Sundance Institute has announced the 2024 Directors, Screenwriters, and Native Labs fellows.
The Native Lab takes place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4 and will support four fellows and two artists in residence. The Lab focuses on centring Indigeneity in the storytelling of participants from Native and Indigenous backgrounds and will work on feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors.
The fellows are: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (writer-director) with Hum (Phil-usa); Ryland Walker Knight (writer-director) with The Lip Of The World (USA); Charine Pilar Gonzales (writer-director) with Ndn Time (USA...
The Native Lab takes place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4 and will support four fellows and two artists in residence. The Lab focuses on centring Indigeneity in the storytelling of participants from Native and Indigenous backgrounds and will work on feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors.
The fellows are: Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (writer-director) with Hum (Phil-usa); Ryland Walker Knight (writer-director) with The Lip Of The World (USA); Charine Pilar Gonzales (writer-director) with Ndn Time (USA...
- 4/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sundance Institute announced today the fellows selected for the 2024 Directors, Screenwriters, and Native Labs. The Native Lab in New Mexico will support four fellows and two artists in residence, and the Directors Lab in Colorado will support the development of eight projects with nine fellows, with an additional three fellows also joining for the online Screenwriters Lab held immediately after.
For over four decades, Sundance Institute’s signature labs have provided filmmakers a nurturing, immersive environment to develop their projects and refine their artistic voice under the guidance of accomplished creative advisors.
The 2024 Native Lab, taking place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4, is designed for participants of Native and Indigenous backgrounds and focuses on centering Indigeneity in their storytelling. Fellows will build community and refine their feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors. Four fellows were selected: three who are U.
For over four decades, Sundance Institute’s signature labs have provided filmmakers a nurturing, immersive environment to develop their projects and refine their artistic voice under the guidance of accomplished creative advisors.
The 2024 Native Lab, taking place in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 29–May 4, is designed for participants of Native and Indigenous backgrounds and focuses on centering Indigeneity in their storytelling. Fellows will build community and refine their feature film and episodic scripts through one-on-one feedback sections and roundtable discussions with advisors. Four fellows were selected: three who are U.
- 4/29/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock will not be ordering a third season of Rutherford Falls, its comedy series co-created/executive produced by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms and Mike Schur. The cancellation of the show, starring Helms and Jana Schmieding, comes two and a half months after the Season 2 premiere June 16. In a statement following the decision, Ornelas indicated that the series will explore finding a new home on another platform.
The critically acclaimed series, hailed for its Native representation both in front of and behind the camera, landed at Peacock in turnaround having been originally developed at Apple TV+. Its cancellation follows Peacock’s decision in late June to scrap Schur’s high-profile Field of Dreams TV series reboot a month before start of production.
Schur, creator/executive producer of The Good Place, co-creator/exec producer of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation and executive producer of Hacks, is one of the biggest...
The critically acclaimed series, hailed for its Native representation both in front of and behind the camera, landed at Peacock in turnaround having been originally developed at Apple TV+. Its cancellation follows Peacock’s decision in late June to scrap Schur’s high-profile Field of Dreams TV series reboot a month before start of production.
Schur, creator/executive producer of The Good Place, co-creator/exec producer of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation and executive producer of Hacks, is one of the biggest...
- 9/2/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock is putting Rutherford Falls in its rearview mirror, canceling the Ed Helms comedy after two seasons, TVLine has learned.
The series starred Helms (The Office) as Nathan Rutherford and Jana Schmieding (Reservation Dogs) as Reagan Wells, two lifelong best friends who found themselves at a crossroads when their sleepy town got an unexpected wake-up call.
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Additional cast members included...
The series starred Helms (The Office) as Nathan Rutherford and Jana Schmieding (Reservation Dogs) as Reagan Wells, two lifelong best friends who found themselves at a crossroads when their sleepy town got an unexpected wake-up call.
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Additional cast members included...
- 9/2/2022
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
With the debut of “Rutherford Falls” on Peacock in 2021, Sierra Teller Ornelas became the first-ever Native American to serve as a comedy showrunner. It’s a title she doesn’t take lightly — though it did create a certain degree of pressure for the show to succeed. With Season 2, however, Ornelas was able to have a bit more fun.
