Top Scriptwriting Contests and Fellowships

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NBC Writers On The Verge

Writers on the Verge is a 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.

The program will consist of weekly evening classes at NBCUniversal in Universal City, CA. Once accepted, students must attend all classes and turn in all written assignments.

Classes concentrate on creating exceptional material to enhance their portfolio, and understanding the dynamics of pitching oneself in the television industry. Writers are given the chance to interact with industry players ranging from network executives to show runners to agents and receive valuable feedback on their work and pitch style. Writing assignments on a NBCUniversal television show may be available after successful completion of the program but are not a guarantee. Past participants have gone on to series including “The Blacklist,” “Marlon,” “Community”, “Burn Notice”, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, “White Collar”, “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Chicago Fire” and “Parenthood.”

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CBS Writers Mentorning Program

Making an Impact

In its fourteen years, a total of 105 emerging diverse writers have graduated from the CBS Writers Mentoring Program. 61 careers have been launched. The goal of the program is to positively impact the presence of diverse writers throughout the industry.

How it Works

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 CBS' Diversity Institute 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 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. 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.

      A CBS 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, participants will be invited to attend a small workshop-style meeting with various CBS 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 writing room, as well as in the CBS current and development departments. 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 CBS 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's 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 CBS Diversity Institute's 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 CBS television series are encouraged to apply. You must be 21 or older to be eligible.    All completed application materials must be received between March 1, 2018 and May 1, 2018. Any submissions received before March 1st or after May 1st, 2018 will not be considered. No hand delivered submissions will be accepted. Finalists will be notified in mid September 2018 (or such later date as may be determined by CBS). The Program is scheduled to begin in October, 2018 and continues through April 1, 2019. CBS reserves the right to make adjustments to Program schedule.

Application Materials  ~

Each submission must be complete in order to be considered. A complete application packet includes:

      Application

      Letter of Interest

      Work Resume or Bio

      Two (2) Writing Samples: one (1) half-hour or one-hour episodic spec script based on a current prime time television series which aired, or was released, during the 2017/2018 season on any network or cable channel, including Netflix, Hulu or Amazon and (1) original work of writing – (original pilot, stage play or short fiction story). Original material should match in tone the spec script.

      A signed Submission Release form for the writing samples.

 

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Academy Nicholl Fellowships

pplications for the prestigious and lucrative Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting are now open for 2018.

This international screenwriting competition awards up to five fellowships of US$35,000 each year. Since 1986, 152 fellowships totalling $4,265,000 have been awarded.

Who Can Enter

The competition is open to writers based anywhere in the world, regardless of citizenship. All entrants must be aged over 18. Entry scripts must be the original work of one writer, or of two writers who collaborated equally, and must be written originally in English. Translated scripts are not eligible.

The fellowships are intended for new and/or amateur screenwriters. In order to be eligible, an entrant's total earnings for motion picture and television writing may not exceed US$25,000 before the end of the competition.

It is a requirement that all fellowship winners complete at least one new feature screenplay in the year of their fellowship (the Academy acquires no rights to the work and will not participate in its marketing or in any other aspects of its commercial future).

The Prizes

Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters.

In addition to the cash prize, winners of the Nicholl Fellowships will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November. The successful applications are also expected to receive many networking opportunities to help complete their next script.

How to Enter

Applicants must submit an original feature film screenplay. This screenplay may be no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages. The shortest script to earn its writer an Academy Nicholl Fellowship was 80 pages long; the longest was 153 pages.

Screenwriters may enter the 2018 competition up to three times; an entry fee is payable for each separate screenplay. If the script is based on a true story/events, historical or contemporary, the ‘based on true story' button should be selected within the online application form. Adaptations of any work (other than your own) are not eligible.

 

 

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The Disney ABC Writing Program

Created in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America West (WGAw), the Disney | ABC Writing Program is based in Los Angeles. Widely recognized as one of the entertainment industry's most successful writing programs, the one-year program's primary goal is to connect participants to their first staff writing positions, via Disney │ ABC Television Group (DATG) series. Staffing is not guaranteed.

The program has launched the careers of many established and award-winning writers, producers and showrunners for hit shows across the broadcast, cable and streaming platforms, including: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Psych and more. It also was the starting point for show creators such as: Veena Sud (The Killing; Seven Seconds), Jane Espenson (Warehouse 13) and Erica Montolfo-Bura (Zoe Ever After).

The Disney | ABC Writing Program remains the only program of its kind designed under terms approved by the WGAw.

About the Writing Program

The twelve-month Program begins in February and ends in January of the following year. Please note that time frames are subject to change. For at least the first month of the Program, writers participate in a curriculum designed to better prepare them for staffing consideration. Past activities have included: workshops led by veteran television writers, producers and Program alumni; improvisational workshops; and networking mixers with executives.

The Program also provides engagement with executives, producers and literary representatives, designed to facilitate relationships that can prove invaluable in developing a television writing career.

Writers become employees of Disney│ABC Television Group (DATG) and will be paid a weekly salary of $961.54 ($50,000 annualized) plus any applicable benefits for which they are eligible in accordance with the then-current Company benefits. The one-year program begins in February and ends in February of the following year. Please note that time frames are subject

to change.

REQUIREMENTS

The Disney | ABC Writing Program application now is a fully online process that requires Internet access and digital files. All application links, instructions and additional information are managed solely through our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT: We will not accept any mailed, emailed, faxed or delivered submissions for the Writing Program. All application steps are managed online.

 

 

 

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