STOWE STORY LABS
DEADLINE: February 10, 2021
INFO: Stowe Story Labs is a nonprofit dedicated to helping emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers get work made and seen. We look for people demonstrating talent and a good story worth developing, whether or not they have experience in film or TV. This application is for all of our 2021 programs. Details about our programs, schedule of programs, and template agendas can be found here under the tabs for "labs" and "retreats." Although we do charge for our programming, we work to keep the cost of programming as low as possible.
Application process
We have one application for all of our programs. On the application, you may rank the programs you are most interested in, but we will review your application for all slots and, if you are admitted, we will discuss with you which program might be best. You can choose "no preference" when applying. As we review material, we may reach out to ask follow up questions.
Fellowships and Scholarships
Although we rely on fees to operate, we do offer as much support to our participants as possible. We offer several fellowships to the Stowe Narrative Lab. Each fellowship has its own criteria and goals. At a minimum, the fellowships cover the fees for one participant to attend the Lab, as well as other benefits. Please check the website for information about each fellowship. We also offer dozens of partial scholarships to help ensure deserving applicants can attend our programs. There is not a separate application process for these opportunities. If interested in financial support, you will be steered to questions about these programs.
Fees and Other Notes
The fee to attend an in-person four-day Narrative Lab in 2021 will be $2,450. The fee to attend an in-person five-day writers' retreat will be $2,700. Fees include all content and most meals. Travel and lodging are separate, and lodging is offered through our lodging partners, who offer deep and meaningful discounts to participants (and most include breakfast ....).
We would prefer not to need to charge an application fee at all, but as a non-profit with limited funding, we need to cover the cost of reviewing and responding to applications. We have set the application fee as low as practicable to allow us to meaningfully process the applications without discouraging serious applicants.
Your application will not be complete until you pay the entry fee. After payment is processed you will receive a confirming email, which will also serve as your receipt. The Application fee is wholly non-refundable.
Given the uncertainty about the novel coronavirus, all programs could end up running remotely. Online program fees are not set for 2021.
Please note we do not provide feedback on projects through our submission process.
Please familiarize yourself with our programs and fellowships before applying.
As noted above, we look for talented people - regardless of experience or background - bringing us interesting stories, and we look especially for underrepresented voices.
SUBMISSION FEE: $42
https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/stowelabsandretreats#about
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EPISODIC LAB
Sundance Institute
APPLICATION PERIOD: February 10 - March 10, 2021
INFO: The Episodic Lab: Pilot to Series offers writers an opportunity to workshop an original pilot, and to develop their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, the fellows will participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms, which together provide creative and strategic tools for success. Part one of the lab will take place October 1–3, 2021, and October 9–11, 2021.
Fellows will reconvene in February for part two of the lab with a polished draft of their lab project. During this time, they will participate in pitch sessions, group conversations about the episodic landscape, and meet with producers and creative executives to discuss next steps and career goals. Part two will take place February 27–28, 2022.
There are two rounds in the application process: in round one, applicants are required to submit the first five pages of an original pilot script, their bio, a series logline, a series overview, their personal statement, a thematic statement, and (optional) links to samples of previous work, along with a $40 nonrefundable processing fee. If selected for round two, applicants are notified by email and have two weeks to submit their full pilot script as well as up to three additional project ideas.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at time of application.
The project must be the applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material.
The project must be written in the English language, but it does not need to be intended to be fully produced in English.
The project should be new, or if previously submitted, it must be materially different from any and all versions previously submitted to Sundance Institute. Projects may not be already produced,sold to a third party, or distributed online or otherwise.
Applicants cannot have sold an episodic project (pilot or pitch) to a studio or network in the past that has been shot.
The project shall not infringe the copyright or any other proprietary right of another individual or entity. The creator/applicant is responsible for all rights pertaining to the project.
http://www.sundance.org/programs/episodic-storytelling
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DIVERSE VOICES SCREENWRITING LAB
WeScreenplay
DEADLINES:
Early: Feb 15, 2021
Regular: Mar 15, 2021
Final: Apr 15, 2021
INFO: Diverse Voices is a screenplay competition and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, womxn writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
A couple of cool things about this program: since it started in 2015, Diverse Voices has raised over $35,000 for various nonprofit organizations and over a dozen past winners have been signed, staffed, and optioned. All readers for this competition come from diverse backgrounds, and all entrants will receive a page of written feedback on their script from their first round’s judge.
