Black List initiatives

I am currently in Las Vegas to participate as a mentor in the 2nd annual Black List Screenwriters Lab in what I trust will be a transformational experience for the six screenwriters selected to workshop their original screenplays. This is, however, just one of the initiatives the Black List has launched in the last few years. Since I get asked about them pretty frequently, I thought I would aggregate information about all of them here, your comprehensive guide to Black List programs:

Partnership with Fox to find television writers for a possible blind script deal, or to be considered for a writing staff position on an existing FOX drama pilot and/or series.

Partnership with TNT/TBS that offers two writers blind pilot developments, and provides eight other writers with the opportunity to have their work circulated with prominent showrunners for staffing consideration.

Partnership with The Walt Disney Studios to find screenwriters with diverse perspectives to participate in the Walt Disney Pictures Feature Writers Program. This writers program is a one-year residency program housed in Disney’s live-action production group that provides up-and-coming feature writers with development, production, and mentorship opportunities.

Partnership with Warner Brothers to find screenwriters with diverse perspectives for a blind script deal. The primary focus of the Warner Brothers program is to provide access and opportunities for aspiring screenwriters.

Partnership with The Hasty Pudding Institute to identify and provide financial support for a writer of either satire or a script with significant social commentary, so that they may continue developing scripts and projects in that tradition. The Hasty Pudding Institute, founded in the 1770s, has a philanthropic mission to promote freedom of expression in all aspects of the performing arts, to encourage satire, comedy and the cultivation of young talent, not just at Harvard but around the world.

Partnership with the NFL to find two screenwriters for a blind script deal for the National Football League and The Company.

Partnership with the Sundance Institute to identify writers for their Screenwriters Labs giving independent screenwriters the opportunity to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established writers in an environment that encourages innovation and creative risk-taking.

Partnership with WIGS to identify a new screenwriter for a digital series script deal. The primary focus of this program is to expand opportunities for undiscovered talent, and to potentially find a great new writer to create the next hit digital series for WIGS. WIGS was launched in May 2012 by writer/director/producers Jon Avnet (BLACK SWAN), Rodrigo Garcia (ALBERT NOBBS) and Jake Avnet. The channel offers over 150 episodes of scripted content, including 15 high-end original series, 7 short films and 10 documentaries, all starring female leads.

Partnership with producer Cassian Elwes (ALL IS LOST, DALLAS BUYERS’ CLUB, LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER) to offer one unrepresented screenwriter an all-expense paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival under the mentorship of Elwes himself.

Partnership with producer Martin Katz (COSMOPOLIS, HOTEL RWANDA, SPIDER) to offer one Canadian screenwriter an all-expenses paid trip to the Toronto Film Festival and an opportunity to meet with Martin Katz as a part of The Martin Katz Canadian Independent Screenwriting Fellowship.

Partnership with the Writers Guild of America, East allowing Guild members to list scripts in the Black List database for free and receive a discount on hosting and evaluation services. The Black List further provides and promotes WGAE educational materials via its Education page.

Partnership with the Writers Guild of America, West allowing Guild members to list scripts in the Black List database for free and receive a discount on hosting and evaluation services. The Black List further provides and promotes WGAw educational materials via its Education page.

Partnership with the Writers Guild of Great Britain allowing Guild members to list scripts in the Black List database for free and receive a discount on hosting and evaluation services. The Black List further provides and promotes WGGB educational materials via its Education page.

The Black List Private “Work In Progress” Screenplay Reading Series

Black List Live! Staged Script Readings Series

Black List Screenwriters Lab

All of these in addition to the annual Black Lists, the Black List script evaluation and hosting program, as well as partnerships with The Black Board and Go Into The Story.

It is precisely this type of forward-thinking initiative that makes the Black List such an important — and growing! — presence on behalf of screenwriters and TV writers, aspiring and professional, to open new opportunities for innovative and creative storytellers in the entertainment industry.