6th Annual TV Drama Screenwriting Contest

Contest Info

The BIGGEST TV DRAMA Screenwriting Contest in the World is BACK!

   

  

Featuring Mentorships with ABC's Executive Director or Drama Development & Programming Nathan Varni, Literary Manager Myra Model of Myra Model Management, Graven Images Head of Original Programming James Presson, & Dick Wolf Entertainment's Longtime Producer David Brownfield!

Over $40,000 in Prizes!

PLUS -- The Grand Prize Winner and Top 10 Finalists will be eligible for mentorships as well!

Ever dreamt of seeing your TV Drama script come to life and stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! We're proud to announce the 6th Annual Stage 32 TV Drama Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great TV drama script!

Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $4,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be first in line for VIP MENTORSHIP meetings development executives and literary managers who've worked on iconic shows like GREY'S ANATOMY, LAW & ORDER, HOMELAND, SUPERGIRL, WILL TRENT, STATION ELEVEN, THE CLEANING LADY, and THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY!

"This contest embodies our dedication to elevating TV writers," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "TV Drama remains one of the most vibrant spaces in television. Audiences consistently seek out new and unique longform narratives with depth, nuance, and emotional complexity. By spotlighting TV drama writers, we're building bridges to opportunity for talent that conventional gatekeepers have historically sidelined.Through Stage 32's worldwide community of 1.3 million creatives, we're guaranteeing that compelling series can reach the decision-makers actively searching for it."

"Our contest is a dedicated launchpad built specifically for TV writers," added Geoffroy Faugérolas, Stage 32's Director of Development Services. "Winners gain immediate industry credibility and the type of recognition that opens doors with executives and producers actively developing new series. Our jury includes working professionals who go beyond script evaluation. They package projects and champion writers whose work resonates with them. This offers unprecedented direct access to the gatekeepers and tastemakers shaping what gets greenlit, particularly for writers who've struggled to break through traditional industry barriers."

Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the intensity and action of SHOGUN, to the misery and angst of PLURIBUS, to the dangerous power plays and high stakes of LANDMAN, audiences can’t get enough exciting dramatic storytelling. In the past year alone, classic TV series like SUITS and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE got rebooted, while popular films HARRY POTTER and DUNE are being adapted for TV currently, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing TV shows is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!

 

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:

  • Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value) including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources
  • Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team
  • Industry Marketing Campaign promoting winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives
  • Strategic Backing where Stage 32 and the winner will collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market


Our Finalists will receive:

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure!

But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!



Let our 3rd Annual Drama Winner Kelly Nugent tell you why you should enter!


Open to TV Pilot Scripts!

What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?

We’re on the lookout for all types of TV drama scripts! Classic family melodramas? Atmospheric psychological mind-benders? Bold period pieces? Genre-twisting Legal, War, Musical, Sports, Fantasy or Sci-Fi? The next legendary biopic? We want to see it all!

We’re looking for TV Drama scripts like:

PLURIBUS, THE WHITE LOTUS, INDUSTRY, TRUE DETECTIVE, SHRINKING, RIPLEY, KILLING EVE, LANDMAN, YELLOWJACKETS, YELLOWSTONE, MASTERS OF THE AIR, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, I MAY DESTROY YOU, BRIDGERTON, THE BEAR, TASK, FALLOUT, THE CROWN, SUCCESSION, THE LAST OF US, BAD MONKEY, SLOW HORSES, COBRA KAI, GOSSIP GIRL, DEATH BY LIGHTNING, DYING FOR SEX, MOBLAND, DEPT Q, and more!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!

For the last 13 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.

If you have a TV Drama story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!

 

Who are the Judges?

These execs will read and judge the Top 10 finalist scripts and meet with any finalists whose writing they enjoy!

 

  • Rachel Polan, Producer & SVP, Pacesetter Productions (STATION ELEVEN)
  • LeAnn Scrimmager, Executive Producer / Development Executive, We TV (AMC NETWORKS)
  • Raquelle David, Producer & Literary Manager (THE CLEANING LADY)

ADD-ON PRIZE OPPORTUNITIES

This optional add-on prize category will grant one eligible writer the opportunity to be mentored and have virtual development meetings with the following execs:

 

Nathan Varni is Executive Director, Drama Development / Programming for ABC & Hulu Originals. Mr. Varni oversees all creative and day-to-day management on ABC’s primetime series including Will Trent, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, The Conners and General Hospital.

