Roadmap Writers Reopens Free Support Staff Initiative To Aid Emerging Scribes In Search For Reps & Work Post-Strike

Matt Grobar
·2 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Following the conclusion of the WGA strike, which has sent writers scrambling to either dive back into work or look for new opportunities, Roadmap Writers has reopened its free Support Staff Initiative, which helps get scripts from emerging talents in front of execs and literary reps.

The idea, per the initiative’s co-founder Joey Tuccio, is to allow up-and-comers working in television to focus on “their job and/or job hunt,” while Roadmap works to help elevate their careers, hopefully making the transition out of a historic work stoppage just a little bit easier.

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Writers looking to apply for the program needn’t currently be working within a writers’ room — all that’s required to be eligible is experience working in a support staff role within the past 18 months. The door is open to writers’ room support staffers of all kinds, including writers assistants, showrunner assistants, PA’s, script coordinators, researchers and others. Once writers submit their script, logline and bio, Roadmap will internally review all materials, sending scripts they feel are ready to industry contacts, the goal being not only to help them secure representation, but also to take actionable steps towards getting staffed.

Founded by Tuccio and Dorian Connelley in 2016, the L.A.-based Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for writers seeking a guided path to professional success in film and TV. Led by working executives, managers, agents, producers, writers, and other industry professionals, their classes take place exclusively online and are designed to empower writers to elevate their craft, while expanding their network.

Roadmap has helped over 350 writers sign with representation to date, while guiding some directly toward work in the industry. Notable success stories from the last round of the Support Staff Initiative included Elizabeth Reichelt, Amanda Barnes, Gabrielle LeGendre, Emily Abbott, Greg Sorin, Libby Doyne, Parker Lemal-Brown, Catherine Schetina, and Allison Sanchez. Writers signed through the program to the likes of Kaplan/Perrone, Echo Lake, Good Fear, Anonymous Content, 3 Arts, Artists First, Industry Entertainment, Fourth Wall Management and CAA, with some also going on to staff on shows like Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+), We Were Liars (Amazon), and Chucky (Peacock).

Previously running initiatives with Sony, American High and New Republic Pictures, Roadmap’s writers have also set up shows with Amazon, Hulu, Starz and Lionsgate. Applications for the 2023 Support Staff Initiative are open now.

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