PRIZES: The Diverse Voices Lab is a one-of-a-kind lab experience. Those chosen for the lab will have a long weekend PACKED with workshops to hone their craft, mentorship calls with working writers, and general meetings with studio execs, literary reps, and more. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any emerging screenwriter.
Additionally, the winners get access to ongoing mentorship from WeScreenplay including an initial phone call, guidance for drafting query letters, research methods for finding the right representation, prep before big meetings, and strategic planning for next steps in their careers — all based on the writer’s specific goals.
JURY:
Talitha Watkins - Head of the Management for Issa Rae's company, ColorCreative
Charlie Swinbourne - Screenwriter focused on Deaf Culture
Jen Ray - Literary Manager at Heroes and Villains Entertainment
https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices/
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2021 Jerome Emerging Artist Residency - For MN & NYC Artists
The Anderson Center
DEADLINE: February 15, 2021, by 11:59pm CST.
INFO: The Anderson Center’s Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program offers month-long residency-fellowships at Tower View to a cohort of early-career artists from Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City for concentrated, uninterrupted creative time to advance their personal artistic goals and projects.
The program aims to meet the specific needs of emerging artists while welcoming them into a supportive and inspiring residency environment that empowers them to take risks, embrace challenges, and utilize unconventional approaches to problem-solving.
Thanks to support from the Jerome Foundation, selected emerging artists receive a $625/week artist stipend, documentation support, art-making resources, facilitation of community connections, lodging & studio space, a travel honorarium, groceries, and chef-prepared communal dinners.
Located at the historic Tower View estate, a venerable research-and-development lab for the arts rooted in an expansive natural setting, the program is an ideal fit for early-career artists whose work reveals a significant potential for cultural and community impact, is technically accomplished, engages diverse communities.
The Anderson Center’s goal is for connections participating artists make with one another, as well as connections made with other creatives and community members, to outlast the duration of their residency visit. The organization believes that the environment and resources of Tower View, along with an exchange of ideas across disciplines, can serve as a catalyst for new inspiration and innovative directions for the work emerging artists create while in residence.
APPLICATION FEE: $0
TO APPLY: Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline in order to be considered in the jury review period.
Jury review will take place in late February and early March. Applicants will be notified by March 4 at the latest as to the status of their application. A phone interview process with finalists will take place in late March following a second round of jury review. Selected artist residents, wait-list and runners-up will be notified by April 5, 2021.
Artists must be legal residents of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City to be eligible to apply. To be considered, eligible artists must submit an application through the Anderson Center’s online form via Submittable. Each artist in a collaborative / partnership / collective should submit their own application and then note in the materials they are applying as a group. Complete program details are below. Please contact Adam Wiltgen at 651-388-2009 x4 or adam@andersoncenter.org for any questions.
LOCATION: The Anderson Center campus is located on the 350-acre historic Tower View Estate, built by scientist & farmer Dr. Alexander Pierce Anderson between 1915 and 1921, on the western edge of Red Wing, Minnesota, and its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center features a large sculpture garden, and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Trail, a 20-mile biking and walking trail that runs from Cannon Falls to Red Wing.
The Center is approximately 45 minutes southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Transportation is provided between the Center and the Twin Cities airport on the first and last day of residencies only. Artist Residents that choose to drive will have access to private parking on the property.
The community of Red Wing, Minn., (pop. 16,000) is nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River. The town is settled on the ancestral homelands of the Mdewakanton & Wapakute bands of the Dakota people. The City of Red Wing is named after Tatanka Mani (Walking Buffalo), a leader of the Mdewakanton Dakota in the upper Mississippi Valley who wore a ceremonial swan’s wing dyed in brilliant red. In 1815, Tatanka Mani and his people moved their village south to a place they called Khemnichan (Hill, Wood, & Water) in present-day downtown Red Wing. Euro-American immigrants who met him as they advanced into the region in the early nineteenth century came to know him and his village as “Red Wing.”
Since its settlement and eventual incorporation in 1857, Red Wing established itself as a center for agriculture, industry, tourism, medical care, technology, and the arts. The Red Wing Shoe Company and its iconic brands, in particular, continue to have a significant impact on the community’s economic, business, and community development climates. Natural resources abound with Red Wing's riverfront, winding paths through the majestic bluffs, bike trails, and 35 city parks. The Prairie Island Indian Community is located northwest of the city. Frontenac State Park is to the southeast on Lake Pepin. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical’s Red Wing campus is known for its string and brass instrument repair programs. The MN Dept. of Corrections also operates a large juvenile residential facility in Red Wing.
