Have you ever wondered whether things like AAPI Heritage Month move the needle for individuals like you and me? From personal experience, if the events aren’t performative tokenism, but truly have a community-centered approach, these events can lead to meaningful connections. Below, you’ll find a list of opportunities I came across today in one of these events. First, some background.
Last month, I was honored to participate in the first AAPI songwriting camp created by music industry professionals from SoundSync Music, Score A Score, Concord Music Publishing, and many more volunteers. It was a free event where 40 applicants were assigned briefs and collaborators to write with.
During that event, I mentioned Nuances (because I’m always talking about you guys, duh!) and one participant told me I should check out Blue Buddha Entertainment. When I went to their website, I saw they were doing an AAPI Virtual Panel. So I signed up and immediately shared it on our discord. Today, I attended the panel.
Not only was it amazing to hear from so many established AAPI professionals in music and film, but so many of them are involved in programs that are designed to help lift up the POC voices of the next generation of creators!
In an ideal world, we would have more of these networking opportunities to come together and keep each other in the loop throughout the year, not just in May. I am doing my best to make sure the Nuances community becomes one such place among many where we pool these resources. But if AAPIHM is the excuse we need to have these panels, I’m all for taking that opportunity to connect with each other like this!
I am sharing below 3 programs currently accepting applications that were shared during the panel today, in hopes that some of you will find these useful, with the closest deadline first. I did my best to include some of the FAQs re: eligibility here as well so you can quickly figure out if it is right for you or not. Hope that helps, and please share with your friends!!!
- Universal Composers Initiative
- Warner Brothers Discovery – Rooster Teeth Digital Creator Program
- Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program
Universal Composers Initiative
Deadline 5/19
https://www.universalgtdi.com/composers#1
About the program:
As part of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s (UFEG) overall commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion within all areas of production, the Universal Composers Initiative (UCI) is set up to find artists from traditional as well as non-conventional backgrounds who possess unique perspectives that they can translate into distinct musical expressions.
This two-year initiative, in partnership with Universal Film Music, provides participants with unparalleled access to the studio process, while increasing awareness of this new generation of talent among NBCUniversal’s vast network of executives, producers and directors including Universal Pictures, Dreamworks Animation and Universal Studio Group.
Participants will be provided with creative and professional development opportunities.
Participants may also have the opportunity to pitch for NBCUniversal scoring projects.
6. Is this program for composers just starting out? What type of experience should a candidate have?
No. This is not an entry-level program. The Composers Initiative is not intended to teach the craft of composition to composers who have not yet launched their careers. Rather, this program is designed for film composers who have at least three (3) years of relevant professional experience and are aspiring to take their career to the next level.
7. What are the application requirements?
Applicants are required to submit the following:
- (a) Universal Composers Initiative application
- (b) Original music sample(s)
- (c) Signed release form for submitted material
- (d) Current resume with list of music credits
- (e) Responses to Personal Statement
- (f) Letter(s) of recommendation are strongly encouraged, but not required
Note: the program also requires you to be able to attend in-person events in Los Angeles.
12. If selected for the Initiative, what will the curriculum entail?
During this two-year, voluntary initiative, a cohort of eight composers will have unparalleled access to the studio process, while also receiving career guidance and support through exclusive opportunities such as:
- . Roundtable discussions with established composers, term-deal producers, and music executives
- . Panels with professionals and experts from across the industry
- . Networking mixers with GTDI program talent and alumni
- . 1:1 mentorship with NBCUniversal music executives
- . Press & Media Coaching
- . Field Trips/Live Events
13. If selected for the Initiative, will I be guaranteed an assignment?
There are no guaranteed opportunities for open assignments; however, there will be networking opportunities that may lead to assignments. If selected for an open assignment at NBC Universal, composers will receive a predetermined compensation for completed work.14. Where is the Initiative based?
The Initiative is based at Universal Studios, Universal City, CA. It is recommended that composers selected to participate reside in the Los Angeles area during the two-year initiative, but not required. If a composer is able to attend all scheduled in-person opportunities at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations, that is acceptable.
