Our Talent

“Melissa Long has been an invaluable asset to our show. As our Script Coordinator, she is prompt, thorough, meticulous and thoughtful, anticipating problems and suggesting solutions —often before any issues arise. Melissa came on to the series at the start of production after the room had wrapped, replacing our original Script Coordinator. Yet we hardly felt the transition as Melissa took on the role and was up to speed quickly and gracefully. As we shot our series in Africa, the time zone difference often made script turnarounds critical. Melissa always, always came through and made sure our eleventh-hour script changes were ready on time. Even more impressive is the fact that this is Melissa’s first Script Coordinator position. We’re grateful to have her — she’s a credit to all those who have trained and worked with her.”

“Thank you for spearheading this program. From my POV, it was a HUGE success. Scout [Comm] was a dream. You’d never know they were new. There was no transition, no hand holding, no on the job training. They showed up day one ready for the job. I don’t know what more I could have asked for.”

“Of the many decisions I had to make in staffing my first mini room, going to the WASSTP to find a writers’ assistant was an absolute no-brainer. I reached out to instructors Clay Lapari and Debbie Ezer with a description of the series and our needs, and they immediately got back to me with several candidates whose samples they thought would be a good fit for the tone of the show. In meeting with the various candidates, I loved hearing about the training process and it soon became clear there wasn’t a scenario they’d be faced with that the program hadn’t covered. It left me wondering why [the program] hasn’t been around for decades. The WASSTP is an invaluable resource for both trainees and those staffing rooms, I can’t recommend it more highly. And if I’m lucky enough to run more rooms in the future the WASSTP will always be my first stop.”

“I couldn’t be happier with the Script Coordinator I was fortunate to find and hire through the Writers Access Program. She came to the party fully trained and ready to jump in right from the start. It’s quite clear to me that the program is incredibly comprehensive, turning out skilled and confident graduates. I’d hire from the program again in a heartbeat.”

“Hiring our Script Coordinator through the WASSTP program has been a fantastic experience. Ida [Yazdi] showed up on day one prepped and ready to go. She was knowledgeable about procedure and open to notes; we were in sync in no time. Most importantly, she has an incredibly positive attitude, which makes every interaction a joy.”

“Ashlea Archer joined A Black Lady Sketch show on short notice. From the first week, it was evident that she had learned the fundamentals of being a Script Coordinator in the WGF program and could apply what she learned to her position confidently. I also loved that she had a real passion for the show and cared about getting the job done right. Always a team player each day during production and a problem solver when it came to script changes. You can exhale if every student comes out of the program as prepared as Ashlea.”

“Gia King (Writers Assistant), who we were lucky to find via the Writer Access Support Staff Training Program (WASSTP), has been a key contributor to our writers’ room. Her training and expertise allows for a seamless creative process and ensures that no good ideas are lost!”

“Lynn [Maleh] was a pro from day one. She came to the job with all the necessary skills to be a great writers’ assistant. She also took the initiative to ask questions and track down answers when there was something she didn’t know. Lynn is an incredibly hard worker, she has an amazing eye for detail, and she got along with everyone across all departments. Any show would be lucky to have her on staff.”

2025 Graduate

RJ Palisoc is a crime drama writer who grew up in 90’s gangland Los Angeles. Seeking a way out, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy right out of high school where he gained more perspective on the human experience. Now a veteran, he hones these experiences into writing authentic characters who navigate through the blurred lines of morality. He’s built a career as a Producer, working with Marvel, Netflix, and now Sony.

2025 Graduate

LeVonda's storytelling journey began when she wrote and directed plays for Black History Month while serving in the U.S. Air Force. She earned an MFA in screenwriting from USC. She’s a graduate of the Veterans Writing Project and the Veterans Fellowship. She writes grounded dramas and sci-fi thrillers exploring power, identity, and unseen systems.

2025 Graduate

Christopher David Harris is a gay Air Force veteran from Virginia. A huge nerd, he writes quippy sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero stories that explore themes of transformational journeys, religious and family trauma, connection to adversity, and the power of claiming your truth, with an eye towards LGBTQIA+ inclusion and representation.

2025 Graduate

After funding film school at mob-run poker clubs, Anthony Pittore joined the Navy as a cryptologic linguist and later served as an intelligence analyst for the NSA. He left government work to become a writer/producer and military consultant, recently rewriting a feature for a Netflix producer and selling a series to a vertical-format prodco.

2025 Graduate

A proud Borícua from New York, Corinthian serves in the U.S. Air Force. He found his passion for writing in the middle of the desert during a deployment and has pursued it ever since. A graduate of the Veterans Writing Project and of the Veterans Writing Fellowship, he tells stories of loss, home, and the fight to belong.

2025 Graduate

Addison Blu is an L.A.-based writer and military veteran. He served in the elite Army Special Operations, with whom he deployed to combat in Afghanistan and conducted Psychological Operations. He was recently the Military Consultant for the Hulu series Paradise. Addison writes half-hour and hour TV, always grounded in character and humor.

2024 Graduate

Nicole Schwegman, a retired Navy Commander with 20 years of service, is a Naval Academy graduate who served in the Arabian Gulf and South China Sea. As Assistant Press Secretary for President Biden, she handled media for diplomatic issues like Trevor Reed and Brittany Griner's return. Now, she's a TV drama writer focusing on military stories.

2024 Graduate

Rylan became a TV Writer by way of rural Kentucky, a physics degree, Naval service, and viral videos. With an affinity for crime dramas with grounded comedy, Rylan received the Netflix Native American Writer Accelerator Grant and was in the inaugural Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Fellowship.