Other amenities include a destination bakery, a chocolate shop, coffee shops, restaurants, the flagship Red Wing Shoe Company store, Goodhue County Historical Society Museum, the Red Wing Stoneware & Pottery store, the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, a Duluth Trading store, the Red Wing Marine Museum, a Target, several pharmacies, a plant nursery & garden center, a Mayo Health System Hospital, a small independent bookstore, and a public library (the Center has arranged for residents to have access to a library card for their month at the Center)
Other key community stakeholders include the historic Sheldon Theatre, the Red Wing Arts Association, Red Wing YMCA, Red Wing Youth Outreach, Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County, Red Wing Area Friends of Immigrants, Red Wing Area Women’s Art History Club, Live Healthy Red Wing, Artreach, Red Wing Artisan Collective, the Artist Sanctuary, Pier 55 Red Wing Area Seniors, Big Turn Music Festival, Red Wing AAUW, Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, Red Wing Girl Scouts, Red Wing Public Schools, Tower View Alternative School, and Universal Music Center, as well as several City boards, commissions, and departments.
ELIGIBILITY AND DEFINITION OF “EMERGING ARTIST”: While the Anderson Center’s general Artist Residency Program hosts artists with a wide range of talent and experience, the Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program exclusively focuses on meeting the specific needs of artists who are in the early stages of their artistic development and career.
The Anderson Center defines an emerging artist as someone who has some evidence of professional achievement but has not yet a substantial record of accomplishment. These are the applicants who are practicing vocational artists but are not yet recognized as "established" by the artistic community (other artists, curators, producers, critics, and arts administrators).
The organization looks for artists whose work reveals a significant potential for cultural and community impact. These are artists who are uncompromising in their approach to creation and production, people who are not afraid to take risks, embrace challenges, and utilize unconventional approaches to problem-solving.
Degree-seeking students at the time of application, or during the grant period, are not eligible for a residency (including K-12, college, graduate or post graduate studies). Age is not a factor in determining emerging artist status.
Artists that are part of an artistic collective, partnership, or collaborative are welcome to apply! However, each artist should complete their own application form. Please note in the materials you submit that you are applying as group and wish to be reviewed by the jury as a collaborative.
Artists of all disciplines are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Artists must currently be legal residents of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City and have been residents for at least one year prior to the submission of an application. Applications must be submitted through the Anderson Center’s online webform via Submittable. The primary goal of eligible artists must be to generate new works, as opposed to remounting or re-interpreting existing works.
Further details from the Jerome Foundation on emerging artist eligibility requirements can be found here: https://www.jeromefdn.org/defining-early-career-emerging-artists
APPLICATION: A completed application form includes a brief artist statement, a work plan, an emerging artist statement, work samples, and a resume. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the panel. You may begin your application, leave and return as many times as necessary to complete the form PRIOR to clicking the submit button at the bottom of the completed form. Important: do not submit your application form until you are completely finished editing as your application will be finalized at that time.
The Artist Statement, provides an opportunity for you to share, in 100 words or less, a brief statement or summary about your current and future work.
The Work Plan is a 1-2 page Word or PDF document. Write about your work, yourself, and your current thinking about what you’d like to accomplish at the Anderson Center as clearly and concisely as possible. The document can be single-spaced.
An Emerging Artist Statement addresses, in 250 words or less, your status as an emerging artist or early-career artist. How would participating in this program impact or advance your practice as an emerging artist? In what ways would this program meet your needs as an emerging artist? Why is this residency important to this stage of your career path? How do you identify as an emerging artist?
Work Samples should be of recent work and should include:
For composers and musicians: 3 to 5 recordings
For visual artists: At least 5 images of work (300 dpi or larger)
For nonfiction and fiction writers: 10 pages of double-spaced prose
For playwrights & screenwriters: 10-page excerpt (does not need to be from the beginning)
For poets: 10 pages of poetry
For translators: 10 pages of translation and original text
For performance artists: 3 short videos excerpts of performances (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
For filmmakers: at least 3 short film clips (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
The Resume, CV, or Biographical Outline is a Word or PDF document that shows education, work experience, publications, awards, and any previous residency experience. 3 pages maximum.
DURATION OF RESIDENCY: The Anderson Center’s Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program offers residencies-fellowships of two weeks or one month in August. Preference is given to those applying for month-long stays. August is the only month the Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program takes place.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Each artist-in-residence receives:
$625/week artist stipend
Travel honorarium ($550 for New Yorkers and $150 for Minnesotans)
$450 documentation budget (services for photography, video, audio, etc.)
