U.S. Embassy Brings American 'Writers’ Room' to Egypt

Cairo - 3 February 2019: The U.S. Embassy conducted a week-long series of workshops for television scriptwriters in collaboration with the Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI), and Egyptian script development and screenwriters hub Birthmark Scenario

These workshops provided Egyptian screenwriters with face-to-face access to expert American screenwriters in order to exchange ideas and to learn about the “Writers’ Room” format widely used in the U.S. television industry, according to a statement by the U.S. embassy.


The U.S. Embassy conducted a week-long series of workshops for television scriptwriters in collaboration with the Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI) - Press photo


The U.S. Embassy conducted a week-long series of workshops for television scriptwriters in collaboration with the Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI) - Press photo

This initiative is part of the Embassy’s support for Egypt’s creative arts industries and the next generation of promising Egyptian screenwriters.

David Isaacs (Cheers, Mad Men), Larry Balmagia (M*A*S*H), Larry Andries (Six Feet Under, Alias), and Terri Kopp (In Contempt, Law & Order) led workshops for selected Egyptian showrunners, screenwriters, and producers.

“This workshop opportunity offered established and emerging Egyptian TV writers and producers valuable tools to develop and sell Egyptian stories in the global TV marketplace.” said Deana Nassar, MEMI Program Director. The initiative also aims to create deep and lasting professional connections between the creative arts communities of both countries.

The Middle East Media Initiative (MEMI) is a program supported by the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. MEMI produces trainings and creative collaborations between TV, media, and digital professionals in the U.S. and the Middle East. MEMI brings leading and emerging Egyptian producers and screenwriters to the U.S. for script development workshops, masterclasses with top American TV showrunners, and job shadowing opportunities on American TV shows.