Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program

An initiative to support the full inclusion and employment of underrepresented groups in the television industry.

The mission of the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program is to provide writers who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50, with the tools and education to become a writers’ assistant and script coordinator, resulting in meaningful employment opportunities.

These positions have historically been an invaluable way to learn the writing process first-hand, with the ultimate goal of getting a writing job. Graduates of the program are added to an ongoing list of trained writers’ assistants and script coordinators (WA/SCs) that is made available to studios, networks and showrunners, in order to increase the pool of eligible hires.

By offering this opportunity to writers who are typically excluded from the writers’ room, we hope to increase representation among television writers, and capture stories from all corners of the human experience.

Talent Requests

Graduates of the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program are ready to work! If you are a showrunner, agent, manager, executive, producer or journalist interested in learning more about our alumni or receiving a shortlist of curated recommendations, please submit a talent request by clicking the button below.

You will be granted access to WGF’s Talent Portal, a searchable database with employable graduates, and our annual program lookbooks featuring details and materials from each participant.

Program Overview

Founded in partnership with TV writers and producers Tanya Saracho (Vida), Mike Royce (One Day at a Time), and Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead), the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative to support the full inclusion and employment of underrepresented groups in the television industry.

Each 12-week course incorporates a variety of lessons tailored to the positions of a writers' assistant or script coordinator. Instructors have developed a comprehensive syllabus to cover the ins and outs of these positions.

By the end of the semester, participants will have working knowledge to integrate into a writers' room and crucial connections to access these opportunities.

INSTRUCTORS

  • Debbie Ezer

    Debbie Ezer is a writer (Based On A True Story, The Good Doctor) who has also worked as a Script Coordinator and Writers' Assistant in Television on network and cable dramas as well as single-camera and multi-camera comedies such as The Resort, Timeless and Suits. She is a recovering attorney (having practiced as a litigator), former SAT math instructor and retired improv comedy performer who always endeavors to present the material in an organized, efficient and hopefully entertaining fashion.

  • Clay Lapari

    Clay Lapari is a television writer whose recent credits include Marvel’s WonderMan and the iCarly reboot. Prior to being staffed, Clay spent years working as a Script Coordinator for a variety of single and multi-camera comedies including Community, WandaVision, Wrecked and School of Rock.

FOUNDERS

  • Liz Hsiao Lan Alper

    Writer/Producer
    The Rookie, Day of the Dead

  • Mike Royce

    Writer/Producer/Showrunner
    One Day at a Time, Men of a Certain Age

  • Tanya Saracho

    Writer/Producer/Showrunner
    Vida, How To Get Away With Murder

“This idea originated after we found ourselves sharing our frustration at how writers' assistant candidates from underrepresented groups become trapped in a möbius strip of “need experience but can’t get experience without being hired.” In order to incorporate true inclusion in Hollywood, we must ensure every underrepresented voice has the chance to get their foot on the ladder of success. The writing support staffs are integral to the success of a TV room and have been treated more as a type of apprenticeship for aspiring writers. In that way, this program aims to be a step towards greater inclusivity at the “entry level” and in the future, on all writing staffs.”

— Mike Royce, Tanya Saracho, & Liz Alper

ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

All applications are reviewed by a committee of television creators, executive producers, showrunners, and writers who previously worked as WA/SCs. A list of all previous admissions committee members can be found below.

How to Apply

Applications are currently closed. Information about the next cycle will be posted in late 2025.

In the meantime, we encourage you to sign up for updates here and visit our application guidelines page for details on eligibility and submission requirements.

Meet the Alumni

Check out the WASSTP alumni page to learn more about our talented graduates and their accomplishments. See what showrunners have to say about their experience working with the alums and read quotes from the graduates themselves.

Get Involved

If you are a WGA member and you are interested in getting involved, please contact Kira at kvandenbrande@wgfoundation.org or read more about opportunities by selecting the “Get Involved” tab above.

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This program is generously supported by

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