Company: Mashable
Location: New York, NY
Start Date:
Type of Position:  Full-Time
Minimum Education Level:
Minimum Years of Experience: 2-3+ years

Job Description: Mashable is seeking a talented and experienced assistant editor to join its team in New York, NY. The assistant editor will be responsible for editing, fact-checking and publishing stories across a wide range of subjects (tech, business, entertainment), as well as writing/scheduling social promos for stories and helping to manage the editorial flow of stories as they come in. The assistant editor will provide guidance and feedback to interns, and will collaborate with reporters and other editors across all of Mashable's newsrooms --in New York, San Francisco, L.A., London and Australia.

Company: SF Chronicle Wine, Beer, & Spirits Section
Location: San Francisco, CA
Start Date:
Type of Position: 
Minimum Education Level:
Minimum Years of Experience: 3+ years

Job Description: The Staff Writer/Wine, Beer & Spirits reports on and critiques all things drinkable in the Bay Area. Covering the breadth of Northern California wine--as both an intensely local scene and an internationally significant industry--is high priority. The writer will approach wine from the consumer’s point of view: what to drink and where to drink it. The writer will also cover the burgeoning beer and spirits scenes, introducing Chronicle audiences to the classic players and the rising innovators. He/she will find the stories behind the key influencers, the trends and the businesses that shape the Bay Area’s culture of drink.

The food team’s mission is to provide the most engaging and influential coverage of the Bay Area’s food and drink culture, one of the most dynamic on the planet. The team reports with accuracy and depth, tells stories through vivid and entertaining language, and critiques with insight and flair. It breaks news--then pulls off in-depth coverage of trends, people and issues. The team also knows how to make our audiences salivate. A deep love of all things food and drink, and the joy these can bring, informs our coverage. With the Chronicle’s audiences on multiple platforms, the team must do all of this in a variety of forms. Ultimately, the team strives to lead the conversation—in print, on social media, online—around food and drink.

Company: WE tv
Location: New York, NY
Start Date:
Type of Position:  Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's preferred
Minimum Years of Experience: 6-8 years

Job Description: Conceptualization, writing and producing of major network unscripted series launches, campaigns and branded episodic promotions designed to grow network ratings in key demographics and to enhance and grow the network brand through the use of innovative and original creative.   

Company: Reelz
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Start Date:
Type of Position:  Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's
Minimum Years of Experience: 3+ 

Job Description: This position has the overall responsibility and decision making for conceptualizing, writing, producing and editing on-air promotions, ad sales and marketing projects

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or an equivalent combination of skills, training, and experience in the cable television industry.
• A minimum of 3 years of previous similar work experience.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and attention to detail. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Superior writing, producing, and non-linear editing skills required (a writing test is required to qualify).
• Thorough knowledge of software and editing and production techniques. Significant experience with Final Cut Pro. Understand in standard audio mix procedures.
• Must be highly creative.
• Proven ability to create and lead a project from start to finish without direct supervision.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record as determined by the Company.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet short deadlines

Company: Production company
Location: Seattle, WA
Start Date: 
Type of Position: Temporary
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's
Minimum Years of Experience: 6+ years

Job Description: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Company: The Fly
Location: Bayside, NY or Summit, NJ
Start Date: 
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level:
Minimum Years of Experience: 1-3 years

Job Description: We’re looking to fill a Staff Writer position located in either our Bayside, NY or Summit, NJ office. Writing experience is required, with internship experience acceptable. Financial writing experience, including financial journalism or business writing, is strongly preferred. Being able to excel in a fast paced environment is a must.

Successful candidates must be able to quickly read through company press releases, websites, Twitter posts, blog reports, and SEC filings to find pertinent financial information that will immediately be converted into headlines and short summaries for The Fly's live news feed. Deep knowledge of the financial markets will be developed over time.

Company: IFC
Location: New York, NY
Start Date:
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level:
Minimum Years of Experience: 1-2 years

Job Description: The Associate Writer/Producer will assist with concepting, writing and producing IFC movie promotions and stunts, show launches, digital/social content and integrated marketing campaigns and projects.

