Diversifying Your Perspective: A Special Panel Event with Davina Hefflin, Maddie Breeland, and Stacey Stanley

Davina Hefflin, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, moved to California to pursue a MFA in Screenwriting at Chapman University. It was there that she got introduced to the agency world and discovered a passion in helping young, diverse creatives achieve their dreams in the film industry. After two years of working with Sean Barclay in the TV Lit department, she was promoted, realizing a hidden talent of developing projects with clients from the agent perspective. From script to screen, Davina works with her clients to bring their ideas to fruition and map out a strategy for their long-term careers.

Maddie Breeland is currently Founder/Executive at her own banner, MB Method. Here she combines her passion fitness and film by building powerful bodies and powerful stories. She’ll continue to support her slate and partnerships from her time at Anvil Pictures and expand from there. After graduating from Emerson College in 2012 with a major in Producing for Film & TV, Maddie began her career as an assistant in film development at Fox 2000. In 2014, she got an executive assistant position in Sean Bailey’s office, the President of production for Live Action Features at Walt Disney Studios and worked her way up to Development Coordinator. She was able to take part in the development of many successful live action reimaginings of legacy animated titles as well as generate feature content for the launch of the Disney+ platform. She enjoyed 6 years at Disney before transitioning to her most recent post at Anvil Pictures, where she handled development for writer/director Dean DeBlois (LILO & STITCH, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy). She produces and develops live action and animated projects with studios like Universal and Netflix as well as other creative partners. After over 5 years at Anvil Pictures she’s endeavoring to forge a unique path of her own that encompasses the pursuits and relationships that are meaningful to her. Films like THE MATRIX inspired her to pursue a career as a creative producer. She loves content that resonates and exposes audiences to thrilling new experiences and worlds while allowing them to build new connections with those around them. She is driven to generate opportunities for new, talented voices and to bring unity through storytelling. She’s also a passionate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion advocate and group fitness instructor/trainer in strength building, yoga and pilates.

Stacey Jade Stanley began her entertainment career working as the executive assistant and right hand to veteran distribution executive and Oscar winner John W. Hyde’s Producer Sales Organization. She then followed him to Film Roman Productions (FAMILY GUY; JACKASS 3D) and Anchor Bay Entertainment (47 METERS DOWN; THE FOUNDER; THE HATEFUL EIGHT). After two years, she was given the opportunity to head the company’s new live-action division, New Arc Entertainment (THE TOOTH FAIRY; IT WAITS), where she produced more than 55 hours of programming in the following 20 months, including the Emmy-nominated series MASTERS OF HORROR as well as MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION and PAINKILLER JANE. As part of Starz Media, she managed series including the Emmy-nominated STARZ INSIDE and FIRST AMENDMENT, and then, as director of development for Indomina Productions (CABIN FEVER 3: PATIENT ZERO), she oversaw creative development, including the Samuel L. Jackson feature adaptation of AFRO SAMURAI, and a multi-year, multi-picture Lionsgate/Televisa deal. Although retired from production, Stacey continues to consult on scripts for studios and work with up-and-coming writers.