Evening dinners are prepared and presented by the Anderson Center chef Monday through Friday. The chef also shops for meal items for artist residents, and residents are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, and meals over the weekends.
There is also a housekeeper who cleans and maintains the historic facilities. Additional cleaning and sanitization measures are being taken during the pandemic to help ensure the health and safety of artists, staff, and the community.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Each resident is provided room, board, and workspace for the length of the residency period in the historic Tower View mansion. Visual artists are provided a 15' x 26' studio. Other workspaces on site include gas and electric kilns, a print studio (with a Vandercook 219 letterpress and a Charles Brand-like etching press), and an open-air metalsmith facility. Options for rehearsal and studio space are also available for musicians, composers, dancers and choreographers.
Residents have access to the many walking trails on campus and to the Cannon Valley Trail, which goes through the Anderson Center’s property. Bicycles are also provided. Residents have responded to many different aspects of the gorgeous Tower View campus through their work, including composers sampling natural sounds and visual artists harvesting plant materials to create site-specific natural inks.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The program is set-up to minimize distractions and other obligations so that artists have every opportunity to fully focus on their work. However, the Anderson Center was one of the first artist residency programs in the country to require that residents give back to the local community and connect with area residents & organizations through community engagement activities.
Staff work with artists to facilitate and customize at least one hour of mutually beneficial exchange with the Red Wing community that helps foster connection and greater a sense of place.
Within the last few years, Anderson Center residents have connected with 12 schools in five area communities (ranging from elementary through college), 5 senior centers, 2 correctional or detention facilities, 7 community organizations serving children and families, and 8 community organizations serving adults. Residents have also engaged individuals from all walks of life through public workshops, events, discussions, and artful interventions.
During the pandemic, community engagement activities have safely and creatively continued in small group, outdoor, online or distance settings. Examples from the later half of 2020 include a writing exercise letter exchange with residents of a correctional facility, a poetry walk along a park trail, an outdoor natural dye workshop, a distanced reading/discussion with students of Tower View Alternative High School, and various public & private online interviews/discussions with community stakeholders.
PROGRAM MISSION & VALUES: The mission of the Anderson Center is to, in the unique and historic setting of Tower View, offer residencies in the arts, sciences, and humanities; provide a dynamic environment for the exchange of ideas; encourage the pursuit of creative and scholarly endeavors; and serve as a forum for significant contributions to society.
The Anderson Center Residency Program was set-up by a working poet to support other artists and continues to function by those with hands-on experience in the creative process. The organization seeks out feedback from residents each month in order to implement necessary changes as it works toward continual improvement of the program. Most importantly, staff trust artists to know what they need most to advance their individual practices. The Center does not dictate specific outcomes. Instead, the expectation is that the gift of time and space will generate significant advancements in residents' work. The Anderson Center trusts the artists to best use their time to benefit their own work and reach their own goals.
As an interdisciplinary arts organization, the Anderson Center embraces artists who are diverse in every way. Since its inception, the organization has intentionally worked with artists representing a wide range of disciplines, with the belief that the exchange of ideas is generative. The residency program supports artists from around the world, representing a wide range of cultures, races, sexual identities and genders. The Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program exemplifies this diversity of identity and background for artists living in New York City and Minnesota. The Center strives to bring people and ideas together and operates with a spirit of welcome for all.
The Anderson Center aims to support work that is technically accomplished, conceptually rigorous and engages diverse communities. A goal of the Jerome Emerging Artist Residency Program in particular is to advance the practice of early-career artists that are uncompromising in their approach to creation and production, and whose work pushes boundaries and explores new creative territories.
SELECTION TIMELINE:
February 15, 2021 (11:59 p.m. CST) – application deadline
March 4, 2021 – Jury has selected Round 2 applications. All artists are notified of the status of their application
March 22, 2021 – Jury has selected finalists. Phone interviews with finalists begin.
April 4, 2021 – Final notification to selected artists, wait-list and runners-up
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Episodic Lab 2021
Film Independent
DEADLINES:
Non-Member Deadline: February 17, 2021
Film Independent Member Deadline: March 3, 2021
INFO: Designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab will accept a diverse group of 6–8 writers or writing teams and provide them with critical support and mentorship. Through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives, Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape.
The Episodic Lab helps to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of writing episodic content. Each Fellow will be paired with a Creative Advisor with whom they’ll work one-on-one and in group sessions to develop their project during the month of July. Additionally, guest speakers will screen and discuss their own work to offer insights into the creative process and industry best practices. A final networking and pitch event will offer Fellows the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work to studio and network executives.
