2017 TV Writing Fellowships and Workshops

A laptop is a writer’s best friend. Or worst nemesis. Depends on the day.

It’s that time of the year again! Fellowship season! For any aspiring TV writers like myself, this means it’s time get cracking on those spec scripts. For 2016, I wrote a post detailing the information and requirements for four of the major TV writing workshops. Well here’s an UPDATED post for 2017!

These fellowships/workshops are all designed for preparing an emerging writer to be staffed on a series. They all differ but generally include a combination of lectures from industry speakers, some form of a simulated writers room, and lots of networking opportunities. So if you’re interested in writing for television, this is definitely one of the best ways to break in.

Each program has different rules and requirements for submission, and since it’s such a hassle trying to bounce around from each program’s website, I decided to compile all the important information from four of the major workshops right here for easy viewing! This includes the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, Disney/ABC Writing Program, NBCUniversal Writers on the Verge, and WB Writers’ Workshop. Yes, there are others, but these are most likely the ones I’ll be applying to.

What I’m Watching: My Fall 2016 TV Guide

As an avid TV fan and aspiring TV writer, I’m often asked the questions, “What do you like to watch?” and “What are your favorite shows?” and “What are you watching?”. I’m pretty much asked some variant of this every time I meet someone new and we talk career stuff, so you’d think I’d have come up with a good answer by now. But NOPE. I’m almost always completely frazzled by the question and can’t think of a proper, concise answer because honestly… I WATCH TOO MANY SHOWS. (And yet still not enough.)

So here’s a compilation of everything I’m currently watching. I say CURRENTLY as in currently airing or having aired episodes in the current year. Out of all these shows, I genuinely hope you, dear reader, also watch at least a handful of them. If you do, we’re gonna need to get together ASAP and fangirl out because I LOVE talking bout my shows! Or hey, if you’re looking for some new shows to watch, maybe I’ll convince you to check some of these out.

Fellowship Panel: WB Writers’ Workshop

I attended another TV fellowship panel – this time with Chris Mack, who is the current head of the Warner Bros. Writers’ Workshop. He talked about the benefits of the program, what they look for in the selection process, and offered some helpful advice for writers while stressing the importance of having a strong voice in your writing.

I’ve been a long-time fan of the Warner Bros. brand and the shows they’ve put out. I also used to work at WB, so they hold a special place in my heart. I’m so thankful I was able to attend this panel and get a little more insight into the program as I prepare my application this year. I did some rigorous note-taking, so for my fellow writers, I hope you find the information below useful!

Be sure to read my previous blog post 2016 TV Writing Fellowships and Workshops if you’re interested in knowing when, what, and how to apply for the program. And check out my blog post on the NBC Writers on the Verge fellowship panel I attended a couple weeks ago.

Fellowship Panel: NBC Writers on the Verge

Fellowship season is quickly approaching! I recently attended a small panel with Karen Horne, who currently runs the NBC Writers on the Verge program. She talked about the NBCUniversal brand, the Writers on the Verge program and how it equips writers, what they’re looking for, and general advice for writers. It was so helpful and enlightening and makes me that much more excited to apply to the WOTV program again this year!

For any of my fellow writers, please enjoy the fruits of my fierce note-taking labors with all this information I compiled and organized from the panel. And be sure to check out my previous blog post 2016 TV Writing Fellowships and Workshops if you’re interested in knowing when, what, and how to apply for the program.

A Trip to the Writers Guild Library

I’ve only been to the Writers Guild Library a handful of times so far — mostly because it’s a bit of a drive from where I live (LA traffic, ugh) — but it’s always a very beneficial and productive trip. I recently realized that some of my filmie/writer friends have never been there or even knew it existed. GASP. So here’s some quick info and tips for anyone interested in going!