Join CMA as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and talented Creatives at Soho House West Hollywood!

We'll discuss how to create with the Hispanic audiences in mind, from writing great shows, creating engaging digital content, and even founding companies with Nico Selma, Storyboard Supervisor (Nickelodeon's Dora TV Show and Fairly Odd Parents: A New Wish, Disney Jr.'s Vampirina, Dark Horse Comics), Jeanette Lara, Writer (PBS' Rosie's Rules + Alma's Way, Netflix's Rainbow High), Maria Escobedo, Writer (ABC's Grey's Anatomy, Disney Jr.'s Ariel) and Nick Rodriguez, Writer (Dreamworks Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Netflix's Hot Wheels: Let's Race)

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NICO SELMA

Nico Selma brings over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, specializing as a Storyboard Supervisor, Visual Development, and Comic Book Artist. 

Currently, he's immersed in the vibrant world of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, contributing to the latest adventures in the Dora TV Show, drawing on his Latino roots to infuse authenticity and richness into the storytelling. His journey has taken him through renowned studios like DreamWorks, Warner Bros, Disney, Universal, and Dark Horse Comics, where he lent his talents to beloved projects such as Fairly Odd Parents: A New Wish, Santiago of the Seas, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, and Vampirina, among others. 

Hailing from Argentina, Buenos Aires, Nico's artistic path began in traditional animation, notably with the animated feature film The Ark, followed by the commercially successful Una Película de Huevos franchise, which clinched the 10th spot in Mexico's highest-grossing films and earned the prestigious Ariel Award for Best Animated Feature Film. 

In the realm of comic books, Nico's prowess shines through his contributions to the rebooted Tomb Raider (Lara Croft) series and his co-creation with Justin Aclin of the graphic novel S.H.O.O.T First, both under Dark Horse Comics. 

When he's not bringing characters to life on screen or paper, Nico enjoys the thrill of kart racing and the camaraderie of soccer. As a die-hard supporter of Argentina's Chacarita Juniors and an avid Messi enthusiast, he's always up for a lively discussion about the beautiful game. Currently residing in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids, Nico's passion for storytelling and creativity continues to drive his journey in the ever-evolving world of entertainment.

JEANETTE LARA

Jeannette Lara is a Boricua writer who spent her childhood in Japan where she was influenced by comic books and anime. She focuses on coming-of-age stories about unlikely heroes discovering their true identities. 

She got her industry start volunteering for the Atlanta Film Festival, then as a PA for several live-action independent films. She eventually moved to Los Angeles and became a development assistant at Therapy Content, where she met her writing partner. Together, they wrote their first animated feature script Muse, which was a Nichol Quarter Finalist in 2016. 

In 2019, Jeannette transitioned into TV and has since written on shows such as PBS/9 Story’s ROSIE’S RULES, PBS/Fred Rogers' award-winning ALMA’S WAY, the Emmy nominated SANTIAGO OF THE SEAS, Netflix’s RAINBOW HIGH, Drew Barrymore Executive-Produced PRINCESS POWER, and Lupita Nyong’o’s Executive-Produced YouTube Original SUPER SEMA. 

She has also developed for Moonbug, Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Nickelodeon, Encantos, Grab Bag Entertainment, and consulted for Big Grin Studios. Jeannette’s currently writing on an unannounced Nickelodeon Podcast series.

MARIA ESCOBEDO

Maria Escobedo was born and raised in NYC’s Washington Heights (yes, she was raised In The Heights!) and has lived in LA since she earned a Disney/ABC TV writing fellowship. She writes for both Animation and Live Action. 

Maria has recently worked as Creator/Head Writer/Story Editor for Kids & Family TV. She was nominated for a 2024 Annie Award (animation’s highest honor) for her work as writer/story editor on Rosie’s Rules! for PBS Kids, and also nominated for a Humanitas Award for Nina’s World on Peacock (with the fabulous Rita Moreno). 

Maria is currently writing on Ariel (The Little Mermaid) for Disney Jr. Maria’s animation credits include: Dreamworks’ Madagascar: A Little Wild for Hulu, Dew Drop Diaries for Netflix; Alma’s Way for PBS Kids; Nickelodeon’s Santiago Of The Seas, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go; Disney Channel’s Elena of Avalor, T.O.T.S, Special Agent Oso; and Amazon’s If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. In addition, she also created Season 1 and 2 of Lola Chick, a children’s Audible Podcast with Highlights Magazine. 

Maria’s live action writing credits include Grey’s Anatomy, and Hulu’s teen drama East Los High. She co-wrote and directed, Rum and Coke, an indie film, and wrote a movie for Disney Channel, Lifetime (co-wrote), and developed a half-hour single cam pilot for Nickelodeon. She also co-wrote and developed an hour-long dramedy pilot for ABC.

NICK RODRIGUEZ

Nick Rodriguez grew up as the youngest child in a very loud Puerto Rican family from Staten Island -- the Florida Man of NYC boroughs. He spent much of his life between the diversity of the world’s greatest city and the “Blue Lives Matter” signs you now see in his neighborhood. 

Nick’s mission is to make television more colorful. That means he tells stories about and for queer people of color, just like himself. He tells stories about people who become their own heroes, despite what others want or expect from them. Stories about people who don’t fit in -- and often in ways we can’t predict. His work explores characters who find their inner strength and use it to help the next generation. 

Nick aims to be the hero he always needed growing up, and to give a sounding board to the voices that need it most. He will always do so in a way that’s respectful, intriguing… and really kicks ass. 

Currently, Nick is a staff writer on the recently-announced MESSI AND THE GIANTS for Sony. Previously, he was a staff writer on JURASSIC WORLD: CHAOS THEORY for DreamWorks Animation/Netflix. (Nick wrote the Season 02 premiere that was screened for a panel at San Diego ComicCon 2024!) In all, he has written over 30 episodes of television for Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, and PBS. Nick is an alum of the FAME high school in NYC, and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts' screenwriting program -- where he co-created the university’s longest-running scripted TV show. Nick has been a Walt Disney Television Writing Program Finalist and a Universal Animation Writers Program semi-finalist. His work has made it to the second round of the WB Writers’ Workshop, the Austin Film Festival screenwriting competition, and the inaugural MACRO Episodic Lab. 

When he's not writing, Nick can be found attempting pull-ups in the park, getting hit in the face with a dodgeball, or riding a Chocobo. He lives in Los Angeles with his perfect pup, Oreo, who refuses to go up stairs, and his handsome husband, Sheldon, who's always down to try Nick's random recipes. 

He is repped for both live-action and animation by the Annette van Duren Agency and Gotham Group.