Sky Vision & Issa Rae’s ColorCreative.TV Back Competition for YA Series

LONDON: ColorCreative.TV is teaming up with Sky Vision and Talos Films in a search to find the next big series for the young-adult market.

The Fresh Wave! writing competition is meant to support under-represented writers. Finalists will receive development expertise from ColorCreative.TV, industry mentors and Talos Films. The winning submission will produce a pilot with ColorCreative.TV and Talos Films, funded by Sky Vision. The project will be taken to market in the fall. Runners-up will have their ideas optioned and represented by the initiative.

ColorCreative.TV was founded by Issa Rae, the star and co-creator of HBO’s Insecure, and producer Deniese Davis, who directed Beyoncé’s “Formation” video and half the episodes of Insecure. The outfit’s mission is to raise awareness for writers from diverse backgrounds and provide a springboard for their careers by producing and selling their work to digital, network and cable platforms.

Rae commented: “Giving a platform for under-represented voices to be heard and seen is extremely important to me. With so many polarizing views and rhetoric dominating the mainstream right now, it’s crucial that stories and perspectives by people of color, and women, are given an opportunity to be a part of the narrative. My hope is that by collaborating with such world-renowned and respected brands like Talos Films and Sky Vision, we will be able to magnify those stories.”

Co-Presidents of Talos Films, Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with ColorCreative.TV and Sky Vision to find the next break-out talent in the young-adult market. With Issa and Deniese’s ability to identify new voices that resonate with mass audiences, coupled with the industry know-how of our partners and mentors, we are excited to discover both a unique and timely project.”

The managing director of Sky Vision, Jane Millichip, said: “The support Issa and Deniese give to new writers is admirable. With their writing expertise, the production skill of Talos Films, and the commercial and strategic guidance of Sky Vision, we believe this is a truly dynamic partnership.”