Port of Spain, 10th June, 2022: On the 28th and 29th of May, The Trinidad and Tobago Film Industry Company Limited (FilmTT) held a 2-day retreat that included capacity development and networking engagements and ended with the Showrunner Pitch. The retreat and pitch were part of the Writers’ Room phase of the On Set edition of FilmTT’s Script to Screen Programme which began in 2021. Of the 5 pitches, one was selected to be made into a sitcom by a panel of judges led by TTT Limited. The Writers’ Room will comprise of all 5 writers who will rewrite the script under the guidance of the Executive Producers and the winning Showrunner, Richard Ragoobarsingh. The first episode is expected to air in September, 2022.
On Day one of the retreat, all 5 writers received training from Copyright & Related Rights Consultant & Educator, Fabien Alfonso; Supervising Producer for Washington Performing Arts & Emmy Nominated Executive Producer, Eric E Richardson; and Entertainer, Comedian and Creator of ‘The Ro’dey Show’, Rodell Cumberbatch.
Day 2 concluded with the Showrunner Pitch. The 5 writers pitched their sitcom idea before a panel of judges for the chance to be the Showrunner. The competition was fierce as all the presenters brought their best. However, there could be only one Showrunner: Richard Ragoobarsingh.
“What an experience! There was a lot of creative energy in so many writers’ concepts and as the process moved from stage to stage you became more and more invested in the vision, in the opportunity. I am so looking forward to working with the other extremely talented writers in the Writers’ Room in bringing this project to life. Thank you FilmTT, TTT and ExporTT for the opportunity and support in making this happen!” – Richard Ragoobarsingh.
The Judges’ panel consisted of Television Programming Manager, TTT Limited, Diane Robertson; Production & Operations Manager, TTT Limited, Shamelia Thomas-Ashby; TV Producer, TTT Limited, Cherise Gibson; CEO, EximBank, Navin Dookeran; and Business & Country Advisor, exporTT, Deborah Hoyte
“We’re so excited that each person that presented here is so full of talent, ideas and energy. Regardless of who was selected, they are all going to be a part of this creating of a sitcom that will air on TTT and will also be a part of coordinating, with exporTT, to distribute internationally. There is so much talent in Trinidad and Tobago and it’s great to be involved in this opportunity. So much talent in the room. Thank you FilmTT.” – Diane Robertson – Televisions Programming Manager, TTT Limited.
“All the presenters had a passion for national development and dealing with tough issues. Also, everyone had export potential right at the top of their mind, even at the start of the process, which is very commendable. And I am happy that all of them are winners because they are going to be part of the Writers’ Room. I want to commend FilmTT for an excellent job in moving this nation’s talent forward.” – Navin Dookeran – CEO, EximBank.
For more information on the On Set edition of the Business of Film: Script to Screen Programme, visit www.filmtt.co.tt/onset.
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