“In Season 1, we felt this real responsibility to make something that was the first of its kind. But with such love that we got from viewers, [by Season 2] we felt the confidence to tell stories we really want to tell,” Ornelas tells Variety. “Like, how do Native people do Halloween?”
It’s a serious question. Because of the offensive, oft-sexualized costumes of Native historical figures like Pocahontas that pop up every year, Reagan (Jana Schmieding) calls Halloween “the Super Bowl of cultural appropriation” in Episode 7. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t also...
“In Season 1, we felt this real responsibility to make something that was the first of its kind. But with such love that we got from viewers, [by Season 2] we felt the confidence to tell stories we really want to tell,” Ornelas tells Variety. “Like, how do Native people do Halloween?”
It’s a serious question. Because of the offensive, oft-sexualized costumes of Native historical figures like Pocahontas that pop up every year, Reagan (Jana Schmieding) calls Halloween “the Super Bowl of cultural appropriation” in Episode 7. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t also...
- 6/16/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Peacock has released the official trailer for Season 2 of Rutherford Falls, the comedy series from Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms and Mike Schur, ahead of its release later this month.
In the first season, we meet lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. After the mayor decides to move a statue of Nathan’s ancestor because car drivers keep crashing into it, Nathan embarks on a mission to keep the statue in place. That causes Reagan to juggle loyalty to her friend and to her people, the Minishonka Nation.
In Season 2, Nathan and Reagan help each other tackle work, romance, and major changes to their small town and the Native American reservation it borders, initiated by Tribal Casino C.E.O. Terry Thomas (Michael Greyeyes). Jesse Leigh and Dustin Milligan also star.
In the first season, we meet lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. After the mayor decides to move a statue of Nathan’s ancestor because car drivers keep crashing into it, Nathan embarks on a mission to keep the statue in place. That causes Reagan to juggle loyalty to her friend and to her people, the Minishonka Nation.
In Season 2, Nathan and Reagan help each other tackle work, romance, and major changes to their small town and the Native American reservation it borders, initiated by Tribal Casino C.E.O. Terry Thomas (Michael Greyeyes). Jesse Leigh and Dustin Milligan also star.
- 6/1/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Rutherford Falls will be running again in mid-June, when Peacock begins streaming Season 2 of the comedy co-created by Michael Schur (The Good Place), Ed Helms (The Office) and Sierra Teller Ornelas (Superstore).
All eight episodes of the second season will be released on Thursday, June 16.
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Representing a breakthrough moment in Native representation in TV comedy both in front of and behind the camera, Rutherford Falls...
All eight episodes of the second season will be released on Thursday, June 16.
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Representing a breakthrough moment in Native representation in TV comedy both in front of and behind the camera, Rutherford Falls...
- 5/4/2022
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Peacock‘s small-town comedy Rutherford Falls is gearing up for its second season as the series sets Thursday, June 16 as the premiere date. From co-creators Ed Helms (The Office), Sierra Teller Ornelas (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Michael Schur, Rutherford Falls continues the story of life-long buds Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding). (Credit: Peacock) Together, they’re helping each other tackle work, romance, and major changes around the show’s titular town and the Native American reservation it borders, initiated by Tribal Casino C.E.O. Terry Thomas (Michael Geyeyes). The acclaimed comedy continues to represent a breakthrough moment in Native representation in comedy both in front of and behind the camera as Rutherford Falls employs one of the largest Indigenous writer’s rooms on TV. Among the show’s talented Native writers are Ornelas, Schmieding, Tai Leclaire, Tazbah Chavez, Dash Turner, and Azie Dungey. (Credit: Tyler Golden/Peacock) “Rutherford Falls is back!
- 5/4/2022
- TV Insider
“Rutherford Falls” has been renewed for Season 2 at Peacock.
The comedy series is about two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh, and Dustin Milligan also star. The series has received praise for the fact that it features a large number of Indigenous actors as well as several Indigenous writers, including series co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas.
“We are so proud to be a part of ‘Rutherford Falls’ a smart comedy and a breakthrough moment for Native representation in comedy both in front of and behind the camera,” said Lisa Katz, president of scripted content for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “’Rutherford Falls’ embodies the modern, original, and inclusive storytelling viewers want and we are excited to develop season two alongside Sierra, Mike, Ed and the incredible cast.
