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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.

Instructions

  1. Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship

    • 1

      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.

    • 2

      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.

    • 3

      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.

    • 4

      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

    • 5

      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.

    • 6

      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.

    • 7

      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.

    • 8

      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.

Screen Writing

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