Invention Studios comedy initiative

Invention Studios has launched two film and television development programs in Australia and Kenya, dedicated to supporting top local writers and creators and bringing their projects to the world market.

Invention Studios was founded by CEO Nicholas Weinstock, producer of Severance and Escape at Dannemora.

The program will pair new voices in Australian comedy for the first time with a Hollywood-based production company.

Five original Australian comedy projects by emerging writers will be nurtured through a creative development process and brought both to local Australian buyers and platforms and to global studios, networks, and streamers.

They will also be mentored, via Zoom sessions, by Hollywood-based writers, including Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development) and Stacy Traub (Daisy Jones & the Six, Blackish).

“We are thrilled to be expanding our international work to find the greatest emerging creators capable of developing wildly original and world-class movies and shows,” said Weinstock. “The talent, smarts, and ambition of writers and directors in fast-rising markets like Australia and Kenya are obvious. We’re proud and excited to be building innovative launchpads to help those creators generate game-changing films and series that can take the world by surprise — and by storm.”

The program is being steered locally by comedy writer / producer Hannah Reilly, who is based in Sydney but currently interning at Invention in Los Angeles on an executive exchange program through Screen Australia.

Reilly wrote and directed the stage musical The Deb and subsequently developed the screenplay, which will serve as Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut.

Along with Reilly, Carmen Knox, a creative producer with over 10 years experience in scripted development, production and literary management, will be on the ground working with the participants in Australia.

Source: Variety