In past seasons, Mr. Varni served as the covering executive on Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Rebel, The Baker and the Beauty, How to Get Away with Murder, Grand Hotel, Once Upon A Time, Scandal, Cristela, The Middle, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, the revival of Roseanne and also serves as the network/studio executive on ABC’s long-running daytime drama series, General Hospital, currently celebrating 60 years on-air, where he has oversaw 3000+ episodes of the series, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding daytime drama series.

Mr. Varni joined ABC in comedy current programming working in development and current programming and worked on a vast number of both comedy and drama series including According to Jim, Samantha Who?, Better off Ted, Cougar Town, Castle, V, 666 Park Avenue and three seasons co-covering Happy Endings.

Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Varni worked in series development at Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show). While at Regency Mr. Varni assisted with the creative coverage of NBC’s Windfall and FOX’s New Amsterdam. Prior to his time at Regency TV, Mr. Varni worked in reality series as a story assistant for series such as America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, High School Reunion, For Love or Money and The Next Great Champ. Game show experience includes working on 65 episodes of GSN’s Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Mr. Varni served as a production assistant and then Exec Producers assistant on the CBS sitcoms Listen Up and How I Met Your Mother.

 

Myra Model is the principal and creative head of Myra Model Management, a boutique management company that identifies, curates, and develops premium writing talent and bold emerging voices across television, film, and new media. She is currently an Executive Producer on SUNNY NIGHTS, an eight-episode comic-drama written by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, starring Will Forte and D'Arcy Carden, for Stan Australia with Jungle Entertainment and Echo Lake.

Myra has been a trailblazer in launching the television careers of Sundance and Humanitas prize winners and playwrights. They include Ellen Fairey (American Classic), Marisa Wegrzyn (AMAZON'S GOLIATH), Caitlin Parrish (CBS's SUPERGIRL), Jeremy Nielsen, Connie O'Donahue, and Edith Freni. She also represents and has developed talent including Nick Keetch, Adam Scott Weissman (THE GOOD DOCTOR), Rosie Kaller, Nick Baker (HOMELAND), Cami Delavigne (AMERICAN GIGOLO), Deborah Swisher (THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY), and Humanitas New Voices winners Josh Corey and Brian Kratz (WELCOME TO FLATCH).

Myra brings to her thriving management business years of experience as a broadcast programming executive and producer. She previously served as Director and then Vice President at CBS Entertainment, supervising event limited series programming and providing creative direction on more than 40 television events. Her credits at CBS include Mario Puzo's THE LAST DON, BLONDE, AMERICAN TRAGEDY, IN COLD BLOOD, GLEASON, RUBY RIDGE, ALEX HALEY'S MAMA FLORA'S FAMILY, and the adaptation of the acclaimed BBC mini-series RECKLESS.

Earlier in her career, Myra was a broadcast producer for Emmy-winning news and entertainment shows in Boston and was recruited by Telepictures Productions to help launch unscripted shows in Los Angeles. She was also a Co-Producer on Blind Curve, a Cannes Film Festival International Critics Week selection.

 

David Brownfield is a television producer who worked as an executive and producer at Dick Wolf Entertainment, the company behind the LAW AND ORDER, ONE CHICAGO, and the FBI franchises. He led the creative and production teams for seven Primetime series, while also working on development projects to grow the Dick Wolf brand.

Prior to joining Dick Wolf Entertainment, David was an executive and producer at Entertainment One Television, where he oversaw creative and production on current series and had several hour-long and half-hour-long projects in development.

He also served as Senior Vice President of Current Programming at CBS Television for nine years. At CBS, he was responsible for overseeing the creative development of over 20 scripted series per season, including CSI, NCIS, THE GOOD WIFE, THE BIG BANG THEORY, and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. In addition to supervising the creative process, David was intricately involved in all aspects of the ongoing series, regularly interfacing with senior management for the network’s Scheduling, Marketing, Casting, Digital, and Business Affairs departments. David was also Executive Producer at Eleven Stitches Productions, CBS Television Studios. During this three-year production deal, he developed and sold multiple dramas and comedies to broadcast, cable, and streaming networks.

Before joining CBS, David worked as a comedy writer on several series, including BOY MEETS WORLD and THE DREW CAREY SHOW.

