-- After six months of reviewing nearly 2,000 applications, Disney/ABC Television Group, in association with the Writers Guild of America, West, have selected the eight writers for the 2014 Disney/ABC Writing Program. Series' producers, creative executives and Creative Talent Development Strategies executives collectively identified the talented candidates. This year's panel of judges included producers from series such as ABC's Grey's Anatomy, Suburgatory and The Goldbergs as well as ABC Family's Melissa & Joey and Ravenswood, and Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie. The eight writers landing the highly sought after positions in the acclaimed Writing Program are comedy writers Lucas Brown Eyes (Pine Ridge Agency, SD), Lewaa Nasserdeen (Alberta, Canada) and Devanshi Patel (Pittsburgh, PA). On the drama front are Tamara Carter (Brooklyn, NY), April Fitzsimmons (Helena, MT), Nancy Kiu (Boston, MA), who recently served as a researcher on a network series, Ubah Mohamad (Queens, NY), who most recently was a script coordinator, and Davy Perez (Los Angeles, CA), who worked as a producer's assistant.
Tim McNeal, Vice President, Creative Talent Development Strategies said, We're looking forward to the unique contributions our newest group of writers will make to the creative process. Collectively, these writers have intriguing backgrounds and life experiences that are sure to prove valuable in the writers' room. Among the group include an Air Force Veteran, a best-selling author and a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Mr. McNeal added, These are writers who truly have TV production knowledge and are on the cusp of breaking through and this program will greatly aid in providing access and strategies that would not otherwise be available to them.
Kimberly Myers, Director of Diversity, Writers Guild of America, West said, These writers are the next generation of Writers Guild members, selected for their writing talent and the originality of their voices. This unique Program has proven to be an excellent launching pad for successful television writing careers through its combination of mentoring and hands on experience.
Highlights from the 2013 Writing Program include Seve Canales' extension to remain on staff on ABC's Scandal, Kris Valentine's extension to remain on staff on ABC's The Goldbergs and eight produced scripts written by program writers. Also, for the first time ever, a produced script for ABC Family's The Fosters co-written by a program writer Zoila Galeano will be directed by Disney/ABC DGA Directing Program alum Zetna Fuentes.
Now in its 25th year, the Disney/ABC Writing Program has been a launching point for many established television writers including Emmy-nominated writer George Mastras, Breaking Bad, Veena Sud, The Killing, Jane Espenson, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and Saladin Patterson Psych.
-- Edwin Escobar, edwin.escobar@abc.com, (818) 460-7758
