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Submission Period: October 1, 2009 thru January 31, 2010        

Prizes:
Applicants can submit a primetime comedy or drama spec of any show on cable or network that is airing originals during the 2009 television season. Among those, 3 to 5 Semi Finalists will be chosen. From these Semi Finalists, a Winner will be selected to receive the First Class Prize. In addition, the Semi Finalists will also receive a Prize. Details are below! Please read “Important Notes” at the end of this section as well.

Here it is – and Good Luck to all!

The First Class Prize for the Winner is as follows:             
Your submitted sample will be read by and you will confer separately and privately with each of these 4 partnering organizations & individual sponsors, each one offering a unique perspective regarding the complex, exciting world of primetime television.

1.  Playtone Productions, the internationally-renowned film and television production company established & headed by Tom Hanks & Gary Goetzman. Television miniseries & episodics include: John Adams, Band of Brothers, My Big Fat Greek Life, and Big Love. Films include: Charlie Wilson's War, Cast Away, Mamma Mia, Polar Express, That Thing you Do, and The Ant Bully, among others.

     A Senior creative executive at Playtone Productions will discuss the role of the film & television production company within the current primetime network & cable landscape: What it takes to get a project off the ground from concept thru implementation, and how to nurture and sustain a successful show from the Producer's perspective.

2.  William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, the prestigious worldwide talent & literary agency representing highly successful authors, performers, writers, directors and producers. WME also packages numerous top primetime television series such as The Office, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

     During the meeting, the Winner will have an opportunity to learn first hand from a Senior Television Agent at WME what makes a great primetime writer and producer, what WME looks for in potential clients, and what WME considers important qualities to become a very successful writer and Show Runner of a primetime television series.

3.  Mr. Jeffrey Bader, Executive Vice President of ABC Entertainment Primetime & Late Night Program Planning and Scheduling.  Mr. Bader has been with ABC Entertainment in several high level positions, rising from Manager of Program Planning & Scheduling to his current Senior Level position which also includes oversight of cross platform global programming for ABC/Disney. Mr. Bader is a member of the Board of Directors of Rx Laughter.

     In this one-on-one meeting at his office at ABC Entertainment, Jeffrey will discuss how program scheduling decisions are made for primetime series, how television writers and Producers can work collaboratively with Scheduling Departments, and the overall relationship between a Show Runner/Writer and a large entertainment industry corporation.

4.  Sherry Dunay Hilber, past Director of Primetime Current Programs for ABC & CBS Entertainment (Roseanne, Home Improvement, Cybill), Director of Creative Affairs for Walt Disney Television Animation;  Story Analyst for Warner Bros, CBS Diversity and ABC/Disney Television Writer’s Workshops; and Founder & Executive Director of Rx Laughter.  Ms. Hilber reads all of the submissions, keeping in mind the level of writing talent and professionalism that is needed by the Winner to present his/her writing sample to the participating sponsors above. 

      Sherry will hold a one-on-one phone conference with the Winner to help prepare him/her for the meetings with the above Partners and to discuss his/her script.

Finally & separately:  The Winner’s name, bio, photo and title of their sample submission will be mentioned prominently on the www.RxLaughter.Org website and in any other related media.                                                                                             

The Semi Finalists will receive:
A Teleconference Training workshop entitled From Story Pitch to Final Cut conducted by Sherry Dunay Hilber (see above).  Real Life right and wrong scenarios will be used to discuss, in an informal manner, the following: 

-How to present and pitch stories to Development and Current network and studio executives.
-The art of taking and giving script notes with network & studio executives.
-The role of the tv writer producer/show runner in relation to the network and studio.
-Ms. Hilber also offers her personal perspective about the pitfalls and pleasures of being a writer/producer of a hit television series from the pov of a network executive.
-We will invite a primetime showrunner (name tbd) to join the teleconference for a special (and fun!) Q & A session.

Additionally, the Semi Finalists' names, bio, photo and title of sample submissions will be mentioned prominently on the www.RxLaughter.Org website.

Important Notes!  
1. The meetings and workshop are informational and are not to be construed as an expectation of a job offer, representation or referrals except at the absolute discretion of our Partners in this Competition. See “Rules” for details.

2. Please be aware that all meetings with the volunteering executives can be done via phone if you cannot attend in person. We will be happy to assist with scheduling of the phone or videoconference at a mutally agreed-upon date and time in March of 2010 at everyone’s convenience.

3. Regarding the above: We are sorry, but we do not provide any hotel, transportation, food, parking, or any other reimbursements or compensation. If you are not LA-based but would like to attend the meetings in person at your own cost, or if you are in the area during that time, then we will arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time in March of 2010.

We look forward to receiving your submission soon!

*Rx Laughter is a 501c3 tax exempt public charity.  All submission fees are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.    Tax Exempt ID  20 037 9277.