Lauren DeShane

BURNED | Script Development & Executive Packaging

The Brief: Retained to perform a comprehensive narrative "top-down" rewrite and structural overhaul of an original feature concept. The goal was to transform the raw IP into a high-stakes, authentic psychological thriller capable of sustaining a $9M production budget and attracting a director with a track record of #1 Netflix hits.The Strategy: Narrative Reconstruction: Rebuilt the story from the ground up, focusing on the psychological complexity of an unreliable narrator and the technical world-building of first responders (LAFD).Executive Packaging: Following the rewrite, I designed the comprehensive 20-page Studio-Grade pitch package in collaboration with the production. This deck served as the primary business asset for talent retention, sponsorship outreach and international distribution conversations.Stakeholder Alignment: Managed the intersection of creative vision, technical authenticity (advising with former LAFD Chiefs), and commercial viability for a powerhouse ensemble cast including Jason George, Charles Baker, and James Eckhouse.The Outcome: A fully professionalized, finance-ready production asset. While the project remains in the development/packaging phase, the resulting screenplay and executive materials successfully established the project’s market value and solidified commitments from a veteran directing team and a SAG-AFTRA ensemble. Plus an IMDb and social media teaser image until principal photography begins.Financial and proprietary data has been redacted to protect the privacy of stakeholders. Full strategic templates can be discussed during a private discovery call.

• Burned IMDB Page

PERIMETERS | Post-Production & Strategic Sales Partnership

The Project: Short Film Packaging & Finance Deck.A "Western coded" dark comedy and character study exploring veteran reintegration and Black masculinity. I joined the producing team following a successful greenlight to bridge the gap between a completed production and a high-impact global release.The Collaborative Strategy:
Finishing Fund Synergy: Partnered with the director and lead producers to architect a Finishing Fund package. By aligning our creative and financial goals, we secured the necessary investment to ensure the film’s post-production met studio-grade technical standards.Cohesive Talent Branding: Collaborated with the lead talent: series regulars from Young Sheldon, to translate their established market value into a sophisticated festival facing brand. We positioned the project as a commercial boutique asset, leveraging their global fan base to generate early interest from programmers and buyers.Unified Exhibition Roadmap: Working closely with the stakeholders, I developed a data-driven festival and distribution strategy. We prioritized a Post-Production First financial model, ensuring every dollar was strategically allocated toward elite festival entries and a clear path to acquisition.The Result: A unified executive asset that professionalized the film’s second lifecycle. This collaborative packaging effort transformed a locked shoot into a market-ready production asset, establishing a high confidence blueprint for the film’s festival run and its potential expansion into a feature length property. With an IMDb teaser poster as a placeholder until principal photography begins.Financial and proprietary data has been redacted to protect the privacy of stakeholders. Full strategic templates can be discussed during a private discovery call.

• Perimeters IMBb Page

FRAGMENTED | Sci-Fi Narrative & World-Building

The Project: A high-concept military science fiction mystery that explores the thin line between neuro-recovery and psychological manipulation. Initially developed as a larger property, the project is currently undergoing a strategic re-write as a "proof-of-concept" short film with a director attached.The Strategy:Visual World-Building: Developed a "near-future" aesthetic centered on clinical high-tech environments and immersive "dreamscapes." The design focuses on a "fragmented" visual style that mirrors the protagonist’s deteriorating memory and sensory confusion.Narrative Adaptation: Oversaw the transition from a broad sci-fi concept to a contained, high-impact short film. This involved distilling complex themes, such as experimental neural implants and weaponized expertise, into a tight, character-driven mystery.The Result: A comprehensive "Visual Bible" and script package that has successfully moved the project into its current production phase. By grounding the "still unknown science of dreams" in a relatable story of family and friendship, the deck serves as a blueprint for high-concept storytelling with clear commercial potential.

LONDON CALLING | Feature Rom-Com Packaging & Identity

Tone-forward romantic comedy pitch deck and visual identityThe Project: A contemporary feature-length romantic comedy co-written as a "love letter" to modern travel and unexpected connections. This project required a tonal shift toward high-energy, vibrant storytelling while maintaining a grounded, relatable emotional core.The Strategy: Narrative Co-Authorship: Co-wrote the original screenplay, focusing on fast-paced dialogue, "fish-out-of-water" tropes, and a dual-perspective narrative structure designed for broad commercial appeal.Tonal Branding: Developed a bespoke visual identity for the pitch deck that captures the "Travel-Lust" aesthetic. By utilizing a bright, sophisticated color palette and curated location imagery, the package establishes the film’s "vibe" as a key selling point for distributors and streamers.Market Positioning: Structured the project as a scalable independent feature, emphasizing international production value and "counter-programming" potential in a market currently dominated by darker genre fare.The Result:
A comprehensive "Executive Lookbook" that successfully defines the film's visual and emotional landscape. The deck functions as a primary sales tool, bridging the gap between a lighthearted script and the serious business requirements of international co-production and talent attachment.

UPENDED | TV Pilot Packaging & Narrative Strategy

Pilot & Series Development PackageThe Project: A contemporary "rom-dram" (romantic dramedy) series exploring the resilience of female friendships in the face of life’s "upending" moments. As a co-writer and producer, I developed the pilot and series bible to capture the messy, vibrant, and diverse reality of adult life in the Bay Area.The Strategy: Ensemble Architecture: Co-authored the pilot script and developed a comprehensive character bible. The focus was on creating a "friendship-as-survival" engine, ensuring each lead offered a distinct, relatable perspective for a broad audience.Tonal Balancing: Strategically positioned the project between the humor of Girlfriends and the emotional weight of This Is Us. I designed the pitch deck to reflect this "dramedy" balance, using a visual palette that transitions from the preppy, muted tones of a shattered life to the vibrant, high-contrast prints of rediscovery.Series: The deck emphasizes the project's ability to tackle heavy themes: infidelity, co-parenting, and queer identity, through a lens of humor and accessibility.The Result: A professional pilot package designed for network and streamer acquisition. By centering the narrative on a "found family" of college best friends, the materials successfully communicate a scalable, character driven brand with significant longevity and cross-platform appeal.

ABOUT

I’m a writer and producer working across film and television, with experience developing original projects and collaborating with production companies through packaging and pre-financing stages.I hold a BA in Graphic Design and an MBA in Marketing, which informs a pragmatic, audience aware approach to pitch materials; balancing visual clarity, narrative intent, and market positioning. My work is designed to support real industry conversations, from development stages through financial presentation.Lauren DeShane