About
Her scripted television credits range from co-executive producer on the culture-defining first season of Fox's Empire, to writer-producer on the debut seasons of The Rookie: Feds, Prodigal Son, Station 19, Revenge, Nashville, and Justified, honored on the WGA's 101 Best Written TV Series of the last century and recognized with a Peabody Award.
She has received two WGA Best New Series nominations, and is currently developing a new scripted series inspired by DeVon Franklin's It Takes a Woman with CBS Studios for Netflix. After developing over a dozen new series, she always has a fresh story heading to market, from features to television to microdramas.
An honored NYU Tisch alumna.
Born in Dallas, Texas.
Based in Los Angeles, California.
Teaching and Speaking
Vertical · Mobile-FirstTeaching the new cinematic language.
From masterclasses in Europe to keynotes and panels in North America, Wendy teaches creators and executives how to write, produce, and direct for vertical screens.
On stage this fall.
- Film Independent ForumSeptember 26, 2026Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CAReframing the Narrative: Vertical Storytelling
- NY Ad WeekOctober 6, 2026Creativity Stage, Penn Station, NYHollywood, Brands and Platforms' Obsession with Creators
- Austin Film FestivalOctober 28, 2026Austin, TXPanels and judging the Scripted Digital Series competition
Microdramas
Vertical · Mobile-FirstStories in the palm.
Wendy is actively creating, producing, and directing microdramas, short-form, mobile-native series engineered for the way audiences watch original entertainment today.
NAACP Inside the Industry
Empire writer and co-executive producer Wendy Calhoun breaks down what's fueling the rise of vertical content, how audience behaviors are evolving, and how to actually succeed in this space.
Watch on YouTubeBeyond TV — Executive Producing & Directing Vertical Mobile-First Entertainment
Secrets of Vixen
In 2025, Wendy directed Secrets of Vixen, the CandyJar app's first all-Black cast vertical soap, assembling an Atlanta crew of women and people of color in key roles.
The experience ignited a deep dive into vertical filmmaking as an emerging cinematic language.
Missions — Beyond the Writers' Room
Wendy serves on the board of the Geena Davis Institute, mentors through Film Independent's Global Media Makers program, and has spoken at the Clinton Global Initiative, Harvard Medical School, Sundance, and the Austin Film Festival.
- SeriesFest Pitch-a-Thon
- Austin Film Festival — Scripted Digital Series
- Final Draft Big Break Screenplay Competition
Contact
Let's tell a new story.
For representation, press, speaking, and teaching inquiries, reach out below.