Created in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), the Disney|ABC Television Writing Fellowship is based in Los Angeles and is widely recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s most coveted writing programs.
About the Television Writing 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.
When to Apply
The submission period for the Television Fellowship opens beginning of May and closes the end of June. Applications postmarked prior to the application start date or later than the application deadline date will be returned and not considered for the Program.
How to Apply
Please click here for application, submission guidelines and program requirements. This information is only accessible during the designated, open-submission period. Please check the homepage for updates.
Requirements
Television Fellowship applicants will need to submit a completed application, the required notarized legal documentation and a spec script of a broadcast or cable network series that is in production for broadcast during the current television season. Among the extensive criteria for spec scripts are: accuracy in character voice; story structure; effectiveness in capturing the series’ tone; and innovation. No materials will be returned after the judging process.
No previous professional writing experience is necessary, but strong spec script writing samples are required. Individuals selected as finalists might be asked to provide an additional writing sample. Applicants must be able to legally work in the United States. All incomplete applications received will be returned.
Notification Periods
Television Fellowship semi-finalists are contacted in November. Those who are selected to move on to the finalists’ round are typically notified in December, and will be required to participate in an in-person interview with a panel of Disney|ABC Television Group executives, Writers Guild of America West representatives and/or established television producers. The fellowship program commences in February and concludes in February of the following year. Please note that time frames are subject to change.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to give feedback; however, information indicating final-application status will be sent.
Disney ABC Television Writing Workshop website: http://www.disneyabctalentdevelopment.com/programs/programs_writings_fellowship.html
[subscribe]