Festival, at La Jolla Playhouse 2023, Sol Fest 2022, Yale Drama Series Shortlist 2022, Finalist Leah Ryan Prize, KCACTF) Saturday Mourning Cartoons (Winner, Bay Area Playwright’s Festival 2022, Arkansas New Play Festival 2023, Finalist Goldberg Playwriting Prize 2022, Semifinalist Blue Ink Award 2023, Semifinalist Premiere Stages). Her work has been developed with Theatre Exile, The New Harmony Project, The Chain Theatre, The Workshop Theatre, ARTHouse INKubator, NYU Production Lab’s Development Studio and the Latinx Playwright’s Circle. Her play “House Bill 3979: Amendment #10: The Life and Works of Dr. Hector P. Garcia” was commissioned and produced by Texas A&M-University-Corpus Christi in 2022. Iraisa Ann is currently under commission with the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia and Michigan State University. She is the recipient of a Lortel Mirco Commission for her one-woman show “January 6th, a Celebration” which explores a holiday ritual in the Latine Catholic community in her hometown. Iraisa Ann is a recipient of the 2023 Latinx Playwright’s Circle Mentorship, working with mentor Migdalia Cruz. As a screenwriter, her screenplay La Reina del Bronx won best screenplay at Fusion Film Festival and was a semifinalist for the Vail Screenwriting Competition. MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU, B.A. in Theatre and English from the University of Notre Dame.

Iraisa Ann Reilly (She/Ella) is a writer, performer, and educator who is half-Cuban, half-Irish, and whole New Jersey. Select full-length plays include Good Cuban Girls (Teatro del Sol, at The Arden Theatre), The Jersey Devil is a Papi Chulo (Latinx New Play Festival, at La Jolla Playhouse 2023, Sol Fest 2022, Yale Drama Series Shortlist 2022, Finalist Leah Ryan Prize, KCACTF) Saturday Mourning Cartoons (Winner, Bay Area Playwright’s Festival 2022, Arkansas New Play Festival 2023, Finalist Goldberg Playwriting Prize 2022, Semifinalist Blue Ink Award 2023, Semifinalist Premiere Stages). Her work has been developed with Theatre Exile, The New Harmony Project, The Chain Theatre, The Workshop Theatre, ARTHouse INKubator, NYU Production Lab’s Development Studio and the Latinx Playwright’s Circle. Her play “House Bill 3979: Amendment #10: The Life and Works of Dr. Hector P. Garcia” was commissioned and produced by Texas A&M-University-Corpus Christi in 2022. Iraisa Ann is currently under commission with the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia and Michigan State University. She is the recipient of a Lortel Mirco Commission for her one-woman show “January 6th, a Celebration” which explores a holiday ritual in the Latine Catholic community in her hometown. Iraisa Ann is a recipient of the 2023 Latinx Playwright’s Circle Mentorship, working with mentor Migdalia Cruz. As a screenwriter, her screenplay La Reina del Bronx won best screenplay at Fusion Film Festival and was a semifinalist for the Vail Screenwriting Competition. MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU, B.A. in Theatre and English from the University of Notre Dame.

J S Mayank

JS Mayank is a British-Indian (diverse) writer/director. He's been a Sony Diverse Writers program fellow, Tribeca fellow, and is mentored by Damon Lindelof. He is currently developing CONTROL with Freddie Highmore/Alfresco for Sony Pictures TV Studios. This year, he sold his original pilot PECULIAR with Eric Christian Olsen's Cloud 9 to CBS. Before this, he was the Executive Producer/showrunner for season 2 of Netflix's THE FAME GAME. He was also on a blind deal at Sony and sold a pilot THE PARDONER with Vince Gerardis (Game of Thrones) to UCP/Syfy. On the feature side, JS is writing/directing IMMINENT DANGER for John Wells, based on an idea by Wells & Damien Chazelle. He's also writing/directing THE BROKER with Jonathan Shukat & Escape Artists producing for Vertical Entertainment. He has his thriller AMBER ALERT with Appian Way (DiCaprio) producing, action-comedy, THE CONUNDRUM with Sarah Hailey Finn (Everything Everywhere All at Once) & Willie Kutner producing, as well as horror LULLABY with Scooter Braun Productions. He also directed, co-wrote, and show-ran the scripted audio series AMERICA 2.0 starring Patrick J Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Walsh, Shanola Hampton, Ming Na Wen, and many others.

