Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program
Writers Guild Foundation
SUBMISSION PERIOD: May 5 - June 6, 2022
INFO: TV writers and producers Tanya Saracho (Vida), Mike Royce (One Day at a Time), and Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead) have partnered with the Writers Guild Foundation to launch the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative to support the full inclusion and employment of underrepresented groups in the television industry.
The program’s mission is to provide writers who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50, with tools and education to become a writers’ assistant and script coordinator, ultimately resulting in meaningful employment opportunities. These positions have historically been an invaluable way to learn the writing process first-hand, with the ultimate goal of getting a writing job.
Graduates of the program will be included in an ongoing list of trained writers’ assistants and script coordinators (WA/SCs) primarily from underrepresented groups, which will be made available to studios, networks and showrunners, in order to increase the pool of eligible hires. By offering this opportunity to writers who are typically excluded from the writers’ room, we hope to increase representation among television writers, and capture stories from all corners of the human experience.
Applicants will be reviewed by a committee of television creators, executive producers, and showrunners, and writers who previously worked as WA/SCs.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
When is it?
The next session will take place August to November 2022. Classes will be scheduled weekly over a 3-month period. The application window will open on May 5th.
Where is it?
Current sessions are hosted online via Zoom.
How much does it cost?
This program is free thanks to financial support from WarnerMedia.
Am I eligible?
This program is designed to uplift underrepresented voices in the television industry. BIPOC writers, LGBTQ+ writers, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50 are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be interested in pursuing employment in a support staff role.
Who are the instructors?
Sessions will be led by instructors Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor) and Clay Lapari (Community), who have extensive experience as writers’ assistants and script coordinators for television. The program also features several guest showrunner lecturers to discuss what they look for in a support staff.
What information will I need to provide in the application?
If you intend to apply, please be ready to share the following information:
Your resume
A brief personal statement (500 words or less)
Your writing experience, preferred genres, and creative influences
How many writers will this serve?
16 writers will be selected each cycle.
wgfoundation.org/programs/writers-access-support-staff-training-program
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2023 ARTIST RESIDENCY
Marble House Project
DEADLINE: May 15, 2022
INFO: Marble House Project is a multidisciplinary artist residency program that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas, by providing an environment for artists across disciplines to live and work together. The residency integrates sustainable practices, including small-scale organic food production and waste conservation. Residents sustain their growth by engaging with the grounds while working on their artistic practice. Marble House Project is founded on the belief that the act of creating, whether in the studio or in nature, is how human potential expands and community thrives.
Marble House Project accepts approximately 60 residents and is open to artists living in the United States and abroad. You must be at least 21 years old. Residencies run from the end of February through November, scheduled into six three-week residencies and one two-week family-friendly residency for artists with children. Please note that if you apply to the family friendly residency, it is a specific date within the artist in residency application. Each session accommodates eight artists and is specifically curated to bring together a diverse group of creative workers, to maximize potential for collaboration and dialogue while in residence and beyond.
RESIDENCY DATES FOR 2023
February 28th - March 21
March 28th - April 18th
April 25th - May 16th
June 6th - June 27th
July 11th - July 25th FAMILY FRIENDLY RESIDENCY WITH CHILDREN ONLY
October 2 - October 23rd
October 30th - November 20th
All residents live together in the historic, eight-bedroom Manley-Lefevre house, a communal space organized around responsibilities-sharing systems which highlight sustainability and community. All residents will be paired and asked to cook for shared dinners three times over the course of their residency, Monday-Friday. A substantial amount of the food we provide comes from our organic garden, which also serves as a space for gathering and an educational tool. Residents are invited to help with planting, harvesting, and maintenance. While not required, our hope is that you will spend some time in the garden alongside your studio practice. Each session culminates with ARTSEED, our public open house Saturday event. Artists are invited to share their work with our community through artist talks, readings, performances, and open studios.
Marble House Project provides private bedrooms, food, private studio space, and artist support. We are not able to cover costs related to travel or materials. There is no fee to attend the residency.
Applications are accepted in all creative fields including but not limited to writing, dance and choreography, performance, music composition and sound, film and video, visual arts, and culinary arts. Applications are reviewed by a jury of alumni, staff, and outside experts, and artists are selected based on quality of work, commitment to practice, and project description. Please choose the application that best describes your work. Two artists may apply together as a collaborative, and should complete one application. Within each application you will be asked to select the session dates best for you. You may choose the family friendly residency only if you will be bringing your children. Family friendly applicants may select additional dates if willing to attend without your children.
Marble House Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. For exact dates, more information or questions about the residency, visit our FAQ page. If you still have questions you may contact info@marblehouseproject.org.
Personal information is not shared with our jury and will remain confidential. This includes email, home address, phone number and any information regarding your family, anything else you would need to tell us and how you heard about Marble House Project. Please make sure to remove this information from your resume. All of our outreach questions also remain confidential and blind to our jury.
