Application Instructions - 2024 Disney

EntertainmentWriting Program

Before completing an application, or posting any questions, please carefully read the
followinginstructions, as well as the FAQs and other application materials. If you have
applied in a previous year, be sure to read this new information, as this year’s application
process haschanged. Thank you.

ABOUT THE DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT WRITING PROGRAM

The primary goal is to staff Program Writers on Disney Entertainment (DE) series as staff
writers during the program year. Staffing is not guaranteed. The twelve-month program is
tentatively set to begin in January 2024 and end in January of the following year. Please note,
time frames are subject to change. For the first few months of the Program, writers participate
ina professional development curriculum designed to better prepare them for staffing
consideration, including developing, writing, and polishing at least one (1) original pilot script
tobe used as a staffing sample. The Program also provides engagement with executives,
producersand credentialed writers, designed to facilitate relationships that can prove invaluable
in developing a television writing career. Additional past activities have included: workshops led
by veteran television writers, producers and Program alumni, and networking mixers with
executives, producers, and showrunners.

SUBMISSION PERIOD

Applications will be accepted May 8, 2023 through June 2, 2023. Applications will not be
accepted prior to 12:00 a.m. PST on May 8, 2023 or after 11:59 p.m. PST on June 2, 2023.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be able to legally work in the United States and be at least twenty-one
(21)years of age by December 1, 2023. Entertainment industry experience is not required but is
strongly recommended. Those applying must fully complete an online application and
submissions package, including uploading the following seven (7) items; eight (8) if you are
opting in to be considered for the Boone Scholarship:

1) SCRIPT ONE: ORIGINAL PILOT SCRIPT capturing the writer’s unique tone, style
andpoint of view. This sample must be live-action content; animation samples of any form
are not

accepted. This sample should tonally translate to the type of programming broadcast, airing or
streaming on DE. This will be the primary script for consideration of your application. It cannot
be changed or replaced after submission. This sample must not have been submitted in a
previous application.

2) EXHIBIT “A”: SCRIPT ONE SUMMARY FORM

3) SCRIPT TWO: SECONDARY ORIGINAL PILOT SCRIPT capturing the writer’s unique
tone, style and point of view. This sample must be live-action content; animation samples of
anyform are not accepted. This sample should tonally translate to the type of programming
broadcast, airing or streaming on DE. This sample may have been submitted in a previous
application and will receive the same score as before.

4) EXHIBIT “B”: SCRIPT TWO SUMMARY FORM

5) RESUME (two pages or less) outlining chronological salaried employment (which may
include entertainment and non-entertainment positions). Only list jobs or positions where
compensation was received, with the exception of entertainment industry internships and
full-time volunteer work at non-profits. Please also list any courses or training you have
taken to develop your craft as a writer. Please do not list undergraduate coursework.

6) STAFFING PITCH (no more than 1500 characters): “Pitch” yourself as a potential staff
writer on a current series (broadcast, cable, or streaming) at DE. Before completing this
section, please make sure you have a solid command of the breadth of programming across
DE, as well as the particular show you are pitching yourself for; accepted series include both
those confirmedto return for the 2023-24 season and those ending in the 2022-23 season. In
your pitch, please specify: 1) why you think you would be a good fit for the particular show
you selected, 2) how you identify with that show (whether it’s through a character, series
theme, series storyline, series location, premise, etc.), and 3) what you think you could add to
this particular writers room. The pitch should address why you’re a fit, and not why you like
the show or its impact.

7) PERSONAL ESSAY (no more than 3000 characters): a story from your life experience
thatconveys your unique perspective and/or multi-cultural sensibility.

8) BOONE SCHOLARSHIP PITCH (if applicable): If you opt in to be considered for the
Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writers Scholarship, please answer the following prompt in 1500
characters or less: Please share why you are applying for the Boone Scholarship. Specifically,
share how familiar you are with Eunetta T. Boone’s life and work, your connection to the
showsshe ran, and, if selected for the scholarship, how you plan to honor Ms. Boone’s legacy
in a Disney Channel writers room.

 All files must: 1) be in PDF format and 2) be named exactly as specified below. Attachments
that are not named correctly or are not in PDF format will disqualify the application. E.g., do not
include your script title in the file name; it is not requested in the format below.

