Make your series idea a marketable project. Learn how to improve your script as well as your skills, and find out possible funding opportunities. Both limited and ongoing series projects are welcome.
MIDPOINT Series Launch 2023
Series
Archive
Projects
Nine promising series projects
Participating projects are divided into three groups of three, and each group's development is overseen by both a group leader and participating development executive.
Arizona Joe
A young man in search of his lost father. An actress willing to do anything to become a movie star. A director in the making of his final film. They meet under the roof of a Soviet-era film studio ...
Behind the Wall
Before he dies, apartment complex owner wants to see his estranged daughter. Triska Rose abides, flying to Prague for the first time since leaving for the states as a teenager. But he dies while ...
Vertebrae
In a quiet village by the Black Sea, local police officer Cosmina assists in investigating the suspicious death of a construction worker. The homicide unit quickly closes the case just as she ...
Welcome, Kinder!
Berlin, 1938. Life became unbearably difficult for Jewish citizen, peaking in the November pogroms. While an outrage goes through the world, Great Britain is the only country to take action. They ...
Kilwater
During one of the first rescue missions under Marta command, a Swedish yacht mysteriously goes missing. This incident hooks the attention of Zora, Swedish prosecutor. The women join forces to ...
Rainbow Gravity
One night, after stealing illegal stash of hormones hidden in a panda sex toy, Ash, a gay drug dealer, and his lesbian friend Lily, along with their LGBTQ+ acquaintances in Belgrade, rush to sell ...
Brain Drain
It's 2023 and Serbia is becoming a luxury travel destination thanks to Playground, popularly dubbed “Air BnB for bodies”. Wealthy tourists are pouring in for short term accommodations in the bodies ...
Love is a Pitch
A group of quirky, dubiously skilled women in their 30s joins a second league football championship. Just as the reality of muddy pitches and experienced opponents sobers them up, they realize that ...
The Fassbinds
Two brothers from the eccentric Fassbind family inherit the distillery and Grand Hotel. As genius businessmen, Siegfried invents the first distillery on rails, while Junior fights for the ...
Participants
The next generation of Central and Eastern European series-content professionals
Development Executive Participants
Tutors
Inspirational professionals with passion for sharing their experience
To ensure the most complex approach to training, Series Launch works with established and well-respected industry names coming from Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, USA or Australia.
Head of Studies
The Head of Studies oversees the general methodology of the program, ensures the needs of the participants are met in the most effective way, and guarantees the practical value and industry impact of the training delivered.
Gabor is a trailblazing professional: showrunning three seasons of the HBO Europe high end drama Golden Life, he boldly went where no man has gone before!
Gabor Krigler
Hungary
Gabor’s career began on the writing staff of a daily serial at the Australian-German firm Grundy UFA in 1999. He became a Creative Executive at the Budapest office of HBO Europe in 2010. In 2019, ...
Complete bio
Group Leaders
The Group Leaders oversee the development of projects in their group from the very beginning of the training until they graduate from the program. They also coach the development executive participant assigned to their group.
Gabor Krigler
Hungary
Gabor’s career began on the writing staff of a daily serial at the Australian-German firm Grundy UFA in 1999. He ...
Complete bio
Steve Matthews
United Kingdom
Steve Matthews is the Head of Scripted, Creative, at Banijay Entertainment, where he plays a pivotal role in the ...
Complete bio
Tatjana Samopjan
Sweden
Tatjana Samopjan is a sought-after speaker known for her deep dives into art, craft and soul of storytelling. Her ...
Complete bio
Development Executive Mentor
The Development Executive Mentor attends and co-creates the training program for the development-executive participants, ensuring that it's implemented into group work and that the collaborative set-up simulates a real-life industry environment.
Christopher Haug
Norway
Christopher Haug is a Norwegian screenwriter, consultant and executive producer. Haug began his career in television ...
Complete bio
Financing Tutor
Marike Muselaers
Sweden
With almost 20 years of experience in the international film and TV industry, Marike recently joined the Nordisk Film ...
