Parody & Revisionist History Fellowship

06 Sep 2022, posted by Jeff Gordon

Fellowship Application Deadline: Monday, September 12th, 5pm, LA time. You can apply through the application at the bottom of this page.

Writers Boot Camp continues our support of fresh voices this month by providing three $2500 full scholarships to writers in the Saturday, September 17th Basic Training. Candidates must be available to write 10 hours per week for 12 weeks during the Basic Training process that has supported more than 12,000 writers and filmmakers over the past 33 years.

This month’s theme of “Parody or Revisionist History” touches on a difficult and often deceptively sophisticated comedic genre raised to heights by such writer-directors as Mel Brooks, Christopher Guest, the Zucker Brothers and in Quentin Tarantino’s unique approach to updating historical events.

Visionary and occasionally hilarious comedies such as BLAZING SADDLES, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HIGH ANXIETY, AIRPLANE!, HOT SHOTS, the NAKED GUN series, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, DJANGO, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW have broken down the traits of key genres and also created frameworks where silly moments may coexist with more pertinent execution. On occasion, TV has been home for genre parody like Mel Brooks’ When Things Were Rotten (1975), and some long-running breakout series like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Reno 911!, The Office, Parks and Rec, and other previous broadly-drawn workplace arena comedies (WKRP in Cincinnati, Night Court), just to name a few, have channeled the similar spirit.

The creative acumen and ability to recognize and own the traits of a genre to skewer them in a virtual compendium of satirically biting take-offs is itself a rare skill set of top screenwriters. Kevin Williamson’s SCREAM was released by Miramax’s genre label Dimension Films to make fun of slasher tropes and then a few short years later also released, under the original title SCARY MOVIE, the parody of the genre it had resurrected.

The creative parameters of stories for this Fellowship theme–whether TV series ideas, feature film scripts, theatrical material or books/novels–are wide open in this realm. Pertinent professional experience combined with cogent answers will complement the project idea to determine the three winners.

Eligibility Notes

Writers Boot Camp alumni who have applied to a prior fellowship within the past six months–or who have won before–may apply for fun yet are not eligible to win.

Winners must confirm their availability to participate in Basic Training, along with 10 hours per week for creative exercises and writing for 12 weeks.

Only winners will be notified individually. All non-winners will be notified by email no later than September 14th.

For all candidates who would like to hear the highlights and review of their applications, Writers Boot Camp Founder, Jeffrey Gordon, will host a 60-minute Mini-Camp that all non-winners will be invited to attend as desired.

Our Remarkable Track Record

There are few places in society for artists to seek and receive personal support. Additionally, our track record of diversity and support of women’s voices is unparalleled. For perspective, the higher percentage of our hundreds of alumni successes and their credits have been achieved by women. While we celebrate our anniversary each October, the first, experimental session conducted by JG was in his living room in March 1989 during his last semester of his MFA at USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program.

You can see countless other movie and TV credits by Writers Boot Camp alumni on our A-List Credits page. Among our favorite alumni–a past staff member–writer-director, Sian Heder, recently won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for her movie CODA. Other alumni have been nominated for Oscars, including Josh Singer, who won for co-writing SPOTLIGHT. Alumnus Cindy Chupack has won two Emmys for her work on Sex and the City and Modern Family. Steven Sater, a New York Pro Member, won the Tony Award for Spring Awakening.

The Fellowship Application

Please complete only one application per person. Partners working together may apply via separate applications utilizing the same project. Keep every answer to only one single sentence, including your answers to the four topical questions combined into one four-sentence paragraph. Again, alumni who have applied to a fellowship in the past six months–or who have won before–are not eligible to win. Please Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute to Apply!

Fellowship Application Deadline: Monday, September 12th, 5pm, LA time.

Name:

Mailing Address:

City, State & Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

How You Heard About Writers Boot Camp (if through a person, include their name):

Name of Professional Reference & Relationship to You:

Reference Contact (Phone & Email):

Your Occupation or Job Title:

Your Entertainment Industry Background and Experience:

Prior Writing and Filmmaking Experience:

Are you currently working--and can you comment on your employment situation?

Do you consider yourself to be aware of cliches? Please explain your perspective and relevant experience in a single sentence.

Please answer these four topical questions in order in only one sentence each within one paragraph--and without including the questions: How has studying classic entertainment informed your perspective as an artist? Share with us an extraordinary experience bonding over books, movies or other forms of entertainment. What is your view of progress in the world regarding traditional views? What historical event or subject would you like to see updated and how would you specifically revise it?

If you win a Writers Boot Camp scholarship, please state the title and format of the project you will write, and share the premise in a single sentence only. A Premise Line is more than a logline or set-up and may include up to 50 words, focusing more on the middle of the story and what characters actually do along the 2nd-Act Adventure. If your project is for television, then the A-Story of the first episode will be more relevant than a general series description.

Please include above: Title, Format (Movie, TV Pilot, Book, etc.), and Premise Line (One Sentence Only).

For the purposes of announcing winners, please provide a single-sentence bio about yourself written in third person, including your full name, where you're from, where you live, your educational accomplishments, your professional background and entertainment industry goals.

My name below certifies that all my answers on the above application are true. I understand that my email submission will be kept confidential and not shared with anyone outside Writers Boot Camp's staff without my permission. I understand that if I win an award, it is not transferable and if I cannot fully utilize it, then it will be offered to the the next eligible writer. I understand that due to the short timeframe until the fellowship process that only the winners will be notified of their standing by telephone. All applicants will be notified by email with the results and guidelines for additional benefits, if applicable. My name below acknowledges Writers Boot Camp’s pledge of confidentiality regarding my application, answers and project details. I understand that all internal staff discussion of my project idea is in the interest of determining winners. I understand that I am sharing my ideas and answers to be eligible for a fellowship award and that submission of this application does not guarantee me receipt of conceptual notes or story services. I understand that I can protect my material by registering and/or copyrighting my written materials prior to submitting them. I give permission to Writers Boot Camp to verify my information and answers with the above reference and understand that this verification, if necessary, is only for the finalists and only to determine award eligibility.

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