Greek non-profit creative incubator Oxbelly has revealed the participants of its 2023 retreat for writers in episodic, fiction and poetry.
Founded by producer and Faliro House founder Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Oxbelly is known for its screenwriters and directors labs — which run under the artistic direction of Athina Rachel Tsangari — and draws a number of international filmmakers every summer to Greece. Past participating mentors include Maren Ade, Michael Almereyda, Paul Thomas Anderson, Willem Dafoe, Dee Rees and Lulu Wang.
Advisors for the 2023 program include Barry Jenkins, Rebecca Makkai, Nadifa Mohamed, Sue Naegle, Fiammetta Rocco, Anuradha Roy, Vera Santamaria, Anna Winger, Jörg Winger, Lulu Wang, Graham Yost and Tsangari.
The 2023 writers retreat, which took place in June, was led by program director Chigozie Obioma. The episodic program supported writers interested in entering a career in television by unpacking the many facets of the role of television writer through sessions that included a series of simulated writers room exercises,...
Founded by producer and Faliro House founder Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Oxbelly is known for its screenwriters and directors labs — which run under the artistic direction of Athina Rachel Tsangari — and draws a number of international filmmakers every summer to Greece. Past participating mentors include Maren Ade, Michael Almereyda, Paul Thomas Anderson, Willem Dafoe, Dee Rees and Lulu Wang.
Advisors for the 2023 program include Barry Jenkins, Rebecca Makkai, Nadifa Mohamed, Sue Naegle, Fiammetta Rocco, Anuradha Roy, Vera Santamaria, Anna Winger, Jörg Winger, Lulu Wang, Graham Yost and Tsangari.
The 2023 writers retreat, which took place in June, was led by program director Chigozie Obioma. The episodic program supported writers interested in entering a career in television by unpacking the many facets of the role of television writer through sessions that included a series of simulated writers room exercises,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Senior television literary agent Melissa Orton-Cortez, most recently from CAA, has joined Adventure Media as a manager and partner alongside founding partners Chris von Goetz, James Robins Early and Aaliyah Williams.
This marks a reunion for Orton-Cortez and fellow former lit agents-turned-managers von Goetz and Robins Early who worked together for a decade at ICM Partners prior to the agency’s acquisition by CAA last year when von Goetz and Robins Early left and teamed with Williams to launch Adventure.
Meanwhile, Orton-Cortez transitioned to CAA where she had been for the past year. She was the highest profile departure in the recent round of layoffs at the agency, and a number of companies pursued her over the last couple of weeks. She opted to go with Adventure.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Adventure with my dear friends and colleagues,” Orton-Cortez said. “For the last year, I’ve...
This marks a reunion for Orton-Cortez and fellow former lit agents-turned-managers von Goetz and Robins Early who worked together for a decade at ICM Partners prior to the agency’s acquisition by CAA last year when von Goetz and Robins Early left and teamed with Williams to launch Adventure.
Meanwhile, Orton-Cortez transitioned to CAA where she had been for the past year. She was the highest profile departure in the recent round of layoffs at the agency, and a number of companies pursued her over the last couple of weeks. She opted to go with Adventure.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Adventure with my dear friends and colleagues,” Orton-Cortez said. “For the last year, I’ve...
- 8/28/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Conrad Ricamora (How To Get Away With Murder), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (The Other Two) and Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam) are set as series regulars opposite Natasha Rothwell in How To Die Alone, an original comedy from Onyx Collective for Hulu. Additionally, Bashir Salahuddin (South Side) will recur in the eight-episode series, which is written, starring and co-showrun by Rothwell via her overall deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective.
How to Die Alone follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100% that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Ricamora will play Rory. Self-involved, boy-crazy, love-starved Rory is Mel’s well-meaning best friend. Rory loves to have a good time at all costs and is blind to his...
How to Die Alone follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100% that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Ricamora will play Rory. Self-involved, boy-crazy, love-starved Rory is Mel’s well-meaning best friend. Rory loves to have a good time at all costs and is blind to his...
- 2/23/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Patrick Duffy is returning to The Bold and the Beautiful for a meet-the-girlfriend family reunion.
