Vanessa Every-Burns
Q What do you do?
“I’m an Aussie Screenwriter/Comedy Writer based in LA. ”
I write strong female-driven comedy designed to make you laugh, cringe, and relate. Whether it’s a pilot, feature film, or sketch comedy, most of my stories are inspired by my life or those around me. When I'm not glued to the computer, I moonlight as a TikTok star, where I've created viral content playing teenage me and my Mum -- sorry Mum!
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I was working as a copywriter in my homeland of Australia when I took a leap of faith and came to LA in 2018 for a two-month Screenwriting Workshop at the New York Film Academy. I completed my first screenplay and somehow landed an Agent in the process. I returned home to Australia for about five minutes before coming back to give it a real shot. I completed a year of screenwriting studies at UCLA, stayed active in writers’ groups, and eventually did the Roadmap Writer Program in 2021 and got signed with Ensemble Entertainment. I’m now taking regular meetings with Hollywood Executives and have a number of projects in the marketplace.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Well, I’m Australian for one, so I have a great accent I’m told? I’m also not afraid to get real, raw, and inappropriate, especially when it comes to female issues. I have few things I wouldn’t want my mum to read ha-ha, for example my feature comedy DEBBIE’S DRY SPELL, about a woman who can’t get laid and finds out her vagina is cursed. If the movie gets made, she will just have to deal with it.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m in the early very stages of development and attaching a big producer with a green card comedy I just finished. I wish I could say a little more but it’s best I keep this one hush hush for the minute – watch this space. I’m also studying Directing at UCLA.
Q What’s your style?
I look up to smart and hilarious women like Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, this list goes on. Basically, the entire SNL cast. My favorite movie has to be Bridesmaids, basically anything with Judd Apatow attached to it.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’m always feeling guilty that I’m not doing enough. Even as I fill in this questionnaire I’m feeling guilty that I’m not writing pages on my new feature, or working on my directing homework for UCLA. Writing is my absolute passion, so the more time I spend at my computer writing scenes, I’m a happy girl.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I think it’s just the waiting game in general. As writers we spend so many hours at the computer typing away and getting lost in these imaginary worlds, then once we finish it’s like that never happened. We just wait in hope that someone wants to make our movies. It’s very nerve racking awaiting responses because writing is so subjective, especially comedy. As artists, we’re also very sensitive and need to build up a thick skin to take all the rejection and criticism. But I love it! All the no's are just building to that YES we all await.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Proof read! Easy answer.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could go back to 25 year old me and tell me to move to Los Angeles then to pursue this dream. Although I believe being in my thirties and having that life experience makes me the type of writer that I am.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I'd love to have a coffee with Tina Fey and just listen to everything!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m a Screenwriter and Comedy Writer who works on my own original material, but am also very interested in assignment work and collaboration. I'm also a Copywriter!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Just working with other amazing Producer, Directors, and Writers. Funny women particularly.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I'm happy for anyone to reach out to me over email or contact my Manager Jon Brown at Ensemble entertainment.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
My writers’ group is definitely my main support team. It’s a great group as we all work on stories that we have created from the start together. We meet every Monday night and read pages of each other’s scripts and offer notes. It’s such a supportive and collaborative group. Amanda, Old Jared, New Jared, Jo, Chris, Dan, Aphra, Matthew, Mukesh, Raina, Christoper. There's more!
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Just keep writing. Just keep writing. (Dori)
This member profile was originally published in October 2021.