“Aim for excellence — Brown exellence,” actor-producer Wilmer Valderrama told this year’s graduates of the National Hispanic Media Coalition‘s Series Scriptwriters Program as the eight-week intensive came to an end earlier this week.
Valderamma, the “NCIS” and “That ’70s Show” star, is a multihyphenate, activist and entrepreneur and a member of NHMC’s Visionary Alliance of entertainment industry figures who support the organization in Hollywood. He addressed the 10 participants in the TV and film writing program that includes virtual instruction, networking and mentoring opportunities. NHMC has run the Series Scriptwriters writer development program for more than 20 years.
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“The writers in the program are an answer to the need to increase Latino representation in our writers rooms and make sure we are telling our own stories,” Valderrama told the group on Dec. 19 via video conference. “As we become the majority as the audience, consumers and storytellers, it is more vital than ever that we are committed to uplifting and supporting new voices.”
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Participants in the NHMC program have gone to work on series and pilots for streamers including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and Max and for such studios as NBCUniversal and Paramount. Valderrama acknowledged that the graduates face an uphill climb as they build their careers. He emphasized that every step they take forward as creators is meaningful for past, present and future generations.
“There will come a time when you’ll feel like the only Brown writer in the room. Instead of it being daunting, think of it as an opportunity to be bold,” Valderrama urged. “The Latino revolution will come in the form of content. Immortalize what you want, the community deserves it. Make sure the leading roles in your stories look like you — this is a love letter to your parents and grandparents. Aim for excellence. Brown excellence.”
This year’s NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program graduates are:
Diego Lanao (New York): “The Right One Alive,” pilot, 2022 Latinx List
Hayley Muñoz (McAllen, Texas): Staff writer, CW’s “Nancy Drew”
Jeanette Dilone (New York): Short films, “Hoar” (2022); “Rizo” (2020); “Return” (2017)
K. Broch (West Michigan): Blogger, makeup artist, podcast host, “She Said…Let’s!”
Natalie Wood (Texas): Coordinator, Red Hour Films; support staff, “Severance,” “Chicago Fire”
Paloma Lamb (Pasadena, Calif.): Writers assistant, “Our Flag Means Death,” “Marvel’s Echo”
Ruben Mendive (Chicago): Participant, Hillman Grad Mentorship Lap, Outfest Screenwriting Lab; podcast host, “La Lista: A Latinx Writers Podcast.”
Sofia Brown de Lopez (Los Angeles): Loyola Marymount University, B.A. in playwriting and screenwriting, 2019; short film “Gone” (2021)
Victoria de la Concha (New York): Loyola Marymount University, M.F.A. in writing and producing, 2019
Zayda Exeliz (Los Angeles): Creative content manager, Universal Pictures
Pictured from top left: Mentor Geoff Harris, Wilmer Valderrama, mentor Omaira Galarza and participants Natalie Wood, Sofia Brown de Lopez, Zayda Exeliz, Jeanette Dilone, Victoria de la Concha, K. Broch, Diego Lanao, Ruben Mendive, Hayley Muñoz and Paloma Lamb
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