SERIES
VISION
The Series Lab continues the rich experience gained from the successful Sam Spiegel International Film Lab. The Series Lab allows Israeli creators, who in the past few years have brought to the world groundbreaking series, both art and entertainment- to continue to make a meaningful mark and aims to construct a creative bridge between Israeli talent in the field of scripted series and the international TV industry assisting in voicing the diverse and unique stories of our region. The Series Lab takes place in Jerusalem and will culminate in a celebratory closing event.
ABOUT
The Series Lab is open to outstanding Israeli creators making their initial steps in the world of international TV. The Lab is seeking teams of producers and writers who are developing a promising scripted project- either series or limited series.
Diversity is at the heart of the program, with creatives whose first language is Arabic, Amharic, Russian, Yiddish, and Hebrew are all strongly encouraged to apply. Creatives with projects originally written in these languages are eligible. The Series Lab will promote the development of the selected projects through mentorship and artistic guidance by some of the leading figures in Israeli and world television. The participants will advance from proposal to mini bible + outline for a pilot episode, professional graphic pitch deck, and verbal pitch preparation for the event that will end the Series Lab.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Among the creative minds the participants will meet is artistic advisor to the Series Lab Hagai Levi- TV creator & producer (Scenes From a Marriage, Our Boys, The Affair, In Treatment). Through Grow Creative, Netflix’s flagship global training and development programme, producer and screenwriter Jill Condon (Friends) will lead workshops on script development and mentor the participants in the first session.
Hagai Levi
TV creator & producer
Jill Condon
producer & screenwriter
MENTORS
Israeli mentors will guide the process throughout: Noah Stollman, TV creator (Our Boys, Pillars of Smoke, The Exchange Principle, The Malevolent Bride) head writer (Fauda). Ronit Weiss-Berkowitz, Creator and head writer of award-winning drama series (The Girl From Oslo, A Touch Away), TV Creator, script editor and literary editor.
Dror Mishani, Novelist (The Missing File, Three), TV creator (A Body That Works, The Missing File), screenwriter (A Body That Works). Ossi Nishri, Associate Producer (Scenes From a Marriage), script editor (Yellow Peppers, The A Word, Sleeping Bears), script development (Sirens), script consultant for EAVE, Biennale Cinema College, TorinoFilmLab.
Noah Stollman
TV creator, writer
Dror Mishani
Novelist, TV creator, screenwriter
Ronit Weiss-Berkowitz
TV creator, script editor and literary editor
Ossi Nishri
Script editor, creative producer
METHOD
The Series Lab is constructed of 3 sessions. Two sessions (one physical and one online) will include intensive one-on-one mentorships, group masterclasses, personal writing time in a supportive environment with the mentors, both Israeli and international. The third session is held with a view to exposing the projects and the creators to key figures in the Israeli and international television industry.
In between sessions, participants will progress with personal meetings with mentors as well as making headway with their graphic pitch deck. Each project will benefit from the art direction of Elad Sonego and receive graphic assistance in preparing their final pitch deck, courtesy of Ananey Studios and the Lab.
Participants will receive guidance of a professional verbal pitch.
Selection criteria will include proposal overall quality and originality, feasibility, as well as creators’ profile and team. The Lab will be looking to highlight projects bringing an authentic local voice, in the belief that an honest, unique story can resonate internationally regardless of language and cultural differences.
As part of the program, Netflix will sponsor the new Series Development Award for one exceptional project. The award will provide a stipend to allow creatives to concentrate on developing their project. Netflix will also cover entry fees for all participants.
The award recipient will be announced at the closing session, where projects will be revealed to industry players.
ELIGIBILITY
The Lab is open to teams of creators and producers, with a scripted series in development, which is the creator's first or second series as a creator/head scriptwriter/director. Projects must not have secured a broadcaster for writing/production agreement but can be supported for development. Teams must be citizens/residents of Israel with either writer or producer having proven experience as detailed. For all eligibility criteria, selection process, and program information please see rules and regulations.
ADVISORY BOARD
Alon Aranya- International Emmy winning producer & writer (Tehran, Your Honor, Hostages)
Assaf Bernstein- Writer/director (Fauda, The Debt, Warrior)
Craig Emanuel- Entertainment lawyer, Paul Hastings- chair of Global Entertainment and Media
Hagai Levi- Founding artistic advisor. TV creator & producer (Scenes from a Marriage, Our Boys, The Affair, In Treatment)
Osnat Saraga – SVP, Development & Productions, Ananey Studios
Danna Stern – Producer In Transit, Founder- YES Studios
TIMELINE
09/03/23| Submission opens -27/03/23| Submission closes at 12pm
30/05/23| Selected projects announcement
Session 1
11/06/23- 15/06/23| 1st development session in Jerusalem -mentorship, masterclasses, writing time
Between Sessions
Personal advancement with mentors
Packaging process - Beginning of your pitch deck with professional designers from Ananey Studios
Session 2
03/09/23-07/09/23| 2nd development session ONLINE- mentorship, masterclasses, writing time
Between Sessions
Personal advancement with mentors
Pitching process- preparing your verbal pitch
Session 3
3rd session Lab participants and projects meet the industry- To Be Announced upon the beginning of the first session
**Schedule changes may occur
For all eligibility criteria, required materials and selection process please click: Rules and regulations
Please contact us with any questions : lab@jsfs.co.il
The Series Lab is kindly supported by:
Netflix, The Sam Spiegel Estate, The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA), New Mandate Films