Complete bio
Producer Tutor
Nebojsa Taraba
Croatia
Nebojša Taraba, producer & partner, production company DRUGI PLAN, ZAGREB (CROATIA). Drugi plan is a leading ...
Complete bio
Pitching Tutor
Agathe Berman
France
Agathe Berman, a.k.a The Pitchologist Pitch expert/producer/writer/teacher/artistic consultant. She ...
Complete bio
Guest Tutors
These established professionals attend one of the workshops to share their particular professional expertise.
Experts
Structure
A year long intensive program combining various formats
The 9 creative teams, split into 3 groups, work under the guidance of internationally renowned and experienced tutors and in close collaboration with development executive participants who are involved in all parts of the program.
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All ParticipantsProject Pre-trainingMarch 14 - 17, 2023 | Online
Project team members are introduced to serial storytelling with lectures and dramaturgical consultations addressing the structural differences between features and series, and tackling the subject of the series concept and a pilot.
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Development executive participantsPre-Training for DE ParticipantsMarch 13 - 17, 2023 | Online
Development Executive participants, guided by their mentor, are briefed and pre-trained in their basic script-editing skills.
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All participantsWorkshop 1: Series ConceptMarch 27 - April 2, 2023 | Prague, Czech RepublicTEAMS WITH PROJECTS
The creative teams are led to defining their series concept and theme, and outlining their pilot scripts. The workshop consists of group work, individual consultations, lectures and series analysis.
DEVELOPMENTS EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTSEach Development Executive is assigned to the group of projects and observes the group work led by the group leader. The participants get acquainted with the dynamics within the creative team. Their learning process is debriefed within meetings with the development executive tutor, as well as the project teams themselves.
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All participantsOnline ConsultationsApril - June, 2023 | Online
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All participantsWorkshop 2: Season Arc and Mini-BibleJune 12 - 19, 2023 | Czech RepublicTEAMS WITH PROJECTS
Creative teams work on completing their pilots, and creating their season arc and season outlines. They focus also on the project pitching documents, production aspects as well as the financing strategy.
DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTSDevelopment Executive participants continue the involvement in the group, serving as script editors, observing the work on the pilot episode, and getting trained in the financing strategies and production issues together with the creative teams.
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All participantsOnline ConsultationsJuly-November, 2023 | Online
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All participantsWorkshop 3: Pitching and Acquiring PartnersNovember 9 - 15, 2023 | Tallinn, EstoniaTEAMS WITH PROJECT
Each project arrives with a revised pilot script and a completed pitch book/mini-bible. Workshop focuses on creating marketing strategies, refining pitching skills and familiarizes participants with the specifics of different segments of the series market. It concludes at the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event and its TV Beats market, offering debates, panels, lectures, case studies, master classes and the pitching presentation of all projects and participants within.
DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE PARTICIPANTSThe Development Executive participants are present at the pitching training and rehearsals of the projects and also prepare for their own presentations, to pitch themselves as industry professionals. They will also use the networking opportunities at the event for their future careers.
Gallery
References
A pushing experience that gives you confidence
MIDPOINT Series Launch provides a safe space to do all the deep digging you need to in order to develop a good series. You do it with some kind and talented people, you help each other along the way and if you put in the work - you really end up with something to show within what's a rather short space of time for this type of work!
Lea Stankovic
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumna
If you truly intend to make progress with your project, especially while being an emerging writer, don't hesitate and just apply.
Monika Franczak
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumna
I would not move in the TV space in Eastern Europe before at least trying to get into MIDPOINT.
Cristian Nicolescu
Producer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
MIDPOINT Series Launch was an incredible human and professional experience. It was international in a truly European way: multicultural, tailor-crafted and at the same time very demanding!
Giulio Rizzo
Writer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
We came in with quite abstract concept of our series. And we came out with a clear season outline, a really workable draft pilot script and, above all, precious insight into the current changes happening in the series industry, namely, new co-production and distribution models. Very valuable, very recommended!
