Writing a feature film is easy. All you need is one gimmicky logline, as cheap and single-serving-disposable as a coffee pod from the complimentary hotel room K-Cup spinner. Once you stumble upon one of these so-called “high concept” ideas, the script practically writes, sells and produces itself. It’s creative work for stupid babies, as all filmmakers will surely agree–totally unlike, in other words, the act of conceptualizing an entire episodic series, a demonstration of storytelling virtuosity so complex and adult it straddles the border between ancient Euclidean geometry and New Age witchcraft.
Okay, so maybe that’s a little extreme. But for aspiring series creators and showrunners, structuring a workable, potentially long-running television concept requires imagination and problem-solving on both the micro- and macro- levels–a mastery of tone, plot and characterization across variable interlocking units of temporal storytelling: scenes, dramatic acts, full episodes, multi-episode arcs and complete seasons.
Okay, so maybe that’s a little extreme. But for aspiring series creators and showrunners, structuring a workable, potentially long-running television concept requires imagination and problem-solving on both the micro- and macro- levels–a mastery of tone, plot and characterization across variable interlocking units of temporal storytelling: scenes, dramatic acts, full episodes, multi-episode arcs and complete seasons.
- 2/15/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: The second annual Nalip Latino Lens Narrative Short Film Incubator for Women of Color has selected its class of 2022: Holly M. Kaplan, Nicole Otero, Akilah ‘Ak’ Walker, Diana Gonzalez-Morett, Jhanvi Motla, and Frida Perez.
As part of this program, the filmmakers received a $25k grant to produce a new short film. Throughout that process, they were supported by executives at the Nalip and Netflix, who provided creative feedback during development as well as guidance through post-production. The films will showcase at a special screening at Nalip’s Diverse Women in Media Forum on March 30, 2023, in Los Angeles.
“We are grateful to Netflix and the mentorship support provided by individuals that hold a strong place in the industry and constantly elevate the filmmakers’ voices,” Diana Luna, Nalip Executive Director said in a statement. “Writers, Ligiah Villalobos and Stephanie Adams-Santos; Director, Carlos Lopez Estrada: Casting Director, Carla Hool; and fundraising expert,...
As part of this program, the filmmakers received a $25k grant to produce a new short film. Throughout that process, they were supported by executives at the Nalip and Netflix, who provided creative feedback during development as well as guidance through post-production. The films will showcase at a special screening at Nalip’s Diverse Women in Media Forum on March 30, 2023, in Los Angeles.
“We are grateful to Netflix and the mentorship support provided by individuals that hold a strong place in the industry and constantly elevate the filmmakers’ voices,” Diana Luna, Nalip Executive Director said in a statement. “Writers, Ligiah Villalobos and Stephanie Adams-Santos; Director, Carlos Lopez Estrada: Casting Director, Carla Hool; and fundraising expert,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The Sundance Institute has eight new fellows.
The institute revealed today the latest crop of participants for its episodic program, inviting Britt Adams, Gianmarco Giacomelli, Naomi Ko, Ricardo Pérez González, Samantha Clay, Stephanie Adams-Santos, Sylvia Batey Alcalá and Tea Ho to join the six-day immersive program.
The episodic lab brings together fledgling writers with an original series IP that has not yet been produced and offers them the chance to work under the guidance of established showrunners, producers and executives. The 2022 installment begins today and will see the eight fellows workshop their pilot and participate in story meetings, case study screenings, panels and writers’ rooms.
Creative advisors this year include Daniel Chun (The Office), Shalisha Francis (The Wilds), Dara Resnik (The Horror of Dolores Roach), Erica Rivinoja (Clone High) Sanjay Shah (Central Park), April Shih (Fargo), Brandon Sonnier (S.W.A.T.) and Graham Yost (Justified...
The Sundance Institute has eight new fellows.
The institute revealed today the latest crop of participants for its episodic program, inviting Britt Adams, Gianmarco Giacomelli, Naomi Ko, Ricardo Pérez González, Samantha Clay, Stephanie Adams-Santos, Sylvia Batey Alcalá and Tea Ho to join the six-day immersive program.
