A dozen writers and writing teams were named as finalists on Wednesday in the fourth annual Fox Writers Intensive (FWI) program, which is designed to nurture experienced writers who have diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences.
FWI also aims to create a pipeline of talent for potential staffing on Fox television, feature film and digital entertainment productions.
“Authenticity is essential to successful storytelling. That process starts with hiring writers with diverse and authentic points of view, and that’s exactly who we want to engage through the Fox Writers Intensive,” said Nicole A. Bernard, Executive Vice President of Audience Strategy for 21st Century Fox.
This year’s FWI finalists were selected from more than 400 nominations and submissions by talent representation and arts organizations across the country, including the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, the Sundance Institute, The Black List, Outfest, Film Independent, the NAACP, Women in Film Los Angeles, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and Veterans in Film & TV. The finalists will spend 14 weeks working with Fox staff writers, showrunners, screenwriters, directors and creative executives.
This year’s FWI writers/teams, alternates and their representatives are:
· Aaron Carew (Independent)
· Jason Coffey (Kaplan Stahler Agency and Oasis Media Group)
· David Cornue (Original Artists and Madhouse Entertainment)
· Cindy Fang (Gersh and Echo Lake Entertainment)
· Chuck Hayward (APA and Heroes and Villains Entertainment)
· David McMillan (Creative Artists Agency and Grandview)
· Diana Mendez (Animo Entertainment)
· Jess Pineda (Kaplan Stahler Agency and Principato-Young Entertainment)
· Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe (ICM Partners and Industry Entertainment)
· Rebecca Walker (United Talent Agency and 3 Arts Entertainment)
· JaNeika and JaSheika James (ICM Partners)
· Jared Romero (Think Tank Management)
Launched in 2011, the Fox Writers Intensive offers trained writers a four-month curriculum focused on developing original material, learning and honing writing skills for multiple mediums, and exploring the business of media and entertainment.
Upon successful completion of the program, finalists will receive priority staffing meetings for the established FWI Staff Writer position on Fox entertainment productions. Fox also says it will endeavor to provide each writer with a first-look deal on his/her original script(s).
In addition, at the conclusion of the intensive, one FWI finalist will be named the 2015 FWI Fellow. The FWI Fellow will be awarded either a purchase and development deal on his/her original script or a first-look deal from Fox Broadcasting Company or any of its affiliated entities.