JS Mayank is a British-Indian (diverse) writer/director. He's been a Sony Diverse Writers program fellow, Tribeca fellow, and is mentored by Damon Lindelof. He is currently developing CONTROL with Freddie Highmore/Alfresco for Sony Pictures TV Studios. This year, he sold his original pilot PECULIAR with Eric Christian Olsen's Cloud 9 to CBS. Before this, he was the Executive Producer/showrunner for season 2 of Netflix's THE FAME GAME. He was also on a blind deal at Sony and sold a pilot THE PARDONER with Vince Gerardis (Game of Thrones) to UCP/Syfy. On the feature side, JS is writing/directing IMMINENT DANGER for John Wells, based on an idea by Wells & Damien Chazelle. He's also writing/directing THE BROKER with Jonathan Shukat & Escape Artists producing for Vertical Entertainment. He has his thriller AMBER ALERT with Appian Way (DiCaprio) producing, action-comedy, THE CONUNDRUM with Sarah Hailey Finn (Everything Everywhere All at Once) & Willie Kutner producing, as well as horror LULLABY with Scooter Braun Productions. He also directed, co-wrote, and show-ran the scripted audio series AMERICA 2.0 starring Patrick J Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Walsh, Shanola Hampton, Ming Na Wen, and many others.

Jackie Decembly (Penn)

Jackie is a diverse writer who hails from the Midwest and formerly was a Spanish teacher before turning to a world of crime... and passion via writing. Jackie was most recently a Story Editor on CW's modern sci-fi THE 4400 and was previously staffed on the Disney+ series TURNER & HOOCH. Jackie’s first industry gig came as a Production Assistant on GRIMM before landing in the room as a Writers' PA for Freeform's SIREN and then as the Writers' Assistant on Netflix's GINNY & GEORGIA. An advocate for diverse voices and the elevation of support staff into more staffing opportunities, Jackie is one of the leaders of the Awesome Assistants of Color Facebook Group and co-wrote an op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter about how to broach race in the writers' room.

Jackie is a diverse writer who hails from the Midwest and formerly was a Spanish teacher before turning to a world of crime... and passion via writing. Jackie was most recently a Story Editor on CW's modern sci-fi THE 4400 and was previously staffed on the Disney+ series TURNER & HOOCH. Jackie’s first industry gig came as a Production Assistant on GRIMM before landing in the room as a Writers' PA for Freeform's SIREN and then as the Writers' Assistant on Netflix's GINNY & GEORGIA. An advocate for diverse voices and the elevation of support staff into more staffing opportunities, Jackie is one of the leaders of the Awesome Assistants of Color Facebook Group and co-wrote an op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter about how to broach race in the writers' room.

Jeffery Wang

Jeff was born and raised in Monterey County, CA to Chinese immigrant parents. His lifelong ambition has always been to tell stories for TV and film, though he initially followed his parents’ advice to study “something practical” (engineering) in college. After graduating from UC Davis, he designed HVAC systems and before making the leap to Hollywood. He was accepted into the ABC Writers Program, which landed him his first staffing experience on NOTORIOUS. He is currently a writer on Apple's hit sci-fi series SILO. He is fluent in Mandarin.

Jeff was born and raised in Monterey County, CA to Chinese immigrant parents. His lifelong ambition has always been to tell stories for TV and film, though he initially followed his parents’ advice to study “something practical” (engineering) in college. After graduating from UC Davis, he designed HVAC systems and before making the leap to Hollywood. He was accepted into the ABC Writers Program, which landed him his first staffing experience on NOTORIOUS. He is currently a writer on Apple's hit sci-fi series SILO. He is fluent in Mandarin.

