Winnipeg Alum Soars to New Heights in TV Writing Accelerator

Andrea Shawcross, a University of Winnipeg alum, has been selected as one of eight emerging television writers to participate in the prestigious 2024 Moonshot Pilot Accelerator program in New York City. This prestigious program, designed to support gender parity in the film and TV industry, provides an intensive three-week training program for the fellows, each of whom has a complete script for the pilot episode of an original TV series. Following the training, the fellows will have the opportunity to pitch their pilots to various studios and production companies, including industry giants like Netflix, HBO, Starz, and Amazon MGM Studios.

Winnipeg-Bred Talent Poised for Breakthrough

Honing Craft at the University of Winnipeg

Shawcross' journey to this remarkable opportunity began at the University of Winnipeg, where she obtained a four-year BA Honours in Theatre. During her time at the university, Shawcross discovered her passion for acting, producing, and writing for television. "Winnipeg is my roots," Shawcross shared, "and I chose to study at UWinnipeg because it had a prestigious theatre and film program."It was in a second-year Mime and Improv class that Shawcross met Professor Rick Skene, a stunt coordinator in Winnipeg. Skene recognized Shawcross' talent and invited her to be a stunt double in a local film production, Clown at Midnight. The following year, Shawcross had the opportunity to work as a stunt double for Darryl Hannah in a film shot in Winnipeg, a pivotal experience that she describes as her "meal ticket" and "bread and butter" for a significant period.

Transitioning from Acting to Writing

While acting was never Shawcross' long-term career plan, it served as a stepping stone towards her ultimate goal of writing television shows. "I always said that once I got over this need for attention, I will be a writer," Shawcross laughed. She recognized that writing offered a more sustainable and ageless path, as opposed to the fleeting nature of acting.Shawcross has already written and produced seven TV shows for Lifetime, establishing herself as a writer with a penchant for thrillers and mysteries centered around obsessed women. She describes her writing style as a natural extension of her performing background, stating, "Having a performing background is super important as a writer. A lot of writers are very shy and introverted. Writers must be able to go into a room and sell their wares. I am drawing on my acting skills that I adopted at UWinnipeg."

Moonshot Accelerator: A Transformative Opportunity

The Moonshot Pilot Accelerator program represents a significant milestone in Shawcross' career. As one of the eight selected fellows, she will participate in the intensive three-week training program, where she will learn from industry experts to hone her pitch skills. Shawcross views this opportunity as a chance to expand her network and potentially secure a staffed writer's room position."I want to meet people that I can continue to work with," Shawcross said. "Yes, I want to sell the show, but these things take a lot longer to sell." She is looking forward to building relationships and rising together with the other fellows in the program, recognizing that there are countless ways this opportunity could unfold.While the path to seeing their pilots on the screen may be a lengthy one, Shawcross and the other fellows are poised to make a lasting impact on the industry. As Shawcross aptly stated, "It's an accumulation of what I've done that have led me to this opportunity." With her unique blend of acting experience and writing prowess, Andrea Shawcross is set to leave an indelible mark on the television landscape.