Valerie Mehlschau

Valerie Mehlschau (professional name: Valerie Brandy) is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, filmmaker, and #1 Amazon best-selling author with a dynamic career spanning film, television, and publishing. She most recently served as a staff writer for Walt Disney Studios’ live-action feature division under an exclusive deal, developing original content for Disney+. Her work spans comedy and drama for major studios and networks including Warner Bros., FX, Universal, and Disney Channel, and has been recognized by the Academy’s prestigious Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.
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Brandy wrote, directed, and starred in the award-winning indie feature Lola’s Last Letter, which was distributed by Sony’s The Orchard after a celebrated festival run. Shot in the mobile home park where she grew up, the film has since become a cult favorite within the mumblecore movement. Her second feature, A Unified Theory of Love, starring Richard Karn (Home Improvement) and Eric Isenhower (Parks & Recreation), recently completed post-production and is slated for release.
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Valerie began her career at age 20 after selling a spec script, making her one of the youngest members ever inducted into the Writers Guild of America (WGA). As an actress, she appeared as “Trixie” in the Emmy-winning FX drama Justified, performing opposite Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump). Her performance in the indie film space earned her a Best Principal Actress nomination from LA Film Review, and The Huffington Post praised her directorial voice as “unflinching.” Her screenplays have been honored by the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and the International Screenwriter's Association.
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In addition to her film and television work, Brandy is the co-founder of Emerald Lion Press, where she writes and publishes original mystery and thriller novels. Her books have sold over 10,000 copies worldwide, received five-star acclaim from Indies Today, and consistently rank among Amazon’s bestsellers.
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Valerie is a proud member of the WGA (where she serves as a Feature Captain), SAG-AFTRA, and the Alliance of Women Directors. She earned her B.A. from UCLA as an Alumni Scholar and holds an M.F.A. in Film & Television Production from Asbury University.