2024 Graduate

Tracy Thompson is a North Carolina native, Army Vet and former Aerospace Engineer. A TV writer with a knack for storytelling and a vivid imagination, she was selected for the inaugural Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Fellowship. She enjoys writing flawed characters with children and putting them into unfamiliar (and often hilarious) roles that make them the target audience predicaments.

2024 Graduate

Kadyn writes character-driven sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories for film and TV. He was mentored by Jeremy Carver (DOOM PATROL) during The WGF’s Veteran Fellowship and has worked as a writer’s assistant & researcher for Kira Snyder (THE HANDMAID’S TALE). Previously, Kadyn served as a U.S. Naval Officer specializing in Surface Warfare (ship driving and fighting) and Intelligence.

2024 Graduate

Cathy, a Baylor grad and prior-service Marine, writes compelling stories with bold female leads. Drawing from her small-town Texas roots, experiences as an international flight attendant, and scuba diving adventures, she skillfully blends humor and grit into her narratives.

2024 Graduate

Brian McDevitt Jr. is a TV Comedy writer, veteran, substitute teacher, the favorite uncle, and a part-time Pokémon Trainer. Recently Brian completed the WGF's Veterans Fellowship where he was mentored by Bill Wrubel (TED LASSO, MODERN FAMILY). Brian writes original Half-Hour TV Comedies with Heart.

“I have been mentoring aspiring television writers for more than 20 years. I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I have encountered a truly extraordinary talent. When I read the work of Addison Blu it was one of those rare occasions. Addison has combined a brilliant talent for writing with extraordinary life experiences that he had while serving our military overseas. His writing is fresh, original, funny, moving, and profound. Addison would be an incredible asset to any television writing staff. I do not imagine he will be on the market for very long because the savvy will snatch him up very soon.”

“Levonda Lee is a pleasure and a delight to work with. She has a unique point of view, an incredible work ethic, and raw talent. One of her best qualities as a writer is the ability to react to notes in the best possible way: she infers specific notes from more general notes. I'd work with her in a flash.”

“RJ Palisoc has lived a life. Although, not always an easy life — it has provided him almost unlimited fodder for story and character ideas. This coupled with an intense work ethic, drive and determination are the recipe for a successful Staff Writer. RJ's an adult who will do what needs to be done to service his Showrunner's vision and become an invaluable asset to the Staff.”

“Christopher Harris specializes in high-concept genre pieces that deliver both humor and heart. His dialogue sparkles, and Christopher controls tone and pace like a writer who's been working for years. It's been my pleasure and joy to mentor him, and I think he'd be an asset to any room.”

“Corinthian Maldonado is a writer through and through. In addition to his obvious handle on the basic craft of writing compelling screenplays, Corinthian is a builder of worlds; often, his imagined environments are as specific and compelling as the characters he writes, and often become characters themselves. Corinthian not only brings his own uniquely fascinating lived experience to his writing, but he is a dedicated researcher who equips himself with all the knowledge he can to inform his work. He is ready to be staffed; any room would benefit from his skill, dedication, and imagination.”

“Mentoring the imaginative, professional, and collaborative Anthony Pittore in the Veterans Fellowship was a true pleasure. Vivid and unique on the page, thorough in research and story development, smart and thoughtful (not to mention damn funny) in creative discussions, and possessing a wealth of fascinating life experiences, Anthony would be an asset to any TV staff. I'm excited to see what he does next.”

"Addison Blu is a gifted writer with an unmatched work ethic, a sharp eye for structure, and a voice shaped by extraordinary life experience - from military combat experiences to Mensa membership to raising four kids. He brings heart, enthusiasm and insight to every script and every room."

“I’ve mentored many veterans in the WGF programs over the years and Addison Blu is a standout talent. He has a brilliant mind and a unique and interesting life story. He is funny, thoughtful, a student of storytelling and a delight to be in a room with. He would be an incredible addition to any writers room.”

“Brian [McDevitt Jr.] is a gifted writer with a truly unique voice. His scripts are funny and well-paced with vivid characters and surprising turns throughout. What impresses me most about Brian’s writing is his ability to balance humor and emotion. He writes from an authentic, thoughtful place and at the center of his stories there is always a beating heart.”

“This was my first introduction to the WGF Veterans Program and I’m all-in with it. Each veteran was so open and hard-working. All kudos must go to my mentee: Nicole Schwegman. She was dedicated from the start, with great ideas and so much life experience to pull from. But what most impressed me was her willingness to rewrite and deliver such a strong draft. Nicole is ready to be hired and to have her pilot produced. I can’t wait to work with her — and the program — again.”

“I was blown away by the 2024 Veterans Fellows. Cathy Torres is ready to staff. She takes notes and can turn around a rewrite like a writer with decades of experience. In a world where hiring new voices can feel a lot like guessing, the Veterans Fellowship is going to make showrunners’ lives easier.”

“Tracy [Thompson] is an absolute superstar! She has a unique ability to light up any space she enters, she’s hilarious, and she’s a driven sponge, eager to soak up any knowledge shared with her. Throughout our time working together in the program, Tracy showed an enviable ability to receive feedback, process it, and execute based on it, whether that was feedback on a draft, pitching advice, or suggestions for how to conduct herself in meetings. But beyond all of that, Tracy has the chops. She’s a gifted writer with a strong POV and a voice that can elicit tears or laughs. She’s a wonderful writer to work alongside and would be an additive part of any writer’s room lucky enough to have her!”

“Having mentored Rylan [Tuohy] throughout the Veterans Fellowship, I was truly impressed by his masterful approach to writing: smart, collaborative and productive, with a keen understanding of the balance between taking notes and staying true to his voice. Hard-working, personable and a quick study, he’d hit the ground running in any writers’ room, and his diverse background and experience would make him an invaluable asset in building storylines.”