Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, Writer 

Sloan Grant(s) Received:
2021, Sloan Student Grand Jury Prize, Museum of the Moving Image
2021, Screenwriting Award, USC

Project Type: TV Pilot 

Genre: Historical Drama 

Length: 65 pages 

Field of Science: Astronomy, Physics 

Stage: Development 

Synopsis 

The universe is mostly made of hydrogen—but most people don’t know who figured it out. It’s 1919 at the University of Cambridge. Cecilia Payne is a freshman with a deep desire to be a scientist, but women are not yet welcomed into the scientific community. When she’s thrust into the male-dominated world of astronomy and physics, Cecilia must choose whether to play a game that is rigged against her or change the game altogether. This is the true story of the young woman who transformed our understanding of the universe with her groundbreaking discovery.