Harvardwood has announced its latest set of Writers Competition winners, also naming its Most Staffable TV Writers for 2022.

The official arts, media and entertainment alumni organization for Harvard University, Harvardwood looks to spotlight talented up-and-coming writers from diverse backgrounds and to connect them with mentors, as well as producers, agencies and management companies.

Writer-producers participating in this year’s program as mentors include Carlton Cuse (Lost), Mark Goffman (The Umbrella Academy), Teresa Hsiao (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Colleen McGuinness (Life & Beth) and Jeff Melvoin (Killing Eve).

Earlier this year we said goodbye to beloved John F. Bowman (AB ’80, MBA ’85), a valued leader in his role as Vice-Chair of the Harvardwood Board amongst many other things. 

The memorial tribute video from the Writers Guild of America can be found here. 

Harvardwood congratulates writer Youmna Chamieh ‘22 and musical theater composer/lyricist Julia Riew ‘22, who are the recipients of the inaugural Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship.

Don't miss your opportunity to bid on a private, one-on-one zooms with producer Marty Bowen AB '91(First Man, The Hate You Give, Twilight film series, Maze Runner film series), award winning actress, producer and activist Amy Brenneman AB '86 (Judging Amy, NYPD Blue, Heat, The Leftovers, Tell Me Your Secrets), writer/producer Teresa Hsaio AB '07 (Co-creator, Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens), and showrunner Jonathan E. Steinberg AB '97 (Black Sails, Jericho, Human Target, Percy Jackson). 

Please read the auction rules and guidelines before placing any bid on a VIP lunch. Bidding ends at 4 pm EST on Wednesday, June 30^th, so don’t wait until the last minute – get your bid in now!

All auction proceeds go toward our Student Support Initiative. This undergraduate-focused fund provides memberships to students who are in need of additional aid, in addition to supporting key student programs including Harvardwood 101 and the Summer Internship Program.

Harvardwood has announced its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV Writers List. Several categories are led by writers from underrepresented groups. The winners are chosen via a blind judging process, and Harvardwood’s writers programs and competition have always had a far more diverse population than any WGA statistics on TV writers’ rooms or feature projects. 

“Harvardwood has strived to support new voices in the industry, and we are proud to see those efforts reflected in our competition winners,” says President Allison Kiessling.

Please see the Deadline announcement here.

Help establish Harvardwood's South Korea Chapter!

Are you interested in helping to establish Harvardwood's South Korea Chapter? We are currently looking for chapter co-leads and other positions. If you have interest in helping plan digital events for this chapter for early 2021, please email us at [email protected]! 

Harvardwood student members:

Today, the application opens for our first Virtual Harvardwood 101 Program! The application will close October 18th, 2020.

The Harvardwood 101 career exploration program provides a series of career-related activities in order to demystify Hollywood and educate undergraduates about careers in the entertainment industry. The program began in 2003 and is cosponsored by Harvard University's Office for the Arts and the Office of Career Services.

This program is open to all current Harvard College students who are Full Members of Harvardwood. Students do not have to demonstrate prior experience in the arts, media, and entertainment—just a genuine interest in pursuing a career in one (or more!) of those fields!

The application can be found here. Please bear with us for changes to the 101 website, as dates and details are changing in real time.

Due to the virtual nature of the program, there may be more spaces available than in a typical year. However, 101 slots fill up quickly, so please get your application in as soon as possible!

Questions? Email us!

Harvardwood 101

The Harvardwood Mentorship Program fosters meaningful professional relationships by matching Harvard graduates with more established alums in their fields of interest, for a period of nine months of one-on-one career mentoring.

The time commitment will be approximately 3-4 hours. Mentors will connect with their mentees in 3-4 meetings over the course of the year, usually October - June. Given COVID-19, virtual meetings are encouraged. 

Topics to be discussed during meetings can include the following:

• The mentor's advice for perfecting one’s craft: acting, singing, songwriting, music producing, directing, or writing 
• The mentor’s current position, what they do, their career progression
• Career advancement advice
• How to handle difficult professional situations

If you are interested in mentoring, please email the Harvardwood Mentorship Program at [email protected].

Strengthen your writing skills through discussion of screenplays and TV pilots written by Boston Harvardwood Writers Program members! Please join us at an informational meeting with co-leaders Heather Faris and Sarah Zeiser on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at 7pm EST on Zoom. RSVP for the Zoom link to [email protected].

The workshop begins on Tuesday, October 13 and will meet via Zoom twice per month for the academic year. Applications will be accepted until Monday, September 28. To apply, send a brief bio, a short writing sample (max 15 pages), and your autumn writing goals to [email protected]. You must be a Harvardwood member or Friend of Harvardwood to apply.

Every year, Harvardwood traditional accepts applications to receive a $500 community service grant in the spring. Given that Spring 2020 was particularly tumultuous due to the pandemic and the first wave of lockdowns, we are reopening submission period to the Heroes program. 

Through this program, we award grants of at least $500 each to four individuals who have demonstrated a distinguished level of service to their organizations of choice. Every year, grant winners are determined by the strength of their proposal. They will receive the first $250 upon announcement of the winners and the balance of the grant upon submission of a final essay six months later.

Thank you to all of our generous donors who helped us exceed our $5,000 goal for our Student Fund. Because of you, Harvardwood will continue to provide membership support for current students who are on financial aid.  During this pandemic, Harvardwood is the only contact many students have with others who are interested in entering the arts, media, and entertainment fields, as well as with potential mentors and employers.

Thanks to our donors’ incredible generosity, this year Harvardwood will be able to accommodate any student who wishes to participate in our programs, regardless of their financial need.

It’s not too late to make a gift! Any remaining funds will be rolled over to benefit students next year. As we continue to expand our online programming, Harvardwood is reaching more students and young alumni than ever. As always, we are grateful for your generosity and support.