The 2022 instalment will see the eight fellows workshop their pilot and participate in story meetings, case study screenings, panels and writers’ rooms.
Sundance Institute has revealed the eight fellows selected for the 2022 Episodic Lab programme.
The eight fellows 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). Of the eight projects, four are live-action dramas, two are live-action comedies, one is an adult animated comedy, and one is an adult animated sci-fi thriller.
The programme brings together writers in the early stage of their careers with an original series IP that has not yet been produced. The Episodic Lab is a six-day immersive experience that allows writers to work closely under the guidance of established showrunners, producers, and executives. Starting today and running for a week, Fellows will workshop their pilot and participate in one-on-one story meetings, case study screenings, panels, and writers’ rooms focusing on their scripts.
The lab is overseen by the Founding Senior Director of Artist Programmes, Michelle Satter, and Episodic Programme Director, Jandiz Estrada Cardoso.
Speaking about the selected fellows, Jandiz Estrada Cardoso said: “This cohort is profoundly honest and devilishly entertaining on the page. Their characters rattle so much emotion out of me, each catapulting into unexpected directions, that beg for a wide audience embrace. The next several days mark a turning point for our Fellows creatively, and it’s an honour to assemble the best collaborators in the business to take up the torch of dedicated support.
Creative Advisors this year include Daniel Chun (Co-Executive Producer: The Office, The Simpsons), Shalisha Francis (Co-Executive Producer: The Wilds), Dara Resnik (Co-Showrunner: The Horror of Dolores Roach), Erica Rivinoja (Showrunner: Clone High; Writer: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) Sanjay Shah (Showrunner: Everybody Still Hates Chris; Co-Showrunner: Central Park), April Shih (Co-Executive Producer: Fargo Season 5), Brandon Sonnier (Co-Executive Producer: S.W.A.T. Season 6; Showrunner: L.A.’s Finest), and Graham Yost(Executive Producer: Wool, Slow Horses, Justified).
Industry Mentors who are participating at the Lab include Alec Strum (Epix), Irene Lee (Netflix), Carrie Gillogly (AMC+), Neil Thomas (MRC Television), Dante Di Loreto (Fremantle), Erika Kinnear (Extracurricular), Candace Rodney (Dreamville), and Kathryn Tyus-Adair (STARZ).
Support from the Institute continues after the Lab, which includes navigating the business, securing representation, staffing, and pitching skills. This upcoming Spring, Sundance will host its second annual Episodic Pitch Parlor in Los Angeles. This industry event is both a launchpad and a celebration to introduce the writers and their Lab projects to key executives in the episodic space.
The Sundance Institute Episodic Programme is made possible by Founding Supporters Lyn and Norman Lear and Cindy Harrell Horn and Alan Horn. Leadership Supporters are AMC+, EPIX, MRC Television, Netflix, The Harry and Florence Sloan Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and STARZ.
