Big Light Productions, the indie behind The Man in the High Castle and the forthcoming Leonardo, has announced the recipient of its annual writers’ apprenticeship.
Screenwriter Nadya Todorova from Bulgaria will join Big Light Productions for a paid two-month placement in the company, alongside CEO Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, Ransom, The Man In The High Castle, Medici), Creative Director Emily Feller (Medici, Trust Me, Ordinary Lies) and the rest of the Big Light team. This year, due to social distancing and restricted travel, the apprenticeship will take place virtually.
Big Light’s highly competitive writers’ apprenticeship programme is now in its 4th year, and invites an emerging screenwriter and recent graduate of the Serial Eyes program to join their team for the placement, where they become part of the writers’ rooms for projects that are in development. The apprenticeship has supported candidates who have gone on to write for Netflix France and two feature films shooting in Germany and Macedonia.
Todorova commented; “I’m very excited to begin my adventure at Big Light. Frank was such an important teacher for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn everything I can from him and the people he works with. This is such a wonderful opportunity for me to further develop what I learned at Serial Eyes and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.”
Serial Eyes postgraduate training program for television writers and producers has writers’ room experience at the core of the programme. Twelve participants are given the opportunity to learn from industry experts and develop a European model of showrunning. Big Light Productions CEO Frank Spotnitz has been tutoring at Serial Eyes since the programme started in 2013 and started Big Light Productions apprenticeship programme as a way to further deepen the company’s commitment to finding and supporting emerging writers.
Frank Spotnitz, Big Light Productions CEO and Executive Producer said; “Writers are the heartbeat of Big Light, and we’re are deeply committed to providing rewarding opportunities for new and emerging writers to help and support them to develop their experience and sharpen their already impressive skills. Nadya is a very exciting writer with a raw talent and sharp wit, and we’re really delighted to work with her for the next few months.”
Ben Harris, Head of Programme, Serial Eyes, added; “Nadya is one of those rare, raw talents who can bring her own creative voice even to the most unlikely topics and turn them into comedy gold. I’m delighted that Frank and his team have selected her for this amazing opportunity to help her further hone her craft and prepare her for what promises to be a stellar career.”
Big Light Productions is currently in post-production on new drama Leonardo (co-produced with Lux Vide), starring Aidan Turner, Freddie Highmore and Matilda De Angelis, which will premiere on Rai, France Télévisions and RTVE in 2021.
Jon Creamer
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