Andris Gauja
Writer, Director, Producer; Series Launch 2022 alumnus
MIDPOINT was a space in which our project could develop into something stronger and where our team was able to work through a number of issues on a working and personal level; and somewhere for me to learn new skills - like public speaking - which I will take with me in the rest of my career.
Jack Thomas-O'Brien
Producer, Series Launch 2022 alumnus
I would recommend this program to anyone who loves scripted drama, who wants to write or develop scripted drama. The body of knowledge and skills acquired here can hardly be matched elsewhere. And purely on a human level - the relationships that are forged here, the support system created by our incredible tutors, MIDPOINT staff and our talented participants are unprecedented. If you want to grow, learn about TV shows, create a show which will awe audiences…all the while being a part of a like-minded group of people, a MIDPOINT family, think no more - apply!
Sasha Vyshnevska
Development Executive, Series Launch 2022 alumna
MIDPOINT TV launch is constituted in a way that it creates a safe space for you to work with the support of the most enthusiastic experts who keep pushing your limits. You have time to truly explore the theme of your project, reimagine the world and the characters all in a positive and friendly environment.
Maja Pek-Bruenjes
Producer, TV Launch 2020 Alumna
Successful series
Selection of our successful alumni
Hausen
After his mother's death, teenager Juri and his father relocate to a rundown housing complex - but there is more here than meets the eye.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Till Kleinert, Anna Stoeva
Developed at:
MIDPOINT TV Launch 2016
Genre:
Horror/mystery serie
Fractures
The ER doctor, Kristin, in the wake of her divorce moves to her home village with her teenage daughter. Completely out of her comfort zone as she deals with her old lover and her psychic mother, forcing her to face the ghosts of her past.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Kolbrun Anna Bjornsdottir, Eva Sigurdardottir, Vala Thorsdottir
Developed at:
MIDPOINT TV Launch 2017
Genre:
Medical drama series
Babyland
Kyiv, 2020. Natasha has created Babyland, a luxury hotel where fertile women give birth for infertile couples. When a tragic event from Natasha’s past comes back to haunt her, Babyland’s future is threatened and Natasha’s soul is at stake.
Status:
in development
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Martichka Bozhilova, Dianne Jones, Simona Nobile
Developed at:
MIDPOINT TV Launch 2019
TURBO
Aging mobster Dragan struggles to adapt to the new times by fighting teenage-hot-shots on the rise – realizing that his son is becoming the very face of this emerging “turbo-generation”.
Status:
in development
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Boris Grgurovic, Matthias Nerlich, Milan Stojanovic, Milica Zivanovic
Developed at:
MIDPOINT TV Launch 2018
Genre:
High-end crime drama
FAQs
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I have an idea of a series but it's still early development. Can I apply anyway?
Absolutely! The sooner in the development process you apply, the better. Series Launch is designed as a "bottom-up" training program, and will help you create your show from scratch.
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What the fudge is a development executive?
In our region, you might know the profession under the term "television dramaturg" or "commissioning editor". It basically is the script consultant and person who oversees the creative development of series. He/she stands on the broadcaster's side mostly, but could also easily be a development producer at a production company. Read more by clicking on the links stated in the "Overview" folder of this page, or simply ask us.
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I'd like to apply with a limited series. Am I eligible?
Sure! But before you apply, take a moment and first think about why is a series format the one you're thinking of as opposed to a feature film. Is there an engine moving your story? Are you working with a more complex world? (...) Took that moment? Okay, so now apply.
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Once selected, how much time should I allocate to the training?
Quite honestly - a lot. Series Launch is an intensive training, and apart from the assignments and work done during the residential workshops themselves, it operates with a system of tasks and deadlines in between the three workshops. So clear that calendar out a bit.
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Can I apply with a short form series (web series/digital series)?
Not for this particular program. But brace yourself! We are also offering a special training for the short form series (under 20 mins per episode) creators! Check it out here.
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I'm developing a 90-minute 3-part mini-series. Am I eligible?