The comedy series is about two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Ed Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh, and Dustin Milligan also star. The series has received praise for the fact that it features a large number of Indigenous actors as well as several Indigenous writers, including series co-creator Sierra Teller Ornelas.
“We are so proud to be a part of ‘Rutherford Falls’ a smart comedy and a breakthrough moment for Native representation in comedy both in front of and behind the camera,” said Lisa Katz, president of scripted content for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “’Rutherford Falls’ embodies the modern, original, and inclusive storytelling viewers want and we are excited to develop season two alongside Sierra, Mike, Ed and the incredible cast.
- 7/8/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Peacock has handed comedy Rutherford Falls a second season.
The comedy, which premiered in April, comes from Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms and Mike Schur.
The ten-episode series follows two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh and Dustin Milligan also feature.
Teller Ornelas, who co-created the series with The Office alum Helms and Parks and Recreation’s Schur, is showrunner and exec produces along with the pair. Mike Falbo, David Miner and Morgan Sackett also serve as executive producers. It is produced by Universal Television, in association with Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Pacific Electric Picture Company.
The series is notable for its Native representation in comedy television both in front of and behind the camera. It has one of the largest Indigenous writer...
The comedy, which premiered in April, comes from Sierra Teller Ornelas, Ed Helms and Mike Schur.
The ten-episode series follows two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. Michael Greyeyes, Jesse Leigh and Dustin Milligan also feature.
Teller Ornelas, who co-created the series with The Office alum Helms and Parks and Recreation’s Schur, is showrunner and exec produces along with the pair. Mike Falbo, David Miner and Morgan Sackett also serve as executive producers. It is produced by Universal Television, in association with Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Pacific Electric Picture Company.
The series is notable for its Native representation in comedy television both in front of and behind the camera. It has one of the largest Indigenous writer...
- 7/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“Rutherford Falls” has been renewed for Season 2 at Peacock, the NBCUniversal-owned streaming service said Thursday.
Co-created by Michael Schur, Ed Helms (“The Office”) and Sierra Teller Ornelas (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Superstore”), “Rutherford Falls” is a comedy about two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call.
The first season of the show premiered April 22. Peacock said the second season will debut in 2022.
Along with Helms and Schmieding, “Rutherford Falls” stars Michael Greyeyes (“I Know This Much Is True”), Jesse Leigh (“Heathers”) and Dustin Milligan (“Schitt’s Creek”).
The show marks a breakthrough in terms of Native representation in comedy television, both in front of the camera with Native actors Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux) and Greyeyes ([Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation – Treaty Six Territory in Saskatchewan]), and behind the scenes. The show boasts one of the largest Indigenous writer’s...
Co-created by Michael Schur, Ed Helms (“The Office”) and Sierra Teller Ornelas (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Superstore”), “Rutherford Falls” is a comedy about two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a crossroads – quite literally – when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call.
The first season of the show premiered April 22. Peacock said the second season will debut in 2022.
Along with Helms and Schmieding, “Rutherford Falls” stars Michael Greyeyes (“I Know This Much Is True”), Jesse Leigh (“Heathers”) and Dustin Milligan (“Schitt’s Creek”).
The show marks a breakthrough in terms of Native representation in comedy television, both in front of the camera with Native actors Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux) and Greyeyes ([Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation – Treaty Six Territory in Saskatchewan]), and behind the scenes. The show boasts one of the largest Indigenous writer’s...
- 7/8/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
For decades, Indigenous filmmakers and content creators have been chipping away at a wall of obstacles that for too long has silenced them. But at the intersection of Covid-19 lockdowns, streaming technology and diversity initiatives, a variety of Native productions have emerged and made their way to audiences.
Recent social movements have highlighted a lack of diversity and representation in Hollywood. While those movements have gained traction for some in recent years, inclusion for most Native creatives had yet to be realized. Inclusion—whose stories are told and who gets to tell them—is more than just entertainment and job creation for Native Americans. It is the path to reclaiming their narratives.
