So you haven't found an agent and want to work in television? Been pitching your scripts to various contests with no luck? There is even a scam organization called www.tvwritersvault.com that will suck your wallet dry yet won't help you get representation for your projects. Your best bet is a fellowship from one of the Big Five TV networks or from Nickelodeon, the cable channel, if you want to write for children's TV for the latter.
For the television networks, pilot season is in the spring, running from February to May. This is when advertising rates are set and television shows are determined for the coming fall season, which is announced by the Big Five during the second week of May. In the case of shows such as The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory, commercials may sell for as much as $1M for a 30-second spot. At each of the networks, thousands--if not millions--of submissions are received every year to the fellowship programs they sponsor every year. The oldest is believed to be Disney/ABC's, which was established in 1990. Of the fellowship programs listed, only FOX has a closed-door policy, which means entries are by referral only, while WB charges a fee.
In all cases, spec scripts submitted to the TV networks that are NOT original pilots must be of a television program that has lasted at least one year; must not be airing its final season; or have been cancelled. Reboots of cancelled TV series will not be accepted. Scripts for reality and game shows will also be denied.
Additionally, prospective screenwriters entering these fellowship programs generally must have previous experience in the entertainment field; possess master's degrees; provide letters of recommendation; and maintain Facebook accounts as well as clean criminal histories. This means no writing unsolicited love letters to your favorite celebrity, because you will be branded a stalker and barred at the front gate.
Here, then, are the fellowship programs, detail by detail:
+ NICKELODEON--Gets its head start before the Big Five, because their due date is at the end of February. They offer a six-month to one-year unpaid fellowship at their Burbank studios. To apply, you must submit a spec script, preferably of an existing animated or comedy series such as SpongeBob or The Simpsons. No original pilots are accepted. Entries must be submitted via registered postal mail. 3 positions are filled.
+ CBS DIVERSITY--Offers a six-month unpaid mentorship in Television City; mainly offered to minorities, but may be offered to persons with disabilities as well. Entrants must submit both an original pilot as well as a spec script, preferably of a CBS series; and both must match the tone of the writer. Applications are generally accepted from March 1 through May 1. Entries must be stamped by a notary public before being submitted via registered postal mail. 10 positions are filled.
+ NBC WRITERS ON THE VERGE--Offers Tuesday and Thursday night classes for six months in Universal City. Applicants are responsible for all transportation and living expenses during their stay in Los Angeles and may have to pay fees relevant to the training. Applications are accepted during the month of May only; either an original pilot or a spec script is required, based on the network's current needs. At least two letters of recommendation and degree certification will be required during the background check. 30 semifinalists are later pared to five during the fall.
+ ABC/DISNEY WRITERS PROGRAM--The oldest fellowship program, Disney/ABC's is the only one that is also paid, generating $967 per week. The fellowship is a one-year contract to work at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, which begins in February. Fellows are believed to be paid health insurance and other benefits as well as access to the Riverside Commissary and Buena Vista Cafe, both of which are on-premises.
Applicants must submit on a CD two scripts--one must be an original pilot of a series that will air on ABC in the future; the other must be a spec script of an existing TV series, preferably on ABC. Of all the networks, ABC is the only one that currently does NOT allow spec scripts of animated sitcoms. Like NBC, the opening window for entries is typically during the month of May, though the deadline may go into the first week of June. Up to two letters of recommendation may be submitted with the application, which currently must be submitted via registered postal mail, though it is uncertain when ABC may go the NBC route and go online only.
In November, the semi-finalists are given phone calls, asking them to fly to Los Angeles for interviews and background checks. The following month, the winning candidates are announced on Disney/ABC's Facebook page; their assignments will then begin in February of the new calendar year. Unfortunately, the losers get not even a rejection e-mail. ABC fills up to 15 positions every year.
+ THE WB--I still call the fifth network by its old name and disdain the fifty percent ownership by CBS. Oh, how I wish Michigan J. Frog were still singing the network jingles...anyhoo, The WB offers training classes every Tuesday night for six months. As with all the other fellowship programs excluding ABC, participants must pay for their own lodging and travel expenses while in LA. I wish The WB weren't charging fees for applicants to submit spec scripts, but, unfortunately, The Frog can do whatever he wants that will line the pocketbooks of TimeWarner's shareholders.
Writers can submit up to two spec scripts of any existing series at the current rate of $30 each and must establish a PayPal account. They must also have an original pilot script ready to present to The WB execs at the time of the background check. The opening window is during the month of May; and only online submissions are accepted.
FOX WRITERS INTENSIVE (formerly Inkubation)--Offers unpaid on-the-job experience writing for an existing FOX program such as The Simpsons. Applicants must provide an original spec script; letters of recommendation and proof of postgraduate education. Closing date is October 31; entries are by referral only.
FREMANTLEMEDIA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM--Offers a paid fellowship program for up to one year and offers hands-on experience in television and new media production. This is from the production company behind The Price Is Right, American Idol and other popular fare. Writers of dramatic series need not apply. Positions are mainly in Burbank; New York and London. Application deadlines may vary; consult website as well as Fremantle's JobMatch for details.
I am hopeful that, if I cannot get into the entertainment field, I can get a fellow Aspie into Hollywood to pursue his/her own dream. If I have done that, then I know this article was not a waste of cyberspace.