2016 SCRIPT PIPELINE TV WRITING CONTEST
INFO: Script Pipeline is searching for the next extraordinary television writer. Finalists are given exposure to Script Pipeline’s industry partners (approximately 200 qualified contacts). The intent of the contest is to circulate exceptional material, launch careers, and push scripts closer to production.
PRIZES:
Grand Prize Winner – $10,000, announced August 2016:
- Exposure to Script Pipeline’s industry network and a personalized circulation plan
- 1-on-1 consultation sessions with the Script Pipeline development team
Runner-up – $1,000, announced August 2016:
- Exposure to Script Pipeline’s industry network and a personalized circulation plan
- 1-on-1 consultation sessions with a development executive
The Grand Prize Winner and Runner-up will also receive the following finalist benefits:
Finalists (8) – announced July 1st, 2016:
- Exclusive invitations to private industry/writer events throughout the year
- Circulation to 200 companies and long-term development assistance
Semifinalists – announced late June, 2016
Quarter-finalists – announced mid-June, 2016
SUBMISSION FEE: $50
DEADLINE: May 1, 2016
scriptpipeline.com/shop/tv-writing-contest
CBS WRITER’S MENTORING PROGRAM
The CBS Diversity Institute
INFO: CBS’ Diversity Institute has launched a six-month writers program to provide access and opportunities for talented and motivated diverse writers. The focus of the program is on opening doors: providing opportunities to build relationships with network executives and show runners; to support new and emerging writers in their efforts to improve their craft; and to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break in and succeed. Each participant will be teamed with a mentor (a CBS network or studio executive) with whom they will meet on a regular basis, to discuss their work, get creative feedback on their material and get advice and support in furthering their career. In addition, participants will be invited to attend a small workshop-style meeting once a week with various CBS show runners and other industry professionals and will be given the opportunity to spend time observing in a writing room, as well as in the CBS current and development departments.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2016
cbscorporation.com/diversity/diversity-institute/writers-mentoring-program/
SCREENPLAY AND TELEPLAY COMPETITION
Austin Film Festival
INFO: The competition is open to amateurs and pros. Screenplays/teleplays must not have been optioned or sold prior to October 31, 2016. Screenplays/teleplays must be the original work of the applicants.
PRIZES: Cash awards range from $5,000 – $1,000 depending on entry category. All winners receive reimbursement of roundtrip airfare; hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival; the AFF bronze typewriter award; one complimentary producers badge to attend the festival and conference. Finalists in all categories receive one complimentary producers badge to attend the festival and conference. All semifinalists may purchase a producer’s badge at a discounted price. See competition link for more info.
DEADLINES & FEES:
- Feature Screenplay Late Deadline: May 20($50)
- Short Screenplay Late Deadline: May 20 ($40)
- Teleplay Late Deadline: May 20 ($40)
austinfilmfestival.com/submit/screenplay-and-teleplay-submissions/
WARNER BROS. TELEVISION WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
INFO: Each year, the Workshop selects up to 10 participants and exposes them to Warner Bros. Television’s top writers and executives, all with the ultimate goal of earning them a staff position on a Warner Bros. produced television show.
The Workshop consists of three components:
- Lectures - Weekly lectures feature guest speakers currently working in television and include a mix of showrunners, directors, actors and agents. Each seminar will teach a new skill essential for surviving and excelling in a writers’ room as a staff writer and beyond.
- Simulated Writers’ Room - In the winter, the Workshop participants are divided into smaller groups for an intensive writing experience. Each participant will be required to complete a new spec script under the same deadlines found on a show currently in production. How participants perform during this exercise will determine whether they will be chosen for a possible staffing position on a Warner Bros. show.
- Staffing - Upon completion of the program, studio executives will work to help participants, who pass the Writers’ Room, obtain a staff position on a Warner Bros. television show currently in production.
IMPORTANT DATES: The 2016–2017 Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop will run October 2016–April 2017, with meetings on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, every Tuesday evening from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Full participation is mandatory.
DEADLINE: May 31, 2016, 11:59 PM
http://writersworkshop.warnerbros.com/
NBCUniversal
INFO: Writers on the Verge is a 12-week program focused on polishing writers and readying them for a staff writer position on a television series. NBCUniversal is looking for writers who are “almost there” but need that final bit of preparation with their writing and personal presentation skills. We particularly encourage writers of diverse backgrounds to apply.
The program will consist of two night classes, which will typically be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7-10pm), weekly at NBCUniversal in Universal City, CA. Once accepted, students must attend all classes and turn in all written assignments.
Classes concentrate on creating an exceptional spec & pilot script and understanding the dynamics of pitching oneself in the television industry. Writers are given the chance to interact with industry players ranging from network executives to show runners to agents and receive valuable feedback on their work and pitch style. Writing assignments on a NBCUniversal television show may be available after successful completion of the program but are not a guarantee. Past participants have gone on to series including “Community”, “Burn Notice”, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, “White Collar”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Chicago Fire” and “Parenthood.”
DEADLINE: May 31, 2016
nbcunitips.com/category/programs/writers/
2017 DISNEY-ABC WRITING PROGRAM
INFO: For over 25 years, the Disney | ABC Writing Program has been lauded as one of the most successful writer programs in the entertainment industry. The one-year program is the only program of its kind sanctioned by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW). It is based in Los Angeles.
The primary goal for Program Writers is to staff on a DATG series as a staff writer during the one-year program; however, staffing is not guaranteed. The program also provides access to executives, producers and literary representatives through various meetings and events designed to facilitate relationships that can prove invaluable in developing a television-writing career. For at least the first month the Program Writers participate in a curriculum designed to better prepare them for staffing consideration. Past activities have included workshops led by veteran television writers, producers and Disney │ABC Writing Program alumni; improvisational workshops; and networking mixers with DATG current programming and development executives.
From self-branding to creating new writing samples, the goal is to present DATG executives and producers with viable writing candidates who will make invaluable contributions in a
writers’ room.
SALARY: Writers will be paid a weekly salary of $961.54 ($50,000 annualized) plus any applicable benefits for which they are eligible in accordance with the then-current Company benefits.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Application Period: May 2 - June 1, 2016
- Program: Feb 2017 – Feb 2018 (Please note that time frames are subject to change)
http://www.disneyabctalentdevelopment.com/writing_program.html
NHMC TV WRITERS PROGRAM
National Hispanic Media Coalition
INFO: The NHMC Television Writers Program is an intensive scriptwriters workshop to prepare and place Latinos in writing jobs for the major television networks. The program was created in accordance with NHMC’s mission to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, and increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media industry and with the idea that if there are more diverse writers present at the writer’s table, more diversity will be reflected on TV.
The television scriptwriters workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of specific shows that are currently on the air. The five-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris and is conducted in Burbank, CA. A total of 10 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations. The program normally takes place in the Fall of each year, wrapping up before Thanksgiving.
Participants must be willing to take a leave of absence from work or school, as the program is a full time commitment (Monday-Friday).
The NHMC Television Writers Program is for seasoned writers who are capable of writing at least a one half-hour comedy or a one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. Each selected participant is expected to complete at least one script by the end of the five-week session, which will then be read by network executives. Those writers whose scripts show promise will be interviewed and mentored by the network executives with the objective of placing them on a show.
AWARD: $250 per week (plus Southwest Airline vouchers, housing, and meals will be provided to accepted participants who hail from out of state).
DEADLINE: Through August 7, 2016