Investing in Diverse Creators
Across our film and television platforms, we aim to provide meaningful opportunities for aspiring creators to gain the skills and experience needed to break into various parts of the industry.
See some of the programs we've created to identify, develop, and empower the brightest talents of tomorrow.
NBCU LAUNCH
NBCU LAUNCH is the umbrella brand that houses the comprehensive inclusion efforts across NBCUniversal’s entertainment television portfolio, in support of the company’s goal to produce authentic and compelling content. These efforts span across writers, directors, unscripted producers, casting, and below-the-line crew members who work in scripted, unscripted and late-night programming.
NBCU Launch New Mexico Directors Initiative
In partnership with the New Mexico Film Office, this Initiative provides valuable shadowing opportunities for film and television directors on NBCUniversal productions in New Mexico, creating a pipeline of in-state talent for future productions.
Unscripted Producers Initiative
The Unscripted Producers Initiative aims to give access and opportunity to experienced unscripted producers. Positions range from Segment Producer, Talent Producer, Field Producer, Supervising Producer, and Co-EP.
Unscripted Pitch Accelerator
The NBCU Launch Unscripted Pitch Accelerator provides access for independent producers and content creators to get their projects in front of our unscripted teams for potential development across our various platforms.
Talent and Casting Assistant Program
The NBCU Launch Talent and Casting Assistant Program develops aspiring episodic and unscripted casting directors.
Production Assistant Initiative
Working with industry partners, the Production Assistant Initiative aims to provide access and opportunity to experienced PA talent.
NBC TV Writers Program
The NBC TV Writers Program is our program for emerging episodic television writers with the goal of creating the next generation of showrunners and content creators.
TV Directors Program
The NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program is NBCU’s scripted directing program created with the goal to increase authentic storytelling by providing opportunities for experienced directors who have distinct points of view that inform their creative vision.
NBCU Academy
NBCU Academy is a free, award-winning education program for developing new skills and advancing careers in journalism, media, and tech.
NBCU Academy reflects Comcast NBCUniversal’s and NBCU News Group’s commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of access and opportunity to people across all genders, races, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives.
Through our multi-platform initiative — video tutorials, best practices articles, virtual summits, and in-person panels — NBCU Academy provides tools and resources for journalists, content creators, media innovators, filmmakers and students. This includes partnerships with 45 academic institutions across the country: four-year universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, tech schools, PWIs, HSIs, and HBCUs. NBCU Academy is part of Project UP, Comcast NBCUniversal’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.
Programs within NBCU Academy include, but are not limited to:
Next Level Summit
A transformative all-day learning experience offered at no cost bi-annually, the Next Level Summit provides an opportunity for students to engage with key Comcast NBCUniversal and NBCU News Group leadership and anchors. Participants can attend keynote presentations, breakout panels, and career exposition sessions. The event aims to break through financial and geographical barriers by offering free online training and digital content. NBCU Academy's most recent Next Level Summit took place on April 11, 2024, and focused on unlocking leadership potential from the classroom to the board room. You can stream all panels now on the NBCU Academy website — and be the first to know when the next Summit date is announced!
The Storytellers
Launching in 2024, the Storytellers Program features an inaugural cohort of three associate reporters who will cover people of impact across the U.S. throughout the year, bringing fresh perspectives and untold stories to the forefront. This program, specifically for early-career journalists with 2-3 years of post-graduate experience, serves as an opportunity for young professionals to enter the media industry.
Original Voices
The Original Voices Documentary Films initiative, an artist development and inclusion program presented by NBCU Academy, offers three core programs: the Original Voices Fellowship and Shorts Pitch, conducted in collaboration with NBC News Studios, along with the Accelerator program. In January 2024, the Original Voices Accelerator launched with grants to ten promising student filmmakers and film critics from across the United States and its territories. Throughout the year, participants in the Accelerator program will cultivate both peer and executive mentorship relationships resulting in skill-sharing, and creative feedback.
Since 2020, Original Voices Documentary Films has allocated over $1.25 million to support groundbreaking nonfiction and hybrid films. Notable works such as "I DIDN'T SEE YOU THERE," "MIJA," "HUMMINGBIRDS," "BAD PRESS," "UNSEEN," and "UNION" have received support from our programs. These films have garnered recognition at prestigious national and international film festivals, including Sundance Film Festival, True/False Film Fest, Camden International Film Festival, Hot Docs, Full Frame, and Berlinale.
NBCU Academy and Adobe’s The Edit
The Edit is NBCU Academy and Adobe’s initiative to develop creativity and inspire the next generation of talent in film and TV. Your middle or high school students will build key media and digital literacy skills as they create their own 90-second video news reports about Physical, Mental, or Financial Wellbeing using Adobe Express and a complete package of ready-made tutorials and guides.
