“Diane has a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a screenwriter and in the development of scripts as Vice President for one of Hollywood’s best directors. She is smart, honest, and kind. We’re lucky to have her lend her considerable expertise to script consulting.”
Kim Krizan – Academy-Award nominated screenwriter of Before Sunset and Before Sunrise
“What Robert Downey Jr. said. Seriously, Diane Drake is so knowledgeable about the art of story and the details of films, but you already know that from seeing films based on the scripts she’s written. What you might not know is that she is also an incredibly efficient, kind, and thoughtful teacher who somehow manages to take all the stress out of the process of learning how to write a screenplay, and make it great fun. Her online class was the best writing class of any kind I’ve ever taken. I could not have enjoyed it more, except perhaps if it had been in person.”
Meg Waite Clayton – New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of six novels, including the The Race for Paris and The Wednesday Sisters
“Diane’s critical and creative skills are top notch– as evidenced by the fact that Sydney Pollack hired her to evaluate and develop material for his company Mirage Enterprises, and the fact that her million dollar script, ONLY YOU, attracted the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Norman Jewison. She brings not only first-rate story skills, but also extensive business expertise, intelligence and humor to the table. Diane is extremely talented and great fun to work with, too.”
Lisa Medwid – Associate Producer, THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB
“Diane has the gift of story. Words and ideas are a natural part of her being. She has been mentored by some of the best and has risen through the ranks as a development executive before gracing us with her talent as a writer. With two beautifully written and incredibly successful major feature films under her belt, she knows what it is to succeed. The greatest way to learn about craft is from someone who has been there. Diane has all the ingredients to help you get to where you want to be.”
Jen Grisanti – Story Consultant and Author of Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story
AS AN INSTRUCTOR FOR UCLA:
“Diane Drake is one of the best instructors I have come across (and I have two graduate degrees and two post-graduate degrees from Ivy League equivalent universities not USA based). Diane is a brilliant communicator and I enjoyed every minute of the course thanks to her.”
“Diane is an incredible teacher. She’s smart, witty, supportive, and made herself accessible to all of us on non-class days. I appreciate her warm, effective, and caring way of teaching writing and the industry.”
“Diane Drake is the first writing teacher I’ve ever worked with who helped me realize the importance of storytelling, not just as entertainment, but as a way of creating meaning in life. I think very highly of her as a writer, teacher and genuine human being. Her compassion as an artist shines through her insight as an instructor. She has a unique ability to both impart her knowledge and develop my skill.“
“Diane Drake was wonderful. I found her to be responsive, helpful, patient, and extraordinarily informative. I would most definitely take one of her classes again.”
“Diane Drake is fantastic. The course was very thorough. Loved it and learned a lot.”
“I really loved this course and felt that I learned a lot even though I have taken other courses. This instructor seems very knowledgeable and aware of many factors needed in writing a screenplay.”
“Diane Drake is a stellar instructor.”