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, 2018
cbscorporation.com/diversity/diversity-institute/writers-mentoring-program/
2018 SCRIPT PIPELINE TV WRITING CONTEST
INFO: The 11th Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for extraordinary television writers and fresh, compelling pilots for exposure to production companies, agencies, and managers. Launched in 2008 as a response to the growing demand for new episodic content, the competition has established its role as a go-to outlet for emerging writers looking to develop their TV material or get staffed on shows. Together with the Screenwriting Competition, Script Pipeline cultivates relationships with the industry's top executives, focused specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing marketable, unique storytelling, and pushing more original projects into production.
The company’s distinctive long-term facilitation process helps contest selections gain elite representation and crucial introductions to Hollywood, with $6 million in screenplays and pilots sold by competition finalists and "Recommend" writers since 2010 alone.
Finalists receive immediate circulation to Script Pipeline partners, in addition to the following:
- $25,000 to winner, $1,000 to runner-up
- Personal introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and others searching for TV writers
- Development assistance with Script Pipeline execs
- Additional script reviews for potential circulation
- Long-term circulation to industry
- Exclusive invitations to writer/industry events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
SUBMISSION FEE: $60
DEADLINE: May 1, 2018
scriptpipeline.com/shop/tv-writing-contest
BET & COLORCREATIVE SCRIPT TO SCREEN CONTEST
BET / ColorCreative / ABFF
INFO: ABFF is excited to announce the 1st annual BET and ColorCreative Script to Screen Contest, launched in partnership with the American Black Film Festival.
BET, the most prominent television network for the African American audience, has partnered with Issa Rae’s initiative, ColorCreative, to find an emerging and diverse writer with an original comedy or drama pilot script. If chosen as the winner, one writer will have the opportunity to have their script produced for the screen.
We are looking for writers whose creative ideas best showcase their individuality and unique point of view. The pilot must explore an important and/or an untapped part of the Black experience that YOU think would fit BET’s programming and audience. Your series can be about anything as long as you stay true to the culture and are specific about your theme and perspective.
BET and ColorCreative will select 3 Finalists to receive a trip to the 2018 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami from June 13-17th, where they will have an opportunity to network, attend round-table sessions with industry veterans, and enjoy a private luncheon with executives from both BET and ColorCreative.
PRIZE: Following the festival, each Finalist will be given notes on the pilot and have several weeks to submit a revised draft. The Grand Prize winner will have their pilot script purchased for $25,000 and a chance for the script to be produced by ColorCreative for BET.
DEADLINE: May 2, 2018
http://www.abff.com/bet-and-colorcreative-script-to-screen-contest/
WRITERS ON THE VERGE
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 "The Black List," “Community”, “Burn Notice”, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, “White Collar”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Chicago Fire” and “Parenthood.”
DEADLINE: May 31, 2018
nbcunitips.com/category/programs/writers/
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: August 5, 2018