Today we’d like to introduce you to Mateo Merlino.
Hi Mateo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always dreamed of being part of the film industry. Growing up in France, I was passionate about Hollywood movies, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to be in the film industry. When I turned 18, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue that dream and began studying screenwriting.
One of my first professors had worked on Breaking Bad, and she taught me the fundamentals, from proper formatting to the craft of storytelling. At the same time, I took it upon myself to research everything I could about screenwriting, reading scripts, studying structure, and writing constantly.
Right now, I’m primarily focused on a sci-fi thriller called Neocortex, which I’m developing in collaboration with director Rayen Hediji. The project dives deep into memory manipulation, identity, and control, and it’s been an exciting challenge both creatively and structurally.
Alongside Neocortex, I’m also developing several other projects across different genres. Each one represents a new step in my evolution as a writer, and I’m fully committed to building stories that resonate, entertain, and leave a lasting impact.
But the journey really started earlier. When I was 16, I had an idea for an entire TV series. I didn’t know much about formatting back then, but the idea stayed with me. That series is called Black Sam, and it’s the project that sparked everything for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. It’s never really a straight path, especially in this industry. Moving to Los Angeles at 18 was a big leap, I had no connections, no safety net, and had to figure everything out from scratch. There were moments of doubt, rejections, and times where it felt like no one was paying attention to what I was creating. Writing is also an emotional process, you’re constantly putting a part of yourself on the page, and it can be tough when it’s met with silence or criticism.
One of the biggest struggles was learning how to be patient. Things move slowly, whether it’s feedback, development, or getting a project off the ground. You have to stay driven even when there’s no immediate reward. But every challenge taught me something, about the craft, the business, and about myself. And that’s what makes every small win meaningful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a screenwriter, I specialize in writing character driven stories with high stakes concepts, whether in sci-fi, historical drama, or psychological thrillers. My work often explores themes like memory, identity, redemption, and the weight of personal choices. I love building immersive, cinematic worlds grounded in emotional truth. But the one that I am most proud of is Neocortex.
Alongside that, I’ve been developing Lured, a short thriller drama that I started writing earlier this year. It stars Ryker Baloun and it tells the story of a young woman who agrees to go out with a charming businessman she just met, only to wake up in a bathtub full of ice with a fresh scar, realizing too late she’s been caught in a deadly organ trafficking plot run by her date.
What sets me apart is my drive and discipline. I don’t wait for permission to create. I moved to LA young, studied screenwriting seriously, and treated every idea like a production in motion. That mindset of building like it’s already real is what’s helped me move forward in an industry that rarely hands you a map.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Absolutely. One of the most valuable resources I keep coming back to is The Anatomy of Story by John Truby. I’m still reading it, and every chapter helps me think more deeply about structure, character motivation, and thematic depth. It’s not just about writing better scripts, it’s about understanding how to tell stories that matter.
I also take inspiration from reading actual screenplays, I learn a lot from seeing how great writers handle tone, pacing, and subtext on the page. And sometimes, just rewatching a well written scene with subtitles on is a masterclass in itself.
Outside of writing, I try to stay inspired by watching interviews with filmmakers I admire people like Christopher Nolanand and Steven Spielberg. Hearing how they approach story helps remind me that there’s no one path, but discipline and vision always stand out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16786065/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mateo_merlino/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-merlino-742608274/
Image Credits
Mateo Merlino; Ahmed Bourigua; Kramer.
