Jeannette Lara & Michael J. Beall are a dynamic writing duo known for crafting heartfelt, humorous, and heroic stories about unlikely heroes discovering their true selves. Their work is often inspired by heritage and universal themes of identity and belonging.

Together, Jeannette and Michael have over 80 professional writing credits across top-tier studios, including Duolingo, Tonies, Netflix, Apple TV+, YouTube Originals, Amazon, and many others. They have also developed for Moonbug, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Disney, Sesame Workshop, 3PAS, Grab Bag Entertainment, and Encantos. They recently became Signal Award-Winning Writers, winning both Bronze and Listener’s Choice awards for an episode they wrote on Nickelodeon’s narrative podcast “Backyardigans Guess & Go.” Currently, they are Co-Head Writers on an animated YouTube Digital Series for Mediawan and El Reino Infantil, and writing their first Vertical Series.

They met at a development company and quickly bonded over their mutual love of animation and their unique backgrounds. Jeannette’s global perspective was shaped by her Puerto Rican roots, childhood in Japan, and her educational background as a teacher. Michael’s perspective was shaped by his Mexican-European roots, childhood in Los Angeles, and his background as a percussionist.

Individually, Michael served as Head Writer on The Eggventurers (300M+ views) and as a lyricist, writing the track “The Bronx Is Where It’s At” that premiered on an album with Lin-Manuel Miranda for Alma’s Way. Jeannette’s work spans award-winning series like Alma’s Way and the Emmy-nominated Santiago of the Seas.

As proud Charter Members of Latinx in Animation and Mentors for WIA (Women In Animation) and TAG (The Animation Guild), they are committed to helping reshape the media landscape with stories that reflect the depth and diversity of the real world—and of their own communities, but they’re most proud of their Funcle (Fun Uncle) and Funtie (Fun Auntie) status given to them by their many nieces and nephews.