On Thursday, Disney Entertainment Television (Det) announced that it has selected the latest cohorts for the company’s Scripted Directing and Writing Programs, two of the entertainment industry’s most successful talent development initiatives.
After expanding into daytime television just last year, three program participants will direct episodes for ABC’s “General Hospital,” with other individuals positioned across Disney-owned 20th Television, ABC Entertainment and ABC Signature-produced programs as directors or writers.
“General Hospital”
ABC
Joining the “General Hospital” team are Erica Eng, Nina Kramer and Aubrey Smyth, each of whom will be shadowing and directing episodes of the daytime drama series, which recently won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series at “The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” in December. The team was represented by directors Tina Keller, Robert Markham, Allison Reames Smith, Gary Tomlin, Frank Valentini (the show’s executive producer), Denise Van Cleave and Phideaux Xavier,...
After expanding into daytime television just last year, three program participants will direct episodes for ABC’s “General Hospital,” with other individuals positioned across Disney-owned 20th Television, ABC Entertainment and ABC Signature-produced programs as directors or writers.
“General Hospital”
ABC
Joining the “General Hospital” team are Erica Eng, Nina Kramer and Aubrey Smyth, each of whom will be shadowing and directing episodes of the daytime drama series, which recently won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series at “The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” in December. The team was represented by directors Tina Keller, Robert Markham, Allison Reames Smith, Gary Tomlin, Frank Valentini (the show’s executive producer), Denise Van Cleave and Phideaux Xavier,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Errol Lewis
- Soap Opera Network
Disney Entertainment Television has selected its latest cohorts for its Directing and Writing Programs, talent development initiatives which nurture creatives on the cusp of television episode directing and staff writing.
“It’s an honor to welcome these exceptional directors and writers into the Det Directing and Writing Programs,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development and Inclusion, Det. “It’s clear that this group of talented creatives will have a lasting impact not only on Disney but on the industry at large. We’re proud to be part of their journey to shape the future of storytelling.”
2023-2024 Det Directing Program – Scripted Cohort
The Det Directing Program guarantees participants the opportunity to direct an episode of a Disney scripted series or a segment of a Disney unscripted series, and offers professional and career development through mentorship, on-set shadowing experience, and networking opportunities with the company’s creative executives and program alumni.
“It’s an honor to welcome these exceptional directors and writers into the Det Directing and Writing Programs,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development and Inclusion, Det. “It’s clear that this group of talented creatives will have a lasting impact not only on Disney but on the industry at large. We’re proud to be part of their journey to shape the future of storytelling.”
2023-2024 Det Directing Program – Scripted Cohort
The Det Directing Program guarantees participants the opportunity to direct an episode of a Disney scripted series or a segment of a Disney unscripted series, and offers professional and career development through mentorship, on-set shadowing experience, and networking opportunities with the company’s creative executives and program alumni.
- 2/29/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Applications are now being accepted for Disney Entertainment Television’s 2024 Writing Program. Now in its 34th year, the one-year writing program helps emerging, diverse writers secure their first staff writer assignment on a Disney series, in addition to offering mentorship and advanced professional development.
Managed by Det’s Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi) team, the Det Writing Program has had a 100% annual staffing rate for over a decade, according to organizers. Program writers are contract employees of Disney, with weekly salary and benefits, for one year, or until they staff on a show and are compensated at WGA scale. During the program, writers participate in advanced creative workshops, refine their portfolios, and meet and learn from Det creative executives, producers, showrunners and program alumni, through networking, mixers and professional development sessions.
This year, Ctdi and FX are also launching the FX Singleton Scholars initiative, in honor of the life...
Managed by Det’s Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi) team, the Det Writing Program has had a 100% annual staffing rate for over a decade, according to organizers. Program writers are contract employees of Disney, with weekly salary and benefits, for one year, or until they staff on a show and are compensated at WGA scale. During the program, writers participate in advanced creative workshops, refine their portfolios, and meet and learn from Det creative executives, producers, showrunners and program alumni, through networking, mixers and professional development sessions.
This year, Ctdi and FX are also launching the FX Singleton Scholars initiative, in honor of the life...
