This session format is available only to writers in our Top Tier Program.
Exec will review your pages and meet with you via zoom for 30 minutes to continue elevating your project.
When you’re pitching your project, lead with a strong, simple hook—something that grabs attention in under 20 seconds and makes people need to hear more. Be clear and concise about what the project is (feature, series, dramedy, etc.) and name a couple of comps that nail the tone and format. Make sure the stakes are clear—what’s at risk emotionally and externally—and don’t just focus on the plot; pitch the world, especially if it’s a series. Show what’s unique about your voice or experience that makes you the one to tell this story. Producers and execs want to know not just what happens, but why it matters and who it’s for. Think about the engine that keeps your story moving forward episode after episode, and be ready to answer questions like “why now?”, “who’s the audience?”, or “what’s the budget range?” confidently. Most of all, rehearse your pitch like it’s a performance—don’t memorize, but internalize—so your delivery feels natural, grounded, and passionate. Always end strong with a clear reminder of what makes your story unforgettable.
Right now, I'm especially drawn to high-concept, character-driven scripted series and feature films that blend commercial appeal with emotional depth and cultural relevance. We’re looking for projects that hook you immediately—through premise, character, or world—and have the potential to extend beyond the screen into real-world conversations and issue campaigns.
One-Hour Cable/Streaming Series and Limited Series with elevated, bold concepts and layered characters. Think THE LEFTOVERS, YELLOW JACKETS, WHITE LOTUS, or SEVERANCE—projects that feel urgent, emotionally grounded, and culturally sharp.
Feature-Length Films that are genre-adjacent (thriller, sci-fi, supernatural, psychological drama) but character-first. I love films like THE MENU, LOOK UP, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE —stories that deliver on entertainment but also interrogate something deeper.
Dark Comedies or Social Satire—in both film and TV formats—that capture and critique the moment with style, humor, and intelligence.
World-Building Projects that are imaginative but grounded in real-world themes—identity, technology, power structures, generational shifts. Anything where we can build an ecosystem of conversation and action around the storytelling.
I'm looking to collaborate with creators who are unafraid to challenge the system, take big swings, and build something lasting—not just a piece of content, but a cultural moment. Ideally, the projects lend themselves to multi-platform social impact campaigns—whether around mental health, social justice, economic disparity, or ethical tech.
I'm open on tone and format, but voice, originality, and a compelling “why now” are essential.
Excited to hear what you’re working on!
Westerns, Historical Dramas, Sports BioPics, Action, Ultra-Niche Arthouse with no clear audience or hook, High Fantasy, Slasher Films.
Marisa Polvino is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur known for bold, emotionally resonant storytelling across film, television, and documentary. Her work blends cinematic craft with social relevance, using narrative to drive awareness, shift culture, and spark real-world change. She is the co-founder of Straight Up Films and recently launched Nohoba Group, a mission-driven media company built on the belief that “Entertainment Brings the Action.” From studio features to grassroots campaigns, Polvino develops stories with built-in impact—from policy reform and education to mental health and equity.
Her credits include TRANSCENDENCE (Johnny Depp), THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS (Jesse Eisenberg), and the award-winning short film series POWER ON, produced with Google and YouTube to champion diversity in STEM. Her projects have premiered at Tribeca, Sundance, Berlin, and other major festivals. Polvino’s current slate includes both fiction and nonfiction: HELLDIVER, a WWII shark thriller; PLAY WITH ME, a psychological horror film; NETWORTH, a scripted series set in the cutthroat world of youth sports; and DISSONANCE, a YA love story set in the multiverse. Each is paired with authentic impact campaigns and aligned nonprofit or policy partners.
On the documentary side, she is producing THE RIDE, HOUSE OF MIRRORS, IINSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE, and MEANING IN MADNESS—each tackling urgent issues like homelessness, family court reform, youth mental health, and the power of music as a force for healing. Across every project, she uses storytelling to entertain, engage, and drive action—proving that films can do more than move us. They can move the world.
After registering, your confirmation email will contain a link that says "CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS" that will take you to a form where you will submit your material within 24 hours of registering.