
Screenwriter/Producer/Director
About
Emmylou Diaz is a writer, producer, and director who got her start on CW’s critically acclaimed smash dramedy Jane the Virgin. She joined the fledgling JTV staff as a writers’ assistant and was quickly handpicked by the showrunner to co-write and produce two freelance episodes during the show’s award-winning first season. A promotion to staff writer for JTV’s second season soon followed, and in the 10 years since, Emmy has launched a career working for some of the most acclaimed, prolific creators and showrunners in television. She works regularly as a co-executive producer, where her most recent credits include an untitled thriller for Amazon and The Watchful Eye for Freeform/Hulu. Other staffing credits include the hit Bravo dramedy Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, Charmed, and the Shonda Rhimes drama Station 19, part of the beloved Grey’s Anatomy universe. Born in New York City, Emmy’s love of storytelling began with performance, and she received her MFA in acting from the American Repertory Theatre Institute at Harvard University. She also studied at Oxford University (Exeter College), and Williams College, where she graduated with honors. She is a recipient of the NHMC’s Series Scriptwriters Program, a diversity program sponsored by NBC and ABC, and she currently serves as an advisor to the Humanitas New Voices Fellowship.Noteworthy
- Please book 48 hours in advance
- 10-year industry veteran
- Co-chair WGAw Latinx Writers Committee
- Sundance Collab advisor
- Habla español
MASTERING THE TV PITCH | Group Session
Does the thought of pitching your TV show idea make your heart race? You’re not alone. For many emerging TV writers, the pitch meeting is one of the most daunting parts of the creative process. Yet the ability to communicate your vision with clarity and confidence is essential for breaking into the industry and building a sustainable career.
This intensive, hands-on workshop will be led by Emmylou Diaz, co-executive producer with ten years of experience writing and pitching for TV, and real-world experience in writers’ rooms and pitch meetings. She’ll teach you how to transform anxiety into excitement and uncertainty into opportunity. This session is specifically designed for emerging TV writers who want to develop the skills, strategies and mindset to pitch their stories to executives, producers and reps.
- The anatomy of a great pitch: Break down the key elements every successful pitch needs, from loglines and character arcs to tone and visual style.
- Develop tools to manage nerves, overcome imposter syndrome, and present yourself with authority — even when you’re just starting out.
- Discover how to adapt your pitch for different audiences — whether you’re in a formal meeting with network executives, chatting with a producer at a festival, or collaborating with peers in a writers’ group.
- Workshop your own pitch in a supportive environment, receive targeted feedback from Emmy and your peers, and leave with actionable notes to strengthen your delivery.
- Includes personalized feedback and practical exercises. Ideal for emerging TV writers ready to make their mark.
STORY DEVELOPMENT | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
In this personalized Zoom session, Emmy will share the secrets to crafting compelling narratives that captivate audiences and stand out in the industry. Want to create unforgettable characters? Deepen the emotional stories in your script? Heighten the conflict? Find the most effective structure for your project? Emmy’s expertise will pinpoint exactly what your project needs, providing you with a clear roadmap to success. Whether you’re at the concept stage, refining your beat sheet, polishing your outline, or tackling specific story challenges, this session is tailored to meet you where you are in the writing process.
- Multi-dimensional characters that leap off the page
- Emotional storylines that resonate deeply with readers
- Heightened conflict to keep audiences on the edge of their seats
- The perfect structure to maximize your story's impact
EXPERT PITCH COACHING | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
As a writer in Hollywood, you might think that staying behind the scenes is enough. However, the reality is that pitching is a crucial part of your job. With Emmy’s extensive experience in television and her background in performance, she’s here to help you refine the content and delivery of your pitch for maximum impact in the room. Whether you’re pitching to secure representation, get staffed in a writers’ room, or option your material to a producer, Emmy will turn you into a confident and effective pitcher.
- How to distill your story into a concise, captivating pitch that demands attention
- A strong stage presence & overcome your nerves to deliver a pitch that leaves a lasting impression
- An understanding of what makes your story unique & how to highlight its strengths to captivate industry professionals
GENERAL | ONE-ON-ONE SESSION
Having spent a decade working her way up the writers’ room ladder from assistant to co-executive producer (aka ”number two”), Emmylou Diaz has a wealth of knowledge and insight to help newbies and vets alike reach the next level of their television careers. Whether you’re working on a specific story problem, facing a “blind spot” in your writing, or feeling unsure about what to write next, she’ll put you on the right path. Maybe you need to learn how to break in, get repped, or whether the idea you have could even be a series. Perhaps you are in a career rut and looking for a strategy to get out. Even if you are considering getting on (or off!) the “assistant track,” or need help navigating the studio diversity fellowship landscape, Emmy’s here to guide you.
