I'm a versatile, award-winning screenwriter and film/television professional with 20+ years of experience developing and writing screenplays for feature films and television. I excel at creative problem-solving, fast-learning curves, and adapting to the ever-evolving film/television industry, delivering original concepts from concept to script and collaborating with a broad network of producers and studios. In addition to writing, I'm a highly-rated educator with 19+ years teaching film history, screenwriting, and humanities at Southern New Hampshire University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Towson University. I bring real-world industry experience to the classroom, focusing on mentorship, diverse perspectives, and adaptable online and hybrid teaching methods.…

Douglas Scott Hessler

I'm a versatile, award-winning screenwriter and film/television professional with 20+ years of experience developing and writing screenplays for feature films and television. I excel at creative problem-solving, fast-learning curves, and adapting to the ever-evolving film/television industry, delivering original concepts from concept to script and collaborating with a broad network of producers and studios. In addition to writing, I'm a highly-rated educator with 19+ years teaching film history, screenwriting, and humanities at Southern New Hampshire University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Towson University. I bring real-world industry experience to the classroom, focusing on mentorship, diverse perspectives, and adaptable online and hybrid teaching methods.…

Available to hire

I’m a versatile, award-winning screenwriter and film/television professional with 20+ years of experience developing and writing screenplays for feature films and television. I excel at creative problem-solving, fast-learning curves, and adapting to the ever-evolving film/television industry, delivering original concepts from concept to script and collaborating with a broad network of producers and studios.

In addition to writing, I’m a highly-rated educator with 19+ years teaching film history, screenwriting, and humanities at Southern New Hampshire University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Towson University. I bring real-world industry experience to the classroom, focusing on mentorship, diverse perspectives, and adaptable online and hybrid teaching methods.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Author at Stumbling Toward Grace
January 1, 2026 - Present
Short story collection in development.
Screenwriter at Detour
January 1, 2026 - Present
Road movie thriller; production slated for 2026.
Screenwriter at Love During Revolution
January 1, 2026 - Present
Cuban period piece in development.
Screenwriter at The Penthouse
January 1, 2026 - Present
Existential thriller feature in development.
Screenwriter at Blind Faith
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Hospital-based TV pilot for a potential series; development.
Screenwriter at The Returning
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Supernatural thriller TV pilot/series for Netflix development.
Director / Writer at Edge Of The Rainbow
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Directed and wrote the feature film screenplay; collaboration with Barbara West; project in development.
Screenwriter at DA International
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Ice, Wind, Dust — a 3-part feature in development.
Screenwriter at Constantin
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2015
Adaptation of Perfume, Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind for Constantin.
Screenwriter at RTL Television
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2010
Murderous Reflections; Movie Entertainment, 2005–2010.

Education

MFA at American Film Institute
January 11, 2030 - March 24, 2026
MFA at Maryland Institute College of Art
January 11, 2030 - March 24, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services