Industry Diversity Writing Programs
Here is a listing of all the industry diversity writing programs that offer excellent opportunities for emerging and established writers, all require of sample writing of either a TV spec script of a feature length script. Selected participants will then participate in a set time program that include, in various cases, mentoring by established professionals, shadowing, and in some cases placement, depending on talent.
CAPE New Writers Fellowship: CAPE New Writers Fellowship is dedicated to discovering and nurturing Asian American and Pacific Islander voices and talents. Each accepted writer will participate in an intensive 6-week program consisting of seminars, workshops, and writing labs taught by top industry writers, producers, agents and executives to empower them with the tools they need to succeed as a professional writer in film and television. Each writer or writing team receives a $1,500 stipend.
The CBS Diversity Institute/Writers Mentoring Program: This program links aspiring writers with mentors from the ranks of CBS Network and CBS Paramount Studio executives. Also, writers are mentored by producer mentors from series airing on CBS. Additionally, there are weekly sessions with successful writers, producers and show runners examining in very specific and practical terms many aspects of the experience of being a television writer in Hollywood.
Film Independent, Project Involve: is dedicated to increasing cultural diversity in the film industry by cultivating the careers of under-represented filmmakers. The program, which runs from October through June, offers a combination of one-on-one mentorships, filmmaking workshops, community screenings, and job placement. Additionally, Project: Involve Fellows receive a complimentary one-year membership to Film Independent.
Film Independent, Screen Writers Lab: is designed to help screenwriters to improve their craft and develop their voice as writers. In this seven-week program, participants meet two nights each week to discuss their scripts and meet with industry professionals. Each lab participant also has one-on-one meetings with two lab advisors, who read and provide notes on the participants’ scripts.
FOX, Writer’s Initiative: A writers’ initiative designed to identify diverse writers for various staff position on Fox series.
NHMC Writers Program: The National Hispanic Media Coalitions Writers Program is not for beginners. It is for those writers who can write at least one half-hour comedy or one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. During the program each 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 idea of placing them on a show.
NBC, Writers on the Verge: Writers on the Verge is a 10-week program focused on polishing television writers and readying them for a staff writer position on television shows. We are looking for writers who are “almost there,” and just need that final bit of preparation with their writing and personal presentation skills. The program consists of two, three hour, night classes weekly, held at NBC in Burbank.
Sundance Feature Film program: The Sundance Institute Feature Film Program (FFP) is dedicated to developing and nurturing the next generation of leading edge narrative feature filmmakers through its unique system of creative residencies, resources, and advisory support. For the past 30 years, the Program has championed many of the world’s groundbreaking independent filmmakers by encouraging a rigorous creative process with a focus on original and deeply personal storytelling. By providing tailored year-round support to pioneering filmmakers, the FFP has become a model for supporting artists around the world.
Sundance Native Film program: The Native Program has built and sustained an Indigenous film circle. The circle of our work begins by scouting for and identifying Native American and Indigenous artists, bringing them through the mechanisms of support at Sundance Institute to get their work made and shown, then bringing the filmmakers and their work back to native lands. The Native Lab Fellowship is a vital part of supporting Native filmmakers full-circle. Four projects are selected annually for the Fellowship from a national competition and supported in two phases over the course of a year.
Sundance Episodic Story Lab: Sundance Institute’s Episodic Story Lab will provide independent and underrepresented writers the opportunity to learn how to develop stories and characters that play out over multiple episodes, working in a setting where they can hone their writing skills and gain insight into navigating the business with accomplished creative and strategic mentors. Our world-renowned Screenwriters Lab will serve as a model as we identify and develop new writers, compelling stories, and showrunners/creators for the burgeoning opportunities for episodic storytelling on all platforms.
Tribeca All Access: It’s a simple premise that has achieved great success in less than three years: provide unheralded and established filmmakers with unprecedented access to industry professionals, giving them the contacts and confidence they need to make their movies. For industry representatives, TAA is a place to meet exceptionally talented filmmakers, find new and exciting scripts covering a range of genres and budgets, and get a first look at new documentary works-in-progress.
The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment Writing Fellowship: The Walt Disney Studios and ABC Entertainment Television Group, in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, West, are currently running the 17th year of the Writing Fellowship program. This program is designed to identify and employ a diverse pool of creative writing talent. We offer Fellowships in the feature film and television areas. No previous experience is necessary; however, completed writing samples are required for admission to this program. The program is an intensive experience that involves workshops, seminars and personalized mentorship with creative executives from ABC Entertainment Television Group, ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone Television), Disney Channel, ABC Family and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group. Fellows will receive a flat $50,000 annualized salary for a one-year period.
Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop A writing program for new writers looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV’s top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show. Program meets for three consecutive months, one evening a week, on the Warner Bros. lot and is free to those accepted.
Women in Film Mentoring Program: The WIF Pilot Mentoring Program accepts sixteen WIF members for a one-year period of one-on-one mentoring with established professionals in the industry. This program allows young women the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the industry’s business practices and culture while also gaining hands-on experience.
Writegirl: Matches high school girls from under-privileged communities in LA with professional women writers who mentor them on a weekly basis in creative writing, journalism and other styles of writing.
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