“Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” — Gene Fowler

Fortunately, we offer programs for writers at various stages of their careers, from talented newcomers to seasoned pros.

1. The Disney•ABC Writing Fellowship

What It Is:
Begun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry’s best known and most respected writing fellowships. More than 200 alumni number among Hollywood’s elite, including screenwriters, directors and television showrunners. A limited number of full-time fellowships are available each year for both feature film and television projects.

How It Works:
Fellows receive a weekly salary for a one-year period, subject to change, but (currently amounting to $50,000/year plus benefits). The program is an intensive, hands-on experience that involves workshops, seminars and mentorships with creative executives from ABC, ABC Television Studio, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Lifetime and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group.

No previous professional experience is necessary, but strong samples are required.  

How to Apply:
The submission period for the 2009 Writing Fellowship closed on August 8, 2008. Information regarding the 2010 application process will be posted summer 2009. Please return to our website for updates and information.

2. Disney•ABC Creative Development Program. Please check back for updates as they become available.

The Diversity Creative Development Program is open to all writers who are represented by an agent and are members of the Writers Guild of America.  An initial assessment of the submission will be made based on the submitted writing sample, the experience of the writer and their prior work.  The projects which are identified as promising candidates will then be given to ABC development executives for review and consideration.  If the development executives order a pilot script from a submission that comes through the Diversity Creative Development Program, the pilot script cost will be paid from funds provided by the Talent Development & Diversity Department. 

3. ABC Daytime Writing Program

ABC Daytime’s Writer Development Program seeks to identify creative talent interested in writing for daytime. We are looking for work that is character driven, relationship focused (familial, romantic, friendship) and emotionally rich and diverse (poignant, humorous, etc.).

If you are interested in the program and would like to submit your work, please contact daytimewriterprogram@abctv.com to request an application and release. (Do not submit any materials to this e-mail address. We cannot consider your work until you have signed and returned the required release.)

To be considered for the program, along with an executed copy of the signed release provided by us, submit a writing resume and an original writing sample which must have a logline that summarizes the work. Plays, screenplays or teleplays are preferred and work based on ABC programming cannot be accepted.

If read, candidates’ work will be evaluated on characterization, uniqueness of voice, emotional engagement and other areas relevant to constituents of strong daytime drama. Please note that any work(s) read are evaluated as writing samples only and will be reviewed solely by ABC daytime.
Writing samples are returned once/if reviewed and no copies will be retained.

Please note it may take several months to respond to submissions.

4. IAIA/Disney•ABC Summer Television and Film Workshop

Disney•ABC Television Group, in partnership with The Walt Disney Studios, has developed a program for Native American writers, directors, and actors who aspire to work in the entertainment industry. This program is held at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since its inception in 1962, IAIA has had a major influence on the artistic, economic and social expression of Native Americans by offering programs to students who represent ninety percent of the tribal communities in the U.S.

This summer workshop, held on the IAIA campus, was designed to assist novice and experienced Native American screenwriters, filmmakers, directors and actors. The program also brings acclaimed executives, producers, screenwriters, directors and actors, both Native and non-Native, from the mainstream television and film world to work individually and collectively with the selected students. The summer workshop runs mid-June through July.

For information on how to apply to this program, please contact Marcella Ernest (505) 424-5796 FAX: (505) 424-0017.

5. NHMC Latino Television Writers Program