Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson is a Southern California writing instructor and story analyst. With more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, she has assisted departments across film and television in optioning, acquiring, financing, and developing projects spanning independent features, international, kids and family, middle grade, clean teen, and animation. Her work at production companies and studios — such as Netflix, De Maio Entertainment, JB Productions, and more — has led to the discovery of new voices, the acquisition of IP for adaptation, and the consultation on studio projects in development and production. She has also served on the board of the Junior Hollywood Radio and Television Society, been a WIF mentee, and is a Moonshot Pilot Accelerator fellow.

Her partnered research on motion picture rhetorics addresses questions around critical thinking in the age of AI. She has presented at the world-renowned Conference on College Composition and Communication to demonstrate that student engagement in writing and composition increases with prior knowledge and interest in filmic texts. She believes good storytelling is propelled by conversations around narrative and identity, leading to writing with a clear message, purpose, and perspective. Her classroom is a space where students can build skill and agency in their own stories, creating a lasting impact on the world around them.

Wilson received a BA in Screenwriting from DePaul University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University.