Four teams selected for the inaugural NSI Series Incubator program

 

 

This part-time, eight-month online program combines workshops, mentorship and hands-on training to guide teams from underrepresented communities as they meaningfully develop their scripted series idea into a fully produced proof-of-concept short film (a stand-alone short film, a scene from the series or a promotional trailer).

 

Participants will work through each step of the production process, create a series bible, final pilot script and receive up to $28K to fund their proof-of-concept film.

 

The National Screen Institute is proud to introduce the four selected teams and their projects. Full bios can be found at the end of this announcement:

 

Hannah Johnson and Jessica Landry, Winnipeg, MB – Ghosts of Lakeland

Adrian Neblett and Mostafa Shaker, Vancouver, BC – One Baby, Please

Mansa Chintoh and Anika Jarrett, Toronto, ON – SPIKES

Cynthia Murdock and Darcy Waite, Winnipeg, MB – Zombies Don’t Eat Stupid People

“These talented creators are committed to the development of their unique stories,” says National Screen Institute program manager, Jessica Gibson. “My hope is that through this program we connect them with amazing industry professionals and mentors who will help guide them as they create and realize their vision.”

 

NSI Series Incubator is divided into four phases, where writers and producers will receive training and mentorship based on their role and project. Writers attend a simulated writers room and draft a pilot script, while producers attend workshops, secure a director for the project, prepare for a pitch simulation and complete a hands-on internship at a leading Canadian production company.

 

Program faculty includes award-winning alumni Jeff Peeler (NSI Global Marketing) as program consultant, Karen Lam (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television) as director facilitator and Josh Epstein (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First, NSI Totally Television) as producer facilitator.

 

Linda Coffey (CBC, Telefilm) serves as writer facilitator and Morwyn Brebner (Coroner) as writers’ room facilitator.

 

This program was designed for creators from underrepresented communities including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal), people from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.