JuCoby Johnson

JuCoby Johnson is an artist of color and a true multi-hyphenate—a playwright, poet, and actor. His play ”…but you could’ve held my hand” was a 2020 O’Neill NPC Finalist. He is a 2020-2021 Many Voices Mentee at the Playwright's Center in Minneapolis and a recipient of the 2020 New Now Commissions. He is also a 2021-2022 McKnight Fellow in Playwriting. His other plays include HOW IT’S GON’ BE (Underdog Theater, 2019 and the West Coast premiere at the Echo Theatre in 2023), I’LL BE SEEING YOU AGAIN (Jungle Serial Audio Series, 2021), and REVELATIONS (Playing On Air, 2021). JuCoby recently started working in the TV space. Currently developing the 1hr drama ADMISSIONS for Made Up Stories and about to join the writing staff of THE RUNAROUNDS for Amazon with Skydance as the studio.

JuCoby Johnson is an artist of color and a true multi-hyphenate—a playwright, poet, and actor. His play ”…but you could’ve held my hand” was a 2020 O’Neill NPC Finalist. He is a 2020-2021 Many Voices Mentee at the Playwright's Center in Minneapolis and a recipient of the 2020 New Now Commissions. He is also a 2021-2022 McKnight Fellow in Playwriting. His other plays include HOW IT’S GON’ BE (Underdog Theater, 2019 and the West Coast premiere at the Echo Theatre in 2023), I’LL BE SEEING YOU AGAIN (Jungle Serial Audio Series, 2021), and REVELATIONS (Playing On Air, 2021). JuCoby recently started working in the TV space. Currently developing the 1hr drama ADMISSIONS for Made Up Stories and about to join the writing staff of THE RUNAROUNDS for Amazon with Skydance as the studio.

Kemma Filby and Walker Barnes

Kemma Filby and Walker Barnes are a writing and producing duo. Together, they founded indie production company, Seasick Studios. In 2021, they shot their first TV series, Parallel, a ½ hour comedy series, starring Samba Schutte, Gary Anthony Williams, Tara Strong, and Alli Roberti. Filby served as the creator and showrunner while Barnes served as producer and writer. Their feature script, Mr. USA, is based off of Walker’s real-life experience competing in competing in an international male beauty pageant, and currently has Henry Winkler attached to star. This year, Kemma and Walker produced two independent feature films. Their first feature for Seasick Studios, Above The Line, stars Cedric the Entertainer and Reno Wilson. The duo served as Producers on the production. They then went on to executive produce the film, Bob Trevino Likes It. Inspired by the filmmaker Tracie Laymon’s life, it stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo in the leading roles. Both projects are currently in post-production and plan to hit the festival circuit in 2024. They are currently developing several of their own original comedy television and feature projects.

Kemma Filby and Walker Barnes are a writing and producing duo. Together, they founded indie production company, Seasick Studios. In 2021, they shot their first TV series, Parallel, a ½ hour comedy series, starring Samba Schutte, Gary Anthony Williams, Tara Strong, and Alli Roberti. Filby served as the creator and showrunner while Barnes served as producer and writer. Their feature script, Mr. USA, is based off of Walker’s real-life experience competing in competing in an international male beauty pageant, and currently has Henry Winkler attached to star. This year, Kemma and Walker produced two independent feature films. Their first feature for Seasick Studios, Above The Line, stars Cedric the Entertainer and Reno Wilson. The duo served as Producers on the production. They then went on to executive produce the film, Bob Trevino Likes It. Inspired by the filmmaker Tracie Laymon’s life, it stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo in the leading roles. Both projects are currently in post-production and plan to hit the festival circuit in 2024. They are currently developing several of their own original comedy television and feature projects.

