Starting its fourteenth year, The Guy A. Hanks & Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program will be accepting applications from July 15 to September 15, 2007. This program was established by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby at the University of Southern California 's School of Cinema-Television. Unaffiliated with USC, the Hanks-Miller Program is geared toward increasing the pool of qualified African-American writers in the entertainment industry. The Program has single-handedly brought more successful African-American writers into the entertainment industry than any other program of its type.

This program meets twice a week for 15 weeks beginning February 2008. It is designed to assist writers in completing a television or feature script, while giving them the opportunity to examine African-American history, culture and iconography. Participation is free to those selected.

Our program is not designed for beginning level writers. We are seeking writers who have taken the initiative to formally study television or feature writing through workshops or classes; a degree is not necessary. In an industry that is extremely competitive, we have found our greatest success in assisting those who have a strong foundation in television or screen writing.

Although obtaining employment is not the primary goal of the program, alumni have used scripts developed in the program to further their careers. Our alumni have excelled in the entertainment industry as television and feature writers, producers and directors. We have had alumni who have created network television shows and who have written on top ten shows. This current season we have writers on: "Private Practice," "Lincoln Heights," "Saving Grace," "Cavemen," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Just Jordan" and "House of Payne." This year our Feature Writers have received honors through "Tribeca All Access," "Hollywood Black Film Festival," "Screenplay Festival 2006," and "Fade In Magazine." Their works have also been recognized by organizations including the NAACP, while the Program itself has been recognized by the California Governor's office, a state Senator and the Los Angeles Mayor's office.

As we continue to make a strong and positive mark in the entertainment industry, our alumni have become a primary source of recruitment for the ABC/Disney, CBS, NBC, FOX and the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowships; as well as the Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Program. Our alumni are also sought after by top literary agencies seeking new and talented writers.

For more information or to obtain an application visit our website at http://cosbyprogram.com.

CONTACT:
Jacqueline Rosales
cosbyprogram@yahoo.com