The episodic lab brings together fledgling writers with an original series IP that has not yet been produced and offers them the chance to work under the guidance of established showrunners, producers and executives. The 2022 installment begins today and will see the eight fellows workshop their pilot and participate in story meetings, case study screenings, panels and writers’ rooms.
Creative advisors this year include Daniel Chun (The Office), Shalisha Francis (The Wilds), Dara Resnik (The Horror of Dolores Roach), Erica Rivinoja (Clone High) Sanjay Shah (Central Park), April Shih (Fargo), Brandon Sonnier (S.W.A.T.) and Graham Yost (Justified...
- 10/28/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Sundance Institute has set the eight Fellows and projects for its 2022 Episodic Program, which will further the development of four live-action dramas, two live-action comedies, one adult animated comedy and one adult animated sci-fi thriller. The participants are Britt Adams (Onyx), Gianmarco Giacomelli (To Kill a Pope), Naomi Ko (The 20-Year Curse), Ricardo Pérez González (Orlando), Samantha Clay (The Growth), Stephanie Adams-Santos (Sad Girl), Sylvia Batey Alcalá (Blue Neptune) and Tea Ho (Oriental Town).
Sundance’s six-day program brings together writers in the early stages of their career with original series IP that has not yet been produced, allowing them to work closely with established showrunners, producers and executives. Starting today and throughout the next week, Fellows will workshop their pilot and participate in one-on-one story meetings, as well as case study screenings, panels and writers’ rooms focusing on their scripts.
Support from the Institute will continue after the Lab,...
Sundance’s six-day program brings together writers in the early stages of their career with original series IP that has not yet been produced, allowing them to work closely with established showrunners, producers and executives. Starting today and throughout the next week, Fellows will workshop their pilot and participate in one-on-one story meetings, as well as case study screenings, panels and writers’ rooms focusing on their scripts.
Support from the Institute will continue after the Lab,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Independent has set the participants and projects for its sixth annual Episodic Lab — an intensive program, designed to provide individualized story and career development for emerging television writers with original pilots. The list includes Christopher Au (Cloak & Data), Miguel Orozco & Boris Rodriguez (East Los Aliens), Terry Dawson (Makeba) Gg Hawkins (Murder Podcast), Sarah Mokh (Room 099), and the duo of Ben Gonzales & Erica Bardin (The Deed).
This year’s Lab will be a two-week virtual program helping to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. Through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives, Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape. A final networking and pitch event will then offer participants the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work to studio and network executives.
This year’s Lab will be a two-week virtual program helping to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. Through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives, Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape. A final networking and pitch event will then offer participants the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work to studio and network executives.
- 9/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Showrunner Tanya Saracho and UCP (a division of Universal Studio Group) have selected 5 inaugural fellows for the Ojalá Ignition Lab: Diana Peralta, Luca Rojas, Melba Silwany, Samantha Renee Cordero, and Stephanie Adams-Santos.
Over the course of 26-weeks—beginning Jan. 11—, each fellow will have the opportunity to tell the story they want to tell and develop an original, polished television pilot script from start to finish, which will be commissioned by UCP.
The fellows will gather virtually on a weekly basis to share and receive constructive feedback on each other’s material, as well as receive support and feedback from Ojalá and UCP executives. They’ll also attend monthly speaker panels to gain industry insight from showrunners and producers. Upon completion of the Lab, fellows will have an amplified professional profile and meaningful industry peers and allies to help cultivate exciting collaborations and opportunities long into the future.
“I...
Over the course of 26-weeks—beginning Jan. 11—, each fellow will have the opportunity to tell the story they want to tell and develop an original, polished television pilot script from start to finish, which will be commissioned by UCP.
The fellows will gather virtually on a weekly basis to share and receive constructive feedback on each other’s material, as well as receive support and feedback from Ojalá and UCP executives. They’ll also attend monthly speaker panels to gain industry insight from showrunners and producers. Upon completion of the Lab, fellows will have an amplified professional profile and meaningful industry peers and allies to help cultivate exciting collaborations and opportunities long into the future.