Larry Caldwell

Larry Caldwell is an Indigenous writer, who was most recently a staffed on the supernatural drama MIDNIGHT, TEXAS (NBC). Growing up on an island ghost town, Larry learned his love of storytelling from his Lenape Native grandmother, who told bedtime stories that could be scary, funny, or heartbreaking—but which always highlighted the strength of the human spirit. Larry carries this theme into his own work. Though he loves genre, his writing is always more about the characters—and their determination to fight for what they believe in. A graduate of Emerson College, Larry is also a novelist. In 2020, his novel, Farewell Ghost, debuted at #1 on Amazon’s New Genre Fiction list. As a screenwriter, Larry has won an AFF Bronze Typewriter. He’s a proud alum of NBC’s Writers on the Verge and the WarnerMedia Access Program.

Larry Caldwell is an Indigenous writer, who was most recently a staffed on the supernatural drama MIDNIGHT, TEXAS (NBC). Growing up on an island ghost town, Larry learned his love of storytelling from his Lenape Native grandmother, who told bedtime stories that could be scary, funny, or heartbreaking—but which always highlighted the strength of the human spirit. Larry carries this theme into his own work. Though he loves genre, his writing is always more about the characters—and their determination to fight for what they believe in. A graduate of Emerson College, Larry is also a novelist. In 2020, his novel, Farewell Ghost, debuted at #1 on Amazon’s New Genre Fiction list. As a screenwriter, Larry has won an AFF Bronze Typewriter. He’s a proud alum of NBC’s Writers on the Verge and the WarnerMedia Access Program.

Lauren Wells

Lauren Wells was most recently a Story Editor on What We Do in the Shadows and wrote last season’s WGA nominated finale. She also created the recently released podcast “Mina and Lucy’s Guide to Slaying Dracula” for Gen Z Media (https://podnews.net/press-release/slaying-dracula). Prior to that, Lauren spent the beginning of her career racking up set experience in support roles on shows such as Angelyne, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Happy!. Originally from New York, Lauren studied improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre while finishing her M.F.A in Writing and Producing for Television at LIU Brooklyn. Also a poet, Lauren's magical realist poetry has been featured in New York Quarterly, Everyday Genius, Burner Magazine, and The Legendary.

Lauren Wells was most recently a Story Editor on What We Do in the Shadows and wrote last season’s WGA nominated finale. She also created the recently released podcast “Mina and Lucy’s Guide to Slaying Dracula” for Gen Z Media (https://podnews.net/press-release/slaying-dracula). Prior to that, Lauren spent the beginning of her career racking up set experience in support roles on shows such as Angelyne, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Happy!. Originally from New York, Lauren studied improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre while finishing her M.F.A in Writing and Producing for Television at LIU Brooklyn. Also a poet, Lauren's magical realist poetry has been featured in New York Quarterly, Everyday Genius, Burner Magazine, and The Legendary.

Leah Longoria

Leah is a Latinx writer who was an Executive Story Editor on ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO and a writer for Nickelodeon’s MONSTER HIGH. She is currently adapting HOW TO KILL YOUR BEST FRIEND for A&E Studios. Previously, she was a writer on the final season of JANE THE VIRGIN as well as on THE CASAGRANDES. She graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College where she double majored in Film & Media Studies and Mathematics. She then went on to get a master’s in television at Boston University. Before JANE THE VIRGIN, she worked at FX, The Price Is Right, and United Talent Agency. Leah grew up in Austin, Texas with her parents and twin sister, where she lifeguarded 100-degree summers and nerded out on marching band, comic books, and sci-fi. She is also a former rower and lover of puzzles, riddles, and the supremely weird. She writes drama, dramedy, and genre, often informed by her LatinX identity.

