May 22, 2014
On May 19, Sony Pictures Television announced the launch of a new initiative, the SPT Diverse Directors Program, which will provide opportunities for talented artists of diverse backgrounds to shadow directors on episodes of hour and half-hour scripted SPT series.
Twenty semi-finalists will be chosen to take part in an intensive episodic directing workshop and attend networking events with industry professionals. The workshop will begin in June on the Sony Lot in Culver City, and the curriculum will consist of six evenings of discussion and instruction from working directors, production personnel and entertainment professionals.
Three finalists will then be invited into the program and will have an opportunity to shadow participating TV directors on various series starting in August. Each of the three finalists will be provided a weekly stipend when actively shadowing. Participants may also have the opportunity to be invited back to direct an episode of a scripted SPT series the following season.
To submit an online application, please visit www.sptdiversedirectors.com beginning on Friday, May 23 and ending Friday, June 6 or when a total of 500 applications are received, whichever comes first. In addition to the completion of an application, the selection process will require the submission of a single, completed example of a past directing project as defined by the online application, letters of recommendation from entertainment industry professionals and an interview.
For more information, please visit the program’s website at www.sptdiversedirectors.com.