“I...
- 1/11/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Independent has selected six women from underrepresented communities for its fifth annual Episodic Lab, also naming the recipient of this year’s grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
The writers selected, who will hone their original pilots during their time in the Lab, are Carmen Brie, Marissa Díaz, Razan Ghalayini, Steph Ouaknine, Lisa Sanaye Dring and Anna Vecellio.
Vecellio is also the recipient of the $10,000 Alfred P. Sloan Episodic Grant, and will use these funds to support the development of her pilot, Mary Mallon, uncovering the true story of the Irish-born cook otherwise known as Typhoid Mary.
This year’s Episodic Lab will be a two-week virtual program helping to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans, including showrunners, creative producers and executives, who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. A final networking and pitch event...
The writers selected, who will hone their original pilots during their time in the Lab, are Carmen Brie, Marissa Díaz, Razan Ghalayini, Steph Ouaknine, Lisa Sanaye Dring and Anna Vecellio.
Vecellio is also the recipient of the $10,000 Alfred P. Sloan Episodic Grant, and will use these funds to support the development of her pilot, Mary Mallon, uncovering the true story of the Irish-born cook otherwise known as Typhoid Mary.
This year’s Episodic Lab will be a two-week virtual program helping to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans, including showrunners, creative producers and executives, who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. A final networking and pitch event...
- 8/26/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Vera Miao’s original vision for “Two Sentence Horror Stories,” the episodic anthology series which recently aired its second season on The CW, was an updated take on “The Twilight Zone” that engages with complex sociopolitical issues in the same way Rod Sterling’s iconic horror series did in the ’60s but with more diverse characters and storytellers at its center.
“I didn’t go in and pitch a diverse show, and I don’t think of myself as a diverse person,” Miao said during a panel for the show on Thursday, part of TheWrap’s Emmys Screening Series. “[But] I think that there is real untapped potential frankly in the horror genre because literally just looking at what are the voices and the points of view and the perspective, I think that opens up a landscape of stories.”
Recent episodes include “Ibeji,” which draws on the mythology of the Yoruba...
“I didn’t go in and pitch a diverse show, and I don’t think of myself as a diverse person,” Miao said during a panel for the show on Thursday, part of TheWrap’s Emmys Screening Series. “[But] I think that there is real untapped potential frankly in the horror genre because literally just looking at what are the voices and the points of view and the perspective, I think that opens up a landscape of stories.”
Recent episodes include “Ibeji,” which draws on the mythology of the Yoruba...
- 6/4/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Exclusive: The CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories is adding to its ranks.
Queen Sugar writer and producer Lisa Morales is joining the anthology horror series for its third season as showrunner and exec producer.
Morales (left) joins creator and exec producer Vera Miao and exec producer Liz Levine, who ran season two. This comes as the series, which comes from Warner Bros.’ Stage 13 gears up for its third run after the second season premiered in January.
A number of other creatives are also joining the show, which features an all-female, diverse filmmaking team. Liz Alper, a writer on The Rookie and story editor of Chicago Fire, joins as producer, Stephanie Adams-Santos and Sehaj Sethi are story editors alongside Lekethia Dalcoe, a playwright and actor.
Two Sentence Horror Stories, which is inspired by the viral fan fiction, features a different sub-genre of horror in each episode. Designed to subvert classic...
Queen Sugar writer and producer Lisa Morales is joining the anthology horror series for its third season as showrunner and exec producer.
Morales (left) joins creator and exec producer Vera Miao and exec producer Liz Levine, who ran season two. This comes as the series, which comes from Warner Bros.’ Stage 13 gears up for its third run after the second season premiered in January.
A number of other creatives are also joining the show, which features an all-female, diverse filmmaking team. Liz Alper, a writer on The Rookie and story editor of Chicago Fire, joins as producer, Stephanie Adams-Santos and Sehaj Sethi are story editors alongside Lekethia Dalcoe, a playwright and actor.
Two Sentence Horror Stories, which is inspired by the viral fan fiction, features a different sub-genre of horror in each episode. Designed to subvert classic...