Company: Race Across USA
Location: Norco, CA
Start Date:
Type of Position: Volunteer
Minimum Education Level:
Minimum Years of Experience:

Job Description: Beginning January 16, 2015 an international team of athletes will cross the United States on foot with the goal of inspiring a healthier generation. During the event, we need a screenplay writer who will write a screenplay each week. This screenplay will drive the week's filming activities. Writers will need to be in touch with what's going with the race and what interests our audiance. You don't have to be an experienced writer. But, you do have to have a passion for screeplay writing and the cause (childhood fitness). If you are interested in learning more, please let us know and we will send more information on the race to help you make your decision. http://raceacrossusa.org/

ABOUT THE HWC

The Harvardwood Writers Competition (HWC) was founded in 2006 with the aim of recognizing superior work by Harvard writers and giving these talented individuals the opportunity to gain industry exposure. View the list of past HWC winners (2023 winners pictured below).

A review committee, with support from the Harvardwood Board of Directors, will evaluate all scripts entered to determine the winner and runner-up (if applicable) from each category. Results are announced on a rolling basis, strategically, in line with industry trends. HWC judges are working executives and creatives, with a balance of gender, race and other diversity and experience across various fields of entertainment. 

HWC submitters can opt to receive judging comments and feedback for each script submitted. The notes are aimed to illuminate judges' reactions to your script (beyond the numerical average of your scores received by semi-finalists and finalists) and may be useful to you for future rewrites.

Winning scripts will be read by a qualified review committee. All winners will receive a mentor and a small cash award.

HOW TO APPLY

Only Full Members of Harvardwood are eligible for the competition (Friends of Harvardwood are ineligible). To become a Full member, non-members can register by clicking here.

2024 Application Link here

Submissions for the contest must be received in PDF format by the submission deadline. Full payment must also be received by the submission deadline.

Neither the applicant's name nor any other identifying information should appear on the title page or any other page of the script — this information should only be included on the entry form.

By applying to the Harvardwood Writers Competition, you affirm that you agree to the terms and conditions of the Harvardwood Writers Competition Release Form.

The entry fees per script will be:

• October 6th, 2023 - early bird $45
• October 27th, 2023- official deadline $55
• November 10th, 2023 - late deadline $75

If you'd like to receive reader feedback and notes, the additional fees (exclusive of the submission fee) are as follows:

• Half-hour pilot / One Act Play: $100
• One-hour pilot: $115
• Feature: $130

Your script must have an anonymous cover sheet in the following format:

Title (if a Pilot, then Title of Show)

"Episode Title" (only applicable for TV Pilots)

Genre: [horror, comedy, drama, suspense, one-hour drama, half-hour comedy, etc.]

Short Logline: [yours here]

State on your cover sheet: "Submitted for evaluation in advance of the Harvardwood Writers Competition and Harvardwood's Most Staffable Writers list. If you have further questions or would like to contact the writer, please email [email protected]."

Each individual may submit no more than TWO SCRIPTS per category.* Repeat entries are allowed, only if the script has been rewritten since it was entered in a previous contest. 

All genres are permitted. Scripts should be submitted in PDF format using standard script margins and conventions, and body pages must be numbered. Submissions must be in English.

Submissions must be the original work of the contestant(s), although they may be based on a true story (historical or contemporary) or on other fictional or nonfictional material; if this is the case, please indicate as such on the title page of the script. Entries may also be adapted from the contestant's (or contestants') original work, which should also be noted on the title page.

Collaborative work, undertaken by no more than two writers, is eligible, provided that at least one writing partner is a dues-current Full Member of Harvardwood. Only one entry fee is required per script. Writing partners selected as winners will divide the prize equally.

Entered scripts may not have been previously optioned, sold, or produced (in the case of plays, non-equity readings/productions will not disqualify work from entry). Scripts must be the original work of the author(s), 18 years of age or older. No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for script entries will be accepted under any circumstances.

Paid employees of Harvardwood and their immediate families are ineligible, as are competition judges and their immediate families. Harvardwood recommends registering your scripts with the WGA and/or copyrighting your material with the Library of Congress before submission.

PLEASE NOTE: Competition results may be delayed if the writers strike continues into December. Harvardwood is continuously consulting with the WGA to ensure that our protocols are in line with strike rules.

Submission instructions for the 2024 Harvardwood Writers Competition will be announced this Fall. 

