Universal Pictures launched its Emerging Writers Fellowship last year as a way to identify and cultivate new voices. In conjuntion with the film group’s Diversity Council, NBCU’s Corporate Diversity team and the WGA, a second year of the program has been set. Application will be accepted beginning October 21 and more info can be found here.
Last year’s inaugural class began their program in May. Under guidelines set by WGA West and directed by program manager Heather Morris Washington, they participated in filmmaker Q&As, studio seminars, development meetings and networking events and were paired with Universal- and WGA-assigned mentors including Will Packer, Chris Morgan, Jeremy Garelick, Cheo Hodari Coker, Suzanne de Passe, David Goyer, Melisa Wallack, Craig Mazin, Melissa Stack and Andrea Berloff.
“Working with the writers allowed us a fresh perspective on some of our own material and we were also able to work with them on developing some of their own ideas,” said Univesal co-president of production Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, who oversees the program with his co-president Peter Cramer. “The process was a mutually beneficial one that underscored our belief in this important program.”
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