Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, has announced that they are looking for entrants for the networks 20th annual Nickelodeon Writing Program (2019 – 2020)!
Nickelodeon's global Writing Program, which receives over 1,400 applications each year, is one of the best in the biz, and offers aspiring television writers, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, the amazing opportunity to hone their skills while writing for Nickelodeon's live action and animation shows. Consider the facts: alum have gone on to create their own Nickelodeon shows and write for all sorts of TV series and films.
While in the Program, writers meet Nickelodeon's series creators, story editors and showrunners, work in writers’ rooms, attend pitches, records, show tapings and more, and receive hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animated television. Basically, they write a lot and do lots of cool things, all while being provided a salary!
There are two creative avenues to pursue: the General Track (12-months) and the Preschool Track (6-months).
GENERAL TRACK
The Nickelodeon Writing Program offers emerging television writers from around the world a paid opportunity to develop their craft and launch their careers.
While in the Program, writers hone their skills, build a professional network and gain real-world experience in writers’ rooms for our critically acclaimed live-action and animated shows. The General Track is a 12-month commitment. Your submission must include a spec script based on a show from the General track's Accepted Shows List.
PRESCHOOL TRACK
The Preschool Track was created to develop writers specifically interested in writing and/or creating shows for the preschool demographic, and offers talent development opportunities with a focus on Nick Jr. content. Participants will bring the smart, funny, engaging stories and characters, and Nick will help them bring the preschool. The Preschool Track is a 6-month commitment. If you’re interested in writing for an audience who’s smart, funny, and likes to laugh and play this is the opportunity for you!
Each participant in the Nickelodeon Writing Program also joins an alumni group of people who have gone on to hold freelance and staff positions at various networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, Kids' WB!, ABC, FOX, PBS, Cartoon Network and the CW. Notable graduates include creators, co-executive producers and writers Jonathan Butler and Gabriel Garza of Nickelodeon's hit live-action comedy series Bella and the Bulldogs.
For the sixth year running, Nickelodeon will also be looking to unearth new writing talent internationally in 2019. In tandem with the domestic branch of the Nickelodeon Writing Program, the international branch is well on its way to becoming one of the best in the biz.
The Nick Writing Program 2019 – 2020 submission period is now open and closes midnight on Thursday 31st January 2019! This includes the Domestic and the International branches of the Program.
The Program, established in 2000, was developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, provides a salaried position for up to one year based in Los Angeles, California (Domestic) and a salaried position for up to six months based internationally.
Entrants to the 2019-2020 Nickelodeon Writing Program must be aged 18 years or older. If you have previously applied to the Program and have not been selected, you are welcome and encouraged to apply again. However, for consideration in the 2019-2020 Writing Program, you are required to submit a different spec script for each new submission period. You may also submit to General Track and Preschool Track of the program. Applicants to the international track of the 2019-2020 Nickelodeon Writing Program must be eligible for a J-1 visa.
Accepted Shows Lists:
General Track: American Dad, American Housewife, Animals, Archer, Arrested Development, Atlanta, Atypical, Better Things, Black-ish, Big Mouth, Bob's Burgers, BoJack Horseman, Broad City, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Catastrophe, Chewing Gum, Crashing, DuckTales, F Is For Family, Family Guy, Fresh Off The Boat, Fuller House, Glow, Grace and Frankie, High Maintenance, Insecure, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kim's Convenience, Life In Pieces, Lovesick, Modern Family, Mom, One Day at a Time, Rick & Morty, Santa Clarita Diet, Schitt's Creek, Search Party, Silicon Valley, South Park, Star Vs. The Forces of Evil, Steven Universe, Superstore, The Big Bang Theory, The Goldbergs, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Young Sheldon, You're The Worst.
Preschool Track: Barbie: Dream House Adventures, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Just Add Magic, Lost in Oz, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Peg+Cat, PJ Masks, Puppy Dog Pals, Super Monsters, Vampirina.
Nickelodeon will notify each semi-finalist of their 2019-2020 Writing Program by Wednesday 31st July 2019, with finalists being notified by Sunday 15th September 2019. Nickelodeon's chosen writers will be notified by Monday 30th September 2019, and all other applicants will be notified by the end of October 2019 (Notification dates are subject to change).
Have you got the WRITE stuff? You can find full submission guidelines, details on how to prep your submission, and how to apply for Nick's 18th annual Nickelodeon International Writing Program on the programs official website, www.nickwriting.com.
Good luck to everyone who enters!
Update (9/2): Announcing the 2019-2020 Writing Program Semi-Finalists!
The Nickelodeon Writing Program are incredibly pleased to introduce you to this year’s Semi-Finalists! They are, in no particular order:
· Lekesha Dunlop
· Brian Kettler
· Hannah Williams
· Ryan Kim
· Mimi Collins
· Johnny Lombard
· Matthew Ludwinski
· Becky Prosky
· Chris Newell
· Jordan Mitchell
· Jayhun Oh
· Casey Hempel
Congrats to everyone moving on to the next round! The Nickelodeon Writing Program look forward to meeting you during your phone interviews!
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Update (10/20) - Presenting your 2020 Nick Writing Program Finalists!:
The Nickelodeon Writing Program are thrilled to announce this year’s NWP finalists! They are, in no particular order:
· Lekesha Dunlop
· Brian Kettler
· Becky Prosky
· Jordan Mitchell
· Mimi Collins
· Casey Hempel
Congratulations to all! Next up: Speed Interviews. Hope you’re all ready!
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Follow the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship on Twitter and Facebook, plus, check out these fascinating videos featuring video interviews with participants of the 2013 - 2014 Nickelodeon Writing Program, in which Nick Writing Program alumni talk about their experiences in the program, how the program has helped develop their skills, prepare and inspire them, and to establish connections within the industry! #NickWritingProgram #NWP
The five 2018/2019 Writing Program participants include: Halima Lucas, Sarah Allan, Crescent Novell, Michael Olmo (Preschool Participant) and K-Ci Williams (International Participant from New Zealand).
Check out nickwriting.com to find out about the current writers in the 2018/2019 Nickelodeon Writing Program, as well as alum from the program!
More Nick: Nickelodeon Launches Animation 'Intergalactic Shorts Program' | Annecy!
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