Beginning with the CBS soap’s Nov. 23 episode, Duffy will reprise his role as Logan family patriarch Stephen Logan, which he played from 2006-2011. Dad will pay a surprise visit to his daughters Brooke, Donna and Katie when he introduces them to his new girlfriend Lucy (portrayed by Duffy’s real-life-love, The Office alumna Linda Purl). “Stephen soon learns of Brooke and Ridge’s marital issues and offers his support,” per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineWhere Was La Brea Security? Did Andor Make You B2Emotional?...
Beginning with the CBS soap’s Nov. 23 episode, Duffy will reprise his role as Logan family patriarch Stephen Logan, which he played from 2006-2011. Dad will pay a surprise visit to his daughters Brooke, Donna and Katie when he introduces them to his new girlfriend Lucy (portrayed by Duffy’s real-life-love, The Office alumna Linda Purl). “Stephen soon learns of Brooke and Ridge’s marital issues and offers his support,” per the official synopsis.
More from TVLineWhere Was La Brea Security? Did Andor Make You B2Emotional?...
- 11/18/2022
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
The White Lotus and Insecure star Natasha Rothwell is set to star in and co-showrun her own series on Hulu, as Onyx Collective has announced they have greenlit her comedy series, How to Die Alone. According to the streamer, How to Die Alone will follow Melissa, “a fat, black, neurotic woman who has never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming ‘100 percent that bitch’ in real life by any means necessary.” (Credit: Merie W. Wallace/HBO) The show has a straight-to-series order, and the first season will have an eight-episode run. Vera Santamaria, who previously produced on another Hulu show, PEN15, is set to co-showrun the series. Rothwell has an overall deal with both Onyx Collective and ABC Signature, and this will be their first project together. Onyx Collective...
- 11/18/2022
- TV Insider
Natasha Rothwell will write, star in, executive produce and co-showrun a Hulu Original comedy for Onyx Collective called “How to Die Alone,” which just received an eight-episode order from the Disney General Entertainment content brand.
The “Insecure” alumna will serve as co-showrunner and EP along with Emmy nominee Vera Santamaria. “How to Die Alone,” which is a product of her deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective, will be produced under her banner, Big Hattie Productions. Desiree Akhavan (“The Bisexual”) also serves as executive producer.
Also Read:
‘Bel-Air’ Season 2 Teaser: Will Sets Out to Make His Own Decisions (Video)
Per the series’ logline, “‘How to Die Alone’ follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, black, neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming ‘100 that bitch’ in real life by any means necessary.
The “Insecure” alumna will serve as co-showrunner and EP along with Emmy nominee Vera Santamaria. “How to Die Alone,” which is a product of her deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective, will be produced under her banner, Big Hattie Productions. Desiree Akhavan (“The Bisexual”) also serves as executive producer.
Also Read:
‘Bel-Air’ Season 2 Teaser: Will Sets Out to Make His Own Decisions (Video)
Per the series’ logline, “‘How to Die Alone’ follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, black, neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming ‘100 that bitch’ in real life by any means necessary.
- 11/17/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Onyx Collective has greenlit “How to Die Alone,” a half-hour Hulu comedy series written by and starring Natasha Rothwell.
The eight-episode series follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100 that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Vera Santamaria co-showruns “How to Die Alone” with Rothwell, and both serve as executive producers along with Desiree Akhavan. The project comes from Rothwell’s overall deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective via her Big Hattie Productions banner.
Rothwell is best known for starring as Issa’s (Issa Rae) close friend Kelli in HBO’s “Insecure,” on which she also served as a writer and made her directorial debut. Recently, she played Belinda in Season 1 of HBO’s “The White Lotus,...
The eight-episode series follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming “100 that bitch” in real life by any means necessary.
Vera Santamaria co-showruns “How to Die Alone” with Rothwell, and both serve as executive producers along with Desiree Akhavan. The project comes from Rothwell’s overall deal with ABC Signature and Onyx Collective via her Big Hattie Productions banner.
Rothwell is best known for starring as Issa’s (Issa Rae) close friend Kelli in HBO’s “Insecure,” on which she also served as a writer and made her directorial debut. Recently, she played Belinda in Season 1 of HBO’s “The White Lotus,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Natasha Rothwell has landed her first major series after striking a rich pact with Disney.
Her comedy How to Die Alone, which she will write, star in and co-showrun, has scored a series order from Onyx Collective and will air on Hulu.
Related: 2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
It comes after The White Lotus star signed an overall deal last year under her banner Big Hattie Productions with ABC Signature, which produces the series for Onyx.
