Support Staff Basic Training

What is Support Staff Basic Training?

The Writers Guild of America East Support Staff Basic Training program is a virtual bootcamp for underrepresented emerging writers looking to break into television at the support-staff level.

The initiative is designed and run by working television writers and former writers room support staff, and is divided into two tracks: Writers’ Assistant and Script Coordinator. Up to 8 applicants will be selected to participate in each track (up to 16 participants total). The 2024 program will operate virtually and will begin in June 2024.

Check back for information on the 2025 Support Staff Basic Training program.

Participants will be expected to attend all sessions and complete all weekly assignments over the course of the program. Frequent absence may impact program participation.  Both tracks will receive instruction through a mix of roundtables, lectures, independent work, and interactive workshops. Each course will conclude with 1:1 exit interviews to ensure that personal relationships are developed with instructors.

Applicants can only apply for one track. Before applying, applicants must consider, based on their experience, which track is best for them. Job descriptions are provided below and will be referenced in the application:

The Writers Assistant’s (WA) role involves taking notes during writers room meetings, editing scripts and performing research as needed. The WA transcribes room notes, then organizes them for distribution to writers and producers as a reference on a daily basis, as well as for their respective episodes. The WA may be asked to type, edit, and format scripts, as well as maintain story plotting on whiteboards throughout the day. Overall, the WA provides as needed support to the writers or producers, from notes and show bible management to scheduling studio and network notes calls.

The Script Coordinator’s (SC) role involves ensuring drafts formatting, proofing scripts and other documents and vetting story documents for continuity. The SC serves as a liaison between the studio, network, and writers, owning every draft of a script will pass through their hands, beginning in the writers’ room and continuing throughout the production. The SC is responsible for legal clearance, story continuity research, distribution list management and credits paperwork. The SC may also be responsible for the show’s bible as an extension of being tasked with continuity. Overall, the SC is expected to know each episode, and draft, inside and out.

Participant criteria

The Support Staff Basic Training program is intended for:

• emerging, diverse writers (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, over 40 years old),
• based in the eastern half of the United States (including Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and New York),
• looking to break into television at the support-staff level, and
• have not previously worked as writers assistants or script coordinators on a scripted television series.

Applicants with previous industry experience, especially those who have worked as production assistants, are preferred.

Application information

All interested applicants will need to apply via the online application portal.

You can apply by submitting either a Television (Half-hour) or Television (One-hour) script. Applicants can submit full projects in PDF format, but only the first 5 pages will be reviewed.

To apply to this program, and to protect writer material, the applicant’s submitted script must be registered with the WGAE. When completing the script registration form, applicants can select “Support Staff Basic Training” as the material type to enjoy the WGA member registration rate of $10.

The program will meet virtually for six (6) weekend sessions, held on June 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23. Applicants must commit to attending all six sessions.

Applications are due no later than 5:00pm ET on Friday, May 10, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted – no exceptions or extensions.

Apply for Support Staff Basic Training