Lesser Known Fellowships and Labs
If you are interested in becoming a working screenwriter, most likely, at some point or another you’ve heard about “The Fellowships.” Usually this means the TV writing fellowships offered by CBS/Viacom, Disney, NBC, or Warner Brothers. Occasionally other programs, such as Sundance Episodic Lab or Universal Writers Program, will get lumped into the discussion. These programs are well-known within the writing community and are considered excellent opportunities for the writers who are chosen. The networking, mentorship, and training offered have helped many of today’s upper-level writers get their start.
As thousands of writers apply to the prominent fellowships every year, even making it to the semi-finals is considered an accomplishment, but it can also be disheartening to be one fish among such a large pool. However, there are many less well-known programs that offer similar opportunities to “the big four.” Some focus on diversity, some on specific genres, but each can help boost the winning fellows as they climb towards their goals.
The Black List
The Black List website is more than one thing. Originally created to host an annual list of the most liked, unproduced screenplays each year, it has expanded to a hosting website, allowing emerging screenwriters to get their work seen by members of the industry. Evaluation services are also available to receive constructive feedback.
The Black List offers three programs to help develop up and coming writers. Additionally, they work with several film festivals to co-host programs and events.
Black List Annual Feature Screenwriters Lab
Every June The Black List invites fifteen up and coming writers to submit a resume and personal statement. Based on these and the previously evaluated scripts posted to the Black List’s hosting site, six to eight are asked to participate in a late July, week-long intensive that includes workshopping, mentorship, private screenings, and industry guests.
Women in Film/Black List Episodic Lab
Six to eight female identifying writers meet bi-weekly for four weeks beginning in October and engage in script development, workshopping, and Master Classes. Application requirements are different depending whether the applicant is a member of Women in Film or not.
Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
From a short list of ten feature screenplays, Producer Cassian Elwes chooses one unrepresented screenwriter to meet him at the Sundance Film Festival in February. The short list is based on previously evaluated scripts posted to the Black List’s hosting site.
CAPE New Writers Fellowship
Each spring, winners will work with a high level industry mentor to improve their script (either pilot or feature) to a professional level sample. Hosted weekday evenings in Los Angeles, the program doesn’t offer housing or transportation.
The Disruptors
2020 was the inaugural year for this 14 week fellowship. Ten writers receive mentorship, professional development, master classes, and a $5,000 stipend. Originally intended to be an in-person experience, due to Covid-19, the program was virtual for its premier year. With a distinct eye toward diversification, this program is specifically geared towards writers of color who identify as transgender, non-binary, disabled, undocumented, and/or formerly undocumented.
Film Independent
With a mission to “champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision,” Film Independent supports programs in multiple facets of filmmaking, grants and fiscal sponsorship for various projects, and the Independent Spirit awards. All participants accepted into the Labs are required to join Film Independent at the standard annual General Membership rate of $95 annually.
Episodic Lab
A month-long program where 6-8 writers (or writing teams) meet 2-3 evenings/week to rework their pilot screenplays. Each project is teamed with a Creative Advisor with whom they will work one on one. Additionally, one participant of the Film Independent Episodic Lab receives the Alfred P. Sloan Episodic Lab $10,000 development grant.
Screenwriting Lab
This week-long program includes guest speakers, introductions to industry professionals, and one on one time with a Creative Advisor.
HBO Access Writing Fellowship
The HBO Access Writing Fellowship rotates every other year with the HBO Access Directing Fellowship, with the odd years (2019, 2021, etc) for writing and the even for directing. Up to eight writers dive into a week-long Masterclass and an eight month long mentorship program with HBO execs developing a script for suitable for HBO or Cinemax.
Humanitas New Voices
With the hope of “discovering, developing and launching a new generation of talented writers under the mentorship of Hollywood showrunners and studio partners,” the Humanities New Voices program pairs up to six writers with mentors and awards them $7,500. The finished screenplay improved under this mentorship is shared with collaborating industry professionals for review.
National Hispanic Media Coalition
Ten writers are offered a five-week, full time, total immersion workshop mentored and guided by former NBC VP of Script Development, Geoff Harris. Along with the online application, writing sample, resume or bio, and a statement of interest, release forms for both Walt Disney & NBC Universal are required.
Orchard Project Episodic Lab
Originally a performance lab supporting numerous residencies and accelerator programs, the Orchard Project has expanded to include their Episodic Lab, “focused on accelerating projects by established and emerging professionals.” Six to eight artists join a ten day programs with a pilot draft and leave with a completed pilot and a show bible. There is a transportation budget to assist fellows in getting to Saratoga, NY.
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Most of the fellowships listed take place in Los Angeles. The ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship is one of the few that covers airfare, hotel & accommodations in Los Angeles; therefore making it a truly helpful program for applicants who don’t currently live in the area, as so many of them require residence in LA if you are to attend. Up to four fellows are also scheduled meetings with reps, screenwriters, executives, & Screencraft development team, as well as given an elite badge & travel stipend to attend ScreenCraft Writers Summit which is held in Chicago, IL. ScreenCraft has an additional 14 total contests for various genres and media types
Tribeca All Access
The Tribeca All Access program offers grants $10,000 grants for seven scripted features and seven documentaries. The scripted features can be in any phase of development. At least four winning filmmakers must be living & working in Latin America.
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Lab
Focusing on writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood, ensures that all applicants receive written feedback at each level of the application process. The winning three to four writers receive airfare and lodging for four nights in Los Angeles for a meetings with industry professionals and the WeScreenplay team.
The Writers Lab
Sponsored by the New York Women in Film & Television, the lab is a four day workshop for female screenwriters over the age of forty. Attendees work with mentors to develop their feature film scripts with one-on-one meetings, workshops, and panels.
Be sure to follow the instructions for each application explicitly. There is no reason to get disqualified for minor errors such as not removing the cover page of the script.
The main thing to remember about any and all contests and fellowships is what you do once you've “won.” As challenging as it can be, it is important to use the introductions received and the accolades awarded as entries. Sitting on your laurels and saying “I won the Such and Such Fellowship” doesn’t get you anywhere unless you are saying it to people who could be interested in helping you take the next step in your career. Extract knowledge from your mentors, appreciate and follow up on introductions, and keep writing. One well received script is just the start of a marathon of a career.
Pepper Reed
Originally from Oklahoma Pepper Reed moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a TV Writer. She uses fantasy and supernatural projects to tell personal narratives. An NYU Alum, she was a Finalist for NBC’s Writers on the Verge fellowship for 2019.
You can find her on Instagram @pepperreed and on Twitter @starchaser14.
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