Related Story Hulu Orders Eight-Episode Limited Series 'Under The Bridge' Related Story 'La Máquina': Lucía Méndez and Jorge Perugorría Join Hulu Limited Series; Karina Gidi, Raul Briones, and Luis Gnecco To Recur Related Story 'We Were The Lucky Ones': Robin Weigert, Lior Ashkenazi Join Hulu Limited Series
The eight-part, half-hour series follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for...
Her comedy How to Die Alone, which she will write, star in and co-showrun, has scored a series order from Onyx Collective and will air on Hulu.
Related: 2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
It comes after The White Lotus star signed an overall deal last year under her banner Big Hattie Productions with ABC Signature, which produces the series for Onyx.
Related Story Hulu Orders Eight-Episode Limited Series 'Under The Bridge' Related Story 'La Máquina': Lucía Méndez and Jorge Perugorría Join Hulu Limited Series; Karina Gidi, Raul Briones, and Luis Gnecco To Recur Related Story 'We Were The Lucky Ones': Robin Weigert, Lior Ashkenazi Join Hulu Limited Series
The eight-part, half-hour series follows Melissa (Rothwell), a fat, Black neurotic who’s never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for...
- 11/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Natasha Rothwell is striking out on her own.
The Insecure and White Lotus alum will star in, write and co-showrun How to Die Alone, a comedy that has been ordered straight to series at Hulu. The project hails from Onyx Collective, the Tara Duncan-led studio focused on underrepresented voices, and ABC Signature and stems from an overall deal with both that Rothwell signed earlier this year.
Hulu and Onyx say How to Die Alone will follow Melissa (Rothwell), “a fat, black, neurotic woman who has never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming ‘100 percent that bitch’ in real life by any means necessary.”
Rothwell and Vera Santamaria (Hulu’s Pen15) serve as co-showrunners on How to Die Alone. Both will exec...
Natasha Rothwell is striking out on her own.
The Insecure and White Lotus alum will star in, write and co-showrun How to Die Alone, a comedy that has been ordered straight to series at Hulu. The project hails from Onyx Collective, the Tara Duncan-led studio focused on underrepresented voices, and ABC Signature and stems from an overall deal with both that Rothwell signed earlier this year.
Hulu and Onyx say How to Die Alone will follow Melissa (Rothwell), “a fat, black, neurotic woman who has never been in love. After a comical brush with death, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life she wants, catapulting her on a journey to becoming ‘100 percent that bitch’ in real life by any means necessary.”
Rothwell and Vera Santamaria (Hulu’s Pen15) serve as co-showrunners on How to Die Alone. Both will exec...
- 11/17/2022
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Two years after the shocking cancellation of “Glow,” showrunners Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch have returned for another show about the struggles women face every day — “Roar.” The Apple TV+ anthology series tells a new story with each episode, centering on a woman or girl as she deals with societal expectations, often with a dark twist of magical realism. The stories of “Roar” come from Cecelia Ahern‘s short story collection of the same name, to which both Flahive and Mensch found themselves drawn. “The thing that really drew us in were just how sticky the ideas and images were,” says Flahive in an exclusive new interview for Gold Derby. Watch the video chat above.
Mensch reveals that the first of Ahern’s stories that stood out to them was “The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin,” a tale of a working mother who grapples with the sudden...
Mensch reveals that the first of Ahern’s stories that stood out to them was “The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin,” a tale of a working mother who grapples with the sudden...
- 5/25/2022
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Roar is what happens when a group of five-star chefs combine their talents, roll up their sleeves, and wind up making a garbage plate. All the ingredients are there, and all the skill, but it somehow adds up to a muddled creation that’s less than the sum of its parts.
The Apple TV+ anthology series (all eight episodes streaming now) is essentially a collection of modern fairy tales about female empowerment, based a 2018 short story collection by Irish author Cecelia Ahern. The episodes open with bright typographic title cards...
The Apple TV+ anthology series (all eight episodes streaming now) is essentially a collection of modern fairy tales about female empowerment, based a 2018 short story collection by Irish author Cecelia Ahern. The episodes open with bright typographic title cards...
- 4/22/2022
- by Jenna Scherer
- Rollingstone.com
[Editor’s Note: The following interview contains light spoilers for “Roar” Season 1. All eight episodes are available now on Apple TV+.]
