Disney|ABC Television Group’s Talent Development & Diversity team facilitates programs to help participants build business relationships and launch careers in writing, directing, acting and production. Here’s an overview of current programs:

WRITING

• For nearly 20 years, the Disney|ABC Writing Fellowship has been lauded as one of the most successful writer programs in the entertainment industry.  The one-year program, which offers fellowships in either television or film, is the only program of its kind sanctioned by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW).  The fellowship has launched the careers of many writers, including: Laurence Andries (Supernatural, Alias, Six Feet Under); Jane Espenson (Battlestar Galactica, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer); and Saladin K. Patterson (Psych, The Bernie Mac Show, Frasier).
• The ABC Daytime Writer Development Program offers candidates an opportunity to develop the skills essential to writing for scripted daytime television.  Created over a decade ago, the program seeks writers who excel in creating emotionally rich relationship and character-driven content.  Writers should also be able to convey a diverse and unique point of view in their material.  Familiarity with the series’ history, storylines and characters of All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital is suggested, but not required.   Alumni of this program have staffed on such series as One Life to Live and General Hospital: Nightshift.
•  Other writing initiatives include the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Television & Film Summer Workshop and the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) Latino Television Writers Program.  Disney|ABC Television Group is a sponsor of each of these programs.

DIRECTING
In 2001, Talent Development & Diversity joined forces with the Directors Guild of America (DGA) to form the Disney|ABC DGA Directing Fellowship.  The one-year program lets aspiring television directors observe veteran, episodic directors working on ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel and/or Lifetime series.  Award-winning director Seith Mann is a successful alumnus of this program. He has gone on to direct episodes of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage  and Cold Case.

PRODUCTION
Launched in 2000, the ABC Studios Production Associates Program offers access to entry-level positions within the television production management field for individuals from diverse backgrounds.  The program offers one year of full-time work in Burbank, California, and helps prepare promising individuals for future advancement within the television industry.

CASTING
As part of its continuing effort to find and develop diverse talent, Disney|ABC Television Group’s Casting Project annually hosts talent showcases in New York and Los Angeles featuring a group of promising actors. Casting directors, talent agents, managers and other industry professionals view a series of live, one-act vignettes performed by the actors. Former participants include ABC talent such as Jorge Garcia (LOST) and Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars).   The showcase is produced in partnership with AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Guild), SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and Actors’ Equity Association.