We look forward to viewing your application.
marblehouseproject.submittable.com/submit
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New Voices Fellowship
Humanitas
DEADLINE: May 18, 2022
ENTRY FEE: $45
INFO: New Voices Fellowship is a four-month mentorship program for emerging television and screenwriters. The program is committed to identifying and empowering five writers each year who are currently working on a 30- or 60-minute pilot or feature film screenplay that upholds the mission of Humanitas.
Through mentorship, workshops, conversations on professional development, and networking opportunities, New Voices equips early career writers with the tools needed to advance their careers. Since 2010, 50 fellows have completed the New Voices program and advanced to become showrunners, producers, directors, and staff writers.
Former New Voices fellows include Will Pascoe (Absentia), J. Holtham (Supergirl, Jessica Jones), Jeanine Daniels (Snowfall), Rashaad Ernesto Greene (The Chi, Searching for Alaska), Carlito Rodriguez (Empire), Emily Silver (Finding Carter), Martin Zimmerman (Ozark), and more.
NEW VOICES FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS:
Mentorship: Fellows are paired with award-winning showrunners for one-on-one mentorship focused on their project. Written notes are provided over a series of meetings. Former mentors include: Alan Ball, Jenny Bicks, Janine Sherman Barrois, Matt Carlson, Carter Covington, Liz Craft, Sarah Fain, Tom Fontana, Gary Glasberg, Gary David Goldberg, Marc Guggenheim, Hart Hanson, Chris Harris, Felicia Henderson, Winnie Holzman, David Hudgins, Jason Katims, Jay Kogen, Bill Lawrence, Ali LeRoi, Melanie Marnich, Nancy Pimental, Rashad Raisani, Robin Schiff, David Shore, Patrick Sean Smith, Robin Swicord, Pam Veasey, Ben Watkins, and David Zuckerman.
Workshops Series: The Humanitas staff and the New Voices Advisor invite fellows to join a series of conversations and workshops focused on the most pressing issues facing emerging television and screenwriters. Topics have included The Art of the Pitch, Navigating Notes, Understanding the Executive Perspective, Working through Writer’s Block, Early Career Do’s and Don’ts, Staffing Meeting Tips, and more.
Professional Development & Networking: In addition to the community cultivated through the New Voices Conversation and Workshops Series, New Voices aims to present fellows with at least one meaningful networking opportunity per year.
Once the New Voices Fellowship has concluded, the fellows’ creative materials and contact information are distributed to the Humanitas agents and managers network.
Stipend: Each New Voices fellow receives a $7,500 stipend.
REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS:
Original 30- or 60-minute pilot, or feature film screenplay
Logline
Brief synopsis (1 paragraph)
Bio, résumé, and short artist statement that speaks to professional aspirations.
Completed release form.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older at time of application.
Applicants do not need to be U.S. permanent residents and/or citizens but must be residing in the U.S. during the fellowship.
Applicants must be available to participate actively in all dimensions of fellowship programming, including mandatory workshops, virtual gatherings, and virtual public programs.
The New Voices Fellowship is for emerging television and screenwriters who:
1) are unrepresented (writers are unrepresented with no current manager, agent, or attorney acting in this capacity),
2) have not been staffed as a writer, and
3) have not received payment for screen or television writing services prior to the submission period.
Applicants may submit one application and script per year.
Former New Voices Fellows are not eligible to reapply.
While the New Voices Fellowship accepts materials from all writers, writers with diverse backgrounds and social identities historically underrepresented in media are highly encouraged to apply.
humanitasprize.org/new-voices-2022
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2023 Disney General Entertainment Writing Program
Disney General Entertainment
DEADLINE: May 30, 2022
INFO: The primary goal is to staff Program Writers on Disney General Entertainment Content (DGE) series as staff writers during the program year. Staffing is not guaranteed. The twelve-month program is tentatively set to begin in January 2023 and end in January of the following year.
Please note, time frames are subject to change. For the first few months of the Program, writers participate in a professional development curriculum designed to better prepare them for staffing consideration, including developing, writing, and polishing at least one (1) original pilot script to be used as a staffing sample. The Program also provides engagement with executives, producers and credentialed writers, designed to facilitate relationships that can prove invaluable in developing a television writing career. Additional past activities have included: workshops led by veteran television writers, producers and Program alumni, and networking mixers with executives, producers, and showrunners.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be able to legally work in the United States and be at least twenty-one (21) years of age by December 1, 2022. Entertainment industry experience is not required but is strongly recommended. Those applying must fully complete an online application and submissions package, including uploading the following seven (7) items; eight (8) if you are opting in to be considered for the Boone Scholarship:
1) SCRIPT ONE: ORIGINAL PILOT SCRIPT capturing the writer’s unique tone, style and point of view. This sample must be live-action content; animation samples of any form are not accepted. This sample should tonally translate to the type of programming broadcast, airing or streaming on DGE. This will be the primary script for consideration of your application. It cannot be changed or replaced after submission. This sample must not have been submitted in a previous application.
2) EXHIBIT “A”: SCRIPT ONE SUMMARY FORM
3) SCRIPT TWO: SECONDARY ORIGINAL PILOT SCRIPT capturing the writer’s unique tone, style and point of view. This sample must be live-action content; animation samples of any form are not accepted. This sample should tonally translate to the type of programming broadcast, airing or streaming on DGE. This sample may have been submitted in a previous application and will receive the same score as before.