The HWC features three categories:

• Feature screenplays (90-120 pages, all genres)

• Television pilots (half-hour and one-hour, all genres)

• One-Act play* (40 pages maximum)

*Plays must be in stage play format. The competition no longer accepts short films.

In addition, writers who have participated in the HWP - TV Modules during the preceding fall and spring semesters are eligible for the annual Harvardwood Most Staffable TV Writers list.

HWC SUCCESSES

In recent years, participants in the Harvardwood Writers Program and Competition have seen unprecedented success, with pilot sales to ABC, the CW, Disney+, Jim Henson Company, Netflix, Showtime, Sony, Syfy, and TV Land, in addition to blind script deals at ABC Studios and Warner Bros. Harvardwood writers have been staffed on over two dozen shows, and recent shows include: Almost Paradise (WGN), American Dad (Fox), Animaniacs (Hulu), Awkwafina is Nora From Queens (Comedy Central), Billions (Showtime), Bridgerton (Netflix), DC's Legends of Tomorrow (CW), Emergence (ABC), Family Guy (FOX), Fear the Walking Dead (AMC), The Flash (CW), Future Man (Hulu), The Goldbergs (ABC), Gotham (Fox), Grey's Anatomy (ABC), The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu), Homeland (Showtime), How To Get Away With Murder (ABC), In The Dark (CW), Jane the Virgin (CW), Manhunt: Deadly Games (CBS), Marvel’s Runaways (Hulu), Power (Starz), Queen Sugar (OWN),The Resident (FOX), Shadowhunters (Freeform), and The Society (Netflix). Among our feature film writers, successes include writing for: Marvel Films, Circle of Confusion, Electric Entertainment, and Netflix.

Participants have secured representation at Apostle, Benderspink, Brant Rose Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA, Circle of Confusion, Echo Lake, Gersh, ICM, Madhouse Entertainment, Management 360, Mosaic, Original Artists, UTA, WME, and others.

Previous HWC winners and Most Staffable List writers have been covered by Deadline. 

If you have any questions about the Writers Competition, please email us.

The Jeff Sagansky Harvardwood TV Writers Program uses peer review, guest speakers and workshops to foster a motivating and supportive environment for each participant’s writing. This program is currently available in Los Angeles only.

Participants of the TV Writers Program may be considered for the annual Harvardwood Most Staffable TV Writers List (see below).

In recent years, participants in the Harvardwood Writers Program and Competition have seen unprecedented success with pilot sales to ABC, the CW, Showtime, Sony, Spike, Syfy, and TV Land, in addition to blind script deals at ABC Studios and Warner Bros. Harvardwood writers have been staffed on Agent Carter (ABC), American Dad (Fox), Billions (Showtime), Community (NBC), Covert Affairs (USA), Family Guy (FOX), The Flash (CW), Girlfriends’ Guide (Bravo), Goliath (Amazon), The Good Wife (CBS), Gotham (Fox), Great News (NBC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC), How To Get Away With Murder (ABC), Jane the Virgin (CW), Justified (FX), The Newsroom (HBO), Perception (TNT), Power (Starz), Sleepy Hollow (Fox), State of Affairs (NBC), and The Tomorrow People (CW). Among our feature film writers, successes include the theatrical releases of Jamesy Boy and Unfriended, as well as OddLot Entertainment’s optioning of Septillion to One; previous HWC feature category winner Capture is in post production with Circle of Confusion producing. Participants have also secured representation at Apostle, Benderspink, Brant Rose Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA, Circle of Confusion, Echo Lake, Gersh, ICM, Madhouse Entertainment, Management 360, Original Artists, UTA, WME, and others.

Most Staffable TV Writers List

Within the Harvardwood Writers Competition, the top scripts from the Jeff Sagansky TV Writers Program may be selected for the annual Harvardwood's Most Staffable TV Writers list (2016 Deadline article) and sent to managers, agents, networks, studios and production companies. Each of the selected writers may also be paired with an Industry mentor. The Most Staffable List is part of the annual Harvardwood Writers Competition, but only writers of original pilots from the immediately preceding fall and spring HWP — TV Modules will be eligible to be considered. However, spec scripts will not be eligible for submission, and writers who complete only a spec script during the Program will not be eligible for the Most Staffable List. If you would like more information about the Most Staffable List, please review the rules.