Leah is a Latinx writer who was an Executive Story Editor on ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO and a writer for Nickelodeon’s MONSTER HIGH. She is currently adapting HOW TO KILL YOUR BEST FRIEND for A&E Studios. Previously, she was a writer on the final season of JANE THE VIRGIN as well as on THE CASAGRANDES. She graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College where she double majored in Film & Media Studies and Mathematics. She then went on to get a master’s in television at Boston University. Before JANE THE VIRGIN, she worked at FX, The Price Is Right, and United Talent Agency. Leah grew up in Austin, Texas with her parents and twin sister, where she lifeguarded 100-degree summers and nerded out on marching band, comic books, and sci-fi. She is also a former rower and lover of puzzles, riddles, and the supremely weird. She writes drama, dramedy, and genre, often informed by her LatinX identity.

Lynn Wang

Coming up in television animation, Lynn has worked at Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Fox, MTV, Mondo Media, among many others. A consummate creator and visual storyteller, she created and produced DOGSNACK with Six Point Harness, developed and produced a pilot for her original series SPACE MISSION: DANGER! At Nickelodeon and then developed and served as Director / Showrunner / Co-Executive Producer for all three seasons of UNIKITTY! At Warner Animation. She is in production on the high-budget animated feature adaptation of THELMA THE UNICORN at Netflix which will serve as her directorial debut alongside Jared Hess.

Coming up in television animation, Lynn has worked at Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Fox, MTV, Mondo Media, among many others. A consummate creator and visual storyteller, she created and produced DOGSNACK with Six Point Harness, developed and produced a pilot for her original series SPACE MISSION: DANGER! At Nickelodeon and then developed and served as Director / Showrunner / Co-Executive Producer for all three seasons of UNIKITTY! At Warner Animation. She is in production on the high-budget animated feature adaptation of THELMA THE UNICORN at Netflix which will serve as her directorial debut alongside Jared Hess.

Naomi Gibney

Naomi Gibney is a screenwriter for TV, film, & Games. She has written an adaptation of the hotly contested novel THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM’S MURDER for Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions and wrote on Sky’s financial conspiracy thriller, DEVILS, starring Patrick Dempsey. In Film, Naomi has written comedy-thriller SWEETGIRL for Steve Buscemi’s Olive Productions, WW2 biopic THE LAST SECRET for Brouhaha & Leone Film Group, and psychological thriller MY SISTER’S BONES for Bill Kenwright Studios, starring Olga Kurylenko, Anna Friel, Jenny Seagrove, Ben Miles & David Bradley. She is currently developing multiple TV & Film projects: AI thriller SPIDERS for December Films & ZDF Studios on which she is lead writer, political thriller INDEPENDENCE with Joanna Vanderham, Dougray Scott and Alan Cumming; serial killer thriller STILL LIFE for Headline Pictures; art heist action thriller SAVING PICASSO for Lion TV; workplace thriller DISRUPTORS for Wild Mercury; and book adaptation CRITICAL INCIDENTS for Three Tables Productions & the BBC. She has also written a new branching narrative computer game for SUPERMASSIVE GAMES. Before her career as a screenwriter, Naomi was Marketing Director at both the BBC and Sky and launched Sky Atlantic before becoming Controller of the channel. There she commissioned The Tunnel (starring Stephen Dillane & Clémence Poésy), Fleming (starring Dominic Cooper), Mr. Sloane (starring Nick Frost & Olivia Colman), as well as documentary feature films by Nick Broomfield (Tales of The Grim Sleeper) and Beeban Kidron (In Real Life). Naomi lives between London and South West France.