 

James Presson is a producer and the Head of Original Programming at Graven Images, an entertainment co-financing and production company startup specializing in high-end indies that cost between $1MM and $9MM. Graven Images is led by Omar Theron Barnes, and has held several major development and first-look deals with Truly Original, Bullish Creative, Tupelo Honey, Switchblade Entertainment, John Doe Media, Fatstache, Jarrett Creative, Roc Nation Television, and cable networks Spike TV, WETV, and VH1.

Previously, James was the Head of Production and Development for Alcorp, the producing outfit for legendary television director Allen Coulter. James has been a producer on SUPER PUMPED (Showtime), VINYL (HBO), GET SHORTY (Epix), CIVIL (TNT), and most recently, TULSA KING (Paramount+).

James has supervised a wide array of development projects and deals with the top studios and production companies in Hollywood, including Paramount, MGM, Blumhouse, Sony TV, Killer Films, Miramax, Thunder Road, Village Roadshow, ITV, Storied Media, Legendary, Black Bear, and Cross Creek. He is based in New York, where he has been an active member of the television and theatre communities for a decade.

 

This unique add-on benefit is separate from the Stage 32 Contest prizes and placements. Only projects submitted to the Stage 32 Contest AND that select this add-on are eligible for consideration in this category. Additionally, all projects that place in the Top 10 round of the competition will automatically be considered.

 

Stage 32 Contests Launch Careers

Recent Winners Making Waves:

Film & TV Comedy Winner Ted Sperling signed a shopping agreement with Pathfinder Media on his winning script TREASURE INC!

Diversity Talent Accelerator Winner Micheal S. Camp signed a shopping agreement with Color Farm Media on his winning script THE PERFECT KISSER!

TV Comedy Winners Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman - Signed with Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG (setup by Stage 32) who got them hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!

New Blood Winner Travis J. Opgenorth - Script optioned by Broken Time Entertainment and signed with Persistent Entertainment after Stage 32 introduced him to nearly a dozen industry pros.

New Blood Winners Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile - Script set up for production with $1.5M budget, Lucas Heyne attached to direct & Scoot McNairy set to star!

Diversity Springboard Winner Jeffrey Thompson - Staffed in the Writer's Room of THE GOLDBERGS

New Blood Winner Christina Pamies - Signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager Jake Wagner, then hired by StudioCanal to adapt BAGHEAD (now streaming on Shudder/AMC+).

New Blood Winner Kevin Bachar - Winning script became THE INHABITANT (2022), produced by Lionsgate and released on Hulu.

Career-Changing Representation:

  • TV Drama Winner Katie McClung - Signed with literary manager Chloe Morris of 42 MP
  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
  • Rom Com Finalist Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment
  • Female Driven Winner Jimmy Miller - Signed with literary manager Marc Manus
  • New Blood Winner Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield
  • Drama Winner Jonathan Jordan - Signed by major agency Verve, script currently in production
  • New Blood Winner Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International
  • Comedy Winner Diana Wright - Signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency
  • New Blood Winners Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment
  • Comedy Winner Greg Mania - Signed with Cohn/Torgan Management, published NPR Best Book of 2020
  • New Blood Finalist Frank Ponce - Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment, script picked up by Atlas Entertainment, sold Evel Knievel series to USA Network

The Stage 32 Difference: Winners receive meetings with managers, agents, and producers - not just a trophy. Real careers launched, real movies made, real representation secured.

"Stage 32 isn't about a quick win and a pat on the back. They're serious about opening doors." - Travis J. Opgenorth


What Are the Prizes?

Our Grand Prize Winners will:

  • Work with Stage 32 to develop your winning script and additional materials to prepare your project for the market.
  • Have your script logline and bio sent to our exclusive roster of agents and managers actively seeking new talent.
  • Receive a free membership to the Stage 32 Writers’ Room, gaining access to over 3,000 hours of educational content and networking with industry heavyweights.
  • But that's not all!

Check below for ALL our new prize packages! Including packages for Finalists, Semifinalists, Quarterfinalists, and more!

Want Script Coverage & The Ability To Submit A New Draft?

Want professional feedback on your script? We offer discounted script coverage and the option to resubmit revised drafts. Our feedback options are designed to help you polish your work and give you the best chance at success.

 

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:


 


Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline: March 12th, 2026

Early Bird Deadline: April 1st, 2026

Regular Deadline: April 22nd, 2026

Final Deadline: May 20th, 2026

 

Quarterfinalist Announcement: July 17th, 2026

Semifinalist Announcement: July 31st, 2026

Finalist Announcement: August 14th, 2026

Winner Announcement: August 28th, 2026

 

If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.

