The winners of the Lee Daniels Entertainment creative workshop have been announced, hopefully breathing new life into Hollywood!
In August, the man who brought you Fox’s Empire and film’s Precious, announced a three-day, creative development experience. The winners of the workshop have been selected: writer, director and self-taught actor Simone Williams; trans actor and singer Christopher Nekeith Mitchell; and writer and teacher Camika Spencer. Daniels was also captivated by young writer London Monroe and decided to also take him under his wing, as well.
Williams, a student at Florida A&M, told her university paper: “all I need is my foot in the door and I’m confident that everything will flow from there.” Williams also said that she sees this as an opportunity to accomplish her dream of being a writer and showrunner for her own TV shows. The workshop will give these aspiring creatives a firsthand look into the entertainment industry under the mentorship of some of the business’ best.
“My team and I are very excited about each of the winners of our very first Lee Daniels Entertainment Creative Workshop program,” said the Oscar-winning director.
Daniels said he and his team have learned that “you will find some of the freshest, most promising talent in some of the most unthought-of places.” These are the ones that reside in communities often forgotten by society. Communities that are filled with eager talent waiting for a chance to make their dreams a reality.
We live in an age of reboots. Original content is out here waving its hands like it’s signaling a plane and yet is constantly being ignored. I, as well as a multitude of people, long for programing that brings something new and exciting to the table, so bravo to Lee Daniels and the winners of the workshop!