Women Write Now Colleague Wilandrea Blair has struck a first look deal with NBCUniversal Television & Streaming

Exclusive: Women Write Now Fellow Vilandria Blair secured the first deal with NBCUniversal Television & Streaming to develop projects for Peacock directed by LOL Studios.

The announcement was made at the Women Write Now celebratory event held at NeueHouse Hollywood on Saturday in honor of scholarship recipients, including Blair, Daniel Nicolette and Moni Oiedepo, and guest directors, including Gabriel Dennis.Show sketch of black lady), Megan Bueno (harlemand brescia webbs (rule the world).

Founded in July 2021, Women Write Now is a comedy writing scholarship designed to enhance leadership, defense, production, and show leadership in the next generation of black women. The show was created by Kevin Hart’s comedy brand and cross-platform entertainment company Laugh Out Loud in association with the Sundance Institute and is represented by Chase Sapphire. Blair, Nicolette and Oedepo were selected for the first round of the initiative from more than 670 nominees who developed and produced their own comedy scripts, led by award-winning directors, industry leaders, Laugh Out Loud executives and a team of producers. . One of the Sundance Institute and one of the three guest directors mentioned above.

Short films made following the program –Friend and Bernice (Written by Blair and directed by Dennis), Karen black (Written by Nicolette and directed by Good) e Find a job (Written by Oyedepo and directed by Webb) – Now streaming exclusively on Peacock. Upon completion, each compatriot had the opportunity to present new projects to the executives of NBCUniversal and Laugh Out Loud for a development deal with NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, where Blair was selected among the three.

“Women Write Now was created with the simple idea that there should be more women of color in the writers room, in the director’s chair and under the control of the green light,” said Tai Randolph, president of Laugh Out Loud. “It was truly inspiring to see what started as the seed of a writing scholarship idea, quickly blossoming into the village of artists, allies, executives, mentors and patrons who have come together to make connections as important as work. .

“Through our partnership with Laugh Out Loud, we have worked together to support and empower black comedians, enabling them to create their own work and meet film and television executives,” said Michelle Sutter, co-founder of the company. Sundance Institute art programs. “Furthermore, we are very excited that the shorts from our inaugural writing group have already been followed by the enthusiasm of the public.

“Women write now after being chosen for a scholarship, they are constantly in a state of gratitude. The founders of the incredible Laugh Out Loud scholarship, led by Thai Randolph, not only built the scholarship, but created a strong team of the most influential, intelligent and generous women in the industry, “added Blair. just a black girl from Flint who dreams of becoming a comedy writer. Women Write Now has gone to great lengths to test, strengthen and make these dreams come true. I am extremely excited about this opportunity at NBCUniversal and look forward to continuing to work with her”.

Laugh Out Loud and the Sundance Institute will return the Women Write Now Screenwriting Fellowship for the second consecutive year, with bids opening on Monday, April 25. Learn more about the program and submission requirements. It can be found here.