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.
-
The next course will begin in January 2025. Classes are held Thursday evenings over a 12-week period.
Applications are currently closed.
-
Current sessions are hosted online via Zoom.
In-person meetups and networking events will take place in Los Angeles.
-
This program is free.
-
This program is designed to support the inclusion and employment of underrepresented groups in the television industry. Writers who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled writers, and writers over the age of 50 are encouraged to apply.
To qualify for this program, applicants must be:
At least 18 years of age.
Eligible to work in the U.S.
Able to demonstrate meaningful ongoing efforts to break in as a TV writer.
Interested in pursuing employment in a support staff role.
Able to participate in all program meetings and fulfill all program requirements.
Open to constructive criticism and respectful to all other participants and mentors.
-
No, but local applicants are prioritized. A maximum of 10% of the overall class will be reserved for participants who live outside the LA area.
-
Approximately 16 applicants are accepted each cycle.
-
Sessions will be led by instructors Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor) and Clay Lapari (Community), who have extensive experience as writers’ assistants and script coordinators for television.
The program also features several guest showrunner lecturers to discuss what they look for in a support staff and mentors who are assigned to provide students with 1-1 advice and career support.
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.
-
Beth Schwartz (Sweet Tooth)
Brian Tanen (Love, Victor)
Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz (Love Life)
Clay Lapari (iCarly)
Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (The Carmichael Show)
Danny Chun (The Office)
Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor)
Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
Lindsey Villarreal (Resident Evil)
Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead)
Liz Tigelaar (Little Fires Everywhere)
Jasmine Chiong (Future Man)
Jen Howell (Mr. Iglesias)
Jenni Konner (Girls)
Jenniffer Gomez (Vida)
Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
Justin Brenneman (Quantico)
Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
Prentice Penny (Insecure)
Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
Sanjay Shah (Central Park)
Sera Gamble (You)
Steven Canals (Pose)
Tanya Saracho (Vida) -
Aaron Korsh (Suits)
Benjamin Hayes (Station 19)
Casey Botta (Star Trek: Picard)
Clay Lapari (iCarly)
Corey Miller (The Rookie)
Danny Hogan (Gossip Girl)
Debbie Ezer (The Good Doctor)
Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
John Bickerstaff (Willow)
Josh Corey (Speechless)
Julian Kiani (Broke)
Julie & Shawna Benson (Star Trek: Prodigy)
Justin Brenneman (Allegiance)
Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead)
Meridith Friedman (Chicago Med)
Michael Hobert (American Housewife)
Michelle Lesley Johnson (The Handmaid's Tale)
Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
Molly Nussbaum (One Of Us Is Lying)
Nora Winslow (Future Man)
Philip Balli (Parasite)
Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
Savannah Ward (Council of Dads)
Sera Gamble (Physical, You)
Tanya Saracho (Vida) -
Clay Lapari (iCarly, Punky Brewster)
Deborah J. Ezer (The Good Doctor)
Mike Royce (One Day at a Time)
Benjamin Hayes (Station 19)
Caroline Levitch (The Bold Type)
Ed Yeager (Last Man Standing)
Eli Edelson (Motherland: Fort Salem)
Emma Soren (Koala Man)
Eugene Garcia-Cross (Punky Brewster)
Glen Mazzara (The Rookie)
Gloria Calderon Kellett (One Day at a Time)
Jenniffer Gomez (Big Shot)
Joanna Quraishi (The Big Show Show)
John Bickerstaff (Willow, The Romanoffs)
Josh Corey (Speechless)
Julian Kiani (Broke)
Justin Brenneman (Allegiance)
Kira Talise (Killing It)
LaToya Morgan (Duster)
Laura Gutin (Black-ish)
Lindsey Villarreal (Mayfair Witches)
Matt Miller (Lethal Weapon)
Michael Hobert (The Really Loud House)
Michelle Lesley Johnson (The Handmaid's Tale)
Nicole Yorkin (The Killing)
Philip Balli Fargo (Parasite)
Rae Benjamin (Our Flag Means Death)
Ryan Raddatz (The Neighborhood)
Ryan Walls (Modern Family)
Sal Calleros (Snowfall, Colony)
Savannah Ward (Meta, Cruel Summer)
Sera Gamble (You, Physical)
Spiro Skentzos (Arrow, Grimm)
Steven Canals (Pose) -
Alex Diaz
Amelia Swedeen
Barbara Friend
Benjamin Hayes
Caroline Levitch
Clay Lapari
Chuck Hayward
Corey Miller
Courtney Lilly
Danny Hogan
Debbie Ezer
Duncan Birmingham
Emma Soren
Eugene Garcia-Cross
Gary Greenberg
Hilary Winston
Jackie Penn
Jeremy Howe
Joelle Garfinkel
Jon Groff
Julie Diaz
Justin Brenneman
Kevin Biegel
Kira Talise
Kit Boss
Kristina Lauren Anderson
Krystal Ziv
Lana Cho
Laura House
Lindsey Villarreal
Mark Blutman
Matt K. Turner
Matthew Fennell
Michael Hobert
Michelle Lesley Johnson
Mike Royce
Molly Nussbaum
Nicole Yorkin
Nora Winslow
Philip Balli
Rachel Shukert
Rae Benjamin
Ryan Raddatz
Sal Calleros
Sarah Watson
Sera Gamble
Sono Patel
Spindrift Beck
Talicia Raggs
Tawnya Bhattacharya & Ali Laventhol
Tucker Cawley
Van Ward
Wendy Mericle
Zach Cannon
Zach Dodes
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.