 

 

 

Contest Prizes

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $4,000 Value

  • Script Development Package
    • Free detailed, comprehensive story notes on your script
    • Pitch deck development to help get your winning project market-ready for you to shop
    • Logline polish for your winning project
  • Career Development Package
    • Free Career Development call with a top Executive
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
    • Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
    • An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement
  • Writer Branding Package
    • A punch-up of your professional bio
    • Headshot selection advice
    • Portfolio guidance
    • Portfolio branding tips
    • Social media branding tools
  • Education Package
    • Free 1-year Writer’s Room Membership
    • Stage 32 Webinar Library All-Access prize code (3,000+ hours of educational content)
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification

 

FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $1,500 Value

  • Career Development Package
    • Free Career Development call with a top Executive
    • Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
    • Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
    • An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement
  • Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
    • A punch-up of your professional bio
    • Headshot selection advice
    • Logline polish for your finalist script
  • Education Package
    • Free 3-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

 

SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value

  • Education Package
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Class
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

 

QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value

  • Education Package
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
    • 1 Free webinar code

 

ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value

  • Education
    • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
    • 1 Free webinar code

 

In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

Our Track Record

Our TV Drama Screenwriting Contest Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 years. Stage 32 has quickly emerged as the leading source for industry executives to uncover new talent! Is this your year to move the needle on your career?

Our 5th Annual TV Drama winner, John Norton gained massive traction on his winning procedural drama script SIGNATURE and took a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers from ABC, Graven Images, Osowik Management, Vision Entertainment, NightDrive Management, and more! -- all currently working on and looking for TV drama projects! 

 

Our 4th Annual TV Drama winner Katie McClung won with her script HOMER RANCH and signed with Chloe Morris of 42 Management & Production! 


Our 3rd Annual TV Drama winner, Lisa Steadman won with her script LAUREN OF ARABIA and signed with Mark Saffian at Content House.

 

Our 2nd Annual TV Drama Contest Winner, Trish Person, shares her experience!

 

Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

More Contest Winners would love to tell you why you should enter!

Previous winner, Christina Pamies, was signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager, Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the recently released film BAGHEAD, which was co-produced by The Picture Company and released via AMC+ Networks!

VIEW THE BAGHEAD (2024) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON SHUDDER!

Our 3rd Annual Feature Drama winner Kelly Nugent signed with a manager at Wonder Street Entertainment after winning with her script THE OTHER MOTHER CRIED!

Our 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Jeff Galante signed with a manager at Primary Wave, and he is currently working on a slate of feature films with producers. Jeff's gone on to create/produce TV pilots for NBC and A&E and has consulted on projects for Ron Howard, Chris Moore, and Warner Bros animation.

Our 5th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Eric Jeske signed with a manager at Heroes & Villans Entertainment.

Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.

Our 4th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.

Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!

She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"

 

Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!

Contest Judges

Nathan Varni (Mentor)

Nathan Varni (Mentor) - Executive Director, Drama Development / Programming, ABC - Disney

Nathan Varni is Executive Director, Drama Development / Programming for ABC & Hulu Originals. Mr. Varni oversees all creative and day-to-day management on ABC’s primetime series including Will Trent, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, The Conners and General Hospital.

In past seasons, Mr. Varni served as the covering executive on Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Rebel, The Baker and the Beauty, How to Get Away with Murder, Grand Hotel, Once Upon A Time, Scandal, Cristela, The Middle, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, the revival of Roseanne and also serves as the network/studio executive on ABC’s long-running daytime drama series, General Hospital, currently celebrating 60 years on-air, where he has oversaw 3000+ episodes of the series, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding daytime drama series.

Mr. Varni joined ABC in comedy current programming working in development and current programming and worked on a vast number of both comedy and drama series including According to Jim, Samantha Who?, Better off Ted, Cougar Town, Castle, V, 666 Park Avenue and three seasons co-covering Happy Endings.

Prior to joining ABC, Mr. Varni worked in series development at Regency Television (Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show). While at Regency Mr. Varni assisted with the creative coverage of NBC’s Windfall and FOX’s New Amsterdam. Prior to his time at Regency TV, Mr. Varni worked in reality series as a story assistant for series such as America’s Next Top Model, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, High School Reunion, For Love or Money and The Next Great Champ. Game show experience includes working on 65 episodes of GSN’s Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Mr. Varni served as a production assistant and then Exec Producers assistant on the CBS sitcoms Listen Up and How I Met Your Mother.