Native creatives have embraced the current opportunities and have found a way to finally tell their stories with their unique voices. Showrunners, writers and actors are now positioned to control content and offer realistic depictions of Native lives and experiences.
Recent social movements have highlighted a lack of diversity and representation in Hollywood. While those movements have gained traction for some in recent years, inclusion for most Native creatives had yet to be realized. Inclusion—whose stories are told and who gets to tell them—is more than just entertainment and job creation for Native Americans. It is the path to reclaiming their narratives.
Native creatives have embraced the current opportunities and have found a way to finally tell their stories with their unique voices. Showrunners, writers and actors are now positioned to control content and offer realistic depictions of Native lives and experiences.
- 6/17/2021
- by Joely Proudfit
- Variety Film + TV
When Sierra Teller Ornelas was in pre-production on her new Peacock comedy “Rutherford Falls,” she found inspiration in a quote she read from showrunner Prentice Penny describing his movie “Uncorked” as “This is Black people on a Tuesday.”
The film, which follows a young man on his quest to become a master sommelier, did not take place at a major life event such as a wedding, nor did it result in tragedy; it told a slice of life story. And that was what Teller Ornelas wanted to do with “Rutherford Falls,” a show that centers on the relationships between members of a Native American reservation and the residents of the neighboring titular town.
“We were very fortunate to show Native people as complex people who have multiple points of view,” she tells Variety. “For us to be mundane, to not be trauma porn people, to just be human beings that...
The film, which follows a young man on his quest to become a master sommelier, did not take place at a major life event such as a wedding, nor did it result in tragedy; it told a slice of life story. And that was what Teller Ornelas wanted to do with “Rutherford Falls,” a show that centers on the relationships between members of a Native American reservation and the residents of the neighboring titular town.
“We were very fortunate to show Native people as complex people who have multiple points of view,” she tells Variety. “For us to be mundane, to not be trauma porn people, to just be human beings that...
- 4/21/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Change is coming to “Rutherford Falls,” and Ed Helms is Not happy about that.
In the new Peacock comedy from Helms, Mike Schur and Sierra Teller Ornelas, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) is the proud descendant of his small town’s founder. But the centrally located — and we do mean centrally — statue of “Big Larry” Rutherford has become problematic.
Not for the reasons we’re used to hearing about in the real world these days — or at least, not initially — but in a much more practical way.
You see, the statue of Lawrence Rutherford was placed in the middle of the road (or more likely the road was built around Big Larry) downtown, and cars seem to be very attracted to it lately. We can’t have that.
As the logline goes: “Rutherford Falls” follows two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a...
In the new Peacock comedy from Helms, Mike Schur and Sierra Teller Ornelas, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) is the proud descendant of his small town’s founder. But the centrally located — and we do mean centrally — statue of “Big Larry” Rutherford has become problematic.
Not for the reasons we’re used to hearing about in the real world these days — or at least, not initially — but in a much more practical way.
You see, the statue of Lawrence Rutherford was placed in the middle of the road (or more likely the road was built around Big Larry) downtown, and cars seem to be very attracted to it lately. We can’t have that.
As the logline goes: “Rutherford Falls” follows two lifelong best friends, Nathan Rutherford (Helms) and Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding), who find themselves at a...
- 3/16/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Peacock is about to put Rutherford Falls on the map.
The streamer’s comedy series, starring Office vet Ed Helms and comedian Jana Schmieding, has set a Thursday, April 22 premiere date, TVLine has learned.
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Rutherford Falls follows Helms’ Nathan Rutherford and Schmieding’s Reagan Wells, two lifelong best friends who find themselves at a crossroads — quite literally — when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. As seen in the trailer below,...
The streamer’s comedy series, starring Office vet Ed Helms and comedian Jana Schmieding, has set a Thursday, April 22 premiere date, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineDan Brown's Langdon, Previously Developed for NBC, Lands at PeacockHuman Frogger Competition, Based on Arcade Game, Ordered at PeacockNatasha Lyonne to Star in Rian Johnson Mystery Series Poker Face at Peacock
Rutherford Falls follows Helms’ Nathan Rutherford and Schmieding’s Reagan Wells, two lifelong best friends who find themselves at a crossroads — quite literally — when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wakeup call. As seen in the trailer below,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
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