FELLOWSHIP

WRITERS DISCOVERY FELLOWSHIP

Entering its fourth year, the Writers Discovery Fellowship will now be a collaboration between Circle of Confusion and Anarchists United, a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting historically underserved voices in the Film and Television industry.

OUR MISSION

The ongoing Writers Discovery fellowship program is designed to nurture and assist in accelerating the diversity of voices in our industry. Circle of Confusion’s core mission has always been discovery, and we have been fortunate enough to have identified and promoted many talented writers, directors, actors and creators from all walks of life. It is based on this tradition and fundamental strength of the company that Circle of Confusion launched the program. The excitement of film and television has always been the joy that great storytelling brings to audiences around the globe. By promoting voices that have been historically excluded, the Fellowship will enrich both the professional lives of the Fellows and the dynamic quality of the entertainment industry.

THE FELLOWSHIP

Circle of Confusion and Anarchists United will provide an immersive introductory experience to the world of professional screen and television writing to a diverse group of aspiring writers who have not yet been employed or represented by the industry. The Fellows will each be given a stipend. Once per year, the program will select six to eight writers for a six-month fellowship which closely replicates the writer-representative (manager and agent) dynamic. Each Fellow will be assigned a mentor who will educate and guide them by way of script development, career advice, and support. While the Fellowship cannot guarantee the sale of the pilot or specific employment, by the end of each Fellowship session, each Fellow will have developed a submission-ready television pilot, been afforded multiple opportunities for industry networking, and generally equipped with the essential tools for their success as writers in the entertainment industry.

The Fellowship is open to applicants of all ethnicities, races, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages.

MENTORSHIP

Our mentors will include literary managers, agents, and other senior industry professionals, offering general business advice and script development within the duration of the Fellowship. In the first four months, each Fellow will develop an original pilot script with their dedicated mentor. The pilot scripts will be reviewed by the Fellowship’s Advisory Board (composed of established members of the film and television community with an expertise in content evaluation) and then submitted to relevant industry professionals, with the explicit goal of using the last two months of the Fellowship to arrange general one-on-one Zoom meetings with producers and executives. Throughout the entire Fellowship session, the mentor will be available to guide the Fellow through each step, assisting the Fellow in their development of writing and storytelling skills, pitching skills and navigating the meeting process.

PROGRAMMING

The Fellowship program will begin in May of 2024 and include informational panels, speakers and workshops with industry professionals. Additionally, Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in practice/mock-general meetings and pitch sessions in preparation for their final professional meetings.

Thanks to our partners at Final Draft, Coverfly & Anarchists United for their support.

I don't have representation yet, but I am taking meetings. Do I still qualify for the fellowship?

You can submit, but should update us at fellowship@circleofconfusion.com if you do end up securing representation within the application timeline.

I have worked internationally in film or television, but not in the US. Am I eligible for the fellowship?

Yes, you’re welcome to apply.

What Materials Should I Submit for my Sample?

Applicants must submit either ONE 30-minute or ONE 60-minute television pilot that they intend to develop during the course of the fellowship.

Can I apply to the Fellowship even though I don't live in Los Angeles?

We are currently open to applicants regardless of location (including international applicants). The Fellowship events will take place virtually in Pacific Standard Time. If you are able to commit to this, we recommend applying.

I'm a member of the WGA, but have never written for television. Do I qualify?

If you have earned money writing narrative for film and/or television you do not qualify for this Fellowship opportunity. If you have not earned money writing on a WGA project, even as a member of the WGA, you can apply for this Fellowship opportunity.

I have representation, but not as a writer in TV/Film. Do I qualify?

You still qualify, but please provide your representation information.

I have a day job. When will Fellowship events take place so that I can participate?

The Fellowship programming will take place during business hours Monday through Friday 9am – 7:30pm PT. The fellows will speak with their mentors during that period of time, panels will be scheduled during that window as well.

Can I apply for the Fellowship with a co-writer/writing team?

Writing teams can certainly apply for the Fellowship! If selected, writing teams will share a mentor and will split the Fellowship stipend.

What does the average Fellowship day look like?

The fellow will have a tailored relationship with their mentor in which they will speak with one another at least twice a month; the exact schedule will be coordinated between the mentor and the fellow. The mentor will develop the script with the fellow through notes calls. There will be monthly panels with industry professionals to discuss specific topics relating to television writing.