How to Become a Writer for Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, owned by MTV Networks, is a family-friendly television channel with a variety of programs geared for children and teenagers. The channel offers live-action television series focused on young adults, animated series for younger children and feature films made for the whole family to enjoy. Joining a Nickelodeon show as a staff writer is challenging, but the channel offers several ways to get through the front door.
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Instructions
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Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship
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Visit the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship website (Nickwriting.com). Review the submission guidelines. The Fellowship selects three writers every year, who are paid a salary for 12 months. If selected, you will be allowed into the writing rooms of a Nickelodeon show to participate in pitch meetings, table reads and to view the live recording of a show. You will also get the chance to write a script for a Nickelodeon show.
To apply, you must be 18 years of age or older with valid identification and the ability to work in the United States.
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Review the work you have written. Your submission must be a comedy, as all Nickelodeon shows have a strong element of humor. Select a live-action or animated 30-minute TV script you have written, based on a half-hour comedy that is currently on the air. Your script must be in proper screenplay format, with 12-point courier font and typed on 3-hole punched white paper held together by two brads -- one at the top and one at the bottom.
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Download the application from the Nickelodeon website. Complete the application, which requires you to provide personal contact information, the reasons you want to write for Nickelodeon, a description of the material you are submitting and a release form.
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Make two copies of the script you are sending. Include a one-page resume and a half-page biography with the completed and signed application and the signed release form. As of July 2011, the address where you mail the package is:
Nickelodeon Animation Studios
ATTN: Nick Writing Fellowship
231 W. Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91502
Through MTV Careers
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Visit MTV's job website (MTVNetworkCareers.com). As the parent company of Nickelodeon, MTV lists jobs and internships for all of its channels, including Nickelodeon.
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Click "Find out more here" under the Jobs heading. Click "Kids and family/Nickelodeon jobs," and "Nickelodeon animation studio jobs" under the View recent jobs heading.
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Browse the available jobs for freelance writing positions, but also be open to positions such as a script coordinator, who assists writers on a daily basis, attends writer's meetings, prepares writer's notes, proofreads scripts and attends story meetings. This puts you one step closer to a writing career at Nickelodeon, and provides you with valuable network opportunities.
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Click on the "Internships" menu option. Production internships at Nickelodeon give you hands-on training in various aspects of producing television shows, including writing, rehearsing and live filming. Internship requirements include a resume and cover letter; and there are specific application dates and deadlines.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the submission deadline for the writing fellowship, which is different every year.
Do not be discouraged if you are not accepted for the writing fellowship as the program receives hundreds of submissions every year. Apply again the following year and explore internship opportunities.
