Denise Cruz-Castino
@cruzwriter.bsky.social
Writer/Director. Writer of 5 Weddings feature film. Sold shorts to Disney and Dreamworks. Family comedy in development. Movie, TV, novel, and ad writer. Lover of dogs and brownies. Send both.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4830605/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4830605/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Pinned
Well that's a wrap. Two days of shooting my short. It was so fun! I loved my crew. I loved my amazing cast. My DP will make my film look brilliant! My producers believed in me and my project. We had fun. What more could a female director want?
But where is everyone? I feel lost without my team 😂
But where is everyone? I feel lost without my team 😂
Just had a meeting with producer on my short film I wrote and directed and met our new editor. yay! It's been slow-going with the editing. But think we found the right one this time. Excited to see it done! #filmsky #screenwritingsky
November 26, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Just had a meeting with producer on my short film I wrote and directed and met our new editor. yay! It's been slow-going with the editing. But think we found the right one this time. Excited to see it done! #filmsky #screenwritingsky
I don't want to shock anyone in Southern California. But I went for a 30-minute walk in the rain with an umbrella and rain boots, and guess what? I didn't melt. #teamUmbrella
November 21, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I don't want to shock anyone in Southern California. But I went for a 30-minute walk in the rain with an umbrella and rain boots, and guess what? I didn't melt. #teamUmbrella
How come social media X asks me to verify I'm human when I sign in, when the majority of the posts are from bots. Do they have to verify they're bots?!
November 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM
How come social media X asks me to verify I'm human when I sign in, when the majority of the posts are from bots. Do they have to verify they're bots?!
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
17 TV projects, including the reimagined hit series Baywatch and season three of Fallout are FILMING IN CALIFORNIA as part of our California Film Tax Credit Program.
This will generate $1.2B in the Golden State and thousands of new jobs in the world’s entertainment capital!
This will generate $1.2B in the Golden State and thousands of new jobs in the world’s entertainment capital!
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
17 TV projects, including the reimagined hit series Baywatch and season three of Fallout are FILMING IN CALIFORNIA as part of our California Film Tax Credit Program.
This will generate $1.2B in the Golden State and thousands of new jobs in the world’s entertainment capital!
This will generate $1.2B in the Golden State and thousands of new jobs in the world’s entertainment capital!
Love when you’ve got the first few pages of a new script written. Especially when it’s a script you’ve been hired to write. Having fun so far writing this new romcom. Here we go!
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Love when you’ve got the first few pages of a new script written. Especially when it’s a script you’ve been hired to write. Having fun so far writing this new romcom. Here we go!
Texting my male writing partner about film stuff and then he's like okay gotta get back to my wife and our TV show and he writes, ciao. And I'm trying to write, bye. And my phone wanted to send a kiss. Okay iphone! Trying get me in trouble! Sheez.
a man in a black sweater is standing in front of a chain link fence with the words `` c mon man '' .
Alt: a man in a black sweater is standing in front of a chain link fence with the words `` c mon man '' .
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Texting my male writing partner about film stuff and then he's like okay gotta get back to my wife and our TV show and he writes, ciao. And I'm trying to write, bye. And my phone wanted to send a kiss. Okay iphone! Trying get me in trouble! Sheez.
Sometimes in LA I think, I want to live in the cold where there's snow. And then I'm cold when it's in the 50's and raining in LA. 😂
November 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Sometimes in LA I think, I want to live in the cold where there's snow. And then I'm cold when it's in the 50's and raining in LA. 😂
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
WGA Members and Aspiring Writers:
Please beware of a link circulating for a “WGA TV Career Launch ScriptFest.” This is NOT affiliated with the WGA and could be a scam. Do not give them your money.
Please beware of a link circulating for a “WGA TV Career Launch ScriptFest.” This is NOT affiliated with the WGA and could be a scam. Do not give them your money.
October 29, 2025 at 1:48 AM
WGA Members and Aspiring Writers:
Please beware of a link circulating for a “WGA TV Career Launch ScriptFest.” This is NOT affiliated with the WGA and could be a scam. Do not give them your money.
Please beware of a link circulating for a “WGA TV Career Launch ScriptFest.” This is NOT affiliated with the WGA and could be a scam. Do not give them your money.
My short film that I wrote and directed, Coming Home, is up on IMDb! My first directing credit! Yay!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3785...
www.imdb.com/title/tt3785...
