Over the past three and a half years, this program has placed more than 30 junior writers from underrepresented groups into Disney TV Animation writing jobs. Created by Disney exec Jay Francis, the initiative seeks to develop talent with a wide range of backgrounds to become the next generation of creative leaders at the division.
Disney Television Animation has helped create an environment for programs such as the Animation Writing Program to flourish. It holds fast to its mission statement: “Disney Television Animation is a creative community of visual storytellers who celebrate and embrace the magic of Disney.” We know magic knows no boundaries, so it only makes sense that Disney TVA wants to make sure the keys to the kingdom are available to all.
This past year, Francis, VP of Original Series and Diversity at Disney TVA, added a monthly writing lab in which writers are challenged to take a deeper dive into story, character, structure and theme. The program also added a mentorship component, with writers meeting with a story editor, executive producer, showrunner or staff writer. They also join monthly sessions and workshops centered around topics such as “How to Pitch a Show.” Eventually, participants get the opportunity to shadow story artists; storyboard an assigned section of an episode; and create, pitch, and execute short-form content ideas. The goal is to graduate with 3-4 storyboards, several short form ideas and the opportunity to pitch an original idea to the development team.
The surest sign of success is that several candidates have already moved on to working on Disney Branded Television shows, including Travis Andres, who is an Assistant/Coordinator at Disney TV Animation; Mary Bronaugh, who joined the five-time Emmy-nominated Disney Channel Show “Big City Greens” as an Apprentice Writer; and Walinase Mbekeani, who worked as an Apprentice Writer for the upcoming Disney Junior series “Firebuds.”a critical eye to applicant pools and finding new ways to broadcast open roles.