Lena Waithe and Eva Longoria are championing episodic storytellers of color alongside MACRO founder/CEO Charles D. King and The Black List’s Franklin Leonard. The foursome have introduced The MACRO Episodic Lab Powered by The Black List, a program spotlighting diverse voices in episodic writing, Deadline reports. The lab will “discover, support, and empower” creatives who “typically do not have access to the traditional Hollywood system.”
Applications to The MACRO Episodic Lab will be accepted through August 6, 2018. The selected semi-finalists will pitch their projects to Waithe, Longoria, and reps from MACRO and The Black List. Up to three winners will be announced in December. They will receive development support as well as a $30,000 budget for a pilot presentation and/or sizzle reel.
“I’m super excited to find some fresh new voices. By working with MACRO and The Black List it’s a great way for me to find scripts that otherwise wouldn’t reach my desk,” said Waithe.
“UnbeliEVAable’s [Longoria’s production company] mandate and mission has always been to nurture and foster diverse voices so, when MACRO and The Black List presented us with the opportunity to participate in the episodic lab, we knew this was the perfect partnership,” added Longoria. “Discovering emerging voices is one of the most thrilling parts of producing and we can’t wait to bring these stories to screen alongside Lena and the team.”
Longoria was last seen in the gender-swapped remake of “Overboard.” “Jane the Virgin,” “Empire,” and “Decline and Fall” are among her more recent screen appearances. She is also attached to topline and produce workplace comedy “24-7” with Kerry Washington. Longoria has produced projects such as soap “Devious Maids,” the drama spoof “Telenovela,” and cult classic “John Wick.”
Waithe has previously partnered with Sight Unseen Pictures to support independent projects from underrepresented voices. Last year she became the first black woman to win a comedy writing Emmy for the coming out “Master of None” ep, “Thanksgiving.” Waithe created the Chicago-set ensemble drama “The Chi,” which will return for a second season next year. TBS has also ordered a pilot for Waithe’s “Twenties,” a comedy about a queer woman and her two straight BFFs. Her recent acting credits include “Ready Player One” and Season 2 of Netflix’s “Dear White People.”
You can apply to The MACRO Episodic Lab or find out more via the program’s website.