- 10/24/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
When Lynnette Ramirez, president of Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s eponymous production company, logs onto Zoom to discuss the release of “Heist 88,” the company’s first feature, with Variety, her virtual background catches the eye. It’s a black-and-white photo of two children — a little boy and a little girl — alongside the Bassett Vance Productions logo.
It doesn’t take long to recognize that the striking shot is a family photo — and the two kids are the Hollywood power couple’s now-teenage twins Bronwyn and Slater Vance.
“This company is about legacy,” Ramirez says. “And not just their family’s legacy — but it certainly feels like that’s where the heart is.”
Indeed, Bassett Vance Productions is a family business, but it’s more than that. Formally founded in 2020 as one of the partnering companies with MTV Entertainment Group’s development program for Bipoc and women filmmakers,...
It doesn’t take long to recognize that the striking shot is a family photo — and the two kids are the Hollywood power couple’s now-teenage twins Bronwyn and Slater Vance.
“This company is about legacy,” Ramirez says. “And not just their family’s legacy — but it certainly feels like that’s where the heart is.”
Indeed, Bassett Vance Productions is a family business, but it’s more than that. Formally founded in 2020 as one of the partnering companies with MTV Entertainment Group’s development program for Bipoc and women filmmakers,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Hollywood Radio and Television Society has elected 12 new board members and six new advisory council members, and extended CEO Melissa Grego’s contract through 2025, the organization announced Wednesday.
Newly elected to the Hrts Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in July 2023 are: Kathryn Busby; Ben Davis; Jaime Feld; David Eilenberg (Head of Content – Roku Media); Frank Jung (Co-Founder/Co-head of Digital Media – CAA); Lisa Katz (President, Scripted Content – NBCUniversal); Tim McNeal (Senior Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney Television Studios – Disney Entertainment); DJ Nurre (Executive Vice President – Unscripted, Endemol Shine North America); Brett Paul (President, Warner Bros Television – Warner Bros Discovery); Rhonda Price (Managing Partner – The Gersh Agency); Lauren Stein (EVP Drama Development – Sony Pictures Television) and Erin Underhill (President, Universal Television).
Existing board members elected to a new three-year term beginning July 2023 are Kate Adler (EVP,...
Newly elected to the Hrts Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in July 2023 are: Kathryn Busby; Ben Davis; Jaime Feld; David Eilenberg (Head of Content – Roku Media); Frank Jung (Co-Founder/Co-head of Digital Media – CAA); Lisa Katz (President, Scripted Content – NBCUniversal); Tim McNeal (Senior Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney Television Studios – Disney Entertainment); DJ Nurre (Executive Vice President – Unscripted, Endemol Shine North America); Brett Paul (President, Warner Bros Television – Warner Bros Discovery); Rhonda Price (Managing Partner – The Gersh Agency); Lauren Stein (EVP Drama Development – Sony Pictures Television) and Erin Underhill (President, Universal Television).
Existing board members elected to a new three-year term beginning July 2023 are Kate Adler (EVP,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Melissa Grego, a former Variety reporter who brought new energy to the Hollywood Radio and Television Society as CEO and helped expand its membership base to the largest in its 76 year history, has extended her contract with the organization to 2025. The news comes as the Hrts, which provides programming, fellowship and other support for executives, aspiring industry leaders and others across the business, has announced a newly elected group of board members and advisory council members.
The news was announced on Wednesday by Hrts president Odetta Watkins — whose day job is serving as head of drama series at Amazon Studios — and Grego. Grego, whose previous work as a journalist also included overseeing the TV trade Broadcasting & Cable as its editor, joined Hrts in 2017 and immediately began collaborating with its board to grow the org’s various programs and create some new ones.
That included the launch last year of the charitable Hrts Foundation,...
The news was announced on Wednesday by Hrts president Odetta Watkins — whose day job is serving as head of drama series at Amazon Studios — and Grego. Grego, whose previous work as a journalist also included overseeing the TV trade Broadcasting & Cable as its editor, joined Hrts in 2017 and immediately began collaborating with its board to grow the org’s various programs and create some new ones.
That included the launch last year of the charitable Hrts Foundation,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney General Entertainment has selected 13 participants for its 2023 Writing Program.
