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NBC
NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program
2022-23
Coverfly-exclusive
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Active Since 2022
The NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program is the company’s program to increase the number of experienced episodic directors who have distinct points of view that inform their creative vision.
Accepting Directors' Applications
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About

The combined NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program and FEMALE FORWARD is the company’s pioneering scripted directing programs created with the goal to systemically increase the number of experienced directors of underrepresented backgrounds in episodic television in order to further the art of authentic storytelling.  It builds on the company’s success as the first episodic directing initiatives in the entertainment industry to guarantee that program directors helm an episode in the same season that they shadow.


Applicants are encouraged to review the FAQs carefully as they are designed to guide you in creating a strong submission at www.nbcuniversallaunch.com/tv-directors-program-female-forward.

Benefits

During the program, Directors participate in curated workshops to prepare them to shadow, gain the necessary tools for their assignments, and build their professional networks, in order to create a successful career in episodic television directing.


Commencing with the 2022-23 class, NBCU LAUNCH is introducing a Telemundo track to its Female Forward initiative, giving selected participants the opportunity to shadow on two episodes of a Telemundo scripted series and a guaranteed directing assignment on the same show.  This expansion of Female Forward is part of Telemundo’s Mujeres Imparables (Unstoppable Women), an award-winning company-wide initiative that seeks to empower Latinas while highlighting their contributions to all sectors of society and identifying solutions for the challenges that remain for their progress.

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Announcements

Nov 23rd
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Rules

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must be authorized to work legally in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

  • Applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of October 1, 2022.

  • Must have directing experience in respective fields including but not limited to full-length feature films, short films, music videos, commercials, digital content, and unscripted programming.  Applicants who have more than one directing credit on a broadcast, cable, or streaming series are ineligible.

  • To be eligible for the Female Forward—Telemundo track, applicants must be fluent or have a full professional proficiency in Spanish with the ability to comfortably read, write, and converse.


SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Those applying must submit a complete application package, which includes the following items:

1. APPLICATION must be completed in its entirety.  Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

2. TWO DIRECTING SAMPLES that capture the director’s unique visual, tone, style, and ability to direct performers.  All samples must be live-action narrative content (i.e., Feature Film, Short Film, Webisode, etc.).  The applicant must be the sole director of all original samples submitted.  Animation directing samples will not be accepted. Compilations and sizzle reels are not accepted and will not be reviewed.  We only accept samples via online streaming links.  You must provide an online streaming link and password, using Vimeo or YouTube.  Your samples should be available for at least six months after you submit your application.  Please do not update or change your uploaded file or its password once you submit your application.  Please double-check that you have entered the password correctly (remembering that passwords are case sensitive).  If we do not have the correct password, we will not be able to evaluate your samples.  We do not accept WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, or other such file-transfer services for the visual material delivery. 

3. RELEASE FORM must be completed, signed, and dated, in order for submissions to be accepted.  Incomplete release forms will result in disqualification.

4. RÉSUMÉ outlining chronological paid employment history (may include entertainment and non-entertainment positions) and any directing-related honors/awards.  Positions must have been held within the past 15 years (two pages or less).  Only list compensated positions,  with the exception of entertainment industry internships and full-time volunteer work at non-profits.  If listing directing projects, only include projects that were produced.   The applicant’s résumé will provide us an understanding of their work history and insight into their individual life experiences.

5. PERSONAL ESSAYS articulate the applicant’s unique perspective and background as it relates to their creative process.  Applicant must answer both essay questions, and EACH essay must not exceed 400 words.


Essay Questions:

  1. How do your cultural background and lived experiences shape your creative process, creative sensibility, and/or the way you work with actors to help them deliver authentic, emotionally resonant performances?
  2. What current or recent show do you most identify with or has a profound impact on you, and if you were selected to direct for the show, how would you help execute and elevate its creative process


(OPTIONAL) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION from entertainment industry professionals who have watched the applicant’s work and can comment on the applicant’s directing ability.  Letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged, but not required.  Acceptable letters must be on business or personal letterhead, dated in the current calendar year and include the author’s title and/or industry affiliation.  No more than two letters per application will be accepted.  Letters must accompany the submission and may not be submitted separately via email or mail.  Any recommendation letters emailed or mailed to the Program separate from the director’s application will not be accepted.  Letter(s) from agents, managers, attorneys, etc. are considered a conflict of interest and will not be considered.

Any candidate who does not meet the aforementioned criteria will be disqualified.


SUBMISSION PERIOD 

  • Applications will be accepted March 14, 2022 through April 3, 2022.  Applications will not be accepted after 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 3, 2022.

  • Targeted Program Launch is October 2022.


NOTIFICATION

Due to the volume of submissions received, only those applicants who are selected to participate in the Program will be notified.  Applicants who are not selected will not be notified.  Please check our website and social media pages for updates on the selection process.  Selections will be announced a few weeks before the Program commences.

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2022-23