Naomi Gibney is a screenwriter for TV, film, & Games. She has written an adaptation of the hotly contested novel THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM’S MURDER for Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions and wrote on Sky’s financial conspiracy thriller, DEVILS, starring Patrick Dempsey. In Film, Naomi has written comedy-thriller SWEETGIRL for Steve Buscemi’s Olive Productions, WW2 biopic THE LAST SECRET for Brouhaha & Leone Film Group, and psychological thriller MY SISTER’S BONES for Bill Kenwright Studios, starring Olga Kurylenko, Anna Friel, Jenny Seagrove, Ben Miles & David Bradley. She is currently developing multiple TV & Film projects: AI thriller SPIDERS for December Films & ZDF Studios on which she is lead writer, political thriller INDEPENDENCE with Joanna Vanderham, Dougray Scott and Alan Cumming; serial killer thriller STILL LIFE for Headline Pictures; art heist action thriller SAVING PICASSO for Lion TV; workplace thriller DISRUPTORS for Wild Mercury; and book adaptation CRITICAL INCIDENTS for Three Tables Productions & the BBC. She has also written a new branching narrative computer game for SUPERMASSIVE GAMES. Before her career as a screenwriter, Naomi was Marketing Director at both the BBC and Sky and launched Sky Atlantic before becoming Controller of the channel. There she commissioned The Tunnel (starring Stephen Dillane & Clémence Poésy), Fleming (starring Dominic Cooper), Mr. Sloane (starring Nick Frost & Olivia Colman), as well as documentary feature films by Nick Broomfield (Tales of The Grim Sleeper) and Beeban Kidron (In Real Life). Naomi lives between London and South West France.

Nicole Clark

A USC graduate with majors in Cinema and Neuroscience, Nicole Clark was most recently the Writers’ Assistant on season 1 of Rian Johnson’s POKER FACE for Peacock. She is a Mexican-American screenwriter who writes Dark Comedies and Dramas that center on characters who are seen as the outliers of society. She focuses on bringing diverse, unique stories to light that paint a new picture for those who have been silenced in the past. She hails from the rainy backyards of Portland, Oregon, where she more than kept it weird and followed in her family’s adventurous footsteps by obtaining her private pilot’s license. She was formerly a Writer’s PA and Executive Producer’s Assistant for Netflix’s UNBELIEVABLE, Showtime’s MASTERS OF SEX (after starting off as an Office Production Assistant) and most recently for HBO’s UNT. DUPLASS BROS. PROJECT where she honed her skills in pitching to the room. She was also a Finalist for the inaugural Ojala Ignition Lab for UCP / Tanya Saracho.

A USC graduate with majors in Cinema and Neuroscience, Nicole Clark was most recently the Writers’ Assistant on season 1 of Rian Johnson’s POKER FACE for Peacock. She is a Mexican-American screenwriter who writes Dark Comedies and Dramas that center on characters who are seen as the outliers of society. She focuses on bringing diverse, unique stories to light that paint a new picture for those who have been silenced in the past. She hails from the rainy backyards of Portland, Oregon, where she more than kept it weird and followed in her family’s adventurous footsteps by obtaining her private pilot’s license. She was formerly a Writer’s PA and Executive Producer’s Assistant for Netflix’s UNBELIEVABLE, Showtime’s MASTERS OF SEX (after starting off as an Office Production Assistant) and most recently for HBO’s UNT. DUPLASS BROS. PROJECT where she honed her skills in pitching to the room. She was also a Finalist for the inaugural Ojala Ignition Lab for UCP / Tanya Saracho.

Patrick Metcalf

Patrick Metcalf is a WGA Award-winning writer, director, and producer who most recently worked as a writer/producer on the critically acclaimed series UNDONE for Amazon. His episode of UNDONE (S2E7 "Rectify") received wide acclaim, with RogerEbert.com calling it “arguably the most detailed and complex designs the show has ever tackled to striking success.” In addition to writing for the show, Patrick was the on-set producer/AD/props/wardrobe/sometimes hair/location manager and more for the second season as they battled to shoot through the first wave of COVID. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Patrick attended Northwestern and has brought his midwestern sensibility and humility to Los Angeles.

