Turning a Passion Into a Purpose

I began my career as a film editor, a role I loved and one that gave me the incredible opportunity to learn from talented mentors and work at studios including ABC Children’s Television, Disney/Pixar, DreamWorks, Sony, and others.

While editing taught me the discipline of storytelling — how to shape a scene, strengthen structure, and find the heart of a story — I always knew my true calling was screenwriting. I tried writing in college; I took my screenwriting requirement as a summer intensive, and felt anxious, impatient with myself, and impatient with my work. I just wanted it done. I wanted everyone to tell me how wonderful it was — even though it wasn’t. 

I wrote what I knew. I based my script on a story told around the dinner table at every family gathering with my East Coast Italian relatives. The premise was fun, relatable, and the story was both heartfelt and comedic. However, the structure was a mess, character development was lacking, and I’m pretty sure it didn’t have a third act.

Film editing was perfect for me; I could assemble sequences, cut away what didn’t work, and make a plea to the director for changes that could benefit the overall story. Fourteen years in editorial taught me how to be more patient with myself and my work, so I decided to try screenwriting again. 

I submitted to competitions (always a “finalist”), and attended three years of Hollywood Pitch Fest, an incredibly pride-swallowing cattle call for writers; I recommend this experience to no one. I had two original screenplays and one adaptation, which found an agent. To be clear, I did not recieve an agent; the script found an agent. I imagined my screenplay sipping Mai Tais by a swimming pool in Hollywood, while I toiled to write the next Little Miss Sunshine, or Thelma and Louise. I hit a wall. The business wasn’t just unwelcoming to up-and-coming writers; it was shockingly demoralizing. 

I believe there are amazing stories that never find their way to the screen because the pipeline is broken. To ask writers, who are often introverted by nature, to attend a pitch fest, or “network,” to talk strangers into funding their screenplays for production, is not just a “big ask”; it’s “game over,” before their story ever has a chance.

That’s why I founded Screenwriting Services.

My goal is to help writers strengthen their scripts, develop professional submission materials, and create a clear path forward for their work. Every writer and every story is different, and I believe each deserves a thoughtful strategy tailored to its unique potential.

I love working with writers — helping them refine their ideas, elevate their storytelling, and present their work with confidence.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your creative journey. I look forward to helping you bring your stories one step closer to the screen.

By Jennifer Leo — Screenwriter Consultant / Founder