Brendan Kenney

Brendan Kenney is a Los Angeles–based producer and literary manager with over a decade of experience in film and television, specializing in story development, creative strategy, and talent management.

He began his career in development and production at Pacific Standard, the company founded by Bruna Papandrea and Reese Witherspoon, where he worked on the development and production of a slate of high-profile projects including Wild (which earned Reese Witherspoon an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress), Hot Pursuit, and HBO’s Emmy-winning series Big Little Lies.

Brendan’s work spans scripted features, television, and short-form content, with a consistent focus on character-driven, impactful storytelling. His producing credits include Mo Welch’s Dad Jokes, acquired by Hulu, and Vincent René-Lortie’s Invincible, which was nominated for Best Live Action Short at the 2024 Academy Awards.

He has collaborated with major studios, networks, and production companies including Netflix, FOX, MGM, HBO, Amazon, Fifth Season, Hyperobject Industries, and Made Up Stories, among others.

Now at the helm of his own management and production company, Mad Delusion, Brendan continues to develop and produce distinctive projects across film and television. Known for his strategic approach to creative development and collaborative leadership style, he works closely with writers, directors, and talent to guide projects from concept through production — bringing ambitious and resonant stories to the screen.

What he Brings to Uptales

He brings a real-world, executive-level perspective shaped by hands-on experience in development, production, and writing.

Because he has worked on projects from pitch through production, he helps writers understand:

• How scripts are evaluated inside studios and production companies
• What makes a project not just well-written, but produceable
• How market positioning, tone, and execution affect a script’s chances
• Where a project fits — or doesn’t — in the current film & TV landscape

He's particularly passionate about working with undiscovered writers and helping them navigate the industry with clarity and strategy. In his most recent pitch session alone, he requested six scripts, reflecting his active engagement in discovering new voices.

Brendan’s Perspective

A great script is only the beginning.

What gets projects made is the alignment between story, market, and execution — and understanding how each decision affects a project’s path to the screen.

My role is to help writers see their work the way producers, studios, and buyers do — and to give each project its best possible shot at success.

Work With Brendan On

• Executive-level script evaluation
• Film & television market positioning
• Development notes on story, structure, character, and dialogue
• Rewrite strategy and next-step planning
• Understanding how projects move from script to screen
• Preparing work for pitching, packaging, and development