Hillman Grad Productions, Lena Waithe and Rishi Rajani’s’ production and development company, is set to “provide opportunities for marginalized creatives to connect, grow, and accelerate their career in television and film” by launching its second annual mentorship lab. A press release announced that applications for The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab are now open.
“The eight-month, tuition-free program offers mentees the opportunity to enhance their creative skillset through personalized instruction from industry professionals, creating additional pathways to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the entertainment industry,” per Hillman Grad. “Committed to infusing new narratives and perspectives in front of and behind the camera, The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab provides a robust slate of workshops, educational resources, professional development, and networking opportunities for a cohort of diverse writers, actors, and aspiring creative executives. Tracks include television writing, screen acting, and executive development, instructed by Carolyn Michelle Smith (Co-Director of Acting Track), Behzad Dabu (Co-Director of Acting Track), and Michael Svoboda (Director of Writing Track), among others.”
Hillman Grad Productions is “committed to creating art that redefines the status quo and providing a platform for BIPOC and underrepresented voices across all mediums,” and positions the lab as an extension of the production company, describing it as a “piece of the larger puzzle that is creating a sustainable pipeline of talent across film and TV (with plans to expand into other spaces including music, publishing, fashion, and more).”
More than 4,500 BIPOC filmmakers applied to the first edition of the lab. Within their inaugural program, “64% identified as Black/African American; 24% identified as Asian American; 12% identified as Latinx; 48% identified as Female; 20% identified as Non-Binary; and 40% identified as LGBTQ.” Mentees have included Tea Ho, who was hired as a writer’s assistant on the new HBO and A24 series adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s bestselling novel “The Sympathizer,” and Juliana Aidén Martinez, who was was cast in the upcoming Netflix limited series “Griselda.”
“Since the inception of Hillman Grad, it has been our ultimate goal to break down barriers to entry into Hollywood for new and diverse artists, while also ensuring they are paid for their art. The program was built around the idea of an informational coffee meeting. Many up and coming filmmakers were reaching out for advice and insights, and as that demand grew, we knew that there was a gap in the industry for a program like this — one that offered mentorship in an organized way, while keeping the essence of an intimate, one-on-one connection at its core,” said the executive team at Hillman Grad. “Our showcase this past year was a beautiful testament to the work of these talented individuals who met for multiple sessions to focus on their craft, learn together, and grow together. Off its success and the astounding number of jobs it led to for these artists, we are excited to see what another year of the program brings.”
You can find more information and apply via Hillman Grad’s website. The deadline to apply is February 11. The Mentorship Lab kicks off March 12.
In 2017, Waithe became the first Black woman to receive the Emmy for best comedy writing for “Thanksgiving,” the “Master of None” episode depicting her character Denise’s years-long coming out process. Her other credits include “Queen & Slim,” “The Chi,” and “Twenties.” She signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. TV last year, setting a “Hoop Dreams” adaptation as her first project under the pact.
