What is the Nickelodeon Writing Program?
Developed to broaden Nickelodeon’s outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions.
Operating in a three-phased structure, the Program provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.
This three-phased structure allows writers an opportunity to nurture relationships with creators, network executives, line producers, head writers, show runners and story editors.
As part of their script writing, each writer will be assigned to an Executive in Charge of Production and have an opportunity to write a spec script for an on-air Nickelodeon show.
In addition, all writers are integrated into the activities of both the development and production departments. This allows the writers an opportunity to attend storyboard pitches, notes meetings, records, table reads, show pitches and show tapings; all while being exposed to top creators and key production crews.
IMPORTANT DATES
For consideration in the 2012 – 2013 Program, materials must be submitted together between January 2, 2012 and February 28, 2012. Please review the Submission Guidelines for additional requirements.
You are not required to send your submission through registered or overnight mail. However, to ensure proof of mailing, you may wish to use these services since we will not confirm receipt of your application package.
- Semi-finalists will be notified by the end of August, 2012
- Finalists will be notified by the beginning of September 2012
- Chosen writers will be notified by the end of September 2012
- All others will be notified, by mail, by the end of October 2012
- Please note: Notification dates are subject to change.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & PROCEDURES
- You must be 18 years or older to participate
- You must possess and present evidence of identity and United States employment eligibility (valid for the duration of the Program)
If you have previously applied to the Program and have not been selected, you are welcomed and encouraged to apply again. However you are required to submit a different spec script for each new submission period.
Application materials should be clipped to the front of the writing sample and not bound within material.
Appropriate spec scripts must be:
- Comedic
- Live Action or Animation
- Based on a half-hour television series
- Currently on-air and being produced for primetime network or cable
- Typed in standard script format
- In black ink
- In 12pt courier style font
- On 8-1/2 x 11, 3-hole punched white paper
- With only two brass fasteners (top & bottom)
All spec scripts must include a cover page listing the show name and show title, along with your name, address, and telephone number (please do not put your name on every page).
The following materials will NOT be considered: feature-length screenplays, hour-long dramas, reality-based comedies or dramas, pilots, treatments, outlines, plays, short stories, books, graphics, magazine/newspaper articles, poems, headshots, audio/video tapes, digital media, loose-leaf pages or scripts bound in 3-ring binders.
Please note: Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.
APPLICATION
There is no application fee.
Please submit the following:
- Two copies of one spec script (this applies to both individual writers and writing teams)
- One-page resume
- Half-page biography
- Completed and signed application form
- Completed and signed submission release form and Schedule A (included with application)
If you are unable to download the application, contact us at info.writing@nick.com to request one. Include your name and mailing address (including zip code). Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.