The one-year writing initiative, formerly known as the Disney|ABC Writing Program and the Walt Disney Television Writing Program, helps participants secure their first TV staff writer assignments on a Dge series. Participants also are offered mentorship, advanced professional development and access to Dge’s creative executives, producers, showrunners and program alumni.
“The Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team is proud to launch this extremely talented group of writers into the next phase of their career,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi). “The flagship Writing Program is one of the critical ways Ctdi connects creative talent to opportunities across Disney and continues to fuel our company’s staffing pipeline specifically for emerging, diverse TV writers. We look forward to seeing this cohort shape the next generation of producers and showrunners.”
The program was the starting...
The one-year writing initiative, formerly known as the Disney|ABC Writing Program and the Walt Disney Television Writing Program, helps participants secure their first TV staff writer assignments on a Dge series. Participants also are offered mentorship, advanced professional development and access to Dge’s creative executives, producers, showrunners and program alumni.
“The Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team is proud to launch this extremely talented group of writers into the next phase of their career,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi). “The flagship Writing Program is one of the critical ways Ctdi connects creative talent to opportunities across Disney and continues to fuel our company’s staffing pipeline specifically for emerging, diverse TV writers. We look forward to seeing this cohort shape the next generation of producers and showrunners.”
The program was the starting...
- 1/10/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The participants for Disney General Entertainment Content (Dge) have been selected for the 2022-2023 Dge Directing Program.
“We’re pleased to once again guarantee episodes to talented, first-time television directors via our Directing Program,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion. “We continue to be grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of our participating Disney productions, showrunners and producers, and our creative executives and senior leaders, who remain committed to fostering and championing diverse directing talent at our company.”
Launched in 2001 and run by Dge’s Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi) department, the Dge Directing Program previously provided access, mentorship, shadowing assignments and advanced professional development to directors on the cusp of episodic television directing.
In partnership with participating Disney series, this year’s program will commit episodes to directors on the following shows: Bunk’D (Disney Branded Television), The Chi (20th Television), General Hospital (ABC), The Good Doctor...
“We’re pleased to once again guarantee episodes to talented, first-time television directors via our Directing Program,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion. “We continue to be grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of our participating Disney productions, showrunners and producers, and our creative executives and senior leaders, who remain committed to fostering and championing diverse directing talent at our company.”
Launched in 2001 and run by Dge’s Creative Talent Development & Inclusion (Ctdi) department, the Dge Directing Program previously provided access, mentorship, shadowing assignments and advanced professional development to directors on the cusp of episodic television directing.
In partnership with participating Disney series, this year’s program will commit episodes to directors on the following shows: Bunk’D (Disney Branded Television), The Chi (20th Television), General Hospital (ABC), The Good Doctor...
- 11/15/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney General Entertainment has selected the 12 participants for its 32nd annual Writing Program.
The one-year initiative offers promising young writers the chance at staff writing assignments on a Dge series. Participants are also provided with mentorship, professional development opportunities and access to Dge’s network of executives, producers, showrunners and alumni.
The program also provides participants with salary and benefits, and writers who are staffed on a Dge scripted series will be compensated at WGA scale, according to Disney.
“The Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team is proud to launch this extremely talented group of writers into the next phase of their career,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president of Disney’s Ctdi team. “The flagship Writing Program is one of the critical ways Ctdi connects creative talent to opportunities across Disney and continues to fuel our company’s staffing pipeline specifically for emerging, diverse TV writers. We look forward to...
The one-year initiative offers promising young writers the chance at staff writing assignments on a Dge series. Participants are also provided with mentorship, professional development opportunities and access to Dge’s network of executives, producers, showrunners and alumni.
The program also provides participants with salary and benefits, and writers who are staffed on a Dge scripted series will be compensated at WGA scale, according to Disney.
“The Creative Talent Development & Inclusion team is proud to launch this extremely talented group of writers into the next phase of their career,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice president of Disney’s Ctdi team. “The flagship Writing Program is one of the critical ways Ctdi connects creative talent to opportunities across Disney and continues to fuel our company’s staffing pipeline specifically for emerging, diverse TV writers. We look forward to...
