Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Here, for example, is a writing contest worth submitting for, the ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship. This sort of thing will get you a small amount of money, but much more importantly, get you in the door.

Courtesy of author and screenwriter Lawrence Ross, the inglewood rude boy.

Labels: screenwriting competitions

9:39 AM

5 Comments:

Is anyone else mildly concerned at the fact that anything you write durring the duration of the program is owned by ABC/Disney? Am I crazy to think that this could potentially screw someone over quite severely? I mean, if you write The Incredibles on your own time durring your stint as a fellow, does this mean that they don't have to buy it from you or anything, and that all you leave the program with at the end of the day is a lousy $55,000? Someone must know more about this than me.

By  Anonymous, at 11:28 AM  

Yikes. If $55,000 and a boatload of contacts isn't enough for you, then your career is probably well enough along the way that you don't need this gig.

And they'll probably keep you too busy to write The Incredibles on your own time.

And, frankly, whatever you write on your own time -- who the hell knows when you wrote it?

Up till about five years ago, I would have been overjoyed to be guaranteed $55,000 to write for a year.

By  Alex Epstein, at 12:20 PM  

touchez.

By  Anonymous, at 2:21 PM  

Here's anothe rone that the deadline is past for but is well worth submitting for next year.

FYI - CBS Diversity Institute Program -- please see the website for application forms and additional information. To contact the Diversity office, email Diversity@cbs.com - No phone calls, please.

Completed materials should be sent to:
CBS Diversity Institute
Writers Mentoring Program
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

All Submissions Must Be Mailed. No Hand Deliveries Will Be Accepted.

BUT, PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF APPLICATION PRIOR TO SUBMISSION -- IF ANY MATERIALS ARE MISSING, THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.

http://www.cbsdiversity.com/writers_program.shtml

CBS DIVERSITY INSTITUTE WRITERS MENTORING PROGRAM

There are many different paths writers can follow to get their first "break" 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 five 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 decision-making processes, with the goal of preparing aspiring writers for later employment opportunities in television.

Each participant will be teamed with two different mentors. One mentor is a show runner on a current CBS drama or comedy series. This relationship builds over the course of the program and is focused on helping the participant with creative feedback on their writing as well as help and advice on career goals.

The other mentor is a network 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" type meeting with various CBS show runners and other industry professionals. Speakers include executive producers, agents, managers, development and current executives and others. 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 the opportunity to make critical networking connections.

Another important part of the program is the opportunity for each participant to spend time observing in their "Show Runner Mentor's" writing room, as well as in the CBS current and development departments.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. While 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, a participant 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 five-month Program.

ELIGIBILITY
The primary focus of CBS' Diversity Institute is to provide access and opportunities for talented and motivated writers of diverse backgrounds -- especially writers of color. Aspiring writers of diverse backgrounds with a strong desire to write for CBS television series are encouraged to apply. You must be 21 or older to be eligible.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE
All completed application materials must be received between April 1, 2005 and June 1, 2005. Any submissions received before April 1st or with a postmark after June 1st, 2005 will not be considered. No hand delivered submissions will be accepted. Semi-finalists will be notified in mid-November, followed by a personal interview. Those selected for the program will be notified by December 16, 2005 (or such later date as may be determined by CBS). The Program begins the first week of January, 2006 and runs through the end of May 2006.

APPLICATION MATERIALS
Each submission must be complete in order to be considered. A completed application packet includes: 1) Application, 2) Letter of Interest, 3) Work Resume or Bio, 4) Two Writing Samples: one original piece of work which can be a screenplay, a stage play or a short fiction story (no original television pilots will be accepted) and one (1) half hour or hour episode based on a current television series that aired new episodes on any network or cable channel during the 2004/05 season, 5) Two Signed Submission Release forms, one for each writing sample.

--Contact information MUST INCLUDE an e-mail address for further communication from CBS.

Unfortunately, if any of the above materials are missing, the submission will not be processed.

All writing samples will be destroyed once the selection process has been completed.

--If you go to the website, there are links at the bottom of the page to click on for instructions on downloading the application and downloading the submissions release form.
____________

Warner Brothers Also has a Workshop for TV and Feature.
http://www2.warnerbros.com/writersworkshop/

By  Anonymous, at 3:40 AM  

I need help with selling a screenplay for a movie to CBS or whomever will give me a chance to work for.

Please help! Thanks!
littlebbdavis

By  littlebbdavis, at 4:05 AM  

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