Jessica Sharzer is a true star. We are currently developing 3 projects with Jessica. If I could do more I would. Her ability to break stories in a phone call, mindful of budget, scope, character and commercial and artistic needs is quite literally amazing. It is a pleasure to work with her in each of these projects, each and every time. And she has integrity and is smart in her creative choices — what a pleasure that is to find! As a person, as a human, she is steady and wise. She is about solutions, making alterations in a moment and having them be better than when we started. And she is funny!

- Tony Krantz, producer (24, Sports Night, Felicity, Mulholland Drive)

Jessica Sharzer has a keen understanding of story and offers truly beneficial notes; not only is she able to spot the weak points in any narrative, but she’s also able to hone in on them and offer useful and creative suggestions for how to improve them. In a word, she’s great.

- Dana Jackson, staff writer (No Ordinary Family)

I’ve known Jessica for 15 years, and she is one of the most talented, insightful filmmakers I know. I always go to her for feedback, to use as a sounding board or as a script doctor. She’s able to help in a really proactive way, that is respectful and really productive. In short, Sharzer rocks.

-Angela Robinson (director – The L Word, Herbie Fully Loaded, writer/producer The L Word, Hung)

Not only is Jessica Sharzer a superlative writer and filmmaker, she is a brilliant story consultant and dramaturg- a “script whisperer.” She combines a film editor’s honed instinct for rhythm and “finding the moment,” with a psychologist’s understanding of how people (characters) are wired, and a sculptor’s sense of shaping the whole. She is passionate about STORIES and understands the way they work. Furthermore, she is a pleasure to work with – grounded and honest, erudite and encouraging, precise and patient; her guidance has been invaluable to me.

- Michael Laurence (actor – The Good Wife, Damages. Writer/director – Escape Artists)

Giving feedback on an amazing script or a crap script is quite easy. The problem for the screenwriter is getting the right feedback for a script that works well, but still has a “little further” to go. These almost-there scripts gather the most useless feedback: “I like this” or “I loved it when.”  What sets Jessica apart is that her comments are geared towards traversing the distance left. Given her background as a director, writer and editor, she quickly hones in on problem areas armed with suggestions and movie references that quickly focus the screenwriter and provide the most efficient path to the shooting script.  I almost didn’t want to write this testimonial for her, so that I could greedily keep her for myself.

- Manish Acharya, director Loins of Punjab (India)

Jessica Sharzer will go to the heart of your screenplay and identify its strengths and weaknesses, then help amplify the strengths and solve the problem areas, helping you create a marketable script. As a working writer/director, she brings a wealth of industry experience and insight to the table.

- Jeff Kitchen, author of Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting

Jessica is one of the smartest filmmakers I’ve ever met, and she’s a phenomenal teacher.  She has a knack for sponsoring complex and rewarding debate.  She would sit with each student one on one to go over our ideas – always encouraging, but also giving honest (always constructive) opinions – a rare combination.  I remember one night she created an impromptu lighting class when she realized we still weren’t secure with lighting techniques.  Jessica always has the perfect film, script and book recommendations, based on what she knows my tastes are.  After I graduated NYU and a job opportunity came up in LA, I was hesitant to take that step, so I asked Jessica – she said “DEFINITELY DO IT!” – so I did.  And that decision is still paying off four years later.

- Powell Weaver, staff writer FlashForward

Few filmmakers understands story, structure, and character development as well as Jessica. Her insights are always constructive and her supportive approach always yields results.

- Stefan Schaefer, writer/director/producer Arranged, Confess, My Last Day Without You

I have worked with Jessica Sharzer on a short film, several spots for the Olympics and a staging of Peter & The Wolf at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Every time, Jessica has brought tremendous value to those projects as a writer and as a true visionary, with an in-depth understanding of visual storytelling.

-Edouard Getaz, Director / Producer (Intercontinental Pictures LLC)