BYU Broadcasting's Content Development and Writing Team is a highly selective student-driven content development program led by a seasoned team of industry professionals. Selected applicants will work as part of a student writing team under the direct supervision and guidance of a professional television writer and content executives from BYUtv and BYUradio. The first room is set to start work at the beginning of winter semester. While a new writers' room will convene each semester, the opportunity for participation by qualified students is expected to be ongoing.
The goal of the program is two-fold: 1. amplify BYU Broadcasting's internal efforts to develop entertaining scripted content (for both television and podcast) that explores spiritually meaningful themes and contains positive, authentic and powerful depictions of persons of faith; and 2. provide professional level training and mentoring to promising writers focused on a professional career in the entertainment industry.
The writing team will work with internal and external partners and stakeholders to: 1. cultivate and workshop concepts for television and/or podcast series; 2. write treatments, formats, bibles, exploratory scenes and scripts; and 3. undertake all other development assignments given by BYU Broadcasting's content team.
WORKING HOURS
Monday-Friday 1:45-5:45pm (or, as otherwise scheduled by BYU Broadcasting)
COMPENSATION
$18 per hour (or $12 per hour if academic credit is also granted through your program)
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit the following materials to Ryan Clark at ryan.clark@byu.edu:
- Personal Essays - Answer each of the following prompts in no more than four hundred (400) words each:
How does your faith shape the way you tell stories and/or the stories you want to tell?
Discuss a recent television show that includes authentic, positive representation of a person or community of faith and/or has had a spiritual impact on you. The selected show should, preferably, not be a BYUtv series. In the absence of any positive examples to share, what would you like to see more of in faith representation in media?
2. Writing Sample - First priority will be given to teleplays, but plays, screenplays, short stories or other writing that captures the writer's unique tone, style, and point of view will be accepted. Submissions should adhere to the following criteria:
- The applicant must be the sole owner and author of any work submitted;
- The submission must include a discernible beginning, middle and end;
- If the submission is a play, screenplay or teleplay, the page count should not exceed sixty (60) pages. If the submission is in any other format, the page count should not exceed fifteen (15) pages.
3. Resume/Writing Experience - outline chronologically your employment history and any writing-related honors/awards. Only list positions you find relevant, including entertainment industry internships, coursework, writing workshops and applicable volunteer work. If listing writing projects, only include projects that were produced or published (as applicable). Your résumé should provide us with an understanding of your work history and insight into your individual life experience.
4. Release Form - A release form can be found here:
It must be completed, signed, and dated, in order for submissions to be accepted. Incomplete release forms will result in disqualification. Digital signatures are accepted.
DUE DATE
All applications must be submitted no later than Friday, October 13, 2023.
QUESTIONS
Any questions can be addressed to Ryan Clark at ryan.clark@byu.edu
Start Date
October 16, 2023