Myra Model (Mentor)

Myra Model (Mentor) - Manager and Executive Producer, Myra Model Management

Myra Model is the principal and creative head of Myra Model Management, a boutique management company that identifies, curates, and develops premium writing talent and bold emerging voices across television, film, and new media. She is currently an Executive Producer on SUNNY NIGHTS, an eight-episode comic-drama written by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, starring Will Forte and D'Arcy Carden, for Stan Australia with Jungle Entertainment and Echo Lake.

Myra has been a trailblazer in launching the television careers of Sundance and Humanitas prize winners and playwrights. They include Ellen Fairey (American Classic), Marisa Wegrzyn (AMAZON'S GOLIATH), Caitlin Parrish (CBS's SUPERGIRL), Jeremy Nielsen, Connie O'Donahue, and Edith Freni. She also represents and has developed talent including Nick Keetch, Adam Scott Weissman (THE GOOD DOCTOR), Rosie Kaller, Nick Baker (HOMELAND), Cami Delavigne (AMERICAN GIGOLO), Deborah Swisher (THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY), and Humanitas New Voices winners Josh Corey and Brian Kratz (WELCOME TO FLATCH).

Myra brings to her thriving management business years of experience as a broadcast programming executive and producer. She previously served as Director and then Vice President at CBS Entertainment, supervising event limited series programming and providing creative direction on more than 40 television events. Her credits at CBS include Mario Puzo's THE LAST DON, BLONDE, AMERICAN TRAGEDY, IN COLD BLOOD, GLEASON, RUBY RIDGE, ALEX HALEY'S MAMA FLORA'S FAMILY, and the adaptation of the acclaimed BBC mini-series RECKLESS.

Earlier in her career, Myra was a broadcast producer for Emmy-winning news and entertainment shows in Boston and was recruited by Telepictures Productions to help launch unscripted shows in Los Angeles. She was also a Co-Producer on Blind Curve, a Cannes Film Festival International Critics Week selection.

Rachel Polan (Judge)

Rachel Polan (Judge) - SVP, Development & Production, Pacesetter Productions

Rachel Polan is a Producer on AVIARY starring Malin Akerman and most recently partnered with Jessica Rhoades as the Senior Vice President at Pacesetter Productions (which was announced in Variety), which is behind the Emmy-nominated HBO Max limited series STATION ELEVEN starring Mackenzie Davis, as well as the upcoming Starz show THE VENERY OF SAMANTHA BIRD.

She developed, sold and produced a slate of projectes including: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD (Netflix), DEAR MR. YOU (Netflix), MATCHED (Netflix), 129 WAYS TO GET A HUSBAND (NBC), PONIES (Peacock), NICE JEWISH GIRLS (Netflix), UNT. HARBINDER KAUR SERIES (CBS), DISQUIET (AMC), AVIARY (feature).

Prior to joining Pacesetter, Polan served as Vice President of Scripted Development for Chelsea Handler Productions where she helped develop, sell, and co-executive produce shows such as BLAIR for MAX and WIPED OUT for Peacock. Before that, she was an executive at Lionsgate, where she was creatively involved in some of the Television Group’s biggest accomplishments, including securing NASHVILLE a fifth season at CMT; shepherding the first season of CASUAL for Hulu which garnered it's first ever Golden Globe nomination,selling Epix one of its first scripted shows, GRAVES; and developing DEAR WHITE PEOPLE for Netflix.

Polan’s other credits include Showtime’s NURSE JACKIE and WEEDS, WGN America’s MANHATTAN, and E!’s THE ROYALS.

Rachel has a passion for helping writers develop scripts that have strong, relatable characters and exciting worlds are marketable for what buyers are looking for.

David Brownfield (Mentor)

David Brownfield (Mentor) - Television Producer, Formerly CBS Television, Dick Wolf, Entertainment One

David Brownfield is a television producer who previously worked as an executive and producer at Dick Wolf Entertainment. He produced over 180 episodes for shows such as LAW AND ORDER: SVU, CHICAGO MED, CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO FIRE, FBI, and FBI: MOST WANTED, leading the creative and production teams for seven Primetime series, while also working on development projects to grow the Dick Wolf brand.