Please use this naming format for your uploads (with no spaces!):
FirstName_LastName_2024_

DocumentTypeFile Name Samples:

John_Doe_2024_ScriptOne

John_Doe_2024_ExhibitA

John_Doe_2024_ScriptTwo

John_Doe_2024_ExhibitB

John_Doe_2024_Resume

John_Doe_2024_Essay

John_Doe_2024_StaffingPitch

John_Doe_2024_BooneScholarshipPitch

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Complete only one online application per individual applicant. For writing teams, each
individual must submit an application (application will provide fields to list your writing
partner’s information). Incomplete applications will be disqualified without notification.

1. Review all application materials carefully. (Click here for list of materials)
a. Instructions
b. FAQs

2. Assemble required documents (download required forms here)

a. Internet connection/browser (no faxed, mailed or emailed apps allowed)

b. Two original writing samples (fully completed pilots)

c. Two completed script summary forms (one for each script)

d. A resume

 e. Personal essay
f. Staffing pitch
g. Your writing partner’s designated email address (if applicable)

h. Boone Scholarship Pitch (if applicable)

3. Select the two scripts you plan to submit. Both scripts must be original pilots.

a. Assess your writing samples for quality and excellence

i. Check for story and structure elements

ii. Does the main character behave in a clear, consistent manner?

iii. Does the pilot stand alone as an episode (as opposed to a script that

hasset up all characters, places, etc., at the expense of an actual story

arc)?

iv. For comedy scripts, are there multiple laughs throughout each script?

v. Is it crystal clear what the underlying conflict, setting, and

circumstancesof the next 99 episodes would be?

vi. Did the script get high marks in professional coverage from an

establishedanalyst, competition, or coverage service? Note: We cannot

provide recommendations.

vii. Determine which script will be your primary script (Script 1, the main

script for consideration) and your secondary script (Script 2, the back-

upscript for consideration)

b. Check to ensure your samples are completed scripts (no treatments,

beatsheets, etc.)

i. Page count

ii. Format

iii. Spell check

iv. Save/Print as PDF using the required naming conventions

 4. Prepare your resume, essay, and staffing pitch

a. Download the Essay and Staffing Pitch Forms

b. Review/Update your resume (Maximum length: 2 pages)

i. Includes all professional work experience, not just writing-/TV

relatedexperience

ii. Do not include any creative content (e.g., don't list names of

scripts,loglines, etc.)

iii. Focus on professional/paid work experience in all fields

iv. List experience from most current job(s) backwards (reverse chronology)

v. Save/Print as PDF using the required naming convention

c. Write a personal essay (Maximum character count: 3000 characters, or approx.

500 words)

i. Read the prompt provided and answer it directly and specifically

ii. Write in first-person, and keep the tone personal

iii. Do not re-use an essay from another writing competition; it will

notcorrectly answer the prompt

iv. Follow the below guidelines:

1. Write your story and insights, not those of a family member

orfriend

2. Write as if you are in a live interview, responding to the question.

3. Don't write a speech, presentation or other impersonal statement

ofgeneral beliefs.

4. Share real anecdotes you would draw from to write scripts

orinform a character in the room.

 5. Don't state what kind of subjects you write about or what impact

you want to have. Just let us get to know you, in direct response

tothe question that is asked.

v. Save/Print as a PDF using the required naming convention

d. Prepare one staffing pitch (Maximum character count: 1500, or approx.

250words)

i. Watch the wide range of DE content across our networks and studios

ii. Select one live-action show, ideally that is related to your life experience

iii. Prepare pitch for yourself as a staff writer for the show, with an

emphasison things you have done, relationships you have had, places

you have lived, jobs you have held or other personal experience that

would directlyinform the character or story of that show

iv. Save/Print as a PDF using the required naming convention

5. Prepare your Boone Scholarship Pitch (if applicable)

a. Download the Boone Scholarship Pitch form. (Note: If you are not opting in
tobe considered for the Boone Scholarship, please do not submit a Boone
Scholarship Pitch.)

b. If you are opting in to be considered for the Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writers
Scholarship, you are required to submit a short pitch prompt in no more than
1500characters (approx. 250 words).

