Our Talent
The Writers Guild Foundation is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent through our Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program and Veterans Fellowship.
These highly-regarded initiatives provide writers with essential tools, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to help them launch a sustainable career in the entertainment industry and ultimately ascend the ranks in a TV writers’ room.
Learn about our alumni and their success stories, read through testimonials from industry professionals and showrunners who have hired our students, and gain access to our private Talent Portal to connect with qualified candidates for writers’ room positions.
Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program
A first-of-its-kind 12-week initiative that provides writers from underrepresented backgrounds with the tools and education to become writers’ assistants and script coordinators, resulting in meaningful employment opportunities.
Veterans Fellowship
An 8-week mentorship program that provides educational resources, professional guidance, and career-building opportunities for Veterans Writing Project alumni who are on the threshold of breaking in as professional TV writers.
Resources For Showrunners & Industry Professionals
The Writers Guild Foundation provides valuable resources for showrunners, agents, managers, producers, and executives who are interested in building new writer connections. If you are an industry professional seeking qualified candidates for support staff and staff writer positions, learn more about our services below and click the button to submit a talent request!
Talent Portal & Lookbooks
The WGF Talent Portal features program graduates’ bios, resumes, and writing samples, along with links to WGF’s annual lookbooks.
To view the portal, click the button below to complete our Talent Request Form. Our staff will reach out to you by email with the Talent Portal link and password.
Curated Hiring Recommendations
Whether you are seeking support staff, hiring a showrunner’s assistant, or exploring new potential clients, our team is here to help.
Simply fill out our talent request form with a brief description of your project or needs, and we will match you with a shortlist of top candidates.
Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program
Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program participants receive comprehensive training and hands-on experience, equivalent to one year of working as support staff in a professional writers’ room.
With an acceptance rate under 1%, this program stands as one of the most competitive initiatives of its kind. We are confident that each graduate will be a valuable asset in the writers’ room, bringing both their experience and their unique perspective to the table.
Meet the Alumni
Aaron Ruttenberg | Alley Turner | A.R. Gamble | Bryce Marrero | Chloe Samillano | Colin Rothamel | Eleanor Cho | Jess Kim | Joey Lattarulo | Kadi Diallo | Kayla Yumi Lewis | Kyle Alexander | Manda K. Skelton | Mendel Bain | Puja Maewal | Rio Contrada | Rubén Mendive | Tiffany McDonald
2025
Archana Shinde | Ashley Obinwanne | Del Potter | Filipa Ioannou | J. Gabriel Ware | Jazmyn Edmonds | Jon-Alexander Genson | Khadijah Iman | Kyle Harris | Maaman Rezaee | Madonna Diaz-Refugia | Rodrigo Carvalhedo | Saira Umar | Samuel Christopher Spitale | Stephanie Leke | Stephen Ra-Choi | Xuan Mai | Yeon Jin Lee
2023
Anpa’o Locke | Christian Mejia | Da Eun Kim | Diarra McCormick | Isabel Meza-Roquebert | Jewel Powell | Lydia Caradine | Malaika Jules | Michelle Driscoll | Olivia Woodward | Peter Lee | Rachel Yang | Reed Tsuda | Renee Ross | Shanice Williamson | Sherin Shetty
2022
Aisha Rupasingha | Branden Kelly | Clarence Moore | Cristina Gonzalez Cibrian | Daniella Balarezo Hernandez | Darriel McBride | Derek Buss | Diem Nguyen Winter | Don Rutledge | Elliott Feliciano | Ida Yazdi | Jenna Mahmoud Bosco | Jess Morse | Jon Higgins | K. Dawn-Dumas | Lindsey Muszkiewicz | Manny Valdivia | Melissa Long | Neeti Joshi | Parker Lemal-Brown | Praxis Fernandez | Sohany Singh | Wilandrea Blair | Yousif Nash
2021 | Fall
Aaron Braxton | Alan Niku | Alex Cheng | Aline Mayagoitia | Angela M. Sanchez | Ashlea Archer | Atif Myers | Catherine Oyster | Daniela Labi | Donald Jolly | Emily Corpuz | Eric Pou | Gia King | Kanisha Williams | Luna De La Rosa | Luna Vasquez | Lynn Maleh | Mae Murray | Morgan Webber-Ottey | Omar Nava | Rachel Christian | Scout Comm | Spike Morales-Westlake | Tiffany Barker
2021 | Summer
Career Highlights
We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program alumni.
Graduates have gone on to secure support staff and staff writer roles on series produced by Netflix, Warner Bros, Hulu, Amazon Studios, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Showtime, Sony, CBS, Disney+, ABC, Apple TV+, BET, PBS, The CW, Adult Swim, Peacock, Max, and more.
Several alumni have since been promoted to staff writer positions and have earned membership in the Writers Guild of America.
Showrunner Testimonials
Tim McKeon
Writer / Executive Producer / Showrunner
It has been my privilege to hire two script coordinators from the Writers' Access Support Staff Training Program. Both times, I was blown away by how professional and organized they were and how seamlessly they fit in with everyone in the writers’ room. In addition to taking excellent notes and helping keep writers on schedule, they also offered thoughtful insights and ideas while breaking stories. I can’t say enough good things about this outstanding program.
