Realness Institute in partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, says it is supporting screenwriters and mid-career industry professionals from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya to develop their original story ideas.
According to it, this is through its 2022 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes.
The support cuts across all genres and is also for screenwriters and mid-career industry professionals looking to enhance their skills as story consultants.
Also, millions of talented and creative Africans, the Episodic Lab, will have the opportunity to pitch their incubated stories to Netflix executives at the end of the programme.
“The programme will also offer DET participants a deeper understanding of the story development process and exposure to a more nuanced approach in the support of writers.
“Whilst simultaneously holding writers accountable for their creative work, DET participants will work alongside creative producers and story experts in the development of their concepts and series pitch decks.
“They will also engage with international and local guest speakers every week for the duration of the programme,’’ a statement by the institute said on Friday.
Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships, Realness Institute, commented on the programme.
“What we have witnessed from the first Lab and Traineeship is that there is a deep desire for Africans to create their own narratives.
“This bodes well for a growing audience, based in Africa and abroad. We are so pleased to be a major player in lighting the fire of our amazing continental creatives.
“Also, to hear from last year’s participants how they have been able to transplant everything they learnt in the incubator into their current work and other projects, as well as the impact we had in their lives and creative process.”
According to the statement, Realness Institute is not just stopping at development of the participants but also taking a step further by giving each participant a monthly stipend of US 2,000.00 during the incubation period.
The period will take place online from May 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 and the stipend is to cover living expenses as they focus on their concept development while being mentored.
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The statement noted that while there was no guarantee that any proposal would be developed further by Netflix, it would be a unique opportunity to interface at key milestones with the Netflix executives.
It will also afford the opportunity to pitch.
Interested participants are encouraged to visit https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab for Episodic Lab programme application .
Also, https://www.realness.institute/det for Development Executive Traineeship programme application and wait to be shortlisted.
Application submissions close on Jan. 14, 2022.
It said that the 2021 Episodic Lab alumnus, Zimbabwean-South African Kudi Maradzika, pitched an idea for a comedy-drama that has been selected for further development.
Reacting to her story idea, Maradzika said, “This is an incredible opportunity and I am grateful to the Realness and Netflix Grow Creative teams for helping make young writers’ dreams a possibility.
“The Episodic lab is tough but pushes you to be your best. I’m a better writer for it,’’ Maradzika said.
Provisionally entitled Bad Influencer, (co-created with Justin Oswald), Maradzika is now starting to turn her attention to next steps, which include Writers’ Room planning.
Commenting on Netflix’s partnership with Realness Institute, Allison Triegaardt, Netflix Manager for Grow Creative Africa, commended then collaboration.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Realness Institute for the 2022 edition of the Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET).
“The development, nurturing and support of talent pipelines gives new voices a chance to be heard.
“This is key for Netflix as we contribute to the growth of the film and TV industry and honour our commitment to the African creative community,’’ Triegaardt said.
