EPISODE ONE REDUX
This capability-building initiative is the second iteration of the successful pilot programme of 2022-23. Geared towards emerging Pan-Asian practitioners who have the potential to develop and deliver a quality web series pilot for a local and/or international audience, Episode One Redux once again provides tuition, development, and production funding for selected teams to accelerate their careers in the screen industry.
“The inaugural initiative of 2022-23 was created to move the needle, and it has. But until the needle is where it needs to be, we can’t take our hand off the dial. Especially at a time when diversity and inclusion risk being sidelined as “nice to have” instead of being integral to a healthy functioning society. If you matter, your stories matter.”
– Shuchi Kothari, creator and convenor of Ep1R
OVERVIEW
Episode One Redux (Ep1R) is the second iteration of Episode One Web Series Development and Pilot Production programme of ‘22-’23. This capacity-building initiative aims to enhance the representation of Pan-Asian key creatives and their collaborators on screen and behind the camera in Aotearoa New Zealand. With funding and support from Irirangi Te Motu New Zealand On Air, RNZ, Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland, Ep1R will enable four rigorously selected teams to develop, write, pitch a web-series and produce its pilot episode over the span of one year. The most unique and pedagogically sound facet of this scaffolded development initiative is that it includes production so that teams are part of an end-to-end “making” experience that mimics real-world challenges and triumphs.
Episode One 2022, Celebration after the Table Read of all pilots. Photo credit: Mala Photography.
“NZ On Air is deeply committed to ensuring key creatives from all parts of our community are uplifted, to ensure stories are authentically told. Having seen the value of the first iteration of this capability initiative in developing Pan-Asian creatives we are pleased to be back supporting Episode One Redux..”
– Cameron Harland (Chief Executive, NZ On Air)
The first iteration concluded successfully in March 2023, exceeding all stakeholders’ expectations. As a result, two out of five teams received broadcast platform support and further development funding. Another pilot was optioned by a prolific production company to pitch overseas. Additionally, other Ep1 participants have since been involved in successful film and TV collaborations stemming from the pilot programme.
EP1R aims to elevate the inaugural program and continue to enrich the media landscape with bold stories and bolder storytellers. Four selected teams will receive structured tuition, individual mentoring, up to $20,000 for series development expenses, and up to $95,000 for the production of their pilot episode. Along with our returning sponsors (NZ On Air and Faculty of Arts UOA), this iteration has a new partner, New Zealand public service broadcaster, RNZ.
Episode One 2022, Industry Pitch and Screening Event. Photo credit: Dear White Photography.
“One of RNZ’s key goals is to reach 80% of New Zealanders, so we are always looking to reach out to audiences who haven't traditionally connected with RNZ, including Pan-Asian storytellers and communities. As New Zealand’s largest public media organisation we work to encourage all New Zealanders to tell their stories and in supporting the EP1R initiative we see the potential for new storytellers to emerge while giving existing storytellers opportunities to tell fresh stories. ”
– Tim Burnell (Commissioner/Team Lead, RNZ )
Episode One 2022, Asian 8 cast & crew. Photo courtesy of Asian 8 Phoenix.
WATCH THE PILOTS ▷
OBJECTIVES
Boost Pan-Asian capacity in the area of scripted content
Increase Pan-Asian representation on and behind the screen
Drive innovation in storytelling that breaks “mainstream” barriers
Emphasise and recognise craft, vision, and voice
Improve industry literacy of Pan-Asian creatives
Encourage respectful collaboration within the industry by following best practice guidelines.
Scaffold Pan-Asian ambitions of successful outputs and outcomes
Episode One 2022, Boom Shankar cast & crew. Photo courtesy of Clean Slate Productions.
Navigate the burden of representation with confidence and responsibility
Enable Pan-Asian screen creatives to self-determine their “Asianness”
Provide a culturally safe environment with professional and pastoral oversight
Discover new audiences
Develop and produce a pilot episode with a high potential for series production and distribution
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
The structured development aspect of the programme is March - July 2025. The syllabus is designed to include various progressive modules that enable participants to work collectively and individually to produce a series bible, episodic breakdown, pitch deck (shorter bible + lookbook), and a pilot screenplay.
The development modules will also draw upon industry experts to address topics such as premise, characters, structure, scene design, representation, writers’ room, casting, coverage, creative collaboration, budgeting, contracts, IP, marketing, internationalisation, audience engagement etc. A mixture of workshops and lectures, the course expects a high level of peer engagement and out-of-class work from all teams. In between structured classes the course might include ad-hoc guest lectures to accommodate international speakers.
Also as part of the development process, writers and directors will be matched with respective mentors for individual mentoring sessions. Producers will receive guidance from appointed Executive Producers.
ELIGIBILITY
Participants must be aged 18+ by 1 September 2024
Lead applicant (writer, director or producer) must be a current permanent resident or citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand
Other key creatives in the team must be residents, permanent residents, citizens of New Zealand
The director must be of any Asian background. Of the other two key creative roles (writer and producer), one has to be of any Asian background.
Projects that have already received platform support are ineligible to apply
No person may be attached to more than two projects submitted to Ep1R
All official participants of Episode One (‘22-’23) are ineligible to apply.
Teams must be available to attend all sessions across the four month (up to 10 days) development course.
RESOURCES
There are various resources online that you can access. Here are some to get you started.
Youtube Videos:
Interview with Nida Manzoor of We Are Lady Parts
Interview with the creators of Gentrified: Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez
Interview with the creators of acclaimed web series High Maintenance
50 Television screenplays to download for free
NZWG+SPADA: Best Practice Guide for Screenwriters and Producers Working Together
Series Bible for Stranger Things (original title: ‘Montauk’)
Programme Designer + Convenor
Shuchi Kothari is an critically acclaimed writer and producer whose films (Kāinga, Firaaq, Apron Strings, Shit One Carries, Coffee & Allah) have screened globally in film festivals including Venice, Cannes, Toronto and Telluride and on online platforms such as Mubi, Netflix and Amazon. Her creative work often focuses on issues of inclusion, exclusion, cultural hegemony, and personal resistance.
In 2018, Shuchi co-founded the Pan-Asian Screen Collective (PASC) to advocate for increased Pan-Asian representation on and behind the screen in Aotearoa New Zealand.
She is responsible for some of PASC’s flagship programmes such as Short Cuts, Episode One, Seat at the Table, and Episode One Redux. Shuchi heads the Screen Production programme at the University of Auckland where she teaches screenwriting and creative producing. Her long-standing work as filmmaker, mentor, script consultant and industry champion earned her WIFT-NZ’s “Outstanding Contribution in the Screen Industry” award of 2022.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Episode One: Web Series Development & Pilot Programme Redux is created and convened by Dr. Shuchi Kothari, funded by Irirangi Te Motu New Zealand On Air and RNZ and hosted by Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland.