NOTE: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one participant of the Film Independent Episodic Lab a $10,000 development grant. To apply for the Sloan Episodic Lab Grant, apply to the Episodic Lab and provide a statement on how the project fulfills the mission of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The applicant must possess the rights to the script with which they are applying. The teleplay should have a scientific, mathematical and/or technological theme and storyline or have a leading character that is a scientist, engineer or mathematician.
Who Can Apply?
The Episodic Lab is open to any emerging writer applying with a completed draft of a half hour or hour-long television pilot they wish to workshop during the program. Each applicant must be the author of the script he or she submits. The submitted pilot cannot have been pitched at any point to a studio or network.
Writing partners are welcome to apply as teams and need only submit a single application. International applicants are also welcome to apply. At this time, documentary and short-form digital series are not eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following materials for consideration:
Required
A cover letter explaining your interest in the Episodic Lab
One complete, original pilot
A series logline
A series description describing the story engine and series arc of the show
Project status and history, including any industry exposure
A series proposal document that includes brief descriptions of the world of the series and its premise and genre, as well as breakdowns for the show’s primary characters and their first season arcs
APPLICATION FEE:
FREE for Filmmaker Pro Members (limited to one waived fee per Membership year)
$45 for Film Independent Members
$65 for non-Members
Selection Criteria
Film Independent is looking for well-written, compelling, pilots with an original premise or vision. The submitted pilot may be original or adapted from optioned source material. Though applicants must submit a completed draft, the Lab is structured to support writers who are still creatively engaged in the writing process; those who welcome feedback and discussion will most benefit from the program as they further develop their work.
The Fine Print
Beyond the application fee, there is no cost or tuition to participate in any of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs.
Film Independent Membership is not required when applying to Artist Development Labs. However, all participants accepted into the Labs are required to join Film Independent at the standard annual General Membership rate of $95.
Applicants will be notified three to four weeks prior to the start of the program.
Applicants invited to participate in the program should plan to be in Los Angeles for the four-week duration of the Lab. Film Independent is unable to subsidize any travel, lodging and/or visa expenses for any participants attending from outside of Los Angeles. Participants are expected to attend all sessions in person.
https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/episodic-lab/
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BLACK WRITERS IN FOCUS
Diverso
DEADLINE / FEE: February 21, 2021 ($20)
INFO: DIVERSO is a student-run film nonprofit dedicated to changing the face of entertainment by empowering the next generation of underrepresented storytellers.
In partnership with RIDEBACK (Aladdin, It, The LEGO Movies) and THE WRITERS GUILD FOUNDATION, we have created Black Writers in Focus: a paid internship program for Black student screenwriters.
Vetted by a rigorous committee of all Black readers, four talented students will spend ten weeks over the summer fine-tuning a writing sample with a personalized mentor, attending panels and classes with industry leaders, and learning from the best by shadowing in a writers' room.
Selected students will receive a $5,000 stipend to support a part-time commitment over 10 weeks. Interns are expected to make a 20-hour commitment each week. The internship program will be hosted virtually over the summer (June 7th - August 16th).
BENEFITS:
A 10-week, virtual, part-time internship program over the summer that includes:
$5000 stipend for each intern
Shadowing in writers’ rooms
Panels & Workshops from top industry leaders
Access to Diverso's vast professional network
Personalized mentorship to develop an industry-ready writing sample
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Applicants must be Underrepresented writers currently enrolled in a university as an UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE student (2020 Winter Graduates are eligible). For eligibility and submissions information, please scroll down and read the Frequently Asked Questions portion.
Please ensure your submission has a cover sheet with only the TITLE of the screenplay. The author's name must NOT appear anywhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process. Please specify genre when submitting material.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Who can submit?
Black student writers currently enrolled at an undergraduate or graduate institution whose script has not been optioned. Winter 2020 Graduates are also eligible. Screenwriters may not have earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television. The BWIF is intended to promote and assist amateur writers exclusively.
Who is considered "Black?"
In accordance to the US Census, Black or African American refers to a person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa, including Sub‐Saharan African entries (e.g., Kenyan; Nigerian) and Afro‐Caribbean entries (e.g., Haitian; Jamaican). This includes individuals of mixed heritage.
What's your refund/resubmission policy?
At this time, no refunds will be issued, please read all instructions before submitting. If you wish to submit a new/corrected draft, applicants will incur a second submission fee. Please reach out for assistance with this.
Can I submit with a writing partner?
No. Only solo writers may submit.
What does the entry fee cover?
