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Carmen Jean Smith
Weaves a Tapestry of TV Diversity
Interview by JOSEPH G. NAZEL, JR.
Q&A - Page 2:
Q:
Is
the program successful?
SMITH: We have been hugely successful.
I think in the past 15 years, we have, probably,
trained close to 160 to 170 writers …
more than half enjoy successful careers
in the industry. More recently, one of my
fellows from last year, is a staff writer
on "Eight Simple Rules." I have
another writer from this year who is on
"Alias." I have two writers, African
American gentleman, who worked on "Princess
Diaries" with Gary Marshall last year.
What keeps us excited is that we are making
progress. And I think that's what keeps
us going.
Q: Do you face serious challenges?
SMITH: I don't really look at
it as a challenge for me. It's yet another
opportunity to help a talented person to
move forward. You have to exert a lot of
energy to make sure they are prepared, to
make sure they stay on track.
Actually, this is one of the challenges
that I enjoy. … I do everything that
I can in my power to help them move forward.
Q: Do those in the programs become
more than "one-shot wonders?"
SMITH: We pride ourselves in preparing
people for the long haul and not to be one-shot
wonders. When you are a writing fellow you
are with us for one year and you are engaged
in a variety of activities. You are in a
lecture series with some of the best people
in the business. You are assigned creative
executives who are working with you on your
writing from pitch to final draft. There
are table reads, run-throughs and tapings.
It's very involved and they are paid $50,000
for a year to work on their craft.
And it is a very competitive program. We
usually get up to 4,000 submissions from
around the country, actually around the
world, and only a few are chosen.
And my classes are always diverse. We pick
only the highest scorers.
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