Meet Francesca Escarraga | Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Francesca Escarraga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Francesca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
“You’ll never make it… You don’t have what it takes… Why would they give you a chance…” These were the words that kept playing repeatedly in my head as I sat at my office desk every morning, justifying all the reasons not to quit my corporate job in exchange for pursuing a ludicrous and impossible childhood dream – becoming a writer and producer in Hollywood.

I had my life together at a young age – a stable job straight out of university, the privilege of traveling the world, and having the financial freedom to live the lifestyle I have always wanted. I was ahead of the game, and yet, I still went to bed with a heavy heart.

I was constantly told to be content with all that I have, but the people who incessantly preached these words were the ones who never left their comfort zone, got stuck in a mundane routine, played it safe, and had no ambitions in life.

I was never one to follow the crowd and I knew my creative aspirations in life didn’t have a place in a city where climbing up the corporate ladder was the be-all and end-all. Instead of wallowing in despair, I drowned out my fear of criticism and failure, quit my corporate job, invested every cent I had in film school, and bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles.

Like most people who move to Los Angeles, I was hungry, thirsty, burning with passion, and bursting with excitement to finally live a life-long dream of being a storyteller in the entertainment capital of the world. But as I got to learn more about the industry, craft, people and have the opportunity to work on film projects, I immediately realized that making films wasn’t just a dream, but my life’s purpose.

I became a writer and producer not for the prestige nor the credits, but to serve as an instrument to empower and amplify the voices of the marginalized and underrepresented. My goal is to share stories that spark impactful conversations and foster positive change in society. I wanted to tell stories that inspired people to take a leap of faith and made them felt seen, heard, and understood in a world where they are constantly silenced, invalidated, and ostracized.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My love and passion for entertainment and storytelling began at an early age. I come from a family of artists, so I’ve always been surrounded by art and creative minds growing up. I spent my formative years performing in theater and school productions, playing the violin and guitar, writing stories, and making videos to express myself. I was exposed to classic international films and TV shows that greatly shaped who I am, my ideologies, and my perspective of the world.

I found an unfathomable connection with fictional characters that made me feel seen and understood in such a profound way, surpassing the connections we often find in the people around us. They became our steadfast companions, accompanying us on the journey of life, and evolving alongside us through the years. However, as I learned the craft of filmmaking, I realized that the films being produced lacked authenticity, diversity, and proper representation.

My aspiration extended beyond merely telling stories that struck a chord with an audience; I wanted to tell stories that are inclusive, authentic, thought-provoking and will serve as an exemplary model for both current and future generations.

My career in the entertainment industry started in film school when I was at UCLA. Pursuing a career in the creative arts is no easy feat, we often have to juggle multiple jobs while trying to fulfill the demands of our social and personal life. My persistence and determination led me to the right people who helped me break into the industry – from securing internships to getting hired, to closely working with industry executives and A-listers, to attending high-profile red carpet Hollywood events, to being recognized by the city of Los Angeles for mentoring and fostering the next generation of artists and entertainment professionals.

I’ve worked on film projects as a script supervisor, story consultant, writer, and producer. Aside from my creative projects, I am also a Multimedia Event Manager & Producer for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles an Academy-qualifying film festival in LA, and Little Cinema, a creative agency in New York.

I have developed, written, and produced various award-winning international short and feature film projects that shed light on social issues about culture, identity, immigration, discrimination, gender inequality, governance, and mental health among others.

Having a multiracial heritage (Filipino-American-Japanese) and spending a significant part of my life living across three continents come with its own unique set of challenges, and I have experienced firsthand the complexities that arise from navigating diverse cultural landscapes. These experiences have shaped my perspective, fueling my commitment to tell stories that not only reflect the richness of this diversity but also promote understanding and unity among people from different walks of life.

Through all the work that I do, I aim to bridge gaps, break down social stigma, and contribute to a more inclusive narrative that resonates with the complexities of our interconnected and ever-changing world.

I understand the tremendous power, impact, and responsibility that comes with being a storyteller, so we must put our skills to good use by choosing to work on projects that inspire, inform, challenge, and make a difference in the lives of people around the world. Not only do we possess the capability to speak and uphold the truth, but also the gift to restore hope and faith in humanity through the art we create. As long as there’s life, we should unceasingly use our platform, resources, and talent to create art that matters. If my work inspires and changes someone’s life for the better, then I’ve accomplished my life’s purpose.

The one guiding principle I consistently abide by is the commitment to always show up. Speaking from experience, it’s not usually the smartest person in the room who gets their foot in the door, but those who unceasingly say yes to opportunities whether it’s a video call, brunch meeting, impromptu house party, small networking event, or a high-profile red carpet premiere. Network like your life depends on it. While it may get you to where you want to be, it still takes character to sustain your career and make you stand out from the crowd.

To my fellow writers – you’ve probably heard this a thousand times, you need to do the work and just write, write, and write if you want to be successful in this industry. There’s no better way to be good at something than immersing yourself in it and religiously practicing it. Oftentimes, writers are daunted by the blank page so they end up avoiding it altogether. Understand that failure is part of the process and that perfectionism kills creativity, so learn how to embrace the unknown and be at peace with the fact that you’ll have more setbacks than breakthroughs. After doing the work, have the courage to put it out into the world and let it do its magic – then do it all over again.

Being an artist trying to make a name for yourself in one of the most demanding and competitive industries in the world involves an endless pit of self-doubt, rejection, frustration, uncertainty, and competition. There’s never a shortage of reminders about the fact that there will always be someone better than you and that you could be easily replaced anytime.

But what I learned from working in corporate and in Hollywood for years now is that by consistently delivering your best, maintaining a strong work ethic, cultivating respect, staying true to your authentic self, believing in your voice, and being resilient in times of adversity, what may seem like an impossible dream will eventually come to fruition no matter how long it takes.

Most importantly, be kind and humble to everyone you meet no matter what their status is in life. Interns or assistants have the power to influence their bosses’ decisions. Surround yourself with people who will constantly lift you higher, help you achieve your purpose without having an ulterior motive, and remind you of your potential and why your dreams are worth fighting for.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shout out to Larry Laboe, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). To say he’s the best person you’ll ever meet would be an understatement. Not only is he a remarkable boss and mentor; he is a kind, inspiring, and selfless human being. I am where I am today because of his unwavering trust and belief in me since day one. Over the past five years, he’s been instrumental in guiding me through the intricacies of the entertainment industry, providing opportunities for me to be in the right rooms and to excel in my work, encouraging my professional growth, and consistently inspiring me to evolve into the best version of myself. It’s an honor and privilege to be on this journey with you, Larry. Forever grateful for you!

Website: https://francescaescarraga.weebly.com

Instagram: francescaescarraga

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescaescarraga/

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10576152/