Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 15, 2015
Four writers have been selected as winners of the 2014 HUMANITAS New Voices program. Each writer will receive a $25,000 grant and write a television pilot under the supervision of a veteran series showrunner. The announcement was made today by HUMANITAS President Ali LeRoi, Executive Director Cathleen Young and New Voices Director Carole Kirschner.
“Our world is crazy and beautiful, depressing and hysterical,” said LeRoi. “These young writers have found a way to articulate these complexities and we are honored to stand with them as they embark on careers that will be just as thrilling.” Added Young, “This group of writers is uniquely prepared to take on the task of telling the important stories for this generation and generations to come.”
“It is an honor and a pleasure to work with these writers as they create entertaining and meaningful work that continues the mission of HUMANITAS,” said New Voices Director Carole Kirschner. The winners, with their respective mentors and studios are as follows:
- Jamie Duneier – Melanie Marnich (“The Affair” “The Big C” “Big Love) FX Networks
- Grete Heinemann – Pam Veasey (“CSI: Cyber” “In Living Color”) CBSP
- Jessica Mollo – Gary Glasberg (“NCIS” “Crossing Jordon”) CBSP
- Brian Peterson – Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs” “Cougar Town” “Spin City”)
About the Winners
Jamie Duneier
Jamie began his career as Jason Katims' assistant on Friday Night Lights, then became the writers assistant on the first season of Parenthood followed by staff writer on Parenthood for seasons two and three. Jamie sold his original drama pilot “Savage” to Fox 21. He earned his BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in film production.
Grete Heineman
Inspired by THE TERMINATOR, Greta Heinemann left her home country (Germany) to pursue a career as a Hollywood writer. She has since learned how to speak English, was named a two-time winner of the UCLA Writers’ Competition, and was recently accepted into the CBS Writers Mentoring Program.
Jessica Mollo
At 13, Jessica wrote her first screenplay, a Hamlet-inspired horror movie. She earned her BFA in screenwriting at USC and later landed her first gig writing an original sci-fi feature. While penning her pilot IMMERSION, she discovered a passion for shedding light on human trafficking and exploring damaged characters seeking redemption and hope.
Brian Peterson
Brian aka Peetz Peterson is a recovering stand-up comedian from Houston. He earned his MFA at NYU and recently produced and directed his first stage play, THE MISADVENTURES OF RICK THE STRANGLER in Venice Beach, where he currently abides.
New Voices seeks to identify new and emerging writers whose highly entertaining work explores the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way. Each writer or team has four months to complete their pilot script. Once completed, the mentors will submit the scripts to their respective studios for consideration. Winners were acknowledged at the 40th HUMANITAS Prize Luncheon on January 16, 2015.
Over the past three years, 16 writers have participated in the New Voices program. Last year five winners were selected; three gained representation, three joined writing staffs and one is in development at HBO.
About HUMANITAS
Since its inception in 1974, The HUMANITAS Prize has awarded over $3 million to more than 300 deserving television and motion picture writers whose work affirms the dignity of the human person, probes the meaning of life, and enlightens the use of human freedom. HUMANITAS exists to encourage, stimulate and sustain the nation’s screenwriters in their humanizing task, and to give them the recognition they deserve.
The HUMANITAS Prize is funded by an endowment established through the generosity of individuals, networks, studios and foundations.
For more information, please visit the website at http://www.humanitasprize.org
###
CONTACT:
Cathleen Young, Executive Director
cathleen.young(at)humanitasprize(dot)org
310.454.8769
Carole Kirschner, New Voices Director
Ckirschner1(at)gmail(dot)com
818.340.1933