NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program
National Hispanic Media Coalition
DEADLINE: April 15, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST
INFO: For nearly twenty years, the NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program has helped launch the careers of more than 200 Latinx writers.
10 diverse Latinx writers nationwide are selected for a 7-week intense writers lab. At the end of the program, these writers will have either a half-hour or hourlong original series pilot, which they will pitch to Industry leaders, beginning with our partners at ABC & NBC. Over the 7-week duration writers work with a professional writing mentor, meet and speak with professional industry writers, and build a community of Latinx writers. The program is officially conducted virtually.
Our writers have worked on shows that can be viewed on Netflix, CW, NBCUniversal, HBOMax, Hulu, ViacomCBS, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.
ELIGIBILITY:
You must 18 years or older.
You must live in the United States.
You must have access to reliable internet connection to participate in daily video conferencing.
SUBMISSION RULES:
Program Dates: 5/31/22 – 7/15/22
This program is virtual, to run Monday-Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings over the course of the 7 weeks. Participation in all meetings is mandatory.
REQUIRED APPLICATION CRITERIA:
Resume (max 1 page)
Please submit a current professional resume. Make sure to include any relevant writing experience. However, this is not exclusively a writing resume, do include any experience that you feel enhances what you bring to the table as a writer even if it’s not directly writing-related.
Bio (up to 250 words)
Think of your Bio and Statement of Purpose as non-fiction writing samples. These are equally as important as your script in giving us a sense of your unique voice. Please tell us a story about who you are, beyond what you have included on your resume.
Statement of Purpose (up to 500 words)
Use this section to answer the following questions: Why do you write? What motivates you to tell those stories? What is your personal connection to your material? Why is writing for the small screen your passion?
Writing Sample
Please submit a properly formatted script. We will accept the following:
1-hour (max 59 pages)
Half-hour (max 35 pages)
Feature (max 110 pages)
Your sample can be any genre including, but not limited to:
Drama
Dramedy
Comedy
Animation
Writing Samples NOT Accepted:
Short script
Novels
Plays
Poems
Any other alternative samples
Logline (1-2 sentences)
This is a brief summary of your script that establishes the main character, what obstacles they have to overcome, and gives us a sense of the hook of your story.
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Paramount Writers Mentoring Program
Paramount
DEADLINE: May 1, 2022
INFO: In its eighteen years, over 100 emerging diverse writers have graduated from the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program. Over 120 careers have been launched including 14 alumni showrunners. 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 Paramount's 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 and studio 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.
COMPENSATION: 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 an executive mentor.
GUIDELINES: A Paramount 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, for 16 weeks participants will be invited to attend a small workshop-style meeting with various Paramount show runners and other industry professionals. Speakers include executive producers, agents, managers, development and current executives and show runners. 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.
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 Paramount 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 1) attend a once a week (evening) workshop and 2) 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.
ELIGIBILITY: The primary focus of the Paramount 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 Paramount television series are encouraged to apply.
You must be 21 or older to be eligible.
All completed application materials must be received between April 1, 2022 and May 1, 2022.
Any submissions received before March 1st or after May 1st, 2022 will not be considered.
No hand delivered submissions will be accepted.
Finalists will be notified in mid September 2021 (or such later date as may be determined by Paramount).
The program is scheduled to begin in October 2022 and continues through April 2023. Paramount reserves the right to make adjustments to program schedule as necessary.