Fables, by definition, provide a moral lesson, but that doesn’t mean the characters within each fanciful, fictitious story have to recognize the message themselves. A protagonist’s poor choices may lead to comeuppance, or their awakening may arrive too late. Their fate is meant to inform and instruct the reader, rather than simply make them feel safe and secure.
In other words, fables aren’t fairy tales, and “Roar” recognizes the difference. The eight-episode Apple TV+ series is adapted from Cecelia Ahern’s 2018 collection of shorts. A number of episodes — all fables — are steeped in relatable misfortune. The woman who solved her own murder doesn’t get her life back. The woman who disappeared doesn’t find a magic patch for racist blind spots. But in the hands of “Glow” creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, “Roar” imbues...
Fables, by definition, provide a moral lesson, but that doesn’t mean the characters within each fanciful, fictitious story have to recognize the message themselves. A protagonist’s poor choices may lead to comeuppance, or their awakening may arrive too late. Their fate is meant to inform and instruct the reader, rather than simply make them feel safe and secure.
In other words, fables aren’t fairy tales, and “Roar” recognizes the difference. The eight-episode Apple TV+ series is adapted from Cecelia Ahern’s 2018 collection of shorts. A number of episodes — all fables — are steeped in relatable misfortune. The woman who solved her own murder doesn’t get her life back. The woman who disappeared doesn’t find a magic patch for racist blind spots. But in the hands of “Glow” creators Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, “Roar” imbues...
- 4/15/2022
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The worst part of “Roar” is also its most consistent. While every episode of Apple’s new anthology show tackles an entirely different story with a different cast to match, they each open with a neon graphic of a woman’s mouth screaming out of a blooming flower. With this image, “Roar” underlines its logline as a feminist scream of a series that, as based on Ceceila Ahern’s book of short stories, explores “what it means to be a woman today.” Watching its trailer, which leans heavily on wackier moments like Nicole Kidman shoving photographs down her throat, you’d be excused for assuming it’s an exaggerated comedy of girlboss errors. Watching the actual show, though, makes for a bit of a more scattered experience.
From Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, “Roar” tells eight stories of eight women whose dissatisfaction with their situations — whether rooted in shame, guilt,...
From Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, “Roar” tells eight stories of eight women whose dissatisfaction with their situations — whether rooted in shame, guilt,...
- 4/11/2022
- by Caroline Framke
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sundance Institute has announced the 21 fellows and 18 projects they have selected for their first-ever, multi-track Episodic Lab, which is being held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fellows chosen include Justin Calen-Chenn (The Cavi), Lauren Glover (A Dignified Death), Andrew Lopez (Emotional), Jessie Barr and Lena Hudson (Fantasia for You), Elissa Blount Moorhead and Ericka Blount Danois (fiftyTWO), Stacy F. McDonald (Gone But Not Forgotten), Zach Gonzalez-Landis (The Great Impasta), Mansoor Adayfi and Antonio Aiello, Yvonne Hana Yi (Hannah with the Dogs), Carly Woodworth (Lasting), Jackie Katzman (Loons), Terrance Daye (Mandingo), Jess dela Merced (On Soul), Shirin Najafi (Regulars), Johnny Alvarez (Somewhere Else), Rom Lotan (Tehran Disco), Melody Cooper (Those Who Kill) and Nicole Saad (Tinderbox).
The 2021 Lab, hosted on Sundance Collab, has been designed as an immersive two-part experience. Fellows were divided into either the “Idea to Pilot Track,” in which they developed an...
Fellows chosen include Justin Calen-Chenn (The Cavi), Lauren Glover (A Dignified Death), Andrew Lopez (Emotional), Jessie Barr and Lena Hudson (Fantasia for You), Elissa Blount Moorhead and Ericka Blount Danois (fiftyTWO), Stacy F. McDonald (Gone But Not Forgotten), Zach Gonzalez-Landis (The Great Impasta), Mansoor Adayfi and Antonio Aiello, Yvonne Hana Yi (Hannah with the Dogs), Carly Woodworth (Lasting), Jackie Katzman (Loons), Terrance Daye (Mandingo), Jess dela Merced (On Soul), Shirin Najafi (Regulars), Johnny Alvarez (Somewhere Else), Rom Lotan (Tehran Disco), Melody Cooper (Those Who Kill) and Nicole Saad (Tinderbox).
