Resources

The Screenwriters Lab is a five-day writer’s workshop that gives independent screenwriters the opportunity to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established writers in an environment that encourages innovation and creative risk-taking. Through one-on-one story sessions with Creative Advisors, Fellows engage in an artistically rigorous process that offers them indispensable lessons in craft, as well as the means to do the deep exploration needed to fully realize their material. The January Screenwriters Lab is held in January, just before the Sundance Film Festival. The 2012 January Screenwriters Lab will take place January 13-18, 2012.* ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: January Screenwriters Lab applications available online starting: February 15 (for the following year’s Lab)

NICHOLL FELLOWSHIPS IN SCREENWRITING

Up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters. From the program’s inception in 1986 through 2009, over $2.8 million have been awarded to 121 writers. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS from now to the deadline is 11:59 pm May 2, 2012.

THE GUY A. HANKS & MARVIN MILLER SCREENWRITING PROGRAM

Established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby in 1993, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Named in honor of Camille’s father, Guy Alexander Hanks and Bill’s producer, Marvin Miller. The fifteen-week intensive workshop was designed with a two-fold purpose: To assist writers in the completion of a film or television script. And to deepen the participants appreciation for and comprehension of African American history and culture. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Between July 15th and September 15th, 2012

OUTFEST SCREENWRITING LAB

A dynamic 3 day, mentor-led workshop in Los Angeles for selected screenwriters. Screenplays submitted for consideration should display significant content or thematic material regarding gay, lesbian or transgender person and/or issues. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: February 6, 2012 — now closed.

WOMEN IN FILM MENTORING PROGRAM

The Women in Film Mentoring Program nurtures emerging talent in the entertainment industry by connecting individual WIF members with established professionals for a period of one year which they benefit from one-to-one interaction. As a prerequisite to joining this program, you are asked to attend a seminar on January 18th, 2012 at the Los Angeles Film School from 7-9 pm. You bring your application on that date. Click the above link for more details. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Submissions are now closed. Check back early 2013 for new deadlines.

—

TELEVISION DIVERSITY, FELLOWSHIP & STUDIO PROGRAMS

ABC FELLOWSHIP
Fellows become employees of Disney | ABC Television Group and will be paid a weekly salary of $961.54 ($50,000.00 annualized) plus any applicable benefits for which they are eligible in accordance with the then-current Company benefits plans. The program is designed to expose aspiring writers to key executives, producers and literary representatives – all essential in the pursuit of a writing career. Additionally, while in the program, fellows have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a current programming or development executive to create spec scripts of series from the current broadcast season. The ultimate goal is to prepare and nurture the fellows for a writing career. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS – Now through June 1, 2012.

NBC WRITERS ON THE VERGE

This is a 10-week program focused on polishing writers’ material and readying the participants for the staff writer position on a television series. Classes concentrate on creating an exceptional spec script and understanding the dynamics of pitching oneself in the television industry. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS – May 29th, 2012 – June 29th, 2012 (3pm PST deadline)

CBS DIVERSITY INSTITUTE WRITERS MENTORING PROGRAM

CBS’s program focuses on opening doors: providing opportunities to build relationships with network executives and showrunners; 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. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS between February 1, 2012 and April 1, 2012

FOX AUDIENCE STRATEGY (formerly FOX Diversity Writer’s Initiative)
This is very exciting! FOX has completely revamped their program. The Intensive is designed to introduce experienced writers with unique voices, backgrounds, life and professional experiences that reflect the diverse perspectives of the audiences we create for to a wide range of Fox staff writers, showrunners, directors, screenwriters and creative executives. These collective individuals will work with the selected writers to build on both their general craft and the business of writing for television, feature films and digital content with an added goal of creating a viable resource of experienced staffing opportunities. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS – The 2012 application period is now closed. Applicants must be nominated. See guidelines on Fox Audience Strategy website

NICKELODEON WRITING FELLOWSHIP

Developed to broaden Nickelodeon’s outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS – Submissions for the 2012/2013 are now closed.

WARNER BROS. WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
The Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop consists of three components, Lectures, Simulated Writer’s Room, and Staffing, all geared towards preparing the writer for a successful career in TV writing. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS between May 1- June 1, 2012.

NBC DIVERSITY SCENE SHOWCASE

A one night event where NBC produces a showcase of 5 minute scenes by up-and-coming diverse writers, starring new diverse talent. Submissions are two, original 5 page COMEDY scenes with two characters (no additional cast allowed). The scenes must be of a comedic nature. DEADLINE: Submissions are now closed. Submissions for 2013 will likely be in January/February — check back.

—

REPUTABLE SCREENWRITING CONTESTS

AUSTIN SCREENPLAY & TELEPLAY COMPETITION

Since 1994, the Austin Film Festival has been in the business of introducing gifted, up-and-coming writers to the world. Among the most recognized and prestigious contests of their kind, the AFF’s Screenplay and Teleplay competitions offer a springboard for aspiring professionals eager to take the leap from writing for pleasure to writing for a living. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Screenplay Deadline: Early — May 15 ($40); Late –June 1 ($50); Teleplay Deadline: June 1 ($30)

FINAL DRAFT’S BIG BREAK SCREENWRITING CONTEST

Big Break™ is an annual, global screenwriting contest designed to launch the careers of aspiring writers. Big Break™ rewards screenwriters with cash, prizes, and A-list executive meetings. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals. Since its inception in 1999, Big Break™ has awarded screenwriters with over $280,000 in cash and prizes and invaluable industry exposure. A panel of notable industry professionals conducts the final judging. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: March 1st – June 15th 2012

NEW YORK TELEVISION FESTIVAL

The New York Television Festival was founded in 2005 as the industry’s first creative festival for television artists. The Festival strives to construct new and innovative paths of development and talent identification, while simultaneously complementing the traditional television development model. NYTVF has many initiatives, including: Lifetime Unscripted Development Pipeline, FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest, A&E Unscripted Development Pipeline, Comedy Central Short Pilot Competition. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Check the website for details on the various Submissions.

THE TRACKING B SCREENWRITING & TV SCRIPT CONTESTS

Three finalists will be promoted on trackingb.com to our community of entertainment industry insiders AND will also be read by each member of our esteemed judging panel who will pick an overall winner. Five honorable mentions will also be selected to receive exposure on trackingb.com. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: The TV Script Contest is now closed. The Feature Script Contest opens for submissions on June 1st, 2012 with several deadlines, the late, late deadline being October 28th, 2012.

SCRIPT PIPELINE

Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for the best in TV material. Accepted entries include reality or idea proposals, spec scripts for existing shows, and original pilots. Winners are given exclusive access to our circle of industry execs searching for proficient TV writers and, in the case of reality concepts, fresh ideas. The top 10 TV finalists receive: Phone or in-person consultation with Script Pipeline to discuss the material and receive additional, detailed notes, Individual assistance in polishing the script/proposal before circulation,Query/logline review by one or more analysts, Personal introductions to active managers and producers looking for specific types of writers or projects, The opportunity to send other TV scripts or concepts to Script Pipeline for review by our Director of Development. ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Currently accepting TV and Screenwriting Contests. Deadline: May 15th, 2012.

—

WRITER BLOGS

Anne Thompson — Thompson on Hollywood

Billy Mernit – Living the Romantic Comedy

Bob & Rob “Professional American Screenwriters”

By Ken Levine

Cinematical

Coenesque – The Coen Brothers

Company Town: The Business Behind the Show

Craig Mazin / Ted Elliott – The Artful Writer

Daily Film Dose

Deadline Hollywood