The entry fee of $20/submission allows us a way to sustainably pay our professional, all-Black reader base.
What if I can't afford the entry fee?
We offer waivers to students who have difficulty affording the entry fee.
How long should my script be?
We accept submissions within the page count below for each category:
Screenplays - 80-125
Teleplays - 25-70
Scripts over 125 will be charged an additional $0.50 per page.
Does my script have to be centered around a Black narrative?
No. The script doesn't necessarily have to have anything to do with Black narratives as long as it's written by a Black student. Just give us your best work!
What if my script is optioned during the contest?
Your script will still be eligible. In fact, we encourage writers to continue marketing their scripts as they wait for their scripts to be evaluated.
Can I submit a script that was optioned in the past?
Any script that is NOT currently under option or contract can enter the contract. If a pre-existing option has expired, you are eligible to enter.
Can I send my script in another language than English?
You may enter the contest, but the script must be written in English so that our readers can read it. If a script has other languages in it as part of the plot, simply denote that the line will be spoken in another language using a parenthetical, e.g. (speaking in Spanish).
What scripts are accepted?
We accept feature scripts, original pilot scripts, and both half-hour and hour-long teleplays. Any script submitted must not be currently optioned at time of submission.
How many scripts may I submit?
Writers may submit a single draft of one script only per category (e.g. one pilot, one feature).
Why should my name and contact information not appear on my title page?
To ensure a meritocratic and anonymous judging process, we ask for the absence of a name and contact information. All your contact information can be found by us in your application.
Who is reading my script?
A variety of Black analysts with script-reading experience. This can range anywhere from executive assistants, professional readers, writers, and/or studio executives.
Are only digital scripts accepted?
Diverso is environmentally conscious and only accepts digital scripts in PDF format.
Is coverage provided?
We provide all who enter actionable feedback on their scripts from our industry readers.
How can I verify that my script has been submitted?
You will be notified by e-mail immediately after your script is submitted. If you have received a confirmation e-mail, your script is in our system and no further action is necessary. If you have not received a confirmation e-mail, please check your junk mailbox or filter. If the confirmation is not in either place, e-mail us at hello@dvrso.org for a copy of your confirmation. We will contact you if there is any technical issue with your file.
What genre is recommended?
There is no recommended genre. Scripts from all categories are accepted and will be evaluated according to the execution of the story, originality, and dialogue.
Can I submit images or accompanying documents along with my screenplay or teleplay?
No. The purpose of the contest is to judge the scripts based on the merit of the writing alone.
I don't live in the United States. May I enter?
Yes.
My script is based off a true story. May I submit?
Yes. However, unless the story is in the public domain, you must have the agreement and consent of the people represented in the script. In order to enter, you must be able to grant the rights to the story you wrote to a producer, should he/she want to option the script.
Securing the rights to the source material is the responsibility of the screenwriter. If you feel that the rights are available, you may certainly enter. Regrettably, we cannot offer any advice on whether or not the rights are available. We recommend that you consult an attorney if you plan to pursue the project, as the question regarding rights -- even life rights -- would eventually come up and need to be addressed prior to anyone's optioning of or buying the script.
Can my script be plagiarized?
Diverso and its partners, employees, and/or associated agents claim no ownership nor first right of option to any submitted original screenplay. All ownership and rights to the submitted scripts remain with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.
In addition, all readers will sign confidentiality agreements to ensure that your work is protected.
https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/black-writers-in-focus
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Susan M. Haas Fellowship
DEADLINE: February 21, 2021 by 11:59pm PST
INFO: Emmy- and WGA-award winning writer Cord Jefferson is excited to partner with the WGA Foundation to launch the 2021 Susan M. Haas Fellowship, which will provide two journalists interested in TV-writing with financial and creative support as they develop original pilots.
Jefferson’s experience as a journalist turned screenwriter gives him a unique lens into the entertainment industry. After regularly offering advice and behind-the-scenes counsel to journalists interested in pursuing careers in film and television, Jefferson decided to offer support in a more formal way with the Haas Fellowship.
Two writers with backgrounds in journalism will receive $25,000 each to assist with living expenses for a six-month period, during which recipients will develop their original teleplays. Each writer will also be paired with a mentor who will provide notes and guidance throughout the drafting process. At the end of the six months, fellows will have the opportunity to meet with at least two industry professionals (agents, managers, and/or executives) to aid in the process of representation, staffing, and/or further project development.
The fellowship is named after Jefferson’s late mother, who dedicated her life to education.
