The CTV Diverse Screenwriters Program presented by the Writers Guild of Canada is a one-week intensive television-training program designed to help emerging and mid-level film and television writers from diverse backgrounds develop and refine their original concepts for an English-language television series.
Interested? You may be eligible:
Emerging and mid-level screenwriters may apply to the program with original, English-language concepts for a television series. The program will encourage but not limit screenwriters to writing diverse stories.
Concepts in the genres of drama, comedy and children’s programming are eligible. Projects may be half-hour series, one-hour series, mini-series, or movies of the week.
Eligible applicants must:
- Not currently be enrolled in any full-time school or university program
- Demonstrate ownership of all underlying rights to the project with which they are applying.
- Be a Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant.
- Demonstrate in their support material an understanding of the fundamentals of screenwriting such as story arcs and character development.
- Be able to make a commitment to the one-week intensive training and the subsequent 10-12 weekmentoring process.
- If they are chosen, must be in a position to accept a paid internship on an existing television series.Selected screenwriters must be able to commit the time necessary to participate in this program. The week-long immersion sessions takes place during the day and all selected writers must participate in all sessions.
The application deadline is December 1, 2010 by 5pm Toronto time.For information on the program, contact e.town@wgc.ca or call: 416 979 7907 ext. 5243 or 1 800 567 9974 ext. 5243.
Jim Henshaw
Define Diverse…according to race, age, economic circumstances, religion, ethnic origin, location or simply with a different idea of what constitutes a mainstream TV series these days?
admin
That’s very funny, Jim. But you’re right defining diverse isn’t easy. The program is for those who identify themselves as diverse, so applicants will be the ones defining the word.
Kazza
With women representing 31 per cent of WGC membership, are they considered members of a minority group for the purpose of this program?
I clicked through a number of links but couldn’t find any information about who qualifies.
Barbara Sonja Biller
The first quote on this page gives me a feeling of intimidation. I think having to read the word refine is weird, and so is reading the word concept. Other than that, I am interested. Also, in the second quote, I would like some clarity on what is meant by asstory arc? Does this mean that the opportunity of paid internship allows a potential qualifier who has to work from home at their cozy chair situated next to their computer apply?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Good day people reading this page, I feel compelled to write something here as I’m feeling literarilly setback as I can not seem to find the definition of the word asstory. Hmm, seems I have written a new word in one of my sentences here, literarilly is not found in my word definition search either. I hope this helps anyone feeling diverse.
admin
Barbara-
That is a typo. It’s “a story arc”. If you are interested in the diversity program, why don’t you check the application process at wgc.ca?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Oh for goodness sakes, thank-you for responding so quickly, I was beginning to think I needed to get another cup of coffee and try to figure this out for you. I see plenty of grammarical errors and am wondering if anyone is helping you over there. I most certainly will check the application process at wgc.ca. Thank you, and have a wonderful day.
Barbara Sonja Biller
I’d like to make a comment regarding the post left by someone named critical illness insurance. My postal code was not identified by the system. I’m feeling rather concerned not being able to apply for dental coverage information.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Thank you for removing the comment post after I made my previous comment, now I read and probably sound like a dork!
Barbara Sonja Biller
I’m still not really sure about applying for this opportunity, I just can’t imagine myself having to travel away from home. I like being a stay at home Mom, do you have any writer job opportunities for stay at home Mom types?
Barbara Sonja Biller
I certainly think that CTV would save a lot of money on coffee cups if they would allow some Moms to work from home, especially the Moms who are middle-aged and are a little slower at putting on their make-up in the morning.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Well, hopefully that is all I have to say today, (I sure do like to talk alot don’t I.)
I have some in home house duties to attend to now, before I pick up my children from school and tell them that my job search looked promising today.
Barbara Sonja Biller
I sure wish I could find my way around some of these websites, most writing people would probably enjoy seeing more opportunities for writing jobs. Unless of course there really is no need for good writers anymore. Sorry about that, there I go again being distracted from my house work only to be looming back over here to try and make some sense of this all. Then again, good thing I found this wonderful place to write!
Barbara Sonja Biller
Hey, my last comment says written at…11:40 am. According to my computer, I wrote my last comment at around 2:42. Am I in a different country or something?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Well for goodness sakes, how long has this been going on?
Barbara Sonja Biller
No wonder people want to write about their experiences and make television shows from them!
Barbara Sonja Biller
And they call this diverse.
Barbara Sonja Biller
🙂
Barbara Sonja Biller
Okay, I’m back, I’m a little confused here, I am born in Ontario, Canada. So that makes me a Canadian right? Also, I am surrounded by all sorts of people from all sorts of different cultures who make fun of me sometimes, so does that make me a diverse person, or just everybody else? (I know, another weird perspective, would be nice to read some views on this.)
Barbara Sonja Biller
Oh, and the time I wrote my last comment is actually incorrect, my kids are home from school.
Barbara Sonja Biller
I’m putting a new wrist watch on my Christmas list this year.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Would you like to know something else? I am giving Quaker oatmeal packets at Halloween time, that way if the kids don’t like it, they can give it to someone who might enjoy eating oatmeal for breakfast instead of mysterious candy coated stuff.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Some things should just stick around don’t you think?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Okay, my kid just called me a major moron after reading my last paragraphs. Sorry kids, it’s true, some people do actually care about you, I would like to purchase some toothbrushes for you at Halloween time, but I haven’t found that good paying writing job this year.
Barbara Sonja Biller
I hope the Admin person doesn’t have to work overtime to read and respond to all of this, people should enjoy fresh air time and enjoy the Autumn season.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Gee, looking back I almost can see how quickly a script can develop, wow. So many ideas……..hmmm.
Barbara Sonja Biller
I charge a dollar per word for my writing, how about you people? Does hmmm count as a word?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Hey that’s around seven hundred and sixteen plus words I’m writing here, and I collect loonies and twoonies. Hey, I’ll even give a two word discount because I do not feel that I should charge for writing the word asstory, or for the complimentary smiley face you provided.
Barbara Sonja Biller
(Editting services not necessary when supplied with good software.)
Barbara Sonja Biller
Where do people buy those software products everyone keeps saying they need anyway?
Barbara Sonja Biller
Hey, where did everybody go? Oh no, the computer trapped me again, everyone is out buying candy aren’t they! Good grief! I better get out there and wave around my oatmeal packets!
Barbara Sonja Biller
Okay, I better stop writing now or you won’t be able to afford me.
Barbara Sonja Biller
Til next time, on “Running with my Oatmeal packets!”