Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program

TV writers and producers Tanya Saracho (Vida), Mike Royce (One Day at a Time), and Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead) have partnered with the Writers Guild Foundation to launch the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative to support the full inclusion and employment of underrepresented groups in the television industry.

The program’s mission is to provide writers who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50, with the tools and education to become a writers’ assistant and script coordinator, resulting in meaningful employment opportunities. These positions have historically been an invaluable way to learn the writing process first-hand, with the ultimate goal of getting a writing job.

Graduates of the program will be included in an ongoing list of trained writers’ assistants and script coordinators (WA/SCs) primarily from underrepresented groups, which will be made available to studios, networks and showrunners, in order to increase the pool of eligible hires. By offering this opportunity to writers who are typically excluded from the writers’ room, we hope to increase representation among television writers, and capture stories from all corners of the human experience.

“This idea originated after we found ourselves sharing our frustration at how writers’ assistant candidates from underrepresented groups become trapped in a möbius strip of “need experience but can’t get experience without being hired.” In order to incorporate true inclusion in Hollywood, we must ensure every underrepresented voice has the chance to get their foot on the ladder of success. The writing support staffs are integral to the success of a TV room and have been treated more as a type of apprenticeship for aspiring writers. In that way, this program aims to be a step towards greater inclusivity at the “entry level” and in the future, on all writing staffs.”
— Mike Royce, Tanya Saracho, & Liz Alper

TALENT REQUESTS

If you are a showrunner, writer, executive, or journalist who’d like to view the alumni talent portal, please submit your request here or click the button below.

For a list of graduates and showrunner testimonials, check out our alumni page.

MEET THE ALUMNI

Check out the WASSTP alumni page to learn more about our talented graduates and their accomplishments. See what showrunners have to say about their experience working with the alums and read quotes from the graduates themselves.

about the program

Each 12-week course incorporates a variety of lessons tailored to the positions of a writers' assistant or script coordinator. Instructors have developed a comprehensive syllabus to cover the ins and outs of these positions.

By the end of the semester, participants will have working knowledge to integrate into a writers' room and crucial connections to access these opportunities.

  • The 2023 session takes place between August and October 2023. Classes are scheduled Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:30pm PT over a 3-month period.

    Applications are currently closed.

  • Current sessions are hosted online via Zoom.

  • This program is free.

  • This program is designed to uplift underrepresented voices in the television industry. BIPOC writers, LGBTQ+ writers, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50 are encouraged to apply.

    To be eligible to apply, applicants must also be:

    • Interested in pursuing employment in a support staff position, namely that of a Writers’ Assistant or Script Coordinator

    • Authorized to work in the United States

    • Able to provide a writing sample upon request

  • No, but local applicants are prioritized. A maximum of 10% of the overall class will be reserved for participants who live outside the LA area.

  • Sessions will be led by instructors Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor) and Clay Lapari (Community), who have extensive experience as writers’ assistants and script coordinators for television. The program also features several guest showrunner lecturers to discuss what they look for in a support staff.

 

Debbie Ezer

Debbie is a writer who has also worked as a Script Coordinator and Writers' Assistant in Television on network and cable dramas as well as single-camera and multi-camera comedies. She is a recovering attorney (having practiced as a litigator), former SAT math instructor and retired improv comedy performer who always endeavors to present the material in an organized, efficient and hopefully entertaining fashion.

Clay Lapari

Clay Lapari is a long time Script Coordinator/Writers Assistant with credits including Community, WandaVision, and the iCarly Reboot.

 

HOW TO APPLY

The application window is currently closed.

Please revisit this page in early 2024 for an update on our next session. In the meantime, we encourage you to read through the following FAQs, check out our application guidelines page, and watch the 2022 program info session linked below.

  • Applications are collected via Submittable. The window to apply is currently closed.

  • If you intend to apply, please be ready to share the following information: 

    • Your resume

    • A brief personal statement (500 words or less)

    • Your writing experience, preferred genres, and creative influences

    You are not required to provide a writing resume; any professional resume will suffice.

  • About 16 writers are admitted to the 2023 program.

Still have questions? Email apply@wgfoundation.org for assistance.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applications are reviewed by a committee of television creators, executive producers, showrunners, and writers who previously worked as WA/SCs. A list of all previous admissions committee members can be found below.

  • Beth Schwartz (Sweet Tooth)
    Brian Tanen (Love, Victor)
    Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz (Love Life)
    Clay Lapari (iCarly)
    Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (The Carmichael Show)
    Danny Chun (The Office)
    Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor)
    Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
    Lindsey Villarreal (Resident Evil)
    Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead)
    Liz Tigelaar (Little Fires Everywhere)
    Jasmine Chiong (Future Man)
    Jen Howell (Mr. Iglesias)
    Jenni Konner (Girls)
    Jenniffer Gomez (Vida)
    Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
    Justin Brenneman (Quantico)
    Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
    Prentice Penny (Insecure)
    Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
    Sanjay Shah (Central Park)
    Sera Gamble (You)
    Steven Canals (Pose)
    Tanya Saracho (Vida)

  • Aaron Korsh (Suits)
    Benjamin Hayes (Station 19)
    Casey Botta (Star Trek: Picard)
    Clay Lapari (iCarly)
    Corey Miller (The Rookie)
    Danny Hogan (Gossip Girl)
    Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor)
    Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
    Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
    John Bickerstaff (Willow)
    Josh Corey (Speechless)
    Julian Kiani (Broke)
    Julie & Shawna Benson (Star Trek: Prodigy)
    Justin Brenneman (Allegiance)
    Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead)
    Meridith Friedman (Chicago Med)
    Michael Hobert (American Housewife)
    Michelle Lesley Johnson (The Handmaid's Tale)
    Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
    Molly Nussbaum (One Of Us Is Lying)
    Nora Winslow (Future Man)
    Philip Balli (Parasite)
    Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
    Savannah Ward (Council of Dads)
    Sera Gamble (Physical, You)
    Tanya Saracho (Vida)

  • Clay Lapari (iCarly, Punky Brewster)
    Deborah J. Ezer (The Good Doctor)
    Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
    Benjamin Hayes (Station 19)
    Caroline Levitch (The Bold Type)
    Ed Yeager (Last Man Standing)
    Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
    Emma Soren (Koala Man)
    Eugene Garcia-Cross (Punky Brewster)
    Glen Mazzara (The Rookie)
    Gloria Calderon Kellett (One Day at a Time)
    Jenniffer Gomez (Big Shot)
    Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
    John Bickerstaff (Willow, The Romanoffs)
    Josh Corey (Speechless)
    Julian Kiani (Broke)
    Justin Brenneman (Allegiance)
    Kira Talise (Killing It)
    LaToya Morgan (Duster)
    Laura Gutin (Black-ish)
    Lindsey Villarreal (Mayfair Witches)
    Matt Miller (Lethal Weapon)
    Michael Hobert (The Really Loud House)
    Michelle Lesley Johnson (The Handmaid's Tale)
    Nicole Yorkin (The Killing)
    Philip Balli Fargo (Parasite)
    Rae Benjamin (Our Flag Means Death)
    Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
    Ryan Walls (Modern Family)
    Sal Calleros (Snowfall, Colony)
    Savannah Ward (Meta, Cruel Summer)
    Sera Gamble (You, Physical)
    Spiro Skentzos (Arrow, Grimm)
    Steven Canals (Pose)

VOLUNTEERING

If you are a WGA member and you are interested in getting involved, please contact Kira at kvandenbrande@wgfoundation.org.

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