FOX Audience Strategy to Extend Advance Writer's Initiative

Related: FOX

Fox Audience Strategy today announced that it is extending its advanced writer's initiative – the Fox Writers Intensive (FWI) – to provide established writers with potential book development and publishing opportunities with HarperCollins, as well as the opportunity to apply on a first-look basis for the Fox Writers Studio, a yearlong think tank of salaried screenwriters working together to produce original feature films for 20th Century Fox Film. This year's initiative will also include development support from 20th Century Fox Television and FX, which, along with Fox Broadcasting Company, will purchase and develop the winning finalist's original script.

In addition, Fox Audience Strategy announced that, beginning next fall, funding for one staff writer position will be earmarked specifically for FWI Finalists on all new and returning FOX network series.

"We were absolutely thrilled by the level of engagement and enthusiasm we saw in our inaugurAl Fox Writers Intensive class this past year – the caliber of writers who applied for and ultimately participated in the intensive was incredible – and we cannot wait to bring ten more up-and-coming writers into the Fox fold," said Nicole A. Bernard, Senior Vice President of Fox Audience Strategy. "By expanding the opportunities for staffing and professional growth to the participants, we are building the most robust, multi-platform engaging experience for writers as well as an extremely valuable pipeline of talent for our film, television, publishing and digital entertainment businesses."

Launched in 2011, the Fox Writers Intensive is designed to nurture the careers of experienced writers with diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences and create a strong pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on Fox productions across television, feature films and digital entertainment. Administered by Film Independent, the intensive offers trained writers a rigorous, four-month curriculum focused on 1) developing original material, 2) learning and honing writing skills for multiple mediums and 3) exploring the business of media and entertainment. Upon successful completion of the program, Fox will work to staff participating writers on Fox projects and provide each writer with a first look on his/her original script(s).

In addition, at the conclusion of the intensive, Fox will:
· Select one outstanding finalist as the Fox Writers Intensive Fellow, whose submitted original script will be purchased and developed jointly by Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television and FX. The Fox Writers Intensive Fellow will be announced across all Fox entertainment businesses and will receive one-on-one meetings with network and studio heads, as well as priority staffing efforts across Fox properties.

· Select one FWI finalist to apply for the Fox Writers Studio on a first-look basis.

· Select one FWI finalist to pitch their script to HarperCollins.

Fox will award the referring 501(c)(3) charitable organization of the winning Fellow a financial grant to be earmarked for its writing program.

Candidates for the Fox Writers Intensive will be considered only through nomination by one of the initiative's partnering organizations, or through submission by talent agents and management companies, and must have demonstrated a command of their craft through published and/or other accomplished presentations of their work that demonstrate their writing experience. Fox encourages experienced writers from across all entertainment media including television, features, literature and theatre or other published writers to apply.

Nominations and applications for this year's Fox Writers Intensive are already under way, with a deadline of Monday, Nov. 19, 2012 for all materials. For more information about the Fox Writers Intensive and a list of referring organizations, please visit: www.fox.com/audiencestrategy.

Fox Audience Strategy is a department within The Fox Group designed to identify programming and operational opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives across all of its entertainment platforms.