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The Winners Circle
Read about the amazing writers who made the final cut and what they had to say about their experience with The Pilot Project.
ANDREW DRYDEN MORTIMER
SPACE & TIDE drama
"My experience with the Pilot Project was overwhelmingly positive. I received valuable feedback from Ruth Trippit which was a big confidence boost, and helped me prepare for a new and improved 2nd draft. My pilot has since been shortlisted for the National Screen Institute's (NSI) Totally Television Program and the Pilot Project has better prepared me for that process. Thanks to Rabia Khan for organizing such a great opportunity for emerging Canadian screenwriters. I also applaud the fact that there was no cost to enter, the Project's intentions are pure and true." - Andrew
CRYSTAL WOOD
PAGEANT PETS animation
"I really appreciated the feedback given to me by Brandon Lane. His notes were thoughtful and helped me to think not just in terms of story, but how to pitch and sell a show in the animation market. I’m excited to incorporate his feedback into the next draft of my script and continue working on my "Pageants Pets" Pilot Project (couldn't pass up the alliteration there!)." - Crystal
DONALD FARROW
CONSPIRACIES drama
"If you’re lost in the woods, it’s good to have friends with you. But those friends can’t show you the way out or let you know you’re moving in the right direction. They’re just as lost as you are. The Pilot Project is like a shout from the highway, proof that you’re heading in the right direction and that there is, in fact, an end to the forest. I’m so grateful to the organizers, readers, and industry professionals that donated their time to shout into the woods. Without their help, I’d still be walking in circles." - Donald
ELLIE GORDON MOERSHEL
SAVING SPLASHVILLE ! animation
"Trying to break into TV writing can be daunting and lonely and so I was very excited to have my script selected as part of the Pilot Project. It was my first time receiving feedback from a production executive and getting a shout out in the inkcanada facebook group (which genuinely made me feel cool). Thanks to Rabia and the experts for their commitment to assisting new writers!" - Ellie
JEFF SAGER
NEW KID comedy
"The Pilot Project was a very useful experience for me. The expert gave a lot of valuable notes that helped me see things from a fresh and uniquely experienced perspective. I agreed with a lot of what Brandon Lane felt needed to be improved upon and have implemented a lot of those improvements into new drafts. To be totally honest, I think I gained the most from the fact that the script didn't seem to fully resonate with him. It forced me to deal with rejection head on, an inevitable and continuous experience in this industry, and on a personal level, coming to terms with that brought me one step closer to surrendering and overcoming my stupid ego, which is the main purpose of life! 10/10: Would Pilot Project again!" - Jeff
JOEL BUXTON
IN TRANSIT comedy
"I was extremely excited to hear that my pilot would benefit from the feedback of not one, but several industry professionals. I have found their feedback invaluable, not just regarding structure and character, but also the state of the industry, and technical considerations. I am so grateful for their insight, and I look forward to implementing their notes to make my script the best it can be. I can't wait to tell others about this rare and valuable initiative. As someone who generally has trouble asking for help, this was a truly priceless opportunity." - Joel
LEWIS SPRING
Lewis is a TWO time winner
GROWN UPS drama
LAZARUS drama
"The feedback I received through The Pilot Project has proven invaluable in honing my skills as a storyteller, creating deep, multi-dimensional characters, and exploring what makes a strong and unique concept that fits into the current marketplace. Each panelist brought a distinct but equally informative perspective to my original dramedy “Grown Up”, providing a range of thoughts and suggestions to optimize the script’s potential. Overall, I found the experience helpful and would highly recommend submitting a script!" - Lewis
LIZ STRANGE
ERASED sci-fi action
"Participation in, and ultimately winning, the Pilot Project Drama Category for my script Erased was an invaluable experience. It allowed me an opportunity to showcase my work, and to receive feedback from and access to professionals working in the industry today. I can’t say enough positive things about this experience." - Liz
MATT CORLUKA
UNTITLED WITCH fantasy comedy
"Please pass along a massive thanks to Janet Maclean. Her notes were incredibly helpful! I'm really excited to incorporate them into the latest draft. The sheer amount of feedback was amazing. More than anything, though, her enthusiasm for the jokes and her kind words about the project were just so motivating." - Matt
MICHAEL ZEPF
STARJOURN: THE PATH OF THE VIOLET STARS
drama
"The opportunity to get feedback from luminaries of the Canadian screenwriting world is a mind blowing experience. The Pilot Project made it happen." - Michael
MIKE FARDY
RILEY KADABRA animation
"Thank you for this. The whole process has been so rewarding. Really appreciate all that you've done! :)" - Mike
THOMAS CONWAY
ILLEGAL ALIEN animation
"I found this experience incredibly helpful. The notes were insightful and allowed me to refine my script and concept. I would recommend any inspiring writer to take part in this wonderful program." - Thomas
IAN STEAMAN
IAN STEAMAN
SHINE web series
SHINE web series
Ian Steaman is a screenwriter and veteran music industry executive who, during a previous life in New York City, worked with many award-winning, chart-topping artists from De La Soul and Naughty by Nature to Kelis and T-Pain. He has written three feature length screenplays still in development. SHINE is his first foray into writing an episodic series for the web. Currently, he is also an Associate Producer in talent outreach for CBC Music and founder of the acclaimed music blog, DIFFERENT KITCHEN (http://different-kitchen.com).
STEVEN LA FLAMME
STEVEN LA FLAMME
THE ENQUIRING FILES animation
THE ENQUIRING FILES animation
JENNIFER SIDDLE
REINCARMATE comedy
Jennifer Siddle is a newly Toronto-based television writer after spending most of her career in Vancouver. She has been a writer on tween sitcoms Mr. Young (YTV/Disney XD) and Some Assembly Required (YTV/Netflix). In 2015, Jennifer’s screenplay Return From Split River was an Official Selection at Women in Film + Television Vancouver’s International Screenplay Competition. Jenny is a Leo nominated writer, and has twice been a finalist for a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award.
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