My becoming a writer began when I studied acting with the amazing Larry Moss. He taught us to break down scripts beat by beat with deep character study. And most importantly, if things weren’t going the way you liked as an artist: reinvent yourself!
I thought I wrote and produced my first short plays for my friends and for me to act in. Instead, it planted the seed for me as a writer - I reinvented, and I’ve never looked back. Well, maybe a couple times, but with love. I segued from plays to screenplays, which have won awards across the country and internationally, and I was honored to be one of ISA’s Top 25 writers to watch in 2019. My newest script, Dr. Jackie & Ms. Heidi, earned me a scholarship to the incredible Rocaberti Writers Retreat in France. When a dear friend asked if I would adapt and direct one of my short plays as a film, I said sure! I reinvented, and Out of Her Element garnered a laurel and screened at two festivals. I continued directing with the Women In Film program, creating award-winning PSAs, and explored “guerilla-style” direction with the short The Perfect Date. I am especially proud of my work as writer and producer on the short film Danny Danielle for the 48Film Project. We were top 16 winners and screened at the Directors Guild where we went home with two awards. Presently the reinventing continues as I’ve been honing my writing, directing and producing skills to complete the short film Trust. Along with my awesome cast and crew, we created a beautiful film that I’m proud to say continues to gain laurels and won Best Historical Drama with the City Of Angels Women’s Film Festival. Add to that the win of best female director from the Venice Shorts Festival and I’m proud beyond belief. Stay tuned, more reinventing to come! |
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When is the sum total of an artist, total? I say never. The time I spent dancing in the lofts of New York back in the day, and then in the parks of Santa Barbara, were just the first step in my becoming the storyteller I am today.
In sculpting and drawing I gained a visual eye of perception; design helped me as a writer and director. My years of acting were the absolute best way for me in approaching and developing character in a way I could never learn from reading, yet I studied. I’ve always been hungry, hungry for more, more opportunity and more means of expression. I found myself in love with writing. That first burst and seed of an idea actually gets me high. Storytelling requires living a life fully. To live with eyes wide open to the emotions of births and deaths and illness and joy and sadness. I like to think it creates a depth of perception for my audience and me. |
Life feels limitless when I'm creating...
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TRUST
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Out of Her ElementA story about two estranged friends who are forced to confront their inner demons when a chance meeting brings them back together.
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Danny DanielleWhat if you discovered the person who understands you the least is the person you're most like?
TOP 16 WINNERS - 48FILM Project 2017 BEST ACTRESS in a leading role BEST ACTRESS in a supporting role Written & Produced by Diane Lansing
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The Perfect DateA man with little to offer but a big heart gets creative to capture the attention of a soulful girl in a park.
Directed by Diane Lansing |
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A New Way of LifeWritten by Diane Lansing for Women in Film
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Cradle to CareerDirected by Diane Lansing for City of Santa Monica
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We Three Teens - Family FeatureThree teens that hate their home life and think Christmas is wack steal a truck to follow a luminous star that takes them on a riotous yet enlightening road trip while being pursued by a local sheriff.
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Wonder & Lightning - Drama FeatureA rough surfer girl from Santa Cruz runs away from her abusive foster dad and makes her way to Malibu, CA, where the waves are pristine but acceptance is a challenge. After taking in a stray pit bull, she must use the fearless surfing skills she learned from her birth father to overcome her personal defenses and find a new home for both of them.
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Dr. Jackie & Ms. Heidi - Comedy FeatureWanting to heal her father from pesticide-related illness, a shy but dedicated environmental scientist tests a cutting-edge biotic formula on herself, but will her newfound wild alter ego prefer wild escapades over the quest for a cure?
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Mad Art Gallery - Drama FeatureA former child prodigy artist who loses her ability to paint and see color after a psychotic break runs away from her controlling husband to join a wild gallery of mentally ill artists.
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MAD ART GALLERY // AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL SECOND ROUNDER
WONDER AND LIGHTNING // AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL SECOND ROUNDER // SCREENCRAFT DRAMA CONTEST SEMI-FINALIST
DR. JACKIE & MS. HEIDI // STAGE 32 FEATURE COMEDY SCREENWRITING CONTEST FINALIST
RECKONING // ATHE AWARD
A NEW WAY OF LIFE // AURORA AWARD
WE THREE TEENS // PAGE SEMI-FINALIST
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