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Episodic Program

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Episodic

Program

Offering one of the few training grounds for independent voices to develop an original series and pilot script, the Sundance Institute Episodic Program provides artists with the tools, training, and industry access to move their projects and careers forward. 

The proposal checklist outlines the application requirements for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund’s Winter 2021 grant cycle. The application is now open and the deadline is July 26th 2021



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Episodic Lab

The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a six-day program at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, nonwriting creative producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms, which together provide an elevated creative strategy for their material from key industry players in positions to advance their projects and careers.

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Program Overview:
The Sundance Episodic Program is an entry point and sustaining force for emerging episodic writers and creators across all scripted platforms. Through a rigorous Lab experience and customized year-round support, the program provides artists with the tools, training, and industry access to move their projects and careers forward.
 

Activities and Initiatives:
Episodic Lab: The Episodic Lab is an immersive six-day experience at the Sundance Resort that offers writers an opportunity to workshop an original pilot and develop their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, producers, and executives, the Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, pitching sessions, craft workshops, and writers’ rooms, which altogether provide creative and strategic tools to develop their pilots and navigate the industry.

Continuum of Support:
A unique attribute of Sundance Institute Labs is the high touch mentoring and support our Fellows receive long after the Lab has completed. This allows the Fellows to fully realize the potential of their work, hone their skills in a dynamic and supportive environment and position themselves for the best possible outcomes for their projects. This includes ongoing creative and strategic advice from the Episodic team and Advisors and targeted introductions to agents, managers, writers, producers, and executives.
 
Episodic Advancement Fund:
The Advancement Fund provides up to $10,000 in grants to support proof of concept videos, development of the pilot post-Lab, and travel costs associated with scheduled meetings and opportunities. The Fund will provide dollars to build and sustain momentum for writers already supported by the Labs.
 
Episodic Pitch Parlor:
Once all drafts are polished,  the program will host a public facing staged event that will feature a sample of the projects from the Episodic Lab to further expose the work and creators to the industry, celebrate their voices and thank our supporters.
 
Year-round Gatherings:
The Episodic Program hosts a series of events throughout the year to build a community of working writers in the episodic space. These include alumni and industry mixers; craft workshops; and sessions focused on pitching, staffing and building creative skills.
 
Spring Intensive:
Recognizing that artists approach us at all stages of their early careers, we will design and lead an inaugural two day intensive workshop serving an additional cohort of 10-12 diverse writers who were finalists for the Lab.

Support for the Sundance Institute Episodic Program

As of September 2021

The Sundance Institute Episodic Program is made possible by Founding Supporters Lyn and Norman Lear and Cindy Harrell Horn and Alan Horn. Leadership Supporters are AMC+, Epix, MRC, Netflix, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, STARZ, and XRM Media.

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