Topic: Rick Najera On Scripts, Reels, & Storytelling
Time: May 22, 2026 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Rick Najera — Award-Winning Writer, Producer & Storytelling Pioneer
Rick Najera is an award-winning writer, producer, director, and playwright who has spent decades helping bring Latino stories to mainstream audiences in film, television, and theater. His work has appeared on major networks including NBC, ABC, Fox, and Showtime.
Najera is widely recognized as one of the early pioneers who pushed Latino storytelling into Hollywood long before the industry widely embraced it. In addition to his work in television and film, he is also a best-selling author and professor, mentoring new generations of writers and creators. Through his work as a storyteller and educator, Najera continues to shape conversations around culture, media, and the future of storytelling.
What You’ll Walk Away With
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Rick Najera was creating Latino stories on television decades before the industry widely recognized Latino audiences.
In this conversation we’ll explore:
• What Hollywood looked like for Latino creators in the 1990s and early 2000s
• The challenges of pitching Latino stories to networks
• Why Latino audiences were underestimated for years
• How early creators helped open doors for the next generation
• The evolution of Latino representation in televisionRick was one of the first writers and producers consistently pushing Latino narratives into mainstream entertainment.
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Rick will break down the fundamentals of professional writing for television and film.
Topics include:
• How successful TV scripts are structured
• The difference between writing for film vs. television
• How writers develop compelling characters
• The art of storytelling that keeps audiences engaged
• How to turn life experiences into powerful scripts -
Entertainment is changing rapidly with the rise of short-form content, reels, and micro storytelling.
Rick will discuss:
• How storytelling is evolving for social media platforms
• The rise of micro dramas and short-form narratives
• Writing scripts designed for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
• Why short-form storytelling requires a different structure
• How writers can adapt to the attention economyThis section will be especially valuable for creators producing social media content and short-form video.
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The modern writer isn’t just writing scripts for Hollywood — they’re writing for digital platforms.
Topics include:
• How storytelling works in short-form content
• Why the first few seconds are everything
• Creating narratives that hook viewers immediately
• Writing dialogue and visuals that work in reels and shorts
• Turning social media storytelling into professional opportunities -
The entertainment industry is entering a period of massive transformation.
Rick will share insights about:
• How streaming changed Hollywood forever
• Why the gatekeepers of entertainment are disappearing
• The rise of independent creators
• The role of global audiences in shaping media
• Why storytelling will always be the most valuable skill
OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE
• Lessons from decades working in Hollywood
• Mentoring the next generation of Latino writers
• The intersection of culture and storytelling
• Building a career as a writer and producer
• Live Q&A with attendees
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Writers
Filmmakers
Content creators
Actors
Entrepreneurs in media
Students interested in storytelling
Anyone interested in Hollywood, writing, and the future of media
LIVE Q&A
At the end of the session attendees will be able to ask Rick directly about:
• scriptwriting
• breaking into Hollywood
• short-form storytelling
• writing for social media
• the future of AI in entertainment