Media Diversity Programs
Diversity in Hollywood
CBS Writers Mentoring Program
Making an Impact: In its eleven years, a total of 81 emerging diverse writers have graduated from the CBS Writers Mentoring Program. 47 careers have been launched. The goal of the program is to positively impact the presence of diverse writers throughout the industry. diversity.cbscorporation.com.
Warner Brother Fresh Ink Writing Program
For over 30 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: Terrance Winter (Boardwalk Empire), Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives), Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl) and Felicia Henderson (Soul Food) to name a few.
Every year, the Workshop selects up to 10 participants out of almost 2,000 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. writersworkshop.warnerbros.com.
Sundance Episodic Lab
The Sundance Institute Episodic Story Lab offers 10 writers (“Fellows”) an opportunity to develop long-form episodic content in a setting where they can hone their writing skills and learn how to navigate the changing industry. Working with accomplished showrunners (“Creative Advisors”), as well as non-writing creative producers and studio/network executives (“Industry Mentors”), the Fellows participate in one-on-one creative story meetings, pitching sessions, writers’ rooms, and group conversations focusing on the key creative and tactical elements that are central to their success in episodic storytelling. sundance.org.
NBC’s Writers on the Verge
Writers on the Verge is a 12-week program focused on polishing writers and readying them for a staff writer position on a television series. We are looking for writers who are “almost there” but need that final bit of preparation with their writing and personal presentation skills. We particularly encourage writers of diverse backgrounds to apply. nbcunitips.com.
NBC’s Late Night Writers Workshop
Who – Writers with strong comedic sensibility and a diverse prospective. Stand-Up work and improve training is a plus. Application period – Program has only a 2 week application window which generally opens in January. nbcunicareers.com.
Disney/ABC Writing Program
For over 25 years, the Disney | ABC Writing Program has been lauded as one of the most successful writer programs in the entertainment industry. The one-year program is the only program of its kind sanctioned by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW). The program has launched the careers of many writers, including: Maria Jacquemetton (Mad Men); Jane Espenson (Once Upon A Time); Saladin K. Patterson (Psych); Bryan Oh (Chicago Fire); George Mastras (Breaking Bad); and
Veena Sud (The Killing). abctalentdevelopment.com.
FOX Writers Intensive
The FOX Writers Intensive (FWI) is an initiative designed to nurture experienced writers with diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences and creates a solid pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on FOX television shows, films and other FOX entertainment platforms. fox.com.
NHMC Writers Program
The NHMC Television Writers Program was created in 2003 and is an intensive scriptwriters workshop that prepares Latinos for writing jobs at major television networks. Modeled after the previously successful Hispanic Film Project, the program is a direct response to the lack of diverse writers in primetime network TV. To take NHMC TV Writers Program graduates to the next level, NHMC has also created the NHMC Pitching Lab and theLatino Scene Showcase. nhmc.org.
CAPE New Writers Fellowship
The CNWF is a unique program that discovers and nurtures writers launching their careers in television and film. This 6-week, 11-session Fellowship offers mentorship by top television and film professionals and teaches the business and commercial aspects of the entertainment industry. capeusa.org.
WGA Writers Access Program
The project was launched by the WGAW’s Diversity department in early 2009. It is a peer judging program designed to identify excellent, diverse writers with television experience, and to provide a resource for accessing their work to showrunners, industry executives, agents and managers. wga.org.
The Black List
The Black List is where filmmakers find great material to make films and great material finds filmmakers to make them. Over 225 Black List screenplays have been made as feature films. Those films have earned over $19BN in worldwide box office, have been nominated for 171 Academy Awards, and have won 35, including Best Pictures SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE KING’S SPEECH, and ARGO, and seven of the last twelve screenwriting Oscars. A complete list of Black List films is here. blcklst.com.
NY Women In Film Writers Lab
New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equality. nywift.org.
Universal Pictures Emerging Writers Fellowship
The Emerging Writers Fellowship is an exciting program at Universal Pictures that is designed to identify and cultivate new and unique voices with a passion for storytelling. We are looking for talented screenwriters who have the potential to thrive, but don’t have access to or visibility within the industry. nbcunicareers.com.
Tribeca All Access
Tribeca Film Institute champions storytellers to be catalysts for change in their communities and around the world. Each year, we identify a diverse group of exceptional filmmakers and media artists then empower them with funding and resources to fully realize their stories and connect with audiences. Further, our education programs empower students through hands-on training and exposure to socially relevant films, offering young people the media skills necessary to be creative and productive global citizens. tribecafilminstitute.org.
ABC
ABC Talent Development provides a variety of programs to help aspiring individuals in the fields of acting, writing, directing, and production. For additional information, visit abctalentdevelopment.com.
NBC
The NBC Talent Diversity Initiative was created to promote and sustain on-camera diversity through community involvement and development, showcasing non-traditional casting choices, and creating programs to raise awareness at NBC. For additional information, visit nbcunicareers.com.
CBS
CBS is committed to making diversity a reality through a wide array of workshops, talent showcases and internships designed to bring more minorities into the creative process. For additional information, visit cbsdiversity.com.
FOX
Expanding opportunities for writers, directors, and actors within the creative African American, Latino American, Asian American and Native American communities is an ongoing process within FOX. For additional information, visit fox.com.