The 2021 Lab, hosted on Sundance Collab, has been designed as an immersive two-part experience. Fellows were divided into either the “Idea to Pilot Track,” in which they developed an...
- 5/14/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mentorship Matters, an initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for emerging writers of color, has been officially unveiled, along with the participants in its inaugural 2021-22 cycle.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
Developed by executive producers/showrunners, including Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Raelle Tucker, Gianna Sobol (Counterpart) and Melinda Hsu Taylor with sponsorship by AMC Networks, Amazon, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the year-long mentorship program provides consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. The first set of pairings will connect 23 leading showrunners with promising mentees to foster growth and build invaluable industry contacts.
The program includes meeting at least monthly in addition to offering guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample, panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals, and opportunities to meet agents, managers, and executives.
Mentees were selected from over 1,200 applicants throughout the U.S., with varying experiences and backgrounds.
- 4/29/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Before the Indie Spirits, before the Oscars, there are the guilds, and as Hollywood inches its way through a protracted awards season, it’s up to each voting body to dole out their own accolades. On Sunday night, it was time for the writers to shine, as the Writers Guild of America presented their awards for film, television, news, and more, all voted on by fellow writers. For writers, by writers!
As IndieWire’s own Anne Thompson has noted, the WGA’s film nominees are less predictive than an indication of what’s losing and gaining heat, from the missing early 2020 releases “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” “The King of Staten Island,” and “Da 5 Bloods,” to such surging movies as “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Sound of Metal,” and “Promising Young Woman,” all of which recently earned Best Picture nods from the Academy.
At the Sunday night event, Emerald Fennell...
As IndieWire’s own Anne Thompson has noted, the WGA’s film nominees are less predictive than an indication of what’s losing and gaining heat, from the missing early 2020 releases “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” “The King of Staten Island,” and “Da 5 Bloods,” to such surging movies as “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Sound of Metal,” and “Promising Young Woman,” all of which recently earned Best Picture nods from the Academy.
At the Sunday night event, Emerald Fennell...
- 3/21/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The Writers Guild of America Awards were handed during a virtual ceremony on Sunday, March 21. But don’t base your Oscar predictions on these kudos. Every year a slew of Oscar-nominated scripts are deemed ineligible for consideration here due to guild guidelines. Indeed, over the past 12 years only 80 of the Writers Guild of America Awards nominees have numbered among the 120 screenplays that reaped Academy Awards bids. Scroll down for the 2021 Writers Guild of America Awards winners list.
Our odds predict that “Nomadland” will win Best Adapted Screenplay winner at the Oscars but it was not allowed to compete at the WGA Awards. Neither was another Oscar contender in that category: “The Father.” The guild did match the academy three-for-five in this category, with “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “One Night in Miami” and “The White Tiger” competing at both. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “News of the World” round out the guild nominees.
Our odds predict that “Nomadland” will win Best Adapted Screenplay winner at the Oscars but it was not allowed to compete at the WGA Awards. Neither was another Oscar contender in that category: “The Father.” The guild did match the academy three-for-five in this category, with “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “One Night in Miami” and “The White Tiger” competing at both. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “News of the World” round out the guild nominees.
- 3/21/2021
- by Zach Laws and Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Salon is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to elevating South Asian talent in the entertainment industry and to do that, they have selected the participants for the inaugural Salon Mentorship Program. Led by Disney’s Reena Singh, Hillman Grad’s Rishi Rajani, Writ Large manager Bash Naran, actor/comedian Nik Dodani (Atypical), and actor/producer Vinny Chhibber (The Red Line), the program has revealed its 23 mentors and mentees.
The individuals participating in The Salon Mentorship Program were selected from a nationwide pool of over 850 candidates recruited through an open application. After a thorough review and interview process, the finalists were paired with a mentor in one of five tracks: writing, acting, producing, directing, or executive leadership. The mentees will work closely with their respective mentors over the course of one year to identify areas of growth, discuss strategy, and expand opportunities. Mentees will also have exclusive access...
The individuals participating in The Salon Mentorship Program were selected from a nationwide pool of over 850 candidates recruited through an open application. After a thorough review and interview process, the finalists were paired with a mentor in one of five tracks: writing, acting, producing, directing, or executive leadership. The mentees will work closely with their respective mentors over the course of one year to identify areas of growth, discuss strategy, and expand opportunities. Mentees will also have exclusive access...