c. Save/Print as a PDF using the required naming convention

6. Download and complete the script summary forms for both selected scripts. You will
haveto complete a summary form for your first script (please download “Exhibit A”) and
for your second script (please download “Exhibit B”). Please download and complete
both forms prior to beginning the application process. Be sure to complete and save the
fillable forms using a desktop PDF viewer application. (Adobe Reader or Preview)

a. Download Exhibit A and Exhibit B

b. Fill out forms

 i. Title of Material Submitted: enter the exact title of the script (do not
includeyour name, "pilot", genre, etc.)

ii. Material Logline: A 1-3 sentence summary of the premise of the pilot with
anemphasis on the character, the central conflict, the
Location and the tension of the overall series. (This is specifically
alogline, not a synopsis.).

iii. Principal Characters: List names and critical descriptions of the

MainCharacter and the core supporting characters in the pilot
script.

iv. Setting/Geographical Location: List the main physical setting(s) of the pilot.

v. Time Period: List the year, decade, century, etc. in which the pilot takes
place(e.g., "Present Day,", "1980s," "the early 1700s," etc.)

vi. Demographics of Lead Character: List these characteristics of the

characterthat is the main character (as defined by the rules of story and
structure, even if there is an ensemble cast):

i. Age: List the age range (e.g., "child," "'tween", "30s," etc.)

ii. Gender

iii. Ethnicity

vii. Confirm that you are the sole author and owner of the content

i. If you have a writing partner, confirm that you both are the
Sole authors and owners of the content

ii. Do not submit adaptations, unless you are the sole author
andowner of the underlying content

viii. Save/Print the completed forms as PDFs using the required

namingconventions

7. Assemble your required documents for uploading. The seven documents you will
upload during the online application process are: Script One, Script One Summary
Form(Exhibit A), Script Two, Script Two Summary Form (Exhibit B), Resume, Essay,
and Staffing Pitch. An eighth document, the Boone Scholarship Pitch, is only required
for those opting in to be considered for the Boone Scholarship. IMPORTANT! All files

 must: 1) be in PDF format and 2) be named exactly as specified below.

Attachmentsthat are not named correctly will disqualify the application. For
example, do not include your script title in the file name; it is not requested in the
format below.

Please use the following naming format for your uploads (replacing
“FirstName”with your first name and “LastName” with your last name):
FirstName_LastName_2024_ DocumentType

File Naming Formats:

o John_Doe_2024_ScriptOne

o John_Doe_2024_ExhibitA

o John_Doe_2024_ScriptTwo

o John_Doe_2024_ExhibitB

o John_Doe_2024_Resume

o John_Doe_2024_Essay

o John_Doe_2024_StaffingPitch

o John_Doe_2024_BooneScholarshipPitch

There can be no spaces in the file name. Do not add extra characters, type in all caps,
usedashes instead of underscores, change the order of your name, add the name of your
script, include a date, add a version number, or otherwise not follow the naming
convention above. If you are part of a writing team, only use your name in all file names
– including those for scripts.

8. Launch the online application form. Once you have assembled all of the above materials,
open the online application. It will take you approximately 30 minutes to complete, including
uploading your required documents. Once you have electronically signed and submitted your
application, it cannot be edited. You will receive a confirmation email following the
successfulsubmission of the online application.

1. Answer each question directly

2. Do not type in all caps in any field

• If you do not have an answer to the question, leave it blank. Do not type N/A,

 TBD, ? or anything else. Leave it blank.

• If you have a writing partner, be sure your applications have the same scripts
andscript summaries – and include each other’s names and email addresses in
the fields for your writing partner information. Decide in advance which emails
you will use and be consistent.

9. If you experience any technical difficulties while completing the application, please
send us a Facebook message beginning with the phrase “Technical Difficulty,” followed
by bothan explanation of the issue and a list of solutions you have attempted.

10. Do not wait until the last day to submit, as the chances increase of experiencing issues
with uploading and submitting due to server overload. Applications will not be accepted
afterthe deadline; no exceptions, including for technical difficulty reasons.

NOTIFICATION
Please check our Facebook page for updates.

• Typically, finalists are contacted in November, and Program Writers are selected in
December, with an official press announcement the following January.
• Due to the volume of submissions, those not accepted will not be notified. We will
notrespond to any inquiries regarding the status of the selection process.

For any updates regarding the DE Writing Program, follow and stay tuned to CTDI’s Facebook
page.

If you have not yet done so, please read our 2024 Writing Program Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) next, before you begin the online application.