Sadly, no. Based on our experience, the series rules do not quite apply to formats running over an hour and tend to behave more like feature films. It certainly is a format finding its place on television, we've however opted to focus our training to projects that are series in their core.
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Can I apply with a reality show, documentary or animation series project?
Sadly, this program does not work with reality show, animation or documentary projects, its focus are fiction series projects (drama, comedy, etc.).
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I’m a writer. Can I apply myself?
Apply yes. But please note that to be able to enter the training, you'll have to partner up with an independent producer. This is important as the creative collaboration between the writers and producers represents the core of MIDPOINT Institute in general and moreover, it is an essential part of the development process.
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What is the ideal number of project team members?
Taking into account the methodology of collective group work, we strongly recommend applying as a project team consisting of 2-3 creators, ideally consisting of writer, (co-writer), and producer.
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I have difficulty finding a producer: Can I still apply with my project?
The way how Series Launch is designed, a producer is really needed to be on board. You can consider coming as a writer-producer yourself and taking on another co-writer. It would only mean that you'd have to take over the position of the producer at a certain point of the training and focus more on production planning.
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I'd like to apply as a writer and a producer at the same time.
This is of course possible, but as series writing, in general, is team-based, we really really really suggest bringing another writer with you. During the workshop, you'll be asked to brainstorm and come up with new, and then some new, and then other new ideas, and this is difficult to do in a one-man-show set-up. It might come in handy to have somebody to bounce off your ideas along the way.
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Can we replace the members of our project team in the course of the training?
The continuity of work of specific persons during the entire program is essential. Therefore, it is not possible to add (or replace) the team members during the program.
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The creator is a novelist/playwright.
We embrace all kinds of talent coming from different types of backgrounds. But because we actively and intensely work during the run of the program (both during and outside the residential workshops), it might be a good idea to bring an actual screenwriter – somebody who's familiar with screenwriting structure and formatting and used to day-to-day deliveries, as the tempo and demands during the workshop might seem a bit overwhelming for a first-time writer. This person can be added to the team alongside the creator.
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I have this great idea for a show based on a historical figure...
Great! We love those. But don't forget that you're not writing a Wikipedia profile for a specific person or event in history, you're telling a story. Don't describe it; narrate it. Pitch it to us as if we were the viewers already watching the show on the screen.
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Do I have to pay the whole amount of the participation fee at once?
It is possible to pay the participation fee in three instalments corresponding to the three parts of the training program (i.e., 3 * 600 EUR per participant).
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Does MIDPOINT Institute offer scholarships?
It does. However, these are only partial, cannot be allocated to all participants, and their granting therefore considers various criteria. We HIGHLY recommend applying to a local supporting organization (national or local funds, ministries of culture or education, professional associations, etc.) at the same time you're applying to MIDPOINT Series Launch. You can always withdraw your application if not selected, but as the processing time of this support can be rather long, it might be quite late to do this once we confirm you're in.
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Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?
We don't have a particular list of eligible countries, as basically the entire region we work with is eligible. We do give out scholarships; their allocation and value depend on the selected projects and teams - based on how many of them come from countries with no system of support.
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How do I write my biography/resume?
Be clear about which of the projects you're mentioning were actually produced/released and which are being developed, and with the ones already made, name a few specific results (festivals, awards, number of viewers, etc.).
Also be clear what specifically your role was in these projects. Mention relevant international training programs you've participated in the past, interesting collaborations you've been
a part of and in what role, industry events / presentations you've taken part in and in which capacity.
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What exactly is a “series pitch” and “statement of purpose”?
You can find a detailed description on all the requested submission materials on the first page of your submission form. You can access the form once you've created a profile at the MIDPOINT Visitor Page (see instructions in the "Application" segment of the program’s web profile).
No worries! You can save the form anytime you like and come back to it later, and you can also save or submit any number of applications you like!
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Contact
Did we forget something? Do not hesitate to ask
Alexandra Gabrizova
alexandra.gabrizova@midpoint-institute.eu
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