- 3/10/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America announced their WGA Awards TV nominations for on Wednesday, February 3. After getting just one bid from the Golden Globes earlier in the day, AMC’s “Better Call Saul” rebounded to top all shows with five nominations including for Drama Series along with Amazon Studios’ “The Boys,” Disney +’s “The Mandalorian” and Netflix’s “The Crown” and “Ozark.”
Hulu lands two shows in contention for Comedy Series with “The Great” and “PEN15,” making the streaming service the only company to score multiple nominees in the category. They are joined by HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Another notable feat belongs to “The Simpsons,” which dominates the animation category with four of the six nominations. Despite premiering over 30 years ago, the Fox series shows no signs of writer’s fatigue. “Bob’s Burgers” and “BoJack Horseman...
Hulu lands two shows in contention for Comedy Series with “The Great” and “PEN15,” making the streaming service the only company to score multiple nominees in the category. They are joined by HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Another notable feat belongs to “The Simpsons,” which dominates the animation category with four of the six nominations. Despite premiering over 30 years ago, the Fox series shows no signs of writer’s fatigue. “Bob’s Burgers” and “BoJack Horseman...
- 2/4/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The WGA on Wednesday unveiled nominations for its 2021 WGA Awards in the categories of TV, new media, news, radio/audio and promotional writing during 2020. Winners will be honored March 21 in a virtual ceremony.
AMC’s Better Call Saul topped all shows with five nominations including for Drama Series, joining a list that includes Amazon Studios’ The Boys, Netflix’s The Crown (which led the way on the TV side at the Golden Globe nominations earlier today) and Ozark and Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
Also making noise today is Hulu, the only other company to have multiple noms in the top categories; it scored in Comedy with Tony McNamara’s The Great and Pen15 and FX on Hulu’s What We Do in the Shadows, which are joined in the race by HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso.
Lasso is also nominated in the New Series,...
AMC’s Better Call Saul topped all shows with five nominations including for Drama Series, joining a list that includes Amazon Studios’ The Boys, Netflix’s The Crown (which led the way on the TV side at the Golden Globe nominations earlier today) and Ozark and Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
Also making noise today is Hulu, the only other company to have multiple noms in the top categories; it scored in Comedy with Tony McNamara’s The Great and Pen15 and FX on Hulu’s What We Do in the Shadows, which are joined in the race by HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso.
Lasso is also nominated in the New Series,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominations for the 2021 Writers Guild Award TV categories were announced on Wednesday, with streaming series dominating the lineup.
Both the drama series and the comedy series categories were majority streaming, with hits like “The Queen’s Gambit,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Crown” and “Ozark” sitting alongside fan-favorites like “PEN15,” “The Great” and “Ted Lasso.” Other nominees included HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and Showtime’s “Good Lord Bird.
“Better Call Saul” also landed three additional nominations for individual episodes, with “Ozark” picking up another. “The Great” and “Ted Lasso” both picked up nomination for individual episodes as well as for Best New Series.
Comedy and variety nominees included Peacock’s fledgling late-night show, “The Amber Ruffin Show,” Amazon’s “Yearly Departed,” the one-off “30 Rock” reunion special and Stephen Colbert’s 2020 election coverage on Showtime.
Nominations in the film categories will be announced later this month,...
Both the drama series and the comedy series categories were majority streaming, with hits like “The Queen’s Gambit,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Crown” and “Ozark” sitting alongside fan-favorites like “PEN15,” “The Great” and “Ted Lasso.” Other nominees included HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and Showtime’s “Good Lord Bird.
“Better Call Saul” also landed three additional nominations for individual episodes, with “Ozark” picking up another. “The Great” and “Ted Lasso” both picked up nomination for individual episodes as well as for Best New Series.
Comedy and variety nominees included Peacock’s fledgling late-night show, “The Amber Ruffin Show,” Amazon’s “Yearly Departed,” the one-off “30 Rock” reunion special and Stephen Colbert’s 2020 election coverage on Showtime.