Coming Home (Short) | Short, Thriller
Coming Home: Directed by Denise Cruz-Castino. With Ana Price.
www.imdb.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:23 PM
My short film that I wrote and directed, Coming Home, is up on IMDb! My first directing credit! Yay!
www.imdb.com/title/tt3785...
www.imdb.com/title/tt3785...
I have an amazing writer/director Jessica Silvetti who has written graphic novels with her husband. This is the 2nd one of the series:
Shockheaded Peter is a fantasy-horror graphic novel think Labyrinth, Nightmare on Elm Street with Tim Burton vibes. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ebk...
Shockheaded Peter is a fantasy-horror graphic novel think Labyrinth, Nightmare on Elm Street with Tim Burton vibes. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ebk...
Shockheaded Peter #1-2 - A Graphic Novel in Three Parts
A girl is troubled by her desire to join the disturbing crusade of a fantastical Stranger - Reimagining the 19th century macabre tale.
www.kickstarter.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I have an amazing writer/director Jessica Silvetti who has written graphic novels with her husband. This is the 2nd one of the series:
Shockheaded Peter is a fantasy-horror graphic novel think Labyrinth, Nightmare on Elm Street with Tim Burton vibes. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ebk...
Shockheaded Peter is a fantasy-horror graphic novel think Labyrinth, Nightmare on Elm Street with Tim Burton vibes. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ebk...
All writers deal with rejection. I love the way he deals with rejection. #writersky #filmsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
‘Stay true to yourself – and fly closer to the sun’: what I’ve learned from 50 years of rejection
As a writer, I have been rejected thousands of times, and it initially led to shock, denial and anger. Then I accepted it. Here’s what you can gain from doing so too
www.theguardian.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:19 PM
All writers deal with rejection. I love the way he deals with rejection. #writersky #filmsky
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Got one script request today. And one place that loved my work but said thanks, but no thanks. Send us your next scripts. Part of this biz right? I guess as long as you're still in the game, you're in the game. Until one day...
a cartoon of a baseball player getting ready to swing at a pitch
Alt: The Simpson's cartoon of a baseball player hitting a homerun
media.tenor.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Got one script request today. And one place that loved my work but said thanks, but no thanks. Send us your next scripts. Part of this biz right? I guess as long as you're still in the game, you're in the game. Until one day...
Went to the SimiFilmFest today and was blown away by AWD block of talented female directors. Great storytelling and filmmaking. Go women! #filmsky
September 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Went to the SimiFilmFest today and was blown away by AWD block of talented female directors. Great storytelling and filmmaking. Go women! #filmsky
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
If you are a California voter be on the lookout for anti Prop 50 mailers like this one. I received one of these and It’s a trick that was created by Charles Munger Jr. and a bunch of others. Munger Jr. has spent $10 Million to defeat Prop 50 aka the Election Rigging Response Act.
Mailers already being sent to California voters against redistricting plan
If you've received mailers urging a "no" vote on California's redistricting response to Texas, you're not alone.
abc7.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:45 AM
If you are a California voter be on the lookout for anti Prop 50 mailers like this one. I received one of these and It’s a trick that was created by Charles Munger Jr. and a bunch of others. Munger Jr. has spent $10 Million to defeat Prop 50 aka the Election Rigging Response Act.
Just some Vermont beauty I saw when I brought my kid back to college for another year and another season of playing college hockey.
August 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Just some Vermont beauty I saw when I brought my kid back to college for another year and another season of playing college hockey.
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
Thanks for reading my #TheGildedAge S3 finale coverage! I’m threading the rest of my previous interviews and features here in chronological order:
August 12, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Thanks for reading my #TheGildedAge S3 finale coverage! I’m threading the rest of my previous interviews and features here in chronological order:
I'm so glad Gilded Age is finally finding its fans. Can't wait for season 4! I've been a fan of this show since the first episode.
Spoilers in this article.
Spoilers in this article.
Go behind the camera of The Gilded Age Season 3 finale with my interview with Director Salli Richardson-Whitfield now on @denofgeek.bsky.social!
www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-gilde...
www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-gilde...
The Gilded Age Season 3 Finale Director Unpacks That Big Romantic Moment
The Gilded Age season 3 executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield discusses the historical context of Peggy and Wiliam's story.
www.denofgeek.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I'm so glad Gilded Age is finally finding its fans. Can't wait for season 4! I've been a fan of this show since the first episode.
