Within a week of the 146-day Writers Guild of America strike ending, all seven writers in the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program for 2022-2023 have landed jobs.
“Now that writers’ rooms have resumed, our Paramount Writers Mentoring Program has demonstrated remarkable success, with all seven 2022-2023 season participants securing staff positions in a matter of days. This achievement highlights the invaluable support, guidance and exposure the Mentoring Program provides to emerging writers,” said Marva Smalls, executive vice president and global head of inclusion at Paramount, in a statement. “We’re incredibly excited for their future prospects and remain ever committed to diversity and inclusion in the television industry.”
Camille D’Elia has been staffed on “CSI: Vegas,” India Gurley on “Fire Country,” Daniela Labi on “S.W.A.T,” Kahlil Maskati on “So Help Me Todd” and Lizzie Perrin on “Matlock.” Edith Rodriguez is working on an unannounced series, and Teresa Tuan is writing for “Watson Independent,” which is currently in development.
The eight-month program, helmed by the Paramount Office of Global Inclusion, offers selected writers mentorships, career development and support. The writers are paired with an executive from the Paramount studio brands — including Paramount Television Studios, CBS Studios and CBS Television Network — whom they meet with regularly to discuss and receive feedback on their work, in addition to career advice
“The Paramount Writers Mentoring Program has proven to be a force for change in our company and the industry at large,” said Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, executive vice president of diversity and inclusion, West Coast, Paramount. “Our robust alumni network and supportive Paramount executives continue the legacy of fostering emerging writers by offering exposure, access and opportunity as they establish their careers. We trust that these seven talented creatives will follow in the footsteps of our previous classes, who have staffed numerous shows.”
The writers were chosen from a pool of over 1,000 applicants from various creative backgrounds, with some previously serving as production assistants on shows like “The Cleaning Lady” and “S.W.A.T.” Alumni of the mentoring program have worked on shows such as “Snowfall,” “The Walking Dead” and “Bridgerton.”