ELIGIBILITY: This fellowship is open to journalists without a full-time job or steady source of income. This includes part-time, freelance, unemployed, or laid-off journalists. Applicants must not have earned credit(s) or financial compensation for any prior television or film work to be considered.
Writers of all race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. Special attention will be given to applicants from communities which have been traditionally underrepresented in television writers’ rooms. You must be 21 or older and authorized to work in the United States to participate.
Additionally, applicants must be:
Committed to completing one (1) TV pilot during the program.
Able to participate in all program meetings and fulfill all program requirements.
Open to constructive criticism and respectful of all other participants and mentors.
The Susan M. Haas Fellowship will not tolerate discrimination by participants on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin. Participants who violate this rule will be immediately removed from the program.
REQUIREMENTS:
Current Resume: Your resume should include all past writing-related work experiences.
Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Your cover letter should be no more than 500 words. It should outline your interest in television writing and experience in journalism.
Writing Clips/Sample: Applicants should submit three journalistic writing clips, ideally those that have been featured in a publication. Your writing sample should not be a screenplay or teleplay.
Pitches/Ideas: Applications should include three brief original pilot ideas. Pitches should not exceed 250 words and can be about original topics of any genre.
Terms of Use: Applicants will be required to agree to a submission agreement before submitting their applications.
https://www.haasfellowship.org/
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CALL FOR DIVERSE COMEDY WRITERS
Yes, And…Laughter Lab
DEADLINE: March 1, 2021 at 11:59pm
INFO: The Yes, And…Laughter Lab is a competitive incubation lab and pitch program that lifts up diverse comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter. The Laughter Lab is designed to introduce these comedians to the entertainment industry, social justice organizations, philanthropists and activists who can help bring their work into the comedy marketplace – and into movements for social change.
The Yes, And Laughter Lab invites all comedy creators to apply for a chance to receive some training, some money, and a chance to pitch their project to a room full of potential allies and partners. The Laughter Lab is a pipeline for the best comedy projects that address pressing social issues.
The Lab will select ten original comedy projects from the pool of applicants. Winners will present their original projects, online or in person either in New York City (September 2021) or Los Angeles (October 2021), to a curated room of traditional and digital media platforms, grantmakers and investors, leading NGOs/nonprofits, production companies, and other select industry players. We aim to build support around each winning comedy project to accelerate its impact and influence.
The Laughter Lab is also providing training for up to 20 Finalists to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make the most of this opportunity. In light of COVID-19, the training may take place in person or virtually through a series of webinars, workshops, and videos. All participants will be updated when a final decision is made closer to the event date.
Our 2021 Laughter Lab Finalists will be informed the week of April 12, 2021 and announced the week of May 3, 2021. The final Pitch Winners will be announced the week of July 12, 2021. To get in touch, please contact us at info@yesandlaughterlab.com.
If you’re considering applying to the Laughter Lab, we are hosting a webinar on February 9, 2021 (6:00pm-7:00pm ET) where we will answer questions from interested applicants and explain more about the application and selection processes, what it means to be selected as a pitch winner, and what to expect along the way. RSVP here. You can view a recording of our 2020 applicant webinar on our YouTube channel.
See Official Rules for specific entry periods, complete entry details, judging criteria, and prize descriptions.
https://yesandlaughterlab.com/
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Mentorship Matters
DEADLINE: March 1, 2021
INFO: Mentorship Matters is an intensive year-long mentorship program with a simple goal: To help place emerging writers of color inside television writers rooms, and change the landscape of who gets to tell stories in our industry.
1. Who is eligible for the Program?
Participants will be emerging writers of color over 18, with at least one original pilot sample, who are not WGA members and have not been (or are not currently) staffed on a scripted series or have not been (or are not currently) employed in a Writers Room. Applicants can reside anywhere in the US but must be willing to move to Los Angeles if offered a paid position in a Writers Room.
If you live in another country, you are eligible if you have a current valid work visa and can move to Los Angeles immediately if a job is offered.
Writing teams may apply, and should fill out one application together.
2. What are the main elements of the Program?
Over the course of one year, Mentors and Mentees will meet or talk at least once a month. Mentors will provide advice, support, accountability and help prepare Mentees for the challenges of a career in television. Additionally Mentors will guide Mentees in developing and polishing one original pilot, with a calendar of steps clearly outlined:
• Mentor will hear/read pitch concept(s) and give general advice on one idea
• Mentor will provide Mentee with pilot outline and script samples if needed
• Mentor will read pilot outline and give notes
• Mentor will read first draft and give notes
• Mentor will give final set of polish notes
Mentors are committed to making introductions and fostering connections with other writers, agents, managers and executives. The goal is to help Mentees build genuine, rewarding, professional relationships and collaborations that will continue beyond the program and ultimately lead to a career in television.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Letter of Interest: 1 page, double spaced, 12pt font
Brief background, including:
Where are you from? How does your background influence your writing?