Patrick Metcalf is a WGA Award-winning writer, director, and producer who most recently worked as a writer/producer on the critically acclaimed series UNDONE for Amazon. His episode of UNDONE (S2E7 "Rectify") received wide acclaim, with RogerEbert.com calling it “arguably the most detailed and complex designs the show has ever tackled to striking success.” In addition to writing for the show, Patrick was the on-set producer/AD/props/wardrobe/sometimes hair/location manager and more for the second season as they battled to shoot through the first wave of COVID. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Patrick attended Northwestern and has brought his midwestern sensibility and humility to Los Angeles.

Rob Michaels

Rob Michaels is an Iraqi-Canadian writer, director, and performer from Toronto. He’s written for CBC’s new workplace comedy ONE MORE TIME, Roku’s original series CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING (also airing on CW), and CTV’s ROAST BATTLE CANADA– which garnered him a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing. He also recently directed his first feature film with Vortex Media. He’s written for the mobile games for the Netflix series TRAILER PARK BOYS and the FXX series ARCHER. In 2021, he was named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch. He has performed with The Second City and teaches in their sketch and TV writing programs. His sketch comedy channel, Wishful Genies, has accumulated millions of views online via features on Funny Or Die, 9GAG, CBC Comedy, BlogTO, Al Jazeera, and comedy festivals across the continent. (Dallaslyn Lamb Rec)

Rob Michaels is an Iraqi-Canadian writer, director, and performer from Toronto. He’s written for CBC’s new workplace comedy ONE MORE TIME, Roku’s original series CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING (also airing on CW), and CTV’s ROAST BATTLE CANADA– which garnered him a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing. He also recently directed his first feature film with Vortex Media. He’s written for the mobile games for the Netflix series TRAILER PARK BOYS and the FXX series ARCHER. In 2021, he was named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch. He has performed with The Second City and teaches in their sketch and TV writing programs. His sketch comedy channel, Wishful Genies, has accumulated millions of views online via features on Funny Or Die, 9GAG, CBC Comedy, BlogTO, Al Jazeera, and comedy festivals across the continent. (Dallaslyn Lamb Rec)

Sean Collins-Smith

Sean Collins-Smith is a TV writer and national award-winning journalist from Richmond, Virginia. Sean’s limited series pilot WONDER DRUG reached number one on The Black List website in 2021. In 2022, Sean wrapped his first staff writing gig on Michael Schur’s FIELD OF DREAMS reboot for Peacock. Two weeks later, he joined the room as a Story Editor for NBC’s hit drama CHICAGO P.D., for the 2022-2023 season. His episode, “FIGHT”, was one of the top-rated episodes of the year. Before moving to Los Angeles, Sean covered the midnight-crime beat in Richmond, VA, for NBC, where he was a journalist for 4 years.

Sean Collins-Smith is a TV writer and national award-winning journalist from Richmond, Virginia. Sean’s limited series pilot WONDER DRUG reached number one on The Black List website in 2021. In 2022, Sean wrapped his first staff writing gig on Michael Schur’s FIELD OF DREAMS reboot for Peacock. Two weeks later, he joined the room as a Story Editor for NBC’s hit drama CHICAGO P.D., for the 2022-2023 season. His episode, “FIGHT”, was one of the top-rated episodes of the year. Before moving to Los Angeles, Sean covered the midnight-crime beat in Richmond, VA, for NBC, where he was a journalist for 4 years.

Shannon Wells

Shannon is a self-taught screenwriter operating from California's East Bay. This lover of horror films and sequential art has developed a lust for blending authentic human experience with heightened, sophisticated scares. His first produced feature, A CREATURE WAS STIRRING, starring Chrissy Metz, Annalise Basso, Scout Taylor-Compton and Connor Paolo, is slated for theaters holiday season '23.

Shannon is a self-taught screenwriter operating from California's East Bay. This lover of horror films and sequential art has developed a lust for blending authentic human experience with heightened, sophisticated scares. His first produced feature, A CREATURE WAS STIRRING, starring Chrissy Metz, Annalise Basso, Scout Taylor-Compton and Connor Paolo, is slated for theaters holiday season '23.