Bridget Carpenter
Writer / Executive Producer
Melissa Long has been an invaluable asset to our show. As our Script Coordinator, she is prompt, thorough, meticulous and thoughtful, anticipating problems and suggesting solutions —often before any issues arise. Melissa came on to the series at the start of production after the room had wrapped, replacing our original Script Coordinator. Yet we hardly felt the transition, as Melissa took on the role and was up to speed quickly and gracefully.
As we shot our series in Africa, the time zone difference often made script turnarounds critical. Melissa always, always came through and made sure our eleventh-hour script changes were ready on time. Even more impressive is the fact that this is Melissa’s first Script Coordinator position. We’re grateful to have her — she’s a credit to all those who have trained and worked with her.
Mary Livanos
Writer / Executive Producer
Gia King (Writers Assistant), who we were lucky to find via the Writer Access Support Staff Training Program (WASSTP), has been a key contributor to our writers’ room. Her training and expertise allows for a seamless creative process and ensures that no good ideas are lost!
Marja-Lewis Ryan
Writer / Executive Producer
Thank you for spearheading this program. From my POV, it was a HUGE success. Scout [Comm] was a dream. You’d never know they were new. There was no transition, no hand holding, no on the job training. They showed up day one ready for the job.
Gretchen Enders
Writer / Producer
Of the many decisions I had to make in staffing my first mini room, going to the WASSTP to find a writers’ assistant was an absolute no-brainer. I reached out to instructors Clay Lapari and Debbie Ezer with a description of the series and our needs, and they immediately got back to me with several candidates whose samples they thought would be a good fit for the tone of the show. In meeting with the various candidates, I loved hearing about the training process and it soon became clear there wasn’t a scenario they’d be faced with that the program hadn’t covered. It left me wondering why [the program] hasn’t been around for decades. The WASSTP is an invaluable resource for both trainees and those staffing rooms, I can’t recommend it more highly. And if I’m lucky enough to run more rooms in the future the WASSTP will always be my first stop.
Tracey Ashley
Writer / Executive Producer
Ashlea Archer joined A Black Lady Sketch show on short notice. From the first week, it was evident that she had learned the fundamentals of being a Script Coordinator in the WGF program and could apply what she learned to her position confidently. I also loved that she had a real passion for the show and cared about getting the job done right. Always a team player each day during production and a problem solver when it came to script changes. You can exhale if every student comes out of the program as prepared as Ashlea.
Jeff Rake
Writer / Showrunner / Producer
I couldn’t be happier with the Script Coordinator I was fortunate to find and hire through the Writers Access Program. She came to the party fully trained and ready to jump in right from the start. It’s quite clear to me that the program is incredibly comprehensive, turning out skilled and confident graduates. I’d hire from the program again in a heartbeat.
Stephanie Savage
Showrunner / Writer / Producer
Hiring our Script Coordinator through the WASSTP program has been a fantastic experience. Ida [Yazdi] showed up on day one prepped and ready to go. She was knowledgeable about procedure and open to notes; we were in sync in no time. Most importantly, she has an incredibly positive attitude, which makes every interaction a joy.
Hiring Support Staff?
Look no further! WASSTP alumni are ready to hit the ground running.
To view graduates’ resumes and writing samples, complete the form below. Our staff will contact you to provide a link to our private talent portal. You will also gain access to our alumni lookbooks, featuring graduates from all cohorts.
Please note, this form is for potential employers and industry professionals. If you are interested in applying or learning more about the program, please visit this page.
Veterans Fellowship
For over 15 years, the Writers Guild Foundation has championed emerging writers from military backgrounds through The Veterans Writing Project.
In 2024, we expanded that commitment by launching the Veterans Fellowship – an intensive 8-week course designed to help alumni take their first steps into a career in professional TV writing.
Graduates emerge from the program with multiple polished samples, a refined self-pitch, hands-on experience in simulated writers’ rooms, a nuanced understanding of support roles and writers’ room etiquette, and more.
Meet the Alumni
We're proud to highlight 12 outstanding graduates from the 2024 and 2025 Veterans Fellowship cohorts. Learn more about their impressive backgrounds below and check out the latest program announcement on Deadline.
Showrunner Testimonials
Connect With Our Alumni!
If you are a showrunner, producer, agent, manager, or industry professional, please complete the form below to gain access to the 2025 Veterans Fellowship Lookbook – a helpful resource highlighting graduates’ bios, resumes, and writing samples.
You will also gain access to WGF’s private Talent Portal, a virtual talent database featuring information about all ready-to-hire program graduates.
Our team is available to facilitate curated talent recommendations and introductions. Simply share details about your request when you complete the form or email WGF’s Director of Community Programs, Kira VandenBrande, at kvandenbrande@wgfoundation.org.
Please note that this form is intended for potential employers and industry professionals. For those interested in applying or learning more about the program, please visit this page.