Warner Brothers Discovery – Rooster Teeth Digital Creators Program
Deadline 5/21/23
https://www.warner-access.com/programs/rooster-teeth-digital-creators-program
About the program
In partnership with WBD Access, the Rooster Teeth Digital Creators Program provides underrepresented digital talent a platform to break through to new audiences while also providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed as digital creators. Eight aspiring creators will receive paid mentorship and training from Rooster Teeth over a three month period this fall, including a one month residency in Austin (with housing and stipend provided). This immersive program goes beyond independent content creation to give participants valuable experience working as part of a team on professional video sets, sponsored productions and more. At the end of the three months, the creators will have a chance to meet with industry executives from across all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s brands – and will be eligible for a 1-year Rooster Teeth talent contract.
The program will focus on:
• Branded Content: Partnerships and Creative Development
• Scripted Content: Comedy Writing Workshop & Improv Training
• Podcast Development & Production
• Hosting 101 & Media Training
• Participants shadow on-set for Rooster Teeth Productions
• Participants receive opportunities to appear as guests/on-camera talent in Rooster Teeth and other participating Warner Bros. Discovery Productions
• Participants choose a track to develop & create content with mentorship from Rooster Teeth and other Warner Bros. Discovery creative teams.
What do I need to qualify?
To qualify for the program, applicants must have a minimum aggregate of 1,000 followers across relevant content platforms (YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Snap, and/or Facebook), but should not exceed 300,000 followers. For podcasters, applicant’s podcasts must average a minimum of 1,000 downloads per episode.
Who should apply?
The program is open to creators with a passion for sports, pop-culture, comedy, gaming, and animation from the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
To qualify for the program, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 followers across all platforms (YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Snap and Facebook), but should not exceed 300,000 followers. For podcasters, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 downloads per episode.
Timeline
3-Month Program
- 2-Months Virtual sessions, Mentorship, and Skills development
- 1-Month on-location mentorship & technical training with Rooster Teeth in Austin, TX
- Submissions open: 4/20 @ 3pm ET / 12pm PT
- Submissions close: 5/21 @ 11:59pm PT
- Cohort Selected: August 2023
- Program Launch: September 2023
Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program
Submissions open July 1, 2023
https://www.nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/
About the program
Founded in the year 2000, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is a full-time, paid, yearlong development Program for television comedy writers with unique voices and from underrepresented communities. Join us at the studio in Burbank for classes and workshops to sharpen your skills, executive mentorship and networking to build your professional relationships, and the opportunity to work in the iconic live-action and animation writers’ rooms at Nick. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dedicate yourself to the craft of writing and build your career from the ground up.
The Nick Writing Program is not a writing contest – It’s a launching pad for diverse and emerging creatives. If you bring the unique voice and innovative ideas for kids’ and family content, we’ll help you launch a career with all the tools you’ll need to succeed in the industry for years to come.
We need your talent and perspective, so come tell us your story!
When you pick a focus, it helps us curate your experience in the Program to better help you reach your goals as a television writer. Picking a focus does not mean your time in the Program will be spent exclusively working on content for this audience, but simply helps us gauge your interests and set you on a course for success. Your spec and pilot submissions do not need to adhere to these audience age groups in any way.
Kids’ Content (Audience Age 6-11)
This age group is Nickelodeon’s bread and butter. Most of Nickelodeon’s most iconic live-action and animated shows are developed for this demographic including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danger Force, and The Loud House.
Preschool Content (Audience Age 2-6)
The Preschool age group (including “bridge” content for tots moving into early elementary school age) loves to laugh and play along with their content. They’re smart, engaged, and always ready for new shows to watch like Paw Patrol, Ryan’s Mystery Playdate, and Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Preteen/Young Adult (Audience Age 11-17)
Nickelodeon shares its home in the Paramount Kids & Family Group with our partners at Awesomeness who cater to a tween and teen audience. We’ll partner with ATV and the creators of Nick’s shows for a slightly older audience like Side Hustle, Drama Club, and iCarly to make this experience the right one for you.
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