Intentionally or not, the fifth season of “Project Greenlight” makes a persuasive argument that writers are the backbone of Hollywood.
Originally the brainchild of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the reality series launched in 2001 and followed the pair as they (and a small team of producers and executives) plucked an unproven filmmaker from obscurity, handed them a budget and a script, and gave them the opportunity to direct their first studio movie. In exchange, everyone involved agreed to be followed by a camera crew documenting the behind-the-scenes process.
The premise for Season 5 remains the same but with a key change: Issa Rae takes over for Damon and Affleck, and she’s recruited Kumail Nanjiani and director Gina Prince-Bythewood to offer their services as celebrity mentors, while Rae’s production company, Hoorae, oversees both the film and TV projects. A woman has never been chosen in previous seasons and Rae & Co. make it their purpose to change that, selecting Meko Winbush. The director initially comes across as wonderfully down to earth.