NBCU Academy X NFL Experienceship
The NBCU Academy X NFL Experienceship launched fall 2023. Through this partnership, NBCU Academy and NBC Sports join forces with the National Football League's Football Operations team to integrate programming and initiatives for underrepresented young professionals and academic institutions with limited resources. "Experienceships" focus on providing access and opportunity to game day television, communications and team operations. Students build their professional network by spending time with executives, on-air talent, current and former players and production teams. Off to an incredible start in 2024, the NFL credentialed eight NBCU Academy students for the Pro Bowl (Orlando, FL) and Super Bowl (Las Vegas, NV.) In each city, students worked with our Telemundo Sports teams to learn new skills and create content.
Throughout the rest of this year, NBCU Academy and NBC Sports will partner with the NFL to provide students and young professionals in their pipeline with opportunities to grow careers in sports. This will come to life via signature NFL programs including the HBCU Careers in Football Forum, NBCU Academy X NFL Experienceship, and Game Day Reporter.
NBCU Academy and Big Ten
Deepening NBC's broadcast relationship with the Big Ten Conference, NBCU Academy and NBC Sports are partnering with the Big Ten Conference with the ultimate goal of establishing professional development opportunities on Big Ten campuses both in the classroom and on gameday.
In 2024, this goal is coming to life with NBCU Academy student content creators providing B1G coverage through their reporting and social media content throughout the year. Building upon seven B1G coverage engagements from 2023, efforts will expand to include Men’s and Women's Basketball and non-revenue sports in 2024. Students will engage with executive leaders and gameday production teams to develop professional leadership and technical production skills.
Universal Talent Development & Inclusion
Universal Talent Development & Inclusion is the first-of-its-kind inclusion department for the feature film industry and continues to cultivate programs, initiatives and partnerships dedicated to creating access and opportunities for underrepresented talent and narratives across the content ecosystem.
Universal Global Writers Residency
The Global Writers Residency is a first-of-its-kind international writers experience launched in 2023. Partnering with legendary global production and development powerhouse, Working Title Films, those selected have the chance to create film content for potential production development consideration in partnership with the team at Working Title Films in the UK. The program cultivates storytellers who organically incorporate multicultural and global perspectives in their writing. The experience also provides creative guidance from executives, producers and creative consultants, and broadens their network of industry champions to help shape their development.
Universal Filmmakers Project
Monkeypaw Productions’ NO DRAMA Powered by the Universal Filmmakers Project and TIFF, challenges filmmakers to produce a short film that explores monsters across genre, cultures, time, and society. NO DRAMA is a global short-film development and production initiative for writer-directors with a passion for telling horror-centered stories. NO DRAMA builds upon the Studio’s and Monkeypaw’s commitment to providing access to breakout filmmakers. NO DRAMA offers resources and support at every step of the filmmakers’ creative journey, with special focus on their individual needs, strengths, and areas for future growth. Up to six filmmakers will be selected to each receive a grant to produce their submitted short scripts. During the one-year, non-exclusive talent experience selected participants will engage in roundtables and workshops to enrich their creative process in producing a short film/proof of concept. Filmmakers will work closely with Monkeypaw throughout the creative process.
Universal Below-the-Line Traineeship
Launched in 2021 on Jordan Peele’s Nope, the Universal Below-the-Line Traineeship provides on and off-the-job training and mentorship in over 20 below-the-line departments across NBCUniversal film projects around the world, including USA, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Australia. With the increasing demand for experienced craft talent throughout the industry, this innovative experience cultivates the next generation of costume designers, prop masters, camera operators, technicians, and the myriad of roles crucial to any production team by collaborating with local partners to source up-and-coming talent.
Universal Composers Initiative
The first-of-its-kind Composers Initiative was created in 2018. The idea stemmed from the absence of media coverage or basic information on diversity in film music composition. In partnership with the Universal Film Music division, the two-year initiative welcomes applicants from all creative and professional backgrounds seeking to enhance their current career efforts. Participants have unparalleled access to the studio and network process, while the UTD&I team increases the awareness of this underrepresented talent among NBCUniversal’s vast network of executives, producers and directors, leading to additional industry connections and mentors.
The Animation Writers Program
The Animation Writers Program is a first-of-its-kind program in the entertainment industry, combining both film and television content into one animation writing program. This experience aims to identify and develop an inclusive pool of talent with unique points of view in order to tell unique stories. During this one-year paid program, writers will have the opportunity to work with UFEG-affiliated teams including DreamWorks Animation and Illumination.
Executive Connect Initiative
Universal launched the Executive Connect Initiative in partnership with Will Packer and director Rob Hardy, to invest in developing a generation of Studio leaders from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Along with their Black Light Collective group which consists of highly regarded Black industry professionals, artists and executives, creating access for underrepresented college students seeking a pathway to Studio leadership. The one-year immersive internship enhancement rotates students through three strategic business areas where they have unparalleled access to C-Suite executives, executive mentors, exclusive industry events, and professional development workshops.
