ABOUT THE OP EPISODIC LAB

The Orchard Project Episodic Lab allows a cohort of writers to advance the development of their pilots in a virtual setting. In this virtual lab, participants are given time, resources, and community to manifest their vision for a pilot and, ultimately, their episodic project. The majority of this lab will focus on refining the writing of participants’ pilot scripts through a series of exercises and will include group critique from fellow cohort-members, professional critique with outside guests, a mock writer’s room, and a panel on pitching. Participants who thrive use the unique support of an extraordinary peer group and The Orchard Project to expand and articulate their personal voice/vision and hone the writing and world of their pilot.

The Episodic Lab has two phases:

• A development phase in the summer led by an Orchard Project Program Director that meets as a group twice a week;
• An OP Forward Lab in the fall that helps writers understand how to bridge the gap between the development of their work and how it can be manifested in the world.

As a participant in the Episodic Lab, you will be expected to:

• Read your cohort’s scripts and provide feedback in a group setting;
• Re-write your script based on the feedback provided by your program leader and cohort;
• Participate in a writer’s room setting to break a season of television.

In the Episodic Lab, you can expect:

• A writer’s room atmosphere where you’ll act as a showrunner in some weeks, and a staff writer in other weeks;
• Script notes and feedback from a cohort of writers at all points in their careers;
• Script and/or pitch notes from professionals in the industry;
• The experience of breaking a story for season one of a show;
• Pitch coaching and practice;
• To leave the lab with a polished script;
• Ongoing access to artist resources and industry professionals through OP Forward.

Participation in OP Forward is optional.