EXPERT TV PILOT ANALYSIS
Emmy will read your pilot, then, in a personalized Zoom session, provide you with detailed story notes to help you elevate your script to achieve your goals – whether that’s securing representation, landing a spot in a prestigious studio diversity fellowship, or standing out in the competitive marketplace.
- Actionable feedback on character development, plot structure, dialogue and pacing to ensure your story captivates audiences
- A deeper understanding of what makes your script unique and how to highlight its strengths to attract industry professionals
- A clear plan to enhance your script's marketability & increase chances of success in the competitive industry landscape
Five-Star Reviews
Video Tips
FAQ
You don't get a second chance to make a great first impression when it comes to buyers and reps. Next-Level Scribe mentors will share with you what they learned on their way to the top, which, in turn, can fast-track your success. In addition to setting goals for you and showing you how to achieve them, Next-Level Scribe mentors know the producers, agents, managers, studio and production executives you want to be in business with. If they determine your project is market ready, Next-Level Scribe mentors can introduce you to and/or set up meetings with buyers and reps, at no extra cost. One recent example: 1) After a writer booked a session with Next-Level Scribe mentor Pam Falk (The Wedding Planner), Falk set up meetings for her with managers and producers.
First, find the mentor you want to work with. Next, select one of their sessions that best describes what you’d like to work on (e.g., pitching, story development, rewriting, career counseling, etc.). Then find a date and time on their calendar that works with your schedule. Once booked, you will be sent a Zoom link to connect with your mentor on the chosen date. At the conclusion of your session, you will receive a written transcript.
Reviews are just one factor to consider when selecting a mentor. It's important to find a mentor who is a good fit for your individual needs and goals. Read each mentor's session descriptions, watch their videos if available and review their bios and notations before booking.
Yes. Even though mentors are busy with their own projects, email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to see if the mentor can accommodate you.
Next-Level Scribe sessions are catered to your specific project and/or situation. And because sessions are live (and not pre-recorded like a MasterClass or BBC Maestro) you are able to interact with your mentor one-on-one, ask questions and receive real-time feedback. You're also establishing a viable, Hollywood contact who has the ability to introduce you to others in the industry, when the time is right.
Come prepared to work; have a notepad and pens at the ready, silence your phone, and prepare a list of questions.
Recording/filming the mentor is strictly forbidden and against our Terms of Use. Note: Your session will be preserved (recorded) by your mentor via Zoom and kept on file in case of any needed follow-up clarifications. A transcript of your one-on-one session will be made available to you within approximately 48 hours.
Most mentors offer a 15-minute follow-up session as an option. If you just have a follow-up question regarding your session, you can email it to us and we will forward your email to your mentor for a response.
There is no extra charge if you want your writing partner to be on the Zoom call. Just be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can notify your mentor before your session.
We believe you should learn from the pros rather than screenwriting books and gurus. Not only can Next-Level Scribe mentors take you much further much faster, they also can give you tools beyond the basic principles you might find in a how-to book. You can learn how to outline a feature or pilot, write dynamic scenes, adapt a book and create a killer logline and/or compelling synopsis. If you already have a first draft, Next-Level Scribe mentors can read your script and show you what’s working and what’s not and how to fix it.
Oftentimes, Next-Level Scribe mentors will follow-up with their mentees via email with helpful tools they themselves use to write or even just words of encouragement. Several of our mentors also offer a secret menu (not available to the public) of exclusive sessions only current and previous mentees have access to. These secret sessions are more tailored and unique.
You can reschedule a session a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the session start time. For any cancellations within 48 hours of the session start time, the session will be automatically forfeited along with the session fee, as there are no refunds. All cancellations or requests to cancel or reschedule a session must be made in writing by emailing [email protected].
We accept all major credit cards in USD, and also offer book-now, pay-later sessions with Klarna.
Email us: [email protected]
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