Twelve finalists have been announced in The Next MacGyver competition. A joint initiative of the National Academy of Engineering and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, the contest hopes to offer a new face in problem-solving under extreme pressure: a lady MacGyver. Earlier this year, the contest was launched to find the exciting new voices that would help create a TV show featuring a female engineer in action.
The original “MacGyver,” of course, focused on a spy who uses his vast knowledge of engineering to troubleshoot his way out of deadly situations.
Most of the 12 finalists are based in the US, and some of them have backgrounds in STEM fields. The proposed show concepts include comedies and an interactive crime drama. Seven of 12 finalists are women.
On July 28, The Paley Center for Media will host and co-present an event where the 12 finalists will present their ideas and concept art to a panel of judges, which will include actress America Ferrera and biophysicist Valerie Weiss. Five winners will be chosen. They’ll be mentored by producers and engineering experts to help develop their pilot scripts and will receive $5,000 each.
“From Script to Screen,” a panel focused on the process of transforming a TV show concept from idea to pilot, will take place during the event. Participants include Ann Blanchard (CAA), Marci Cooperstein (ABC Family) and Danielle Feinberg (Pixar Animation Studios).
The female finalists of The Next MacGyver competition are:
NAME
LOCATION
GENRE
SERIES TITLE
Kristen Bobst
Marina Del Rey, California
Drama / Procedural
Doctor Tailor
Shanee Edwards
Culver City, California
Historical / Steampunk
Ada and the Machine
Beth Keser
San Diego, California
Adventure / Procedural
Rule 702
Jayde Lovell
New York, New York
Comedy / Drama
SECs (Science and Engineering Clubs)
Nao Murakami
Seattle, Washington
Sci-Fi / Crime Drama
The Mind
Miranda Sajdak
Los Angeles, California
Historical Drama
Riveting
Judy Wu
San Mateo, California
Interactive Crime Drama
@Gnosis
Here is a peek at some of the intriguing concept art for the proposed series (in addition to “Ada and the Machine” pictured above):