Prior to joining Dick Wolf Entertainment, David was an executive and producer at Entertainment One Television, where he oversaw creative and production on current series and had several hour-long and half-hour-long projects in development.

He also served as Senior Vice President of Current Programming at CBS Television for nine years. At CBS, he was responsible for overseeing the creative development of over 20 scripted series per season, including CSI, NCIS, THE GOOD WIFE, THE BIG BANG THEORY, and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. In addition to supervising the creative process, David was intricately involved in all aspects of the ongoing series, regularly interfacing with senior management for the network’s Scheduling, Marketing, Casting, Digital, and Business Affairs departments. David was also Executive Producer at Eleven Stitches Productions, CBS Television Studios. During this three-year production deal, he developed and sold multiple dramas and comedies to broadcast, cable, and streaming networks.

Before joining CBS, David worked as a comedy writer on several series, including BOY MEETS WORLD and THE DREW CAREY SHOW.

LeAnn Scrimmager (Judge)

LeAnn Scrimmager (Judge) - WEtv (AMC Networks), Executive Producer

LeAnn Scrimmager is an Executive Producer and Development Executive and is the Manager of Development and Production, Unscripted, for We tv (AMC Networks). She has executive produced numerous shows, including DEB'S HOUSE, MY MANE PROBLEM, and WIGGIN' OUT WITH TOKYO STYLEZ. She also works with several producers and production companies to develop original projects for the network.

Before starting at We tv/ALLBLK, she worked closely with Smriti Mundhra, executive producer of INDIAN MATCHMAKER and was an artist programmer for the International Documentary Association, where she oversaw the curation of Getting Real 2020, one of the most significant documentary conferences in North America.

She started her career as a coordinator for Tony Bennett’s management company, RPM Productions, assisting in multiple noteworthy projects. Over the years, she has continued working at various production offices, entertainment houses, and studios in NYC, LA, and London.

Raquelle David (Judge)

Raquelle David (Judge) - Producer, Literary Manager

Raquelle David is a Producer and Literary Manager. She worked most recently with Authentic Talent and Literary Management, a full-service Talent and Literary Management firm in Los Angeles, California. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Raquelle has a ten year career spanning both television and feature production.

Her clients have worked on shows, such as THE BROTHERS SUN (NETFLIX), THE CLEANING LADY (FOX), GORDITA CHRONICLES (Max), GOSSIP GIRL (Max), CLEAN SLATE (Prime Video), THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (NETFLIX), MIDNIGHT MASS (NETFLIX), and 9-11 (FOX)

Raquelle David has worked across independent film and television as a producer as well. Her multiple film credits have garnered a number of accolades including nominations for Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Australian Academy Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Award and the Screen Producers Australia Award. Raquelle previously worked for Goalpost Pictures, Seven Network, Screen New South Wales in Australia and Rhombus Media in Toronto, Canada, under the tutelage of producer Niv Fichman (THE RED VIOLIN, ENEMY, BLINDNESS).

James Presson (Mentor)

James Presson (Mentor) - Producer & Head of Original Programming, Graven Images

James Presson is a producer and the Head of Original Programming at Graven Images, an entertainment co-financing and production company startup specializing in high-end indies that cost between $1MM and $9MM. Graven Images is led by Omar Theron Barnes, and has held several major development and first-look deals with Truly Original, Bullish Creative, Tupelo Honey, Switchblade Entertainment, John Doe Media, Fatstache, Jarrett Creative, Roc Nation Television, and cable networks Spike TV, WETV, and VH1.

Previously, James was the Head of Production and Development for Alcorp, the producing outfit for legendary television director Allen Coulter. James has been a producer on SUPER PUMPED (Showtime), VINYL (HBO), GET SHORTY (Epix), CIVIL (TNT), and most recently, TULSA KING (Paramount+).

James has supervised a wide array of development projects and deals with the top studios and production companies in Hollywood, including Paramount, MGM, Blumhouse, Sony TV, Killer Films, Miramax, Thunder Road, Village Roadshow, ITV, Storied Media, Legendary, Black Bear, and Cross Creek. He is based in New York, where he has been an active member of the television and theatre communities for a decade.

 

Winner Announcements

Jul 17
Quarter-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Jul 31
Semi-Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Aug 14
Finalists Announced
on Stage 32
Aug 28
Contest Winners Announced
on Stage 32
* Announcement dates subject to change.
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