How long have you been writing?
What kinds of stories are you most interested in telling?
Do you have a favorite genre – or a specific strength as a writer?
What steps have you taken/are you taking now to pursue a career in television?
What existing shows could you see yourself writing for?
How do you think your unique voice/perspective will contribute to a Writers Room?
Resume: Relevant education and work experience.
Writing Sample: Original comedy or drama pilot.
Video Introduction: 1 Minute (file size < 1GB)
What do you want us to know about you?
What do you hope to get out of the Program?
https://www.mentorshipmatters.tv/
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New Voices
Humanitas
DEADLINES / FEES:
Early Deadline: March 1, 2021 ($65)
Regular Deadline: April 1, 2021 ($75)
Extended Deadline: May 17, 2021 ($85)
INFO: In 2010, Executive Director Cathleen Young created NEW VOICES with the vision of discovering, developing and launching a new generation of talented writers under the mentorship of Hollywood showrunners and studio partners.
Every year, NEW VOICES selects up to six writers through a rigorous selection process. Candidates are asked to submit a script and participate in personal interviews. Once matched with a mentor, the writers have three months to further develop their script under their mentors’ supervision. After the script is honed, HUMANITAS sends it to a partnering studio or network executive. The winning writers are given recognition at the annual awards ceremony and are awarded with a $7,500 grant.
We are looking for well-written scripts with compelling stories and developed characters. Any genre is accepted as a 30-minute pilot, 60-minute pilot, or feature film screenplay. We accept only one application and script per year. To be eligible a TV writer can have experience up to and including "Executive Story Editor", and feature writers cannot have earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film.
TIMELINE
Announcement of semi-finalists and finalists: August 2021
Annual awards event: September 2021
A SIGNATURE HUMANITAS NEW VOICES STORY MUST:
Challenge us to use our freedom to grow and develop.
Confront us with our individual responsibility.
Examine the consequences of our choices.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
One original 30-minute pilot, 60-minute pilot, or feature film screenplay (name redacted)
Logline
Brief synopsis (1 paragraph)
Depending on what deadline you submit your entry by, there is a different fee to submit to NEW VOICES. Candidates will submit payment with their application.
If you are selected as a Semifinalist, you must prepare:
Letter of interest (1 page, double-spaced)
Resume (no more than 2 pages)
Bio (1 page, double-spaced)
https://www.humanitasprize.org/new-voices
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GENERAL SUBMISSIONS
Tulsa Review
DEADLINE: March 1, 2021
INFO: The Tulsa Review seeks bold, unique voices for publication in our annual journal. We accept submissions of any unpublished, short creative writing (such as poems, fiction, novel excerpts, creative nonfiction, one-act plays, and short screenplays) and visual artwork (such as photographs, illustrations, or digital images).
GUIDELINES:
Any writer or artist who is not a TCC student may submit their unpublished work as a General Submission.
Do not include your name on your manuscript or artwork. We read and judge submissions blindly.
Each submission in every category must be submitted individually.
Prose and poetry submissions must be in a .DOC, .DOCX, .RTF, or .TXT file format. Please use Times New Roman font, size 1
For fiction and nonfiction use double spaced lines. Do not exceed 7,500 words. Writers can submit up to 2 works in each genre.
Poets can submit up to 5 poems. Do not exceed 25-30 lines.
For drama, writers can submit up to 3 works.
Visual artwork must be submitted as a .PDF of less than 5 MB. (If your artwork is selected for publication, we will contact you for a higher-resolution image.) Artists can submit up to 5 pieces.
We encourage submissions to multiple genres.
Submissions are accepted year-round but are reviewed only during the spring semester.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know immediately if a work has been accepted for publication elsewhere.
When a submission is accepted for publication, Tulsa Review is given first-publication rights. (Rights revert to the author/artist after publication.)
TCC students, if you wish to submit to the TCC Student Writing Contest, please see the TCC Student Writing Contest Guidelines. If you are a TCC student submitting to a contest, there is no need to make a separate General Submission.
SUBMISSION FEE: $0
For each piece submit a short bio (no more than 30 words) to be included with publication. Feel free to include any social media information, or personal creative website in the bio. All contributors will be notified by April 1, 2021 whether their work has been accepted.