Over the past three years, Doha Film Institute has started nurturing a space for series projects from the MENA region through its labs and financial support mechanisms—and now through Qumra as a mentoring and industry meeting event, as well as the Series Lab.
The Series Lab is dedicated to screenwriters developing scripted and documentary series projects created for distribution on all platforms (including television, digital or web) and to provide participants with the scriptwriting tools and industry access to move their projects and careers forward. The programme is an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and writer-directors from the region to:
The programme will include:
Dates:
Deadline for applications: 1 June 2024
Hours: – The sessions will take place online and participation is required for all five days of each session, as the work, sharing and learning build from day to day.
Language: English
Lab Fee: 1800 Qatari Riyals
Group Size: 6- 8 participants (3-4 participants per group)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Lab Programme
Session 1
The first session will begin with a brief introduction and pitching of the ideas followed by input and feedback from the other group members and tutor. Character and theme development will also be covered, as well as an overview of documents to be produced for the next sessions.
This session will continue with a review of new and revised materials (the first scene-by-scene breakdown, or extended treatment). There will be continuous feedback and a revisiting of character and theme, adding to the discussion/further exploring a structural dimension (plot, resolution, inciting event, etc.).
Session 2
The second session will be a review of the new materials (revised scene-by-scene breakdown, revised character documents, etc.), and a first draft or some written scenes from the revised breakdown. Visual research and other materials will also be reviewed with the premise and pitch further developed.
Session 3
Our final session will consist of feedback and input from the group and tutor on first drafts as well as scene analysis. This will set the trajectory for the next steps of the project concerning financing, casting, etc. The Series Lab includes a final projects’ presentation with an external panel of industry guests. Participants will submit their written work to the panel members and present the project they have developed over the three sessions.
- complete the treatment/script of the pilot or the first season
- produce the general concept presentation of the project
- exercise writing and pitching skills
- understand the global series landscape and the entire process of creation of a series.
The programme will include:
- customized one on one advising session with mentors
- group work session with mentors and other participants
- simulation of a “writer’s room”
- group tutorials with selected industry experts (producers, showrunners, labs and markets, funding and distribution platforms…)
- pitch training
- final projects presentation and feedbacks.
Dates:
- Session 1: 16 – 21 July 2024 (online)
- Session 2: 20 – 25 September 2024 (online)
- Session 3: 22 - 28 Jan 2025 (online)
Deadline for applications: 1 June 2024
Hours: – The sessions will take place online and participation is required for all five days of each session, as the work, sharing and learning build from day to day.
Language: English
Lab Fee: 1800 Qatari Riyals
Group Size: 6- 8 participants (3-4 participants per group)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Lab Programme
Session 1
The first session will begin with a brief introduction and pitching of the ideas followed by input and feedback from the other group members and tutor. Character and theme development will also be covered, as well as an overview of documents to be produced for the next sessions.
This session will continue with a review of new and revised materials (the first scene-by-scene breakdown, or extended treatment). There will be continuous feedback and a revisiting of character and theme, adding to the discussion/further exploring a structural dimension (plot, resolution, inciting event, etc.).
Session 2
The second session will be a review of the new materials (revised scene-by-scene breakdown, revised character documents, etc.), and a first draft or some written scenes from the revised breakdown. Visual research and other materials will also be reviewed with the premise and pitch further developed.
Session 3
Our final session will consist of feedback and input from the group and tutor on first drafts as well as scene analysis. This will set the trajectory for the next steps of the project concerning financing, casting, etc. The Series Lab includes a final projects’ presentation with an external panel of industry guests. Participants will submit their written work to the panel members and present the project they have developed over the three sessions.
