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Paramount
Paramount Directing Initiative
2025-27
Active Since 2003
The goal of the initiative is to bridge the gap for talented diverse directors who are aspiring to break into episodic television.
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About

Now in its 19th year, 32 emerging diverse directors have graduated from the Paramount Directing Initiative and have worked on premier television shows such as Fire CountryCriminal MindsFBI: Most Wantedthe NCIS seriesYoung Sheldon, and many more.

The Paramount Directing Initiative is a two-year program that provides aspiring television directors of diverse backgrounds with current DGA membership invaluable first-hand exposure to the Paramount Global episodic director process, access to form relationships with showrunners, network & studio executives, and a guaranteed opportunity to direct an episode of Paramount Global’s drama or comedy programming.

Benefits

Each participant will be teamed with scripted development and current series teams from Paramount Global for networking and shadowing opportunities.

Participants will interact with industry professionals in speaker sessions covering subjects such as prepping for television, crew management, directing with VFX/SFX, and more.

Directing Initiative participants are guaranteed to direct an episode of Paramount Global’s drama or comedy programming.

Announcements

No announcement dates listed.

Rules

The Paramount Directing Initiative is not employment and there is no monetary compensation, with the exception to the guarantee of directing an episode of Paramount Global’s drama or comedy programming. It is, instead, a structured program of career development, support, and personal access to executives and the decision-making process, with the goal of preparing aspiring television directors for later employment opportunities in television.


Aspiring diverse television directors with a strong desire to direct on Paramount Global’s television series are encouraged to apply. You must be 21 years or older, a current DGA member in good standing, and able to work in the United States (must possess and be able to present evidence of identity and United States employment eligibility valid for the duration of the Directing Initiative) to be eligible to participate in the program.


2025-2027 Paramount Directing Initiative Applications are open March 25th 12:01 AM PST – April 25th 11:59 PM PST. Any submissions received before March 25th or after April 25th, 2024 will not be considered. No hand delivered submissions will be accepted. Finalists will be notified in September 2024 and Selected Participants will be notified in December 2024 (or such later dates as may be determined by Paramount Global). The program is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and continues through January 2027. Paramount reserves the right to make adjustments to the program schedule as necessary.

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2025-27