December’s Script of the Month, as selected by the WGC IDEA Committee, is Brown Girl Town, a half-hour TV comedy written by Renuka Singh. Originally from Kitimat, B.C., Renuka is an alumna of the Pacific Screenwriting Program’s 2020 Scripted Series Lab under the showrunner Robert C. Cooper. In 2021, Playback listed her as one of Canada’s 10 to Watch and she was among the top 25 participants in the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices PITCH program. Renuka was the writer’s assistant on SyFy's Reginald the Vampire and most recently staffed as writer/story editor on multiple episodes of an upcoming Netflix series. She is repped by The Jennifer Hollyer Agency.
“Simply put, Renuka Singh overdelivers with Brown Girl Town,” says WGC member Jason Packer who worked with Renuka to polish the script. “It’s just an awesome, fun time. Ripe with comedy, drama and a perfect dash of 90s nostalgia, Renuka does a fantastic job of taking her uniquely personal experience of growing up in ‘Small Town, BC’ and making it emotionally accessible to anyone who ever went to high school or had a family. With each flip of the page, my connection to the Singh sisters grew to the point where I was legitimately bothered when things didn’t go their way. Renuka writes with nuance and pays special attention to often-ignored details that help elevate a proven concept into an undeniable script. I already know Brown Girl Town will find great success and, if given the opportunity, it’s something everyone should jump at the chance to read.”
"When I received the news that Brown Girl Town was selected as Script of the Month, I was excited for the opportunity to share the story,” says Renuka. “It's a coming-of-age dramedy set in the 90s and follows the shenanigans of two Indo-Canadian sisters living in a primarily white, industrial town. We see them muddle their way through teen life while trying to nail down their cultural identity. And having Jason as my mentor was such a treat. When he read the pilot, right away he knew the story intimately, which made collaborating with him effortless and a lot of fun. And that’s what I wanted – a fun show that took a humorous slant on the prejudices and cultural issues many of us experience growing up. It's a passion project with a lot of heart, and offers a fresh take on Canadiana, exemplifying the voice that I can lend to a room.”
Congratulations, Renuka!
