Tessa Duke
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Tessa Duke *
INT. SQUARESPACE - DAY
Viewer lands on homepage of vibrant, inquisitive, quick-witted, Los Angeles based writer TESSA DUKE. Struck by intrigue and awe, the viewer wonders - What does she write? What are her projects like? How can I read her work?
With that, the viewer finds themselves in a world of nuanced & human centered stories - whether its told through one of Tessa’s original screenplays, evident in her copywriting, or captured in one of her short films. The curiosity strikes a chord and the scrolling begins…
How do I move the plot forward?
As a screenwriter, I’ve written short films, pilots and feature screenplays across an array of genres. I’ve received recognition from the Austin Film Festival Screenwriting competition, Screencraft, Scriptapalooza, Launch Pad, Emerging Screenwriters Competition, Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition, and have placed in the top ten percent at the Academy Awards Nicholl Fellowship.
I often gravitate towards writing female leads - unapologetic women who defy expectations, showing how under confident, over confident, hilarious, gross, brilliant, and scared we all can be.
When I’m not fading in and out of life, I’m crafting words for brands, designing pitch decks, providing script coverage and making films.
Copywriting
Filmmaking
Screenwriting
FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
Mousey Boy
Dark comedy / Buddy comedy / Coming of Age
Following Abigail's disappearance, her little sister Coco communicates with her stuffed animal, Mousey Girl, as a coping mechanism. Years later, a sassy and unfiltered Mousey Girl encourages Coco to return home to search for Abigail's companion stuffed animal, Mousey Boy.
Pre-Existing
Drama / Romance
After her father’s suicide, Keira returns to her hometown to make sense of his death and re-connect with her high school therapist, Cheryl, who’s suffering her own personal tragedy.
You Won’t Find Me Anywhere
Drama / Romance / Road trip
Struggling to confront her past, a middle-aged woman has an affair with a younger co-worker while on a cross country journey to arrange her father-in-law’s funeral.
TELEVISION PILOTS
All Good Things
Half hour romantic comedy
Fresh off a breakup from a long term relationship, Chelsea and Reid continue to live under the same roof and co-host their relationship focused podcast while also taking in Chelsea’s recently widowed Aunt Rosemary.
Here For You
Hour long mystery drama
A mysterious and calculated young woman undergoes her first day as a 'grief companion' in a pilot program that offers bereaved clients role play services with 'the deceased.'
Headcase
Hour hour dark comedy
A mother with early on-set Alzheimer’s and a daughter with relationship anxiety coexist under one roof, struggling to share a common reality.
Copywriting
In my former role as a Creative Associate with the London & New York based production company, Lonelyleap, I wrote copy for several well known companies spanning various industries. I developed a skillset to immerse myself in the voice of any brand and write various mediums, including pitch decks, social captions, blog posts, etc.
My approach consists of taking a deep dive into the company’s background as to develop an understanding and context for what messaging needs to be conveyed. I strive to write with an authenticity that appeals to target audiences and draws engagement. Please feel free to request samples on the contact page below - I’d love to talk shop with you & learn more about your brand.
FADE OUT.
Or say hi!
tessaduke3@gmail.com
Rep: Zero Gravity Management, Elissa Friedman