Sundance prepares episodic story lab

The six-day immersive sessions will support drama and comedy writing will be supported at the Lab under the guidance of Michelle Satter (pictured), founding director of the Institute’s Feature Film Program.

Among the Institute-supported artists who have worked on series for TV and online platforms are Cary Fukunaga, Lena Dunham, Louis CK, Mark Duplass, Lisa Cholodenko, Jason Katims, Rodrigo Garcia, Todd Haynes, RJ Cutler, Mike White, Robert Rodriguez, Ava DuVernay, Jill Soloway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Robert Redford, president and founder of Sundance Institute, said, “Sundance Institute has always worked to develop and support a next generation of independent artists. As more of those artists look to the opportunities in television and online platforms, it is only natural that we expand our labs to address the unique needs of serialised work.”

Keri Putnam, executive director of Sundance Institute, said, “Although the opportunities are growing, there are few training grounds for new and diverse voices who want to work in episodic writing. Our lab will offer a rare opportunity for artists to develop unique multi-part projects, working in a setting where they will also learn how to navigate the changing landscape of this field.”

Satter added, “Our world-renowned Screenwriters Lab will serve as a model that will be adapted to identify and develop new writers and stories for the burgeoning opportunities for episodic storytelling on all platforms. We are excited to learn from all of our Lab participants, mentors and creators in the field in our pilot year, and we look forward to building out the year-round support system for our writing fellows, where the programme will have the greatest impact.”

For the inaugural year of the Lab, the Institute will consider applicants by invitation only. In future years, an open application process is anticipated.