2020 Late Night Writers Workshop
NBCUniversal
INFO: The NBC Late Night Writers Workshop is a multi-day program focused on exposing talented sketch and comedy writers to NBCUniversal’s late night & alternative line-up and readying them for a staff writer position. We are looking for writers who are “almost there,” but need that final bit of preparation and exposure to key industry players. We particularly encourage female writers and those of diverse backgrounds to apply. The selected writers will create new sketch material and gain insight into the dynamics of a late night writers’ room. Participants are given the chance to interact with key writers and producers from across NBCUniversal’s late night and alternative shows, as well as receive feedback on their material.
Your sketch packet should consist of four elements:
1 - 1.5 pages of topical monologue jokes. If you think it helps us, please indicate which host’s voice you have in mind (can be, but does not have to be, an NBC host). Topical news jokes and pop culture jokes should make up the bulk of your material.
2-3 refillable late night desk bits. These can be ideas for elements like Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes,” pre-taped correspondent bits like, “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell,” or multimedia bits. For this portion, please provide descriptions of the bits with examples and not scripts.
2-3 viral content ideas. These should be ideas like James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke." The idea here is to create a segment with mass appeal that could generate a viral response.
2 SNL-style sketches that are 3-5 pages each. One sketch should be a topical sketch. The other should be a weekend update original character (i.e. Bobby Moynihan's Drunk Uncle.)
DEADLINE: April 5, 2020 at 11:59pm PST
DIVERSE VOICES 2020 SCREENWRITING LAB
We Screenplay
INFO: Diverse Voices is a screenplay contest and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
The Diverse Voices competition includes an in-person Screenwriting Lab experience in Los Angeles. The selected winners will be flown out to LA for mentorship, meetings, and hands on development with industry executives, professional writers, WeScreenplay’s team, and each other.
DEADLINE & FEE: April 15, 2020 ($79.99)
https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices/
PROJECT CRE8
BET / Tracy Yvonne Productions
INFO: BET is on a nationwide search for the next great comedy television show. One winner will have their script purchased for $25,000 and will further develop the show with Tracy Oliver's Tracy Yvonne Productions for series consideration at BET.
ROUND ONE:
January 26, 2020 – Submissions Open
April 18, 2020 – Submissions Close
Mid-May 2020 - Top Thirty (30) submissions announced
After the first round of judging, only the Top Thirty (30) submissions will advance to Round Two.
ROUND TWO
The Top 30 writers will be given seven days to submit a series treatment of up to five pages.
BET and Tracy Yvonne Productions will judge the screenplays and treatments, narrowing down the Top Thirty submissions to the Top Five for the Final Round.
FINAL ROUND
The Top Five finalists pitch their concept to panel of successful TV producers, writers and executives.
WINNER ANNOUNCED
In Spring 2020 a winner will be announced!
DEADLINE: Extended to April 18, 2020
https://www.bet.com/cre8/2020/contest.html
BBC Writersroom Script Room COMEDY 2020
INFO: BBC Writersroom's annual window for unsolicited comedy scripts (TV, film, radio, stage or online) is currently open. We look for what the script tells us about the writer. We see all scripts as a calling card to showcase a writer’s talent, ability and sense of humour.
We are especially looking for distinctive voices - and scripts that express those voices. We do not look for more of the same – we look for the writer’s ability to pull an audience into a world and hold them in it. It’s not necessarily about finding precincts or situations that have ‘never been done before’ but having an original take on stories that have the potential to have wide breadth of appeal.
Characters who are well rounded and consistent and who drive the comedy rather than serve it. A sense of storytelling ability - handling of pace, climax, mood.
We want to see the best possible draft you can achieve. We are not looking for early/first/rough drafts of scripts. Only submit to the Script Room when your script is ready, even if it means waiting for a later Script Room submission window.
We are looking to unearth the treasures, the page-turners, the new perspectives, the engaging dialogue and the surprising character creations.
We want to find that special, funny something that makes us want to read more.
Before considering making a submission, you will need to read the following information carefully. Submissions which do not meet the criteria or are in breach of the terms and conditions will be subject to disqualification without discussion.
