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2017 Feature Finalist Jesus Celaya

2017 Feature Finalist Jesus Celaya

My name is Jesus Celaya. I was raised in both a small town in Washington State, and an even smaller town in Sonora, Mexico. I come from a storytelling family born from a storytelling culture. Everything was a time consuming, gripping story, whether we wanted it to be...
2017 Feature Finalist Sachin Mehta

2017 Feature Finalist Sachin Mehta

I have many memories of following my father around the streets of Los Angeles’ Jewelry District. Back then, the industry was crackling with energy. It was a fishbowl of immigrants – Asians, Armenians, Israelis, Hispanics – all with accents, all first...
2017 Pilot Winner Beanie Barnes

2017 Pilot Winner Beanie Barnes

I became acutely aware of my “otherness” when I was six.  During a playground game of kickball, I dropped an easy out when I lost sight of the ball in the sun.  The other team scored off my error and, incensed, my team captain — a classmate — yelled a...
2017 Pilot Finalist Maria Soscia

2017 Pilot Finalist Maria Soscia

My love of writing began with Shakespeare. Growing up, I often attended the theater with my mother, watching her perform or lending a hand backstage. I saw many plays, but Shakespeare’s stood out above all others. I was in awe at how flawed, yet loveable, his...
2017 Pilot Finalists Allie Kingsley & Tony Baker

2017 Pilot Finalists Allie Kingsley & Tony Baker

Tony and Allie came up with the concept for The Orphan on their very first date. Tony; a graduate of the UCLA MFA program in screenwriting, and Allie; a published author and celebrity ghostwriter, bonded over their affinity for biting humor and appreciation of irony....