If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only Full Members are eligible for the Most Staffable List, the Harvardwood Writers Competition, and any Harvardwood-organized showcase.

***

Special thanks to Harvardwood Advisory Board member Jeff Sagansky AB '74, MBA '76,
whose generous support makes this program possible.

FALL 2023 RULES & REQUIREMENTS

APPLY HERE

Deadline: October 7th, 2023

COMMITMENT

There is a high expectation of preparation and writing done outside of the meetings (approx. 15-20 hours per week). Each module will have approximately eight participants, and will meet for approximately eleven sessions over a fourteen-week period beginning the week of October 16th, 2023. The program has a strict attendance policy, so please make sure that you can fully commit before applying. Participants are required to give constructive feedback to fellow writers in each session, so there is an expectation that you will have read applicable work prior to the meeting. The modules are successful because of this peer review, and you should expect a "writers room" format for your group.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we will be meeting primarily via Zoom, but participants should be based primarily in Los Angeles for future events, networking, and community-building. Pending interest, we will also accommodate remote (non-LA-based) writers.

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS

1. HOUR-LONG MODULES – ORIGINAL PILOTS

Requirement: Full member of Harvardwood, have written a spec TV episode or TV pilot.

Program fee: $100

Workshop your idea and receive peer review each step of the way: pitch, synopsis, outline, and first draft. This module is structured to help you get feedback when you need it, and produce work that has been vetted and strengthened by your peers. This module may include workshops with professional actors reading your material.

Exact Dates: Meetings will take place nearly every week from October 2023 - early January 2024

Module Leader: TBD

2. HALF-HOUR MODULES – ORIGINAL PILOTS

Requirement: Full member of Harvardwood, have written a spec TV episode or TV pilot.

Program fee: $100

Workshop your idea and receive peer review each step of the way: pitch, synopsis, outline, and first draft. This module is specifically structured for writers of comedy pilots or comedy spec scripts, and will be run like an actual comedy show writers’ room. This module may include workshops with professional actors reading your material.

Exact Dates: Meetings will take place nearly every week from October 2023 - early January 2024

Module Leader: TBD

3. TV PILOT REWRITE MODULE

Requirement: Full member of Harvardwood, have a complete TV pilot to rewrite.

Program fee: $100

This module is structured in three steps: 1) an in-depth peer-review of your script, with special emphasis on the premise and the first act; 2) a live reading of your first act followed by a discussion with industry professionals 3) a second full review of your script, with a focus on the page-by-page execution. This module is for those who are looking for a detailed analysis and polish.

Exact Dates: Meetings will take place nearly every week from October 2023 - early January 2024

Module Leader: TBD

4. SPEC TV EPISODE (Drama & Comedy) - FELLOWSHIP PREP COURSE [TENTATIVE SPRING SEMESTER ONLY]

Requirement: Full member of Harvardwood, have written an original TV pilot.

Program fee: $100

This module is highly structured and designed to prepare participants for the competitive studio writers' fellowships in the late spring (ABC Disney, Warner Bros., etc.). Attendance is mandatory, and only two absences will be allowed. The goal of this module is to have every writer submit a high-quality spec script to the fellowships. As with the fellowships themselves, this is not for brand new writers, but for writers looking to take themselves to the next level. Because at least one of the fellowships requires original material as part of the application process, only writers with a completed original pilot will be considered.

Exact Dates: Meetings will take place nearly every week from October 2023 - early January 2024

Module Leaders: TBD

PANEL DISCUSSIONS & WORKSHOPS

All module participants will be invited to attend panel discussions and stand-alone workshops during the program. Past Program discussions and workshops have included:

Pitching Round Robin - A Workshop with Industry Professionals

All module participants pitch their TV series or spec ideas to guest panelists for expert feedback early in the Program. This workshop is intended to give the writers a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their pilot or spec episode ideas.

Agents and Managers Panel

Moderated discussion with top literary agents and managers. In the past, agencies and management companies including UTA, WME, Paradigm, Benderspink, Echo Lake, and more have been represented.

Staff Writers Panel

Moderated discussion with those new to the trenches of television writers rooms. In the past, we have welcomed writers from Community, The Flash, Jane the Virgin, Parks & Rec, Silicon Valley, and more.

View a partial list of HWP guest speakers.