Big Light Productions, the producer behind Leonardo and The Man in the High Castle this week 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 on over 100 successful Alumni working in the industry.
Big Light Productions CEO and Writer Frank Sponitz:
“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.”
Before 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:
“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.”
