Universal Global Talent Development & Inclusion announces Universal Writers Lab debut and first six attendees

Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion today announced the debut of the Universal Writers Lab. The new initiative aims to enhance the experience of the Universal Writers Program, launched by the studio in 2014.

The Lab, the only studio writing program dedicated to feature films, aims to increase participants’ knowledge of the studio system, expand their networks at NBCUniversal and the industry at large, as well as improve their commercially appealing presentation skills. . Concepts and scripts, model them to increase job opportunities and career momentum during and after your job.

Today’s announcement includes the identification of six candidates selected as the first cohort of Writers Lab. These are Brandon Collins, Jorge Alfonso Granera, Tarin Helen, Diana Lee, Arun Narayanan and Joey Reibern. They represent the AAPI, black, indigenous and Latino-Hispanic communities; they spend a year working closely with producer consultants, including Malcolm D. Lee’s Blackmaled Productions, Krysty Wilson-Cairns and Jack Ivin, Phil Lord and Chris Miller ‘s The Great Company. . Miller, Jordan Peel Monkeypaw Productions, Dan Lin’s Rideback, and LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company.

“Writers are the soul of the film industry. “I am very pleased to see for the first time that Universal is developing talent at all levels,” said 1917 co-author Christie Wilson-Cairns. in Soho last night And co-founder of The Great Company. “The Universal Writers’ Lab is visual, vital, and provides real-time access to the industry, and a large company and I are thrilled to be involved.”

Universal Writers Lab is a one-year paid program that provides professional development through workshops, seminars, executive and director panel discussions, as well as mentorship from the participants’ dedicated consulting producers, as well as in-depth insight. Production process in the studio from start to post-production. During their time, selected writers will engage in a variety of writing exercises and will actively work with production executives and directors to deliver commercially engaging scripts and be considered for potential employment opportunities, including open writing assignments, universal intellectual property. or titles. Further development of the concepts developed by them in the laboratory, or personal open in television series.

“Over the past five years, GTDI has seen over 50% of our talented alumni earn post-credits for their respective positions in our programs and initiatives. “While we are proud of their achievements and the impact of our industry as we grow our business, so too should strategies to ensure we are always leading the way and deliver real results,” said Janine Jones-Clark, executive vice president. inclusion. . – Talent and Content, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. “We can’t wait to see what this dynamic group with different voices creates in our reinvented Universal Writers Lab.”

Graduates from the GTDI writing program have achieved success in a variety of feature films, broadcasts, and cable television series. More recently, Jennifer Coates became the first alumna to receive a blind scriptwriting deal with Universal coming out of the original show. Derek Asaf’s script for his work is currently being handled by the studio. Other hits include Jules Taylor, who is developing a project with Universal and the SpringHill Company; Sarah Cho, staff writer for Hulu and Universal Content Productions A Plainville girl; And Leon Hendrix, co-writer and executive producer of the upcoming television series Peacock. Cointelpro.

In its five years, GTDI, the first Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Division for the film studio, has amassed an impressive and inclusive talent pool through its animated and live-action writing shows; Lead and plan initiatives; And basic practices. Founded in 2017 by Donna Langley, president of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, the corporate group creates programs, initiatives and strategies that ensure DEI is at the forefront of culture and content at Universal Pictures, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation. beyond the camera