Hollywood may not be back 100% but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for artists to learn new skills or improve their craft. Below are five film and television opportunities that aspiring writers, producers, and actors can apply for right now.
Writers Discovery Fellowship
Circle of Confusion has launched a Writers Discovery Fellowship to diversify Hollywood screenwriters. Twice a year, six to eight writers who have not been employed yet will receive six-month fellowships. They will be paired with a mentor. The applicants must have two storytelling samples, with at least one being a pilot script draft, which will be developed during the course of the fellowship. They will also pitch their script to producers and executives at the end of the fellowship. Each fellow will receive a $10,000 stipend by way of a first-look deal with Circle of Confusion Television Studios.
Deadline: Jan. 5, 2021
Fox Fastrack
Fox Alternative Entertainment has launched a new training program for producers. The Fastrack program will select a maximum of three candidates to join Fox’s unscripted programs (such as “The Masked Singer”) as associate producers. Over the course of the year-long program, the associate producers will get on-the-ground experience and mentorship. At the end of the program, they may be hired onto an FAE show.
Deadline: Jan. 8, 2021
The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab
Lena Waithe’s production company, Hillman Grad Productions, has launched a mentorship program. The tuition-free, 10-month program offers “opportunities for marginalized storytellers to connect, grow, and accelerate their careers in television and film.” The program has three tracks: screen acting, television writing, and executive development. It will provide an education curriculum, professional development resources, and exclusive job opportunities. The inaugural class will contain 25 students.
Deadline: Jan. 10, 2021
Asian/Pacific American (APA) Development Accelerator Program
Giant Leap Accelerator has launched a training program for Asian-American screenwriters. It will pair early career Asian-American screenwriters with experienced writers and showrunners who will mentor them. Applicants must have a completed feature film script or pilot that features an Asian-American lead or narrative. The three-month program will pay the trainees $1,000 a week to work on their screenplay and at the end, they will pitch their project to studios and investors.
Deadline: Jan. 10, 2021
WIF Emerging Producers Program
Women in Film has launched a one-year producing program for early career women and gender non-conforming people. The training program will provide education on the fundamentals of producing and how to start an independent business. The ideal candidate will have produced two to three shorts or music videos and is looking to produce their first feature.
Deadline: Feb. 8, 2021