Scripty, a new podcast company, primes original scripted content for adaptations

Former MGM Studios executive Katie Christian announces the launch of Scripty, a podcast company that will produce original scripted series primed for adaptation to film and television.

Scripty is currently in production on Free to Fall, a mystery sci-fi drama based on the popular YA novel written by Lauren Miller. The podcast stars and is executive produced by Marsai Martin (Black-ish, Little) who headlines a cast of rising Hollywood actors.

Free to Fall is set in the not-too-distant future and follows 16-year-old Rory Vaughn (Martin) after her acceptance into an elite boarding school, where she uncovers a powerful secret society with mysterious connections to her late mother. Rory begins questioning society’s reliance on the decision-making app Lux (Tati Gabrielle) and instead, starts listening to the inner voice she’s been taught to ignore—a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.

Martin stars as Rory, alongside Jahi Di’Allo Winston (Charm City Kings, Queen & Slim) as Liam, Jahking Guillory (Black Lightning, On My Block) as North, and Talitha Bateman (Away, Love Simon) as Hershey.

The cast also includes: Jason Genao (On My Block, The Get Down) as Beck, Victoria Vida (Project MC2) as Isabella, McKinley Freeman (Queen Sugar, Hit the Floor) as Griffin, Shaun J. Brown (Future Man, The Great Indoors) as Charlie, Joel Swetow (Kidding, Silicon Valley) as Dean Atwater, and Jamye Joseph (Last to Love) as Dr. Tarsus; with Tati Gabrielle (You, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Lux, and TC Carson (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Living Single) as The Doubt.

“We’re incredibly passionate about using podcasts to champion bold, original series from talented, up-and-coming creatives,” Christian said. “The goal with each of our podcasts is to take risks, have fun, and build audiences for the stories we believe in.”

“Free to Fall is the story of a young woman learning to quiet the outside noise and listen to her own intuition,” Christian adds. “Bringing this project to life with Marsai, who so fully embodies the courage and perceptiveness of our protagonist, is a dream come true. We can’t wait for the world to listen.”

“This was the perfect opportunity to turn a great book into a podcast, and it was so fun being able to bring such a thought-provoking project to life. It brings the listener in and makes them question each character’s motive.”

“From our very first conversation, I was impressed with Katie’s vision for my story, and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the fabulous team she put together, particularly this incredible cast,” Miller said. “ Scripty has given Free to Fall a fresh and compelling new spin, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”

The series is written by Rashonda Joplin & Katie Christian, directed by Christian, and executive produced by Christian, Joplin and Martin. Jennifer Smith joins as producer. Irie Williams joins as casting director.

Scripty is financing the production and is currently taking meetings with podcast distribution partners.

The company is also in development on a full slate of scripted podcast series across audience demos and genres for production and release later this year.

About Scripty:

Scripty is a podcast company that incubates premium scripted series from multicultural and female voices that are primed for adaptation to film and television.

The company is founded by Emmy-nominated producer and studio executive Katie Christian who most recently ran creative production for MGM as Vice President of Development. Prior to MGM, Christian ran original series development for the women’s lifestyle network StyleHaul, bringing the Bertelsmann-owned startup four Emmy nominations during her tenure. Christian previously worked at Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, and New Line Cinema and began her career as a voice actor at 13-years-old. Free to Fall marks her writing and directorial debut.

Audio production and music professional Jennifer Smith (Why Women Kill, Voices of Fire) joins as Vice President of Production. Jennifer is the founder of Rat Dance Party, an independent music supervision company that has worked on film, television and podcasts for Netflix, Amazon, Viacom, and ABC-Disney.