Hi, everyone,
It’s been several months since I sent out a fresh newsletter, mainly because I’ve been slowly walking around the Walt Disney Studios as part of the WGA strike, gorging myself on KIND bars and occasionally waving my sign to try and clear a path through Chris Pine’s patchouli fog.
Or as ten-year-old me would’ve called it, “the Hollywood dream.”
And while that strike is finally over (hooray), the SAG strike is still going on (boo). So, if you want to help Film and TV workers that are still struggling financially, you can donate to the Entertainment Community Fund right here:
https://entertainmentcommunity.org/ (If it helps your decision, I don’t get a penny.)
But I wanted to send out this quick update, as I’ve noticed that several TV writing fellowships have quietly announced new submission dates for November.
So here’s all the new dates I’ve found. I’ve also added them to that Google Doc you received when you subscribed. (And if you haven’t subscribed yet, you’ll get a link to it if you do.)
Anyway, happy submitting!
NOVEMBER DEADLINES:
Black List/Women In Film Episodic Lab (TV): 11/13/23
CAPE New Writers Fellowship (TV): 11/13/23
Nickelodeon Writers Program (TV): 11/15/23
Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program (TV): Specific Date not released but as of Oct. 10 it’s been described as “soon.” I’m betting it’ll be in November.
BLACK LIST/WOMEN IN FILM EPISODIC LAB (DUE: 11/3/23)
Four-week development lab funded by The Black List (https://blcklst.com/) and Women in Film (https://womeninfilm.org/), where up to 6 to 8 “promising non-professional television writers who are women, nonbinary, and trans people” will participate in a series of “script development, pitching, peer workshopping sessions, and Master Classes with established writers and industry executives.”
Note: You can apply either through the Black List or the WIF, but each has different deadlines and requirements.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW
DEADLINE: WIF: 11/13/23, Black List: 11/15/23
DATES: 4-week lab with two meetings per week, starts 3/5/24.
LINKS:
WIF: https://womeninfilm.org/updates/episodic-lab-details/
Blacklist: https://blcklst.com/programs/2024-black-list-x-wif-episodic-lab
COST: $40 through WIF (non-members), $30/month hosting fee for Black List
ELIGIBILITY:
Must be the sole and exclusive author of the TV pilot submitted.
You have not received more than $25,000 in aggregate compensation for TV writing work.
Must be available throughout the year for Los Angeles-based events.
SUBMISSION PACKET:
Original Pilot, half-hour or hour-long. Features are not accepted.
Note: You can submit up to three scripts through WIF, but you must submit them with separate applications.
Logline (50 words or less)
Synopsis (250 words or less)
Artist Statement (500 words or less)
Writer Bio (200 words or less)
Writer Resume
CAPE NEW WRITERS FELLOWSHIP: (DUE: 11/13/23)
LA-based program focused on Asian and Pacific Islander writers (but open to writers of all race, color, sexual orientation, etc.), presenting panels, workshops and discussions with writers, producers, agents, managers and executives. Also a writing lab, where each fellow is matched with a high-level industry mentor to help them revise their original script to land their first staff job.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW
DEADLINE: Monday, Nov. 13 - 11:59 PM PST
DATES: March - April 2024 on Monday & Wednesday Evenings (PST)
Typically early spring. Weekday evenings (PT) for appr. 3 hours, twice a week.
LINK: https://www.capeusa.org/cnwf
COST: $65 application fee
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants should be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment and media.
Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Applicants cannot have been a staff writer on an episodic program (in any country) or have had a project produced with over $1 million.
Applicants must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Los Angeles. (Transportations and lodging costs won’t be covered.)
Applicants must be able to attend every virtual session on Zoom (held Monday and Wednesday evenings Pacific Time).
All finalists agree to participate in all sessions and meetings.
All applicants should have the legal right to accept paid work in the United States. CAPE does not sponsor or assist with visas
SUBMISSION PACKET:
Complete, original episodic pilot with all identifying information removed. (Under 100 MB)
General release form
Rules & conditions form
Resume (PDF only)
NICKELODEON WRITERS PROGRAM (DUE 11/15/23)
Network-based writers program, offering one year, full-time paid development program for diverse and emerging writers.
Note: there are three different tracks for this program, so you have to choose one: Preschool content (audience age 2-6), Kid’s content (age 6-11), Preteen/Young Adult content (age 11-17). However, your samples do not have to reflect these age groups at all.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW
DEADLINE: 11/15/23
DATES: One year program, starts in January.
LINK: https://writers.coverfly.com/competitions/view/nickelodeon-writing-program
General Info: https://www.nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/
COST: $0
ELIGIBILITY:
Must be 18 years or older.
Must not have professional TV writing credits. (Although a strong writing background is encouraged.)
SUBMISSION PACKET:
½ hour original comedy pilot
Spec script of current TV show from their approved list. (Listed here: https://www.nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/)
Completed application questions
Resume (1 page max)
Signed submission release & 1 schedule A for each script.
DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION WRITING PROGRAM (DUE DATE TBA, BUT LISTED AS “SOON”)
Formerly known as the Disney/ABC Writing Program, This studio-based program offers diverse writers one-year employment contracts with the goal of staffing them on DGE shows.
Note: As part of your application, you can also apply for the Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writer’s Scholarship with an additional essay.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Listed on FB as “opening soon” as of Oct. 10.
DEADLINE: TBA
DATES: One year full-time program, (presumably) starting in Jan. or Feb.
LINKS: https://www.dgectdi.com/writing-program
(General Fellowship Page): https://www.abctalentdevelopment.com/writing_program.html
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/disneyabcctdi/
COST: $0
ELIGIBILITY: (From 2022)
Must be eligible to work in the US.
Must be 21 or over by 12/
SUBMISSION PACKET:
2 original samples. (Must choose one as your main script)
Resume (2 pages or less)
Personal statement (3,000 characters max)
Staffing pitch (1,500 characters max, pitch yourself as a potential staff writer on a current DGE series - broadcast, cable or streaming)
Boone scholarship pitch (optional, 1,500 characters max, share your connection/familiarity with writer Eunetta T. Boone and how, if selected, you would honor her legacy in a Disney Channel writer’s room.