Big Light Productions announces writers’ apprenticeship programme winner
December 11, 2023
Big Light Productions, the producer behind Leonardo and The Man in the High Castle led by award-winning writer/producer Frank Spotnitz, has announced the recipient of its annual writers’ apprenticeship programme, which is designed to support emerging screenwriters.
As the production company celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Screenwriter and Director Dekel Nitzan from Israel is set to join Big Light Productions for a three-month placement from January 2024. Currently based in Germany, Nitzan was selected having completed the prestigious Serial Eyes postgraduate television training programme for television writers at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB), where Spotnitz is a founding tutor. Just like Big Light Productions, Serial Eyes celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year and prides itself with over 100 successful Alumni working in the industry.
Prior to joining the Serial Eyes programme, Nitzan graduated from the Steve Tisch School of Film and TV at Tel Aviv University. He has a B.A. in film studies, specialising in directing, and an M.A. in Screenwriting, and was recognised for his scholarly achievements earning a spot on the Dean’s List. In his home country of Israel Nitzan started as an independent filmmaker, writing and directing four short films, which have screened at multiple film festivals including Shanghai, Montreal and Flickers: Rhode Island, and Tel-Aviv Cinematheque. Nitzan picked up a nomination at Israeli’s Ophir Awards, colloquially known as the Israeli Academy Awards, and is a Berlinale Talents alumnus. Nitzan also worked as a video editor for news and commercials in his early career. More recently, Nitzan worked with Koda Communications to write an episode on the first season of TV crime drama HaShotrim (Line in the Sand) for Keshet 12, and as a staff writer on a yet-to-be-announced MoviePlus Productions’ drama series for HOT Cable Communication. He also worked with Spider in the Web production company Topia Communications as a writer, developing proposals and series bibles alongside renowned film director Eran Riklis (The Lemon Tree, The Syrian Bride, Zaytoun).
Dekel Nitzan said: “I feel very honoured and grateful for this opportunity. As I am always aiming to maximize my screenwriting skills and my approach toward the development process, I’m sure that the apprenticeship at Big Light will help me achieve this goal with higher standards than I could have ever imagined. And while I’m developing my own TV projects as head writer and showrunner, I’m happy for the chance to learn from a team of professionals who made and took part in making, such great series over the years. I have no doubt I will gain a lot and I wish to contribute as much as I can during my time at Big Light.”
Big Light Productions CEO and Writer Frank Sponitz said: “When I moved to Europe and established Big Light, I was struck by the many advantages American writers enjoy, chief among them the opportunity to work in writers’ rooms. Writers’ rooms not only give emerging writers the chance to hone their craft, but help give producers and broadcasters confidence in hiring emerging talent, which is essential to bring new voices into the industry. Dekel is one of those exciting and gifted new voices. We hope our programme will help him take the next step in his promising career, and are delighted to welcome him to the Big Light team.”
Big Light Productions’ Writing Apprenticeship Programme helps emerging writing talent master their craft and gain insight into the industry. The three-month programme provides practical experience in a writers’ room, collaborating on local and international projects and new series development and is aimed at aspiring screenwriters who have already made a considerable commitment to the development of their practice and would benefit from a placement alongside experienced international drama executives. During the placement, Nitzan will have the opportunity build on his craft and learn from Spotnitz (The Man In The High Castle, Leonardo, Medici, Devils, The X-Files) and the wider Big Light team across a range of scripted television and feature film developments.
Serial Eyes is Europe’s premier postgraduate training programme for television writers. The Berlin-based programme prepares the next generation of European TV writers to bring first-class storytelling to television screens. With the writers’ room experience at the core of the programme, twelve participants are given the opportunity to learn from industry experts and develop a European model of show running. Spotnitz has been tutoring at Serial Eyes since the programme started in 2013 and began the Big Light Productions apprenticeship programme seven years ago as a way to deepen the company’s commitment to supporting upcoming writers.
Over the last decade Big Light Productions has since firmly established a reputation for supporting emerging writers through its apprenticeship programme. Previous apprentices have gone on to enjoy success in the industry, with alumni creating and writing TV series and feature films in France, Germany and across Europe.