One-on-One with
Deborah Esquenazi

Story Development (Fiction/Nonfiction)

Bring an idea, an investigation, a great character, a pile of research, or a place that you are completely stuck on, and let’s brainstorm how to tackle it. What’s the story? Who carries it? What can we actually see? And why should this be a film? From there, we can dig into character, structure, access, research, treatments, and how to turn a fascinating subject into a film or series.

From Doc to Prestige TV

For years, I worked to adapt documentary features into treatments & pilots for prestige film/television for major studios. I’ve been in development meetings in both nonfiction & fiction with streamers, executives, producers, and showrunners, and can help you understand how to shape and talk about your story for that world.

If you have a documentary, article, podcast, investigation, or true story that you think could become scripted film or TV, I can help you think through that leap: What changes when nonfiction becomes fiction? What’s the engine for a series? What legal wrangling must you consider?

Pitches, Decks, & Sizzles

Need to get a project out into the world? I can help with pitches to streamers & production companies, pitch decks, sizzles, and figuring out how to pitch your project.

Career Coaching

We can talk through a career move, your first film, a stalled project, approaching producers and collaborators, moving from journalism into filmmaking, applying for fellowships or grants. I am here to listen and help!