Siena Streiber

Siena Streiber is a comedy writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She wrote episode 8 of the third season of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. She has served as the writer’s assistant on ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and B.J. Novak’s THE PREMISE, and has worked on the shows LIZA ON DEMAND, AMERICAN CRIME STORY, and SCANDAL. Her original pilot “SCREWED” won Stanford In Entertainment’s All Write Now screenwriting competition in 2021 and was a quarterfinalist in the WeScreenplay TV Pilot Lab in 2023. Siena is Coverfly endorsed and a contributor for the Belladonna.

Siena Streiber is a comedy writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She wrote episode 8 of the third season of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. She has served as the writer’s assistant on ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and B.J. Novak’s THE PREMISE, and has worked on the shows LIZA ON DEMAND, AMERICAN CRIME STORY, and SCANDAL. Her original pilot “SCREWED” won Stanford In Entertainment’s All Write Now screenwriting competition in 2021 and was a quarterfinalist in the WeScreenplay TV Pilot Lab in 2023. Siena is Coverfly endorsed and a contributor for the Belladonna.

William Schneider

William co-wrote and will Executive Produce the re-imagining of THE CROW for director Rupert Sanders. The film, starring Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs and Danny Huston is being distributed theatrically by Lionsgate. William co-wrote an adaptation of the beloved Konami video game series RETURN TO SILENT HILL with Christophe Gans directing and Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson starring. He also wrote an adaptation of Tecmo’s groundbreaking horror video game series FATAL FRAME. He currently has Joel Reilly, Jasper Graham, and Patrick Patterson of Undisputed Pictures producing his action thriller script RAIN WHO KILLS ALONE with Adam Kane attached to direct. In television, William recently sold his script DYNAMITE to Brett Burlock and Cineflix. The script tells the story of the infamous English wrestler Tom Billington.

William co-wrote and will Executive Produce the re-imagining of THE CROW for director Rupert Sanders. The film, starring Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs and Danny Huston is being distributed theatrically by Lionsgate. William co-wrote an adaptation of the beloved Konami video game series RETURN TO SILENT HILL with Christophe Gans directing and Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson starring. He also wrote an adaptation of Tecmo’s groundbreaking horror video game series FATAL FRAME. He currently has Joel Reilly, Jasper Graham, and Patrick Patterson of Undisputed Pictures producing his action thriller script RAIN WHO KILLS ALONE with Adam Kane attached to direct. In television, William recently sold his script DYNAMITE to Brett Burlock and Cineflix. The script tells the story of the infamous English wrestler Tom Billington.

Zoe Vitale

Zoe Vitale, originally from Paris and a dual citizen (US/French,) recently staffed on the second season of AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead: Dead City from showrunner Eli Jorné (Wilfred, Walking Dead). And she was just brought back to the show post-strike. After beginning work on the show's first season as Writers' Assistant and Showrunner's Assistant, she was promoted to Associate Producer during prep and worked on set in that role. She has worked on several other TV productions, both in production and post. Zoe writes grounded genre TV and feature scripts that are also—usually--darkly comedic. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2017 with a double major in Film and Television Production & Screenwriting, as well as Production Student of the Year and Best Undergraduate Feature. Zoe spent her adolescence camping, crafting, painting, pickling, and prepping for the apocalypse.

Zoe Vitale, originally from Paris and a dual citizen (US/French,) recently staffed on the second season of AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead: Dead City from showrunner Eli Jorné (Wilfred, Walking Dead). And she was just brought back to the show post-strike. After beginning work on the show's first season as Writers' Assistant and Showrunner's Assistant, she was promoted to Associate Producer during prep and worked on set in that role. She has worked on several other TV productions, both in production and post. Zoe writes grounded genre TV and feature scripts that are also—usually--darkly comedic. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2017 with a double major in Film and Television Production & Screenwriting, as well as Production Student of the Year and Best Undergraduate Feature. Zoe spent her adolescence camping, crafting, painting, pickling, and prepping for the apocalypse.