Nominations in the film categories will be announced later this month,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
“Better Call Saul” are among the top nominees for this year’s Writers Guild Awards, landing a nod for best drama series, as well as three nominations in the episodic drama category. “The Simpsons” landed four nominations in best animation, while newcomers “Ted Lasso” and “The Great” both scored nominations in best comedy, new series and episodic comedy. Winners will be honored at a joint 2021 Writers Guild Awards virtual ceremony on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Here’s the complete list of nominations, announced on Wednesday morning:
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul,” Written by Ann Cherkis, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Ariel Levine, Heather Marion, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock; AMC
“The Boys,” Written by Eric Kripke, Ellie Monahan, Anslem Richardson, Craig Rosenberg, Michael Saltzman, Rebecca Sonnenshine; Amazon Prime Video
“The Crown,” Written by Peter Morgan, Jonathan Wilson; Netflix
“The Mandalorian,” Written by Rick Famuyiwa, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni; Disney Plus
“Ozark,” Written by Laura Deeley,...
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul,” Written by Ann Cherkis, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Ariel Levine, Heather Marion, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock; AMC
“The Boys,” Written by Eric Kripke, Ellie Monahan, Anslem Richardson, Craig Rosenberg, Michael Saltzman, Rebecca Sonnenshine; Amazon Prime Video
“The Crown,” Written by Peter Morgan, Jonathan Wilson; Netflix
“The Mandalorian,” Written by Rick Famuyiwa, Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni; Disney Plus
“Ozark,” Written by Laura Deeley,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Schitt’s Creek has become the show to emulate when it comes to Canadian producers looking to find success outside of the Great White North.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
- 9/18/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
CBS has put in development Something to Celebrate, a family comedy based on the Spanish format, from BoJack Horseman co-executive producer Vera Santamaria and Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s Brownstone Productions. Written by Santamaria, Something to Celebrate is a family comedy where each episode is loosely centered on a specific celebration and/or gathering. Santamaria, Banks and Handelman executive produce. Warner Bros. TV, where Brownstone has a deal, is the…...
- 11/9/2016
- Deadline TV
Playing House, Season 2, Episodes 7 and 8, “Officer of the Year” and “Celebrate Me Scones”
Written by Vera Santamaria (“Officer of the Year”), Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Celebrate Me Scones”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
Playing House ends its season with two of its strongest episodes to date, the warmly romantic “Officer of the Year” and the cameo-filled “Celebrate Me Scones,” hinting at what a season three might look like if the show gets renewed. “Officer of the Year” is Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham leaning hard into their love of romantic comedies, as Mark and Emma finally admit their feelings for one another at the policeman’s ball. “Celebrate Me Scones” is a buddy comedy of errors, as Maggie, Zach, and Emma attempt to sneak into a Kenny Loggins concert after they are unable to buy tickets. In the show’s timeline,...
Written by Vera Santamaria (“Officer of the Year”), Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Celebrate Me Scones”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
Playing House ends its season with two of its strongest episodes to date, the warmly romantic “Officer of the Year” and the cameo-filled “Celebrate Me Scones,” hinting at what a season three might look like if the show gets renewed. “Officer of the Year” is Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham leaning hard into their love of romantic comedies, as Mark and Emma finally admit their feelings for one another at the policeman’s ball. “Celebrate Me Scones” is a buddy comedy of errors, as Maggie, Zach, and Emma attempt to sneak into a Kenny Loggins concert after they are unable to buy tickets. In the show’s timeline,...
- 9/9/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Playing House, Season 2, Episode 4, “Knotty Pine”
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Knotty Pine,” the fourth episode of Playing House, marks the mid-point for the season and is the show’s finest installment, deftly moving between comedy and drama to deliver the best of both genres. The episode showcases the blossoming friendship between Tina, Maggie, and Emma, as they go on shopping dates and attend all-female woodworking classes. While the women’s friendship grows closer, Mark and Tina continue to drift apart. “Knotty Pine” culminates with an emotional conversation between Tina and Mark about the future of their relationship, a powerfully broken moment for a comedy, but one that feels completely at home in the world of Playing House.
While Playing House is a comedy, it is unlike other shows that pack a dense number of rapid-fire jokes into every scene.
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Knotty Pine,” the fourth episode of Playing House, marks the mid-point for the season and is the show’s finest installment, deftly moving between comedy and drama to deliver the best of both genres. The episode showcases the blossoming friendship between Tina, Maggie, and Emma, as they go on shopping dates and attend all-female woodworking classes. While the women’s friendship grows closer, Mark and Tina continue to drift apart. “Knotty Pine” culminates with an emotional conversation between Tina and Mark about the future of their relationship, a powerfully broken moment for a comedy, but one that feels completely at home in the world of Playing House.
