Thu, April 8 | Zoom
BIPOC Writers Fellowship: Adapting Books for the Screen
The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press Present: The BIPOC Writers Fellowship, "Adapting Books for the Screen," beginning March 2021. In this 12-week fellowship, fellows will adapt a Level 4 Press book into a feature film screenplay, receive mentorship from industry leaders, a stipend for participating, and more.
About the FELLOWSHIP
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
Announcements:
• Semi-Finalists: February 17
• Finalists: March 17
• Fellows Announced: March 30
• Fellows Begins: April 8
Finalists:
Congratulations to the Finalists of the BIPOC Writers Fellowship!
Andrew Liou
La'Chris Jordan
Rodney Wilkins
Ronald McCants
Yvette Sams
Patrice Williams Marks
Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Regina Louise
Dion Watkins
Nti Aning
Ajani Jackson
Jade Jenise Dixon
Allamaprabhu Pattanashetty
Shawna Baca
Gregory Lemmons
Diana Romero
Sean Cardinalli
Camika Spencer
Diana Densmore
Semi-Finalists:
Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists of the BIPOC Writers Fellowship!
Andrew Liou
Regina Louise
Aaron Wong
Dion Watkins
Sean Cardinalli
Eileen Soong & Julie Hoang
Yvette Sams
Diana Romero
Michael Villalobos
Diana Densmore
Shonteria Gibson
Gregory Lemmons
Patrice Williams Marks
Rodney Wilkins
Ajani Jackson
Shawna Baca
Joshua Lewis
Allamaprabhu Pattanashetty
Camika Spencer
Amechi Ngwe
La'Chris Jordan
Pallavi Yetur
Jade Jenise Dixon
Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Ronald McCants
Samuel C. Morrison
Nti Aning
Fellowship Schedule:
Dates: Thursday, April 8th to July 8th, 2021
Time: 6pm to 9pm PST - (1 class per week, 3 hours per class)
Venue: Zoom
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.
We're honored to take this journey with you!