the writers room 5050

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BIPOC Writers Fellowship: Adapting Books for the Screen

 

The Writers Room 5050 in partnership with Level 4 Press is proud to introduce its 12-week adaptation lab: Adapting Books for the Screen. The Level 4 Press catalogue and vast IP library, spanning various genres, is providing the books to be adapted for the screen.

 

The fellowship will focus on adapting a book into a screenplay, the release of fictional feature films for theatrical, streaming, and television movies-of-the-week (MOWs). In the process, BIPOC writers will learn the highest industry standards for developing, writing, financing and producing an adapted feature film project. Each fellow will adapt one Level 4 Press book of their choosing into a feature film screenplay.

 

The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press are working with top executives, writers, representatives and guest speakers to provide mentorship, feedback, and firsthand industry knowledge. Executives and reps from Anthony Hemingway Productions, CAA, NBC/Universal, among others.

 

The BIPOC Writers Fellowship includes but is not limited to:

• A 12-week lab taking you from adapting a book to a screenplay

• Mentorship on creating and crafting your script from industry professionals

• A $750 Stipend to all Fellows accepted into the Fellowship

• Expert development notes and assessments by industry professionals

• A 'table read' with professional actors

• Script Sales and Career Strategy instruction

• Pitch deck and professional marketing collateral will be created for the project

• Live Industry Event to pitch your new script and meet top industry decision-makers

• For Fellows whose scripts are optioned, setup or sold, there will be financial participation

 

Submission Requirements:

• Applicants must be of BIPOC heritage/ethnicity (Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color)

• Script Submission: Writers must submit a completed screenplay (90 to 120 pages) for consideration

• Please Note: If writers do not have a completed screenplay, they can submit a television pilot

• Application Fee: An Early, Regular or Late application processing fee will apply.

 

Application Submission Period: October 12 - February 9

• Early Deadline: November 20

• Regular Deadline: December 18

• Late Deadline: January 8

• Extended Deadline: February 9

 

Application Fee:

- Early Submission Fee - $40.00

- Regular Submission Fee - $50.00

- Late and Extended Submission Fee - $60.00

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Script Submission Feedback:

For an additional fee of $30.00, writers can receive feedback on their scripts from an experienced reader, focused on characters, plot, structure, dialogue, concept, and formatting. Feedback is optional.

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Announcements:

• Semi-Finalists: February 17

• Finalists: February 24

• Fellows Announced: March 3rd

• Fellows Begins: Week of March 17

 

Fellowship Schedule:

Dates: Wednesdays, March 17th to June 2nd, 2021

Time: 6pm to 9pm PST - (1 class per week, 3 hours per class)

Venue: Zoom

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Copyright and Sub-rights:

Copyright and all sub-rights for the books used as IP during the BIPOC Writers Fellowship: Adapting Books to the Screen will not be transferred to the screenwriters. Level 4 Press, Inc. will retain sole ownership of the books and any screenplay adaptations that emerge from the fellowship. If the screenplay is sold or set-up, the screenwriter will receive writing credit and financial participation, but Level 4 Press, Inc. is not obligated to use any screenplays that emerge from the fellowship.

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We would be honored to take this journey with you!