Big Light Productions Unveils Writers’ Apprenticeship Recipient

Big Light Productions (The Man in the High Castle, Leonardo) has revealed that screenwriter Nadya Todorova of Bulgaria is the recipient of its annual writers’ apprenticeship.

Todorova will join Big Light Productions for a paid two-month placement in the company, alongside CEO Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, Ransom, The Man in the High Castle, Medici), Creative Director Emily Feller (Medici, Trust Me, Ordinary Lies) and the rest of the Big Light team. The apprenticeship will be virtual this year due to social distancing and restricted travel amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in its fourth year, Big Light’s writers’ apprenticeship program invites an emerging screenwriter and recent graduate of the Serial Eyes program to join their team for the placement, where they become part of the writers’ rooms for projects that are in development. It is designed to provide hands-on practical experience of a writers’ room and writing for local and international projects.

Todorova, who joined the Serial Eyes program for its 2019-20 edition, was previously enrolled in the APP Screenwriting program at FAMU in Prague in 2018. She has written on a selection of TV shows across the comedy, thriller and crime genres in her home territory. She was also part of Berlinale Talents, the interfilm Berlin Script Pitch and the EastWest Talent Lab.

Big Light Productions is currently in post-production on the new drama Leonardo, co-produced with Lux Vide and starring Aidan Turner, Freddie Highmore and Matilda De Angelis. It will premiere on Rai, France Télévisions and RTVE in 2021.

Todorova said: “I’m very excited to begin my adventure at Big Light. Frank was such an important teacher for me and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn everything I can from him and the people he works with. This is such a wonderful opportunity for me to further develop what I learned at Serial Eyes and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.”

Frank Spotnitz, Big Light Productions CEO and executive producer, said: “Writers are the heartbeat of Big Light, and we are deeply committed to providing rewarding opportunities for new and emerging writers to help and support them to develop their experience and sharpen their already impressive skills. Nadya is a very exciting writer with raw talent and sharp wit, and we’re really delighted to work with her for the next few months.”

Ben Harris, head of program at Serial Eyes, added: “Nadya is one of those rare, raw talents who can bring her own creative voice even to the most unlikely topics and turn them into comedy gold. I’m delighted that Frank and his team have selected her for this amazing opportunity to help her further hone her craft and prepare her for what promises to be a stellar career.”