- 3/16/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Back in 2017, executive producer Vera Miao's Two Sentence Horror Stories brought creepy online flash fiction to life on Verizon’s go90 channel, with the short film-styled series coming to CW Seed in 2018. Now, The CW is moving forward with a full-length, half-hour episodes version of the anthology series, with the latest edition of Two Sentence Horror Stories premiering on the network this August.
Featuring eight half-hour episodes, Two Sentence Horror Stories will premiere on The CW with back-to-back installments on Thursday, August 8th. As with the original iteration of Two Sentence Horror Stories, this new version of the show comes from Warner Bros.' Stage 13, with Miao once again returning to executive produce.
We have the press release with more details below, stay tuned to Daily Dead for future updates on Two Sentence Horror Stories, and in case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's previous interview with Miao.
Featuring eight half-hour episodes, Two Sentence Horror Stories will premiere on The CW with back-to-back installments on Thursday, August 8th. As with the original iteration of Two Sentence Horror Stories, this new version of the show comes from Warner Bros.' Stage 13, with Miao once again returning to executive produce.
We have the press release with more details below, stay tuned to Daily Dead for future updates on Two Sentence Horror Stories, and in case you missed it, read Heather Wixson's previous interview with Miao.
- 6/7/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: The CW is adding another original scripted series to its summer lineup, anthology Two Sentence Horror Stories. It marks the 12th original CW series for summer 2019, the most ever for the 13-year-old network, which has been ramping up its commitment to year-round programming.
Set to debut on August 8 at 8 Pm with back-to-back episodes, Two Sentence Horror Stories consists of eight half-hour stand-alone episodes featuring actors Nicole Kang (Batwoman), Jim Parrack (Suicide Squad) and Aleyse Shannon (Charmed), among others.
Created/executive produced by Vera Miao (Best Friends Forever), Two Sentence Horror Stories, from Warner Bros’ digital content studio Stage 13, originated as the five-episode short-form digital series 2Sh, which premiered on go90 in October 2017. The short-form series then launched on CW Seed in October 2018. Following the exposure on its digital platform, the CW became interested in a full-length version to air on the broadcast network.
Two Sentence Horror Stories features contemporary...
Set to debut on August 8 at 8 Pm with back-to-back episodes, Two Sentence Horror Stories consists of eight half-hour stand-alone episodes featuring actors Nicole Kang (Batwoman), Jim Parrack (Suicide Squad) and Aleyse Shannon (Charmed), among others.
Created/executive produced by Vera Miao (Best Friends Forever), Two Sentence Horror Stories, from Warner Bros’ digital content studio Stage 13, originated as the five-episode short-form digital series 2Sh, which premiered on go90 in October 2017. The short-form series then launched on CW Seed in October 2018. Following the exposure on its digital platform, the CW became interested in a full-length version to air on the broadcast network.
Two Sentence Horror Stories features contemporary...
- 6/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Initiative spans nine months of filmmaking, workshops, networking.
Film Independent has selected 30 filmmakers for Project Involve, the body’s diversity mentorship programme whose alumni include Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu, and Dear White People producer Effie T. Brown and director Justin Simien.
The free nine-month-long initiaitve enables participants to bond one-on-one with film industry mentors, create short films, attend workshops, and networking events.
Senior manager of Project Involve Francisco Velasquez said, “It is with renewed vigor and excitement that Film Independent welcomes the 2019 Project Involve Fellows. In 2017, the Project Involve Short Film, Emergency, not only screened at Sundance...
Film Independent has selected 30 filmmakers for Project Involve, the body’s diversity mentorship programme whose alumni include Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu, and Dear White People producer Effie T. Brown and director Justin Simien.
The free nine-month-long initiaitve enables participants to bond one-on-one with film industry mentors, create short films, attend workshops, and networking events.
Senior manager of Project Involve Francisco Velasquez said, “It is with renewed vigor and excitement that Film Independent welcomes the 2019 Project Involve Fellows. In 2017, the Project Involve Short Film, Emergency, not only screened at Sundance...
- 1/15/2019
- by Mark A. Silba
- ScreenDaily
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