4) EXHIBIT “B”: SCRIPT TWO SUMMARY FORM
5) RESUME (two pages or less) outlining chronological salaried employment (which may include entertainment and non-entertainment positions). Only list jobs or positions where compensation was received, with the exception of entertainment industry internships and full-time volunteer work at non-profits. Please also list any courses or training you have taken to develop your craft as a writer. Please do not list undergraduate coursework.
6) STAFFING PITCH (no more than 1500 characters): “Pitch” yourself as a potential staff writer on a current series (broadcast, cable, or streaming) at DGE. Before completing this section, please make sure you have a solid command of the breadth of programming across DGE and Disney+, as well as the particular show you are pitching yourself for; accepted series include both those confirmed to return for the 2022-23 season and those ending in the 2021-22 season. In your pitch, please specify: 1) why you think you would be a good fit for the particular show you selected, 2) how you identify with that show (whether it’s through a character, series theme, series storyline, series location, premise, etc.), and 3) what you think you could add to this particular writers room. The pitch should address why you’re a fit, and not why you like the show or its impact.
7) PERSONAL ESSAY (no more than 3000 characters): a story from your life experience that conveys your unique perspective and/or multi-cultural sensibility.
8) BOONE SCHOLARSHIP PITCH (if applicable): If you opt in to be considered for the Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writers Scholarship, please answer the following prompt in 1500 characters or less: Please share why you are applying for the Boone Scholarship. Specifically, share how familiar you are with Eunetta T. Boone’s life and work, your connection to the shows she ran, and, if selected for the scholarship, how you plan to honor Ms. Boone’s legacy in a Disney Channel writers room.
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Writers’ Workshop
WB Television Workshop
APPLICATION WILL OPEN: May 31, 2022
INFO: For over 40 years, the Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop has been the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their career in the world of television. The list of graduates who have gone on to do great things is long and includes showrunners: Jeff Astrof (Trial & Error), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (S.W.A.T.), Jenna Bans (Good Girls), and Joe Henderson (Lucifer), to name a few.
Every year, the Workshop selects up to eight participants out of more than 2,500 submissions 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 Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop consists of three components, all geared towards preparing the writer for a successful career in television writing.
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 typical for a show in production. How participants perform during this exercise will determine whether they will be supported for a possible staffing position on a Warner Bros. show. Yes, the stakes are that high!
STAFFING: Upon completion of the program, studio executives will help participants who pass the Writers’ Room obtain a staff position on a Warner Bros. Television show. We can’t guarantee you will get staffed, but we will get your material in front of the people who make the ultimate decisions – the showrunners.
HOW TO APPLY:
CURRENT RESUME: Your resume should be in pdf format and include all past writing-related work experiences, and beyond (please note writing experience is not required).
PERSONAL STATEMENT: Your personal statement should be no longer than one page, double-spaced (up to 2,000 characters, including spaces). It should tell us why you want to be a television writer and how your background will add a unique perspective to television writing.
SPEC SCRIPT: Specs MUST be written for a show that is listed on our Accepted Shows page. Not all shows are accepted. Please take a moment to make sure your show is listed. Please include a “Previously On” page after your title page if your show is serialized. The “Previously On” page lets the reader know where your episode takes place in the series, and must also include an episode number (please see the FAQ for a more detailed breakdown). It should be in paragraph form and not longer than a page. Your episode can take place anywhere within the series that you would like. If you have applied previously, you must submit a new spec script. If you apply with a Comedy spec, you will be considered as a Comedy writer, and if you apply with a Drama spec, you will be considered as a Drama writer.
SUBMISSION AGREEMENT: Each submission must include a submission agreement in order for us to review your material. You must download the agreement, print the agreement, sign it, and either scan or upload a picture of the signed document. The agreement must be uploaded to your application before the deadline. Faxes and emails of this document will not be accepted. Please take into account the time it will take to submit your submission agreement when applying.
televisionworkshop.warnerbros.com/writers-workshop/
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2022 TV PILOT CONTEST
Shore Script
DEADLINES / FEES:
Early: May 31, 2022 (1 HR $45 / 1/2 HR $40)
Regular: July 31, 2022 (1 HR $55 / 1/2 HR $50)
Final: Aug 31, 2022 (1 HR $65 / 1/2 HR $60)
INFO: WE HAVE HELPED LAUNCH THE CAREERS OF NUMEROUS WRITERS THROUGH OUR TV PILOT CONTEST. THIS INCLUDES DEALS WITH SONY, YOUTUBE, CBS, & HULU.
OUR TV PILOT CONTEST IS SPLIT INTO 1/2 & 1HR CATEGORIES.
WE ACCEPT ALL GENRES. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU HAVE A BIG BUDGET EPIC OR CONTAINED DRAMA, EACH TV PILOT IS JUDGED EQUALLY. WE, AND OUR ROSTER OF OVER 150 OF THE MOST RESPECTED FILMMAKERS IN THE INDUSTRY, ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS WITH ORIGINAL VOICES.