- 1/20/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
It’s high noon for Bryan Noon at Walt Disney Television, where he has been named president of entertainment, filling the position left vacant when Craig Hunegs departed the company in May. Noon previously served as vice president of original series at Netflix, until departing a year ago as part of an organizational shuffle.
In his new role, Noon will report to Walt Disney Television chairman of entertainment Dana Walden, who made the announcement on Wednesday. Noon will take over all of the duties most recently held by Hunegs, overseeing the production and business affairs teams for Hulu Originals, Onyx Collective, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, as well as production companies ABC Signature and 20th Television. He also oversee all aspects of 20th Animation, Walt Disney Television Unscripted and Alternative, Disney Television Studios Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, 20th Digital Studios, and Creative Acquisitions.
This reps a return to the Mouse House for Noon,...
In his new role, Noon will report to Walt Disney Television chairman of entertainment Dana Walden, who made the announcement on Wednesday. Noon will take over all of the duties most recently held by Hunegs, overseeing the production and business affairs teams for Hulu Originals, Onyx Collective, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, as well as production companies ABC Signature and 20th Television. He also oversee all aspects of 20th Animation, Walt Disney Television Unscripted and Alternative, Disney Television Studios Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, 20th Digital Studios, and Creative Acquisitions.
This reps a return to the Mouse House for Noon,...
- 11/17/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Television has hired a new President of Entertainment.
Former Netflix exec Bryan Noon has been appointed to the role after the departure of Craig Hunegs earlier this year. Hunegs joined Disney in 2019 but left six months after a major restructure changed his role.
Noon, who spent eight years at Netflix, most recently as VP, Original Series, overseeing the streamer’s business affairs team, will report to Walt Disney Television Entertainment Chairman Dana Walden, who called him the “exact right executive” to lead the team.
He will lead the production and business affairs teams for Walt Disney Television’s content brands, including Hulu Originals, Onyx Collective, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, along with production companies ABC Signature and 20th Television and will oversee all aspects of 20th Animation, Walt Disney Television Unscripted and Alternative, Disney Television Studios Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, 20th Digital Studios, and Creative Acquisitions.
Warner Bros. veteran...
Former Netflix exec Bryan Noon has been appointed to the role after the departure of Craig Hunegs earlier this year. Hunegs joined Disney in 2019 but left six months after a major restructure changed his role.
Noon, who spent eight years at Netflix, most recently as VP, Original Series, overseeing the streamer’s business affairs team, will report to Walt Disney Television Entertainment Chairman Dana Walden, who called him the “exact right executive” to lead the team.
He will lead the production and business affairs teams for Walt Disney Television’s content brands, including Hulu Originals, Onyx Collective, ABC Entertainment and Freeform, along with production companies ABC Signature and 20th Television and will oversee all aspects of 20th Animation, Walt Disney Television Unscripted and Alternative, Disney Television Studios Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, 20th Digital Studios, and Creative Acquisitions.
Warner Bros. veteran...
- 11/17/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney General Entertainment’s directing program is putting its money where its Mouse is: on the actual screen. For the first time, participants in the Disney Directing Program will be given guaranteed slots to direct episodes of some of the studio’s biggest shows, including ABC’s “Black-ish,” Freeform’s “Good Trouble” and FX’s “Snowfall.”
That’s in addition to the program’s offerings of mentorship, shadowing assignments and advanced professional development. Aspiring directors in the program, which launched in 2001, have never before additionally been promised such directing slots. The announcement was made by Tim McNeal, senior vice president, creative talent development and inclusion.
“We are proud to evolve our directing program this season into a dedicated pipeline that will guarantee episodes to first-time TV directors, a critical stepping stone for professional advancement and opportunity,” McNeal said. “We are grateful for the support and partnership of our participating Disney productions,...
That’s in addition to the program’s offerings of mentorship, shadowing assignments and advanced professional development. Aspiring directors in the program, which launched in 2001, have never before additionally been promised such directing slots. The announcement was made by Tim McNeal, senior vice president, creative talent development and inclusion.
“We are proud to evolve our directing program this season into a dedicated pipeline that will guarantee episodes to first-time TV directors, a critical stepping stone for professional advancement and opportunity,” McNeal said. “We are grateful for the support and partnership of our participating Disney productions,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.