Spoilers in this article.
Spoilers in this article.
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
Proof that bullying people for using AI works and we should bully them as hard as possible.
Being seen as too risky due to social fallout for Disney's investors really is the writing on the wall for AI in creative spaces
I don't like praising Disney but this is a genuinely a good call for reasons the investors probably cannot comprehend
I don't like praising Disney but this is a genuinely a good call for reasons the investors probably cannot comprehend
Disney Scrapped Dwayne Johnson Deepfake For ‘Moana’ & AI-Generated Soldier For ‘Tron: Ares’: “Company Couldn’t Risk The Bad Publicity”
Disney scrapped a couple of AI ideas for 'Moana' and 'Tron: Ares' due to the controversy over use of the technology.
deadline.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Proof that bullying people for using AI works and we should bully them as hard as possible.
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
I really hope that folks get off their couch and vote in the midterms in 2026.
We’re facing unprecedented times. When you don’t vote — we end up with POS like this.
This nazi is running for Governor of California.
More info in ALT
Reminder—Today is a good day to check your voter registration
We’re facing unprecedented times. When you don’t vote — we end up with POS like this.
This nazi is running for Governor of California.
More info in ALT
Reminder—Today is a good day to check your voter registration
July 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I really hope that folks get off their couch and vote in the midterms in 2026.
We’re facing unprecedented times. When you don’t vote — we end up with POS like this.
This nazi is running for Governor of California.
More info in ALT
Reminder—Today is a good day to check your voter registration
We’re facing unprecedented times. When you don’t vote — we end up with POS like this.
This nazi is running for Governor of California.
More info in ALT
Reminder—Today is a good day to check your voter registration
Had one type of screenwriting meeting that I thought was like a small project kind of thing that led to the producer saying hey send me THAT script. And he saying if I like this I'm sending to (insert director I admire). Wasn't expecting that at all. Love meetings like that.
#filmsky #scriptsky
#filmsky #scriptsky
July 24, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Had one type of screenwriting meeting that I thought was like a small project kind of thing that led to the producer saying hey send me THAT script. And he saying if I like this I'm sending to (insert director I admire). Wasn't expecting that at all. Love meetings like that.
#filmsky #scriptsky
#filmsky #scriptsky
My son and I saw F1 last night. It was as great as everyone said. Wow that directing and cinematography. I want to do some deep dives on that! Anyone have interviews on that to share?
#filmsky #scriptsky
#filmsky #scriptsky
a man wearing a helmet that says shark ninja on the front
Alt: Brad Pitt wearing a helmet that says shark ninja on the front from the movie F1
media.tenor.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
My son and I saw F1 last night. It was as great as everyone said. Wow that directing and cinematography. I want to do some deep dives on that! Anyone have interviews on that to share?
#filmsky #scriptsky
#filmsky #scriptsky
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
July 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Reposted by Denise Cruz-Castino
🚨Now that the men imprisoned by the Trump admin in El Salvador are free, their stories are coming out; and they are horrific.
One man describes how Salvadoran officials at the prison beat them regularly, stole money from them, and denied them medical care — even painkillers.
One man describes how Salvadoran officials at the prison beat them regularly, stole money from them, and denied them medical care — even painkillers.
July 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
🚨Now that the men imprisoned by the Trump admin in El Salvador are free, their stories are coming out; and they are horrific.
One man describes how Salvadoran officials at the prison beat them regularly, stole money from them, and denied them medical care — even painkillers.
One man describes how Salvadoran officials at the prison beat them regularly, stole money from them, and denied them medical care — even painkillers.
Two amazing and talented people I know are doing a Seed and Spark on their new project. Please check it out and share or donate if you can
seedandspark.com/fund/double-...
seedandspark.com/fund/double-...
Double Take - Film and Storytelling | Seed&Spark
A Deaf detective arrives at the scene of a crime to find he’s already got competition for the case! DOUBLE TAKE is a comedy/mystery explored through a new lens, celebrating the unique physicality of ASL and Deaf culture in a way that asks us to take a second look at everything around us.
seedandspark.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Two amazing and talented people I know are doing a Seed and Spark on their new project. Please check it out and share or donate if you can
seedandspark.com/fund/double-...
seedandspark.com/fund/double-...