DEADLINE: April 20, 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/script-room
Global Inclusion Writers Mentoring Program
ViacomCBS
INFO: In its 17 years, over 100 emerging diverse writers have graduated from the ViacomCBS Global Inclusion Writers Mentoring Program. Over 80 careers have been launched. The goal of the program is to positively impact the presence of diverse writers throughout the industry.
There are many different paths writers can follow to get their first foothold in being hired in television. As part of its ongoing commitment to create additional access for writers of diverse backgrounds, ViacomCBS' Office of Global Inclusion has launched a different kind of writers program which highlights one of those paths.
The focus of this eight-month program is on opening doors: providing opportunities to build relationships with network executives and showrunners; 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. The Writers Mentoring Program is not employment and there is no monetary compensation. It is, instead, a structured program of career development, support, and personal access to executives and the decision-making processes, with the goal of preparing aspiring writers for later employment opportunities in television.
Each participant will be teamed with 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.
Once a week, participants will be invited to attend a small workshop-style meeting with various CBS showrunners and other industry professionals. Speakers include executive producers, agents, managers, development and current executives and showrunners. The purpose of these gatherings is for participants to gain a better understanding of how the business works from many different perspectives as well as creating the opportunity to make critical networking connections.
Another important part of the program is the opportunity for each participant to spend time observing in a writers' room, as well as in the CBS current and/or development departments. Each participant will have help in creating a rigorous career action plan and there will be on-going support in evaluating and achieving those goals. Another important benefit of the program is the development of a close-knit peer support group that will sustain participants through the program and beyond. The ViacomCBS Global Inclusion Writers Mentoring Program helps aspiring writers to understand the unwritten rules of breaking in and moving up. It is a combination of mentoring and networking opportunities. Program opportunities such as mentoring, workshops, and observing can be scheduled around participants' existing work commitments.
In order for a participant to get the most out of the Program a meaningful commitment of time and effort are required. It has been found that in order to derive the greatest benefit from the program, participants should be available to:
Attend once a week (evening) workshops and,
Attend meetings or observe in various situations for a minimum of five full days (not necessarily in sequence) over the course of the eight-month program.
The primary focus of the ViacomCBS Global Inclusion Writers Mentoring Program is to provide access and opportunities for talented and motivated diverse writers. Aspiring diverse writers with a strong desire to write for CBS television series are encouraged to apply.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2020
https://www.viacbs.com/writers-mentoring-program
Roddenberry Impact Awards
The Roddenberry Foundation
INFO: In light of the global spread of COVID-19, the logistics of everyday life have changed drastically for so many. During these difficult times, there is a desire to return to "normal." It is important to remember, however, that for many communities "normal" was not yet equal or equitable. As we come out of this pandemic — and we will — we will have the unique opportunity to create a world that is more diverse, more equitable and more inclusive.
To accelerate this change, the Roddenberry Foundation in partnership with A Day of Unreasonable Conversation will grant ten $10K Roddenberry Impact Awards to ideas and projects that are making strides in one of the following areas: Inclusive Futures, Authentic Content Creation, and Increased Representation. Roddenberry Impact Awards will be granted to television content creators who are committed to - and have innovative ideas and approaches for - reimagining the processes for writing and telling stories that are more equitable and inclusive.
The awards were originally slated to be announced at A Day of Unreasonable Conversation in March 2020, but the event was postponed due to the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Roddenberry Impact Awards submissions will be judged by industry leaders who have driven significant change through their own storytelling and leadership in the business. The esteemed panel of judges includes Daniel Dae Kim, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Sara Gilbert, Jaime Dávila, Sameer Gardezi, and Tanya Saracho.
The Award application period is open as of April 6th, 2020, and closes May 1, 2020 at 5pm PT. Following review by the judges, winners will be announced on May 26, 2020. Applications and criteria can be found at The Roddenberry Foundation's prize website and A Day of Unreasonable Conversation’s website UnreasonableConversation.org.
The awards are open for submission to all Writers Guild of America West, Writers Guild of America, East, Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, and SAG-AFTRA members in active status.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2020
https://www.unreasonableconversation.org/roddenberry-impact-award