Learn from Davina Hefflin, a top literary agent at Verve Talent and Literary Agency, representing writers behind hits on Netflix, NBC, Amazon MGM, and more!

Receive handouts including personal brand statement examples, portfolio guides, pitch templates, and submission trackers designed to fast-track your career!

In today’s fast-moving entertainment industry, standing out isn’t optional—your unique voice must break through and make a lasting impression. With thousands of writers competing for the same opportunities, developing a clear and compelling personal brand is the key to opening doors and creating lasting career momentum. This class will empower you with the mindset and tools to confidently position yourself as a professional screenwriter who’s ready to succeed.

Many talented writers struggle to clearly define what makes their work unique or worry that branding will limit their creativity. Others don’t know how to organize their scripts, talk about their voice in meetings, or pitch themselves effectively. Without a strong brand and strategy, it’s easy to get overlooked, undersell your strengths, or send out incomplete materials. This class addresses these challenges head-on, demystifying the process so you can present your best self to the industry.

Your educator Davina Hefflin is a respected Literary Agent at Verve Talent and Literary Agency, known for representing some of today’s brightest film and TV writers. Her clients include creators behind hit shows on Netflix, NBC, Apple TV+, and more. Davina is passionate about nurturing new, diverse voices and guiding writers to tell stories that make a positive impact. Her deep storytelling knowledge and business savvy make her uniquely qualified to help you build a brand that works.

Over four interactive sessions, you’ll discover what a personal brand truly means for a screenwriter and why it’s essential. You’ll learn how to articulate your unique voice, develop a professional portfolio that highlights your strengths, and craft confident pitches that open doors. Finally, you’ll gain strategies for submitting your work strategically to maximize opportunities. By the end of this course, you will walk away with a clear personal brand statement, a polished portfolio, effective pitching skills, and a plan to get your work seen—all crucial for advancing your screenwriting career!

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• Personal Brand Statement Example

• Portfolio Example

• Relationship Grid Example

• Submission Tracker Example

This interactive Stage 32 class is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with Davina and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to her. You will have access to her for the duration of your class by email to ask her any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

Session #1: The Basics – What Is A Screenwriting Brand?

Objective: Introduce writers to the concept of a personal brand and why it matters in the film/TV industry.

• What is a “brand” in the context of a screenwriter?

• Why your unique voice and perspective is your brand

• Case studies of screenwriters with distinctive brands 

• Defining your genre, tone, themes, and identity

• The importance of consistency across your writing, bios, and social presence

• Q&A w/ Davina Hefflin 

Assignment:

• Write a 1-page personal brand statement that captures your style, voice, and niche as a writer

Handout:

• Personal Brand Statement example 

Session #2:  Building A Professional Portfolio

Objective: Guide writers through assembling a portfolio that represents their brand and goals.

• What belongs in a screenwriter’s portfolio?

• Samples: pilots, features, shorts, specs

• Choosing scripts that reflect your voice and versatility

• How many samples do you need—and what kind?

• Formatting, titling, and organizing your materials for clarity and impact

• Q&A w/ Davina Hefflin

Assignment:

• Submit a mini portfolio: 2 scripts + loglines + short bio

Handout:

• Portfolio Example 

Session #3:  Pitching Yourself As A Screenwriter

Objective: Teach writers how to confidently talk about themselves and their work.

• What is a pitch, and when do you use it?

• Verbal vs written pitching (meetings, emails, fellowships)

• Crafting a personal “elevator pitch”

• The anatomy of a script pitch: the 5 key elements

• Positioning your work to align with industry trends without losing your voice

• Q&A w/ Davina Hefflin

Assignment:

• Record a 60-second video pitch of yourself and your work

Handout:

• Relationship Grid Example 

Session #4:  Sending Your Work Out – Strategically And Professionally

Objective: Show writers how and where to get their work seen.

• Fellowships, labs, contests, reps, producers, open calls

• How to write a cold email that gets opened

• What to include (and avoid) in an email or query

• Understanding coverage, feedback, and rejection

• Tracking submissions and setting realistic goals

• Q&A w/ Davina Hefflin 

Assignment:

• Build a list of potential collaborators for your top script that you have access to. 

Handout:

• Submission Tracker Example

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.

• Emerging screenwriters ready to build a standout personal brand

• Current Writers wanting to improve pitching and submission strategies

• Creatives looking to clearly define and market their unique voice

• Anyone preparing to submit to fellowships, contests, or reps

• Writers committed to growing their career with expert industry guidance

Monday June 2nd, 3pm-5pm PT

Monday June 9th, 3pm-5pm PT

Monday June 16th, 3pm-5pm PT

Monday June 23rd, 3pm-5pm PT