The Veterans Writing Project
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The mission of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project is to identify emerging writers from United States military backgrounds and provide them with the tools and insights to nurture their passion for writing and successfully navigate the entertainment industry.
We strive to build an inclusive environment where mentees can hone their craft by breaking down each step of the writing process with the support of working writers. Please review the information on this page before submitting your application.
Check out our latest info session!
The Writers Guild Foundation hosted a program info session on February 4, 2025. A recording has been made available to view here. Click the link to learn more about the application process and hear advice from program graduates.
Timeline
Applications are currently closed. Please return in February 2026 to apply for the 2026-27 cycle.
Applicants to the 2025-26 programs can expect to receive an update about their admission status in early May 2025. The kickoff weekend retreat will be held in June 2025.
Eligibility
To qualify for this program, applicants must be:
A U.S. military veteran or active-duty military service member
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
21+ years old
Able to demonstrate their interest in the craft and business of screenwriting and storytelling
Committed to completing 1 new screenplay or TV pilot during the program
Open to constructive criticism and respectful to all other participants and mentors
This program is NOT recommended for applicants who are:
Entirely new to writing or writing for the screen
Exclusively interested in seeking business contacts or workshopping an existing script or concept
Interested in writing a personal or autobiographical story
This program emphasizes the process of writing a script and fundamentals of the craft. For that reason, we do not allow applicants to work on an existing project with their mentors. You must be prepared to develop a new concept from start to finish.
WGF will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or national origin. Participants who violate this rule will be immediately removed from consideration for the program at the discretion of WGF staff.
Application Requirements
If you intend to apply, please be ready to share the following information:
A writing sample (see FAQs for details)
Sample loglines
A personal statement (400 word limit)
A copy of your DD214 with your Social Security number redacted
Your resume
Experience writing scripts, self-taught or otherwise, is strongly preferred.
FAQs
Below, you will find answers to common questions about the application. If your inquiry is not addressed here, please email programs@wgfoundation.org for special assistance.
Writing Background
The first portion of the application explores your experience and interests as a writer. These questions help us determine if the program is aligned with your long-term ambitions and how we could best serve you, if admitted.
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Participants are matched with mentors based on a variety of criteria, including format and genre preference, writing goals, and prior experience writing for the screen. In order to accurately assess your needs, we ask that you self-identify your level of screenwriting experience based on the following guidelines:
BEGINNER – Little or no formal training in script structure and development. Few completed works (screenplays, short films, TV pilots). Requires lessons on the fundamentals of writing for the screen.
INTERMEDIATE – Some formal training in script structure and development. Multiple completed works (screenplays, short films, TV pilots). Would benefit from, but not require, lessons on the fundamentals of writing for the screen.
ADVANCED – Extensive formal training in script structure and development. Several years of experience in the industry or related work. Many completed projects (screenplays, short films, TV pilots), some of which have been produced. Very strong understanding of the fundamentals of writing for the screen, lessons would serve as a review of this knowledge.
Please note, even if you have extensive experience writing prose or other formats, you would still be categorized in as a “beginner” if you have no experience writing scripts/screenplays.
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Your format and genre preferences will influence your group placement if you are selected for the program. Your top choices should indicate the format and genre you are most interested in exploring during the course of the program. If you share equal interest in multiple options, select whichever one best reflects the story ideas proposed in the “logline” section.
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Yes. Each writer will need to submit an independent application and indicate the name of their writing partner under the “additional comments” section.
Loglines/Story Ideas
A logline is a brief one to two-sentence summary that paints a broad picture of a story’s concept, characters, plot, and conflict. Unlike a tagline or slogan, a logline should provide a reader with enough information to gain an overall sense of the project’s direction and genre. You must submit three sample loglines to be considered for admission.
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If you are unfamiliar with formatting a logline, there are a number of free resources and educational materials available online. We recommend sources like screenwriter John August’s blog or Screencraft.
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Ideally, one of the sample loglines provided in your application will serve as the basis for the project you develop in the program.
You should NOT submit loglines for stories or scripts you have already written.
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Yes. If admitted, participants will be asked to complete a survey prior to Retreat. You can submit updated loglines then.
Personal Statement & Essay Questions
The personal statement and essay questions are key components of your application. Unlike a formal cover letter or resume, these should showcase your unique voice and character. Authenticity is strongly encouraged.
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Your personal statement is a critical part of your application and serves as a secondary writing sample.
It should describe who you are, your interest in writing for the screen, and what you hope to gain from this program. We encourage you to describe how your identity, experiences, culture, or background informs your writing.
Statements are limited to a maximum of 400 words.
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The personal statement is one of the most important factors in the review process. This is your opportunity to convey who you are as a writer and what makes you unique.
Consider the following prompts as you start writing:
– Why have you chosen this path? What are some moments that changed your perspective or led you in this certain direction?
– What challenges have you overcome to get here?
– Who or what motivates you? Who or what do you care about?
– What do you hope to accomplish through this program? How does it align with your future goals?
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The essay questions demonstrate your ability to work in a collaborative environment and respond to critical feedback. Throughout the course, you will receive notes from mentors that may conflict with your vision. Our goal is to understand how you respond to these situations.
Writing Sample
Your writing sample should effectively capture your voice and style. Regardless of format, strong storytelling ability is essential.
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Due to the increasingly competitive nature of the program, we will give priority to applicants who submit a complete TV or feature script as their writing sample.
We strongly encourage applicants to submit a complete writing sample that matches one of the following formats:
Feature script
Original TV pilot
TV spec script
Short film
If your script is partially complete, please submit an excerpt that is a minimum of 10-15 pages (e.g. act one of a TV pilot) and include a note about the length in the “additional comments” section.
If you are unable to provide a script as your writing sample, we will consider the following alternatives:
Stage Play
Web Series
Documentary
Graphic Novel
Short Story (prose)
Book or Manuscript (excerpt)
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Yes, complete writing samples are encouraged.
During initial review stages, the admissions committee will read anywhere from 10 to 20 pages of your sample depending on the overall length. Additional pages will be read during subsequent stages.
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No. We ask that all incoming mentees develop a NEW project during their time in the program. Ideally, your project will be based off one of the three sample loglines/story ideas you submitted.
This program is designed to teach emerging writers about the PROCESS of writing a script. For that reason, we ask that you do not work on a pre-existing project or script if admitted.
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If you do not have a complete writing sample, please submit an excerpt of your writing. You must share a minimum of 10-15 pages for long-form projects.
Supporting Documents
For the final portion of the application, we will review your work experience and confirm your veteran status. As previously mentioned, you do not need to have previous professional experience in the entertainment industry.
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We accept any form of identification that shows proof of military service. You may submit any of the following if necessary:
– Written statement of verification of military service from member's chain of command
– Proof of Service letter
– Statement of Service from local personnel office- signed letter confirming military status
– VA Issued ID Card for Health Care
– Veterans Designation on Drivers License or Veterans ID Card
– Veterans Group Membership Card
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No, you may submit a standard resume for this program. Previous professional writing experience is not required.
Questions?
Contact our team at programs@wgfoundation.org for assistance. Please be mindful that responses may be delayed due to limited staff availability.