Today, the Sundance Institute announced that it is expanding its labs program into television and online content, establishing the first Sundance Institute Episodic Story Lab.

This venture into small-screen storytelling will be held this fall at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. Participants will be accepted by invitation only and will spend six days developing scripted and online series, stories, and characters with a panel of mentors in drama and comedy writing. During the lab, participants will gain a better understanding of the landscape for production and distribution of serialized stories.

"Although the opportunities are growing, there are few training grounds for new and diverse voices who want to work in episodic writing,” said Keri Putnam, executive director of Sundance Institute to The Hollywood Reporter. “Our lab will offer a rare opportunity for artists to develop unique multi-part projects, working in a setting where they will also learn how to navigate the changing landscape of this field."

Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter, founding director of the institute’s feature film program, will lead the new program, while Norman and Lyn Lear are the founding supporters.

“Sundance Institute has always worked to develop and support a next generation of independent artists,” said Sundance President and Founder Robert Redford to Deadline. “As more of those artists look to the opportunities in television and online platforms, it is only natural that we expand our labs to address the unique needs of serialized work.”

In other recent news, Macmillan Entertainment and Everest Entertainment Group are developing a feature film from “The Wolfman,” the 2008 novel written by Nicholas Pekearo. Check out the ScreenCraft post about the news.

Also, don't miss the post "Everything They Didn't Teach You About Working in Entertainment."