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James began his career in entertainment on CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND, LET’S MAKE A DEAL, and BRIGHT for Netflix. He was then hired by Unfound Content as a production coordinator and later a UPM, working on various indie features and commercials with producer Bernie Stern. Previously, James worked in development at Universal Television as a development coordinator, working on an overall deal with UTV for scripted and unscripted TV series. Currently, James is a Director of Development at an A-List production company with an ABC Studios/Disney Television Deal focused on television projects. The principal of the company is an A-List actress with several feature films in the Marvel Universe for The Walt Disney Company, working on AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, AVENGERS: END GAME, BLACK PANTHER, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, ALL EYEZ ON ME, MOTHER GEORGE, Wes Craven's MY SOUL TO TAKE, and THE WALKING DEAD franchise. James develops television projects across all genres, evaluating concepts and crafting pitches for the market. He guides sold projects through development with buyers, championing underrepresented voices through provocative storytelling. His mission is delivering barrier-breaking narratives that introduce diverse faces and cultural perspectives to global audiences, using specific stories to explore universal themes that unite us all. Full Bio »
Our guest this week is James Leighton, Director of Development at an A-List production company with an ABC Studios/Disney Television Deal focused on television projects! James' credits include working on AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, AVENGERS: END GAME, BLACK PANTHER, BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, ALL EYEZ ON ME, MOTHER GEORGE, Wes Craven's MY SOUL TO TAKE, and THE WALKING DEAD franchise! He began his career in entertainment on CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND, LET’S MAKE A DEAL, and BRIGHT for Netflix. James develops television projects across all genres, evaluating concepts and crafting pitches for the market, and is eager to find stories that serve the mandates for ABC Studios/Disney by reading scripts from the Stage 32 community! James is interested in TV pilots across all genres, especially for comedies in both TV and feature films, and for Features, James looks for genre-blended comedy projects (horror, action, sci-fi, etc.) or high-concept ideas that could serve as star vehicles for comedic talent. Join in the educational fun right here on Stage 32!
Attend this webcast and learn to own any executive's room with your pitch! Volunteer Writers' Room Members pitch their projects in 5-minute intervals directly to industry experts who will break their pitches down and offer feedback!
The Pitch Tank
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We're diving into the Writers' Room Pitch Tank with special guest, Literary Manager Andrew Kersey to critique members' pitches! Andrew Kersey is a Literary Manager and the head of Kersey Management. In 2020, Andrew sold his client's Sci-Fi spec script to Universal with Mike De Luca, the Oscar-nominated producer behind THE SOCIAL NETWORK! You can read more on that here. Currently, his client’s feature comedy VACATION FRIENDS is in production at Broken Road for Hulu starring John Cena and Lil Rel. During the webcast we hear pitches for Romantic Comedy, female-driven television series, Westerns, and more! Like what you heard during this webcast? Did you know that Andrew also offers Script Reads and Consultation Calls? You can speak with him for a full hour about your script and career by clicking here.
We're back in the Writers' Room for The Pitch Tank with Jason Lubin (Producer). Writers will have a precisely timed 5-minute window to present their TV pitches, while our seasoned experts meticulously dissect each presentation, providing constructive feedback. Step into a welcoming and supportive space where everyone is invited to participate and grow together. Elevate your pitching skills in an atmosphere dedicated to fostering growth and creativity!
We're back in the Writers' Room for the Pitch Tank Webcast with Producer, Greer Stanley. Greer Stanley is a queer female film and television producer. Recently she was a Creative Executive at 3dot Productions, Liza Chasin’s production company. The company has a First Look development deal with Netflix for features and Endeavor Content for Television Series. Greer developed the hit Paramount film THE LOST CITY with Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Brad Pitt, as well as the Netflix limited series "ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL" with alongside David E. Kelley. Additionally the company is currently producing the Susannah Grant film, LONELY PLANET for Netflix and STILLWATER, starring Matt Damon. For television, the company most recently executive produced HBO Max’s "MADE FOR LOVE" and Showtime’s "THE LOUDEST VOICE". Previous to 3dot, Greer worked in film development at Color Force which produced "CRAZY RICH ASIANS" and "THE GOLDFINCH". She started her career at William Morris Endeavor in the motion picture literary and indie film financing departments.
The Cartel Manager Corey Ackerman joins our Panel as we listen and read your pitches live to help educate the Writers' Room screenwriters on what is and isn't working in their pitch.
This month, Jason is excited to welcome producer Regina Lee into the Writers' Room Pitch Tank! Regina's resume is very impressive! She has sold pilots to HBO, Starz, FOX, BET, as well as multiple TV pilots at 20th Century Fox TV Studios. She produced two TV movie thrillers that aired on Lifetime. As a production company executive with a deal at CBS Network, she was on the team that sold multiple projects to CBS and The CW, getting a show on the air at CBS. She began her executive career at Universal Pictures, where she was the primary executive in charge of American Wedding and Curious George. She was a studio executive in charge of movies such as The Good Shepherd (Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro), The Fast & the Furious 3, Bridget Jones 2, The Cat in the Hat, Seabiscuit, and Red Dragon. Over an hour and a half, Regina and Jason listen and critique pitches from Writers' Room members and offer advice on how to help your pitch break out in a crowded market!
During the December Pitch Tank, Director of Script Services Jason Mirch welcomes Literary Manager Jon Hersh of Housefire Management, a company that represents writers and directors in film, television, and digital content. They specialize in deep development, strong client relationships, and incendiary material that stands out like a house on fire. Jon's client list includes writers and filmmakers for film and TV including emerging writers with projects at Universal, Paramount, Lionsgate, Atlas Entertainment, and Gidden Media! Prior to forming Housefire, Jon was at CAA and Broad Green Pictures. He is a graduate of USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Jon and Jason listen to pitches from 4 members and offer their thoughts and feedback!