Tyler Perry Studios invites local director to exclusive filmmakers program

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Tyler Perry Studios is looking for the best of the best, and one Shreveporter is ready to prove they have what it takes.

You may know him as the director of the chart-topping Netflix film, Straw, but many others are about to know him in an entirely new way: mentor.

Tyler Perry is looking to develop the next big thing with his new project, Dream Collective Studios, and one Shreveporter has a hat in the ring for the competition.

According to the website, Dream Collective Studios can be described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for filmmakers who may have been overlooked.

“The Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective is an immersive program designed to identify, cultivate and elevate the next wave of dynamic filmmakers, with an eye on historically underrepresented, underrecognized voices…”

This may be just the opportunity for 2021 Film Prize winner and Shreveport director and writer Mark Bonner.

Bronner was just one of over 3,000 applicants when he received word that he had officially become a finalist. Announcing the exciting news via Facebook, sharing photos and a video of the package he received from the prestigious studio.

The excited filmmaker wrote on his account, “Out of thousands of entries, I was selected as an official finalist director/writer. This was absolute joy and honor to be a part of, it’s a journey of never giving up, keep grinding creatives.”

Bonner will be one of 100 participants in four weeks of virtual sessions designed to educate, inspire, and cultivate a lasting community.

The sessions will allow participants to meet with a director and creative collaborators. They will cover topics that include career origin, the art of collaboration and case studies of trials and triumphs on and off set.

In addition to the training, each of the 100 finalists will be invited to submit short film scripts and materials for evaluation, with the opportunity to advance to an in-person experience.

10 winners will then be flown out to Tyler Perry Studios to begin an immersive, 10-day hands-on training workshop, including Short Film prep.

According to the round four details online, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with and develop their directing skills, working with actors who are a part of Tyler Perry Studios, all in preparation for a final pitch.

After evaluation of the pitches, five grand prize winners will be selected and notified they have made it to round five titled “Execute”.

Each Grand Prize winner will receive $30,000 in production funding and/or resources from the Dream Collective to bring their short film to life.

The two-day production window will take place in the greater Atlanta area and immediately put to the test the skills they have learned.