While Playing House is a comedy, it is unlike other shows that pack a dense number of rapid-fire jokes into every scene.
- 8/19/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Community, Season 3, Episode 11, “Urban Matrimony and Sandwich Arts”
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Kyle Newacheck
Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC
So, Community’s back. Maybe not with the high concept episode with meta-commentary on its absence fans were hoping for but a solid half-hour none the less. Community has always been an uneven show, tending to balance its crazier episodes with more down to earth spins on general sitcom tropes. When it comes to the former, even when it misses its worth watching just for the level of sheer tenacity on display and when it hits there is no better show on television (see “Critical Film Studies”). As for the latter, well, it seems that for every “Mixology Certification” we get two like the one where Chang moves in with Jeff. “Urban Matrimony and Sandwich Arts” is definitely one of the stronger “sitcommy” episodes the show has aired.
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Kyle Newacheck
Airs Thursdays at 8pm Et on NBC
So, Community’s back. Maybe not with the high concept episode with meta-commentary on its absence fans were hoping for but a solid half-hour none the less. Community has always been an uneven show, tending to balance its crazier episodes with more down to earth spins on general sitcom tropes. When it comes to the former, even when it misses its worth watching just for the level of sheer tenacity on display and when it hits there is no better show on television (see “Critical Film Studies”). As for the latter, well, it seems that for every “Mixology Certification” we get two like the one where Chang moves in with Jeff. “Urban Matrimony and Sandwich Arts” is definitely one of the stronger “sitcommy” episodes the show has aired.
- 3/16/2012
- by Justin Wier
- SoundOnSight
The Writers Guild of Canada (Wgc) just announced the finalists for the Wgc Screenwriting Awards. Those finalists come from the industry of television, filmmaking and web series. Besides, comedian Debra Digiovanni will host the 14th Annual Wgc Screenwriting Awards on April 19, 2010.
So, the finalists are...
Animation:
* Grossology - "New Recruits." Written by Richard Clark.
* Total Drama Action - "Crouching Courtney, Hidden Owen." Written by Alex Ganetakos.
* League of Super Evil - “Glory Hog." Written by Philippe Ivanusic-Vallee and Davila LeBlanc
* Total Drama Action - "The Sand Witch Project." Written by Shelley Scarrow.
Children & Preschool
* Max and Ruby - "Max Says Goodbye." Written by Kate Barris.
* Max and Ruby - "Ruby's Good Neighbor Report." Written by Shelley Hoffman & Robert Pincombe.
* Zigby - "Zigby's Collection." Written by Louise Moon
Documentary:
* Malls R Us (Feature Version). Written by Helene Klodawsky.
* The Royal Winnipeg Ballet - 40 Years of One Night Stands. Narration Written by Robert Lower.
So, the finalists are...
Animation:
* Grossology - "New Recruits." Written by Richard Clark.
* Total Drama Action - "Crouching Courtney, Hidden Owen." Written by Alex Ganetakos.
* League of Super Evil - “Glory Hog." Written by Philippe Ivanusic-Vallee and Davila LeBlanc
* Total Drama Action - "The Sand Witch Project." Written by Shelley Scarrow.
Children & Preschool
* Max and Ruby - "Max Says Goodbye." Written by Kate Barris.
* Max and Ruby - "Ruby's Good Neighbor Report." Written by Shelley Hoffman & Robert Pincombe.
* Zigby - "Zigby's Collection." Written by Louise Moon
Documentary:
* Malls R Us (Feature Version). Written by Helene Klodawsky.
* The Royal Winnipeg Ballet - 40 Years of One Night Stands. Narration Written by Robert Lower.
- 3/11/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
YTV (Canada) picks up Heroic Film Company's new tween-targeted live-action comedy, How to be Indie. Slated to begin production this fall, How to be Indie will debut on YTV in fall 2009. Created by writer Vera Santamaria (Little Mosque on the Prairie, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star etc.) and Heroic executive producers John May and Suzanne Bolch, How to be Indie revolves around Indie, a 13-year-old girl who must juggle her immigrant family's South Asian traditions and her Canadian lifestyle, not to mention being a teen. Decode Enterprises will handle international distribution for the series.
http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY1182446UTF60...
http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY1182446UTF60...
- 9/25/2008
- by gwen@cynopsis.com
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