House opens at 7 PM. SFTV events follow LMU Covid-19 protocols. 

So, you want to write comedy? Hear from a panel of writers, executives and talent who can help you start out in the industry on the right foot now and prepare for next steps after graduation!   

Join us to learn more about:

• What their journey was like and what they wished they’d known from the start
• What you can do to set yourself up for success while in school and developing your own voice
• How to get your foot in the door and then how to make a good impression once you’re there

Bring your questions!

RSVP ON LEO: https://leo.lmu.edu/event/8255293

GUEST BIOS:

Giselle Contreras is a manager of television at 3Pas Studios, Eugenio Derbez’s production company. In television, 3Pas has set up projects at HBOMax, Apple+, Amazon, Hulu, FX, Starz, E!, Nickelodeon, ABC, and NBC. Their half-hour comedy ACAPULCO airs on Apple+, and they are currently working on a television adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar's classic film WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN starring Gina Rodriguez with Lionsgate and I Can & I Will for Apple+. Prior to joining 3Pas, she attained a basis for storytelling at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television before learning the ropes of representation at a boutique talent agency. She sharpened her skills in the business side of the industry at FactoryMade, a venture company specializing in entertainment projects, and Robert Rodriguez’s El Rey Network, an English language, Latino-infused cable channel. Her experience also includes working at the intersection of media and philanthropy with The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation, eventually transitioning to Overbrook Entertainment's Film/TV production and development department. As the daughter of immigrants, she is passionate about the community and supports Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) as a volunteer interpreter for minors applying for asylum status.

Jonathan Cerda-Rowell is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. Jonathan is currently a writer on the Hulu comedy This Fool. His stand-up has been featured in Out on Stage: The Movie (Comedy Dynamics) which has been turned into a comedy series available on Dekkoo, Pluto TV, and Amazon. He can also be seen performing in Brew HaHa on Thrillist.com and in Top 5 on the Latino entertainment network El Rey Network. Jonathan has worked as a writer for Billy on the Street (truTV), Roast Battle (Comedy Central), FoodBeast.com, and digital Latino channel We Are MiTú. He has performed at numerous festivals across the country including San Francisco Sketch Fest, Limestone Comedy Festival, and RIOT L.A. where he was a “Comic to Watch”. Jonathan was also a runner-up at the Roast Battle Tournament at The World Famous Comedy Store.

ABC Studios is expanding the comedy development ranks by adding Kellyn Parker as Vice President, Comedy Development, reporting to SVP, Comedy Development, Melanie Frankel. He joins the Studio, a part of Disney Television Studios, from Comedy Central, where he served as Vice President, Original Programing & Development since 2016. Parker was responsible for overseeing development and production for west coast-based original series including South Side, New Negroes, Taskmaster, Gorburger and Comedy Central’s Colossal Clusterfest. Prior to that, he managed the award-winning Partner Content Department for Funny Or Die beginning in 2011, where he executive produced over 150 campaigns including hundreds of videos, live events, and marketing activations with notable brands such as Fiat Chrysler, Universal Pictures, Adidas, Microsoft, Pepsi and Sony Electronics. He led the creative development and production efforts for Funny Or Die D.C. including the Everybody Votes! Project executive produced by Judd Apatow and the Jokes for Votes comedy tour headlined by Sarah Silverman. Parker has received nominations and awards for several of his projects including three 2019 Peter Lisagor awards for the podcast South Side Stories, Digiday Awards winner, multiple Webby nominations, Key Art Awards finalist, Streamy Award nominee, among other honors. Parker began his career at United Talent Agency in the Agent Trainee program. He’s a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Film, Television & Media.

MODERATOR: 

Ernie Bustamante is a writer and connoisseur of nachos. Raised in the Arizona desert by a big Mexican American and Puerto Rican family, his work explores the Latinx experience in the United States – which is why he does comedy. Ernie began his career as a Writer’s Assistant on the ABC dramedy Boston Legal. Since then, he has written for Alma’s Way (PBS), Flipped (Quibi-RIP), Liv & Maddie (Disney), Lab Rats (Disney XD), and Rob (CBS). He has also sold pilot scripts to FOX, ABC, Disney, and penned movies for Freeform and Nickelodeon. His award-winning satirical web series, Border Patrol, has screened at 14 film festivals. And last year, his mockumentary short, Elise for Congress, premiered at the Awesome Con Short Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Currently, Ernie is an Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University. He has a BA from Stanford University and MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA.

All industry events are OVERBOOKED due to the high percentage of people who don't honor their reservations, therefore RSVPs do not automatically guarantee admission. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater has reached seating capacity.

Notice of Filming and Photography: When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction.