To Date, Six of 10 FWI Finalists Staffed on Series for 2015-16

Fox Audience Strategy today announced that writer Cindy Fang has been selected as this year’s Fox Writers Intensive (FWI) Fellow. Chosen from the fourth annual group of FWI finalists, Fang is in discussions for a script development deal with Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and 20^th Century Fox Television. She is represented by The Gersh Agency and Echo Lake Entertainment.

Launched in 2011, the Fox Writers Intensive is an advanced initiative designed to nurture experienced writers who have diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences and create a strong pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on Fox television shows, films and other Fox Entertainment projects.  

The FWI finalists spent four months participating in a rigorous curriculum, administered by FWI partner Film Independent, that focused on honing their craft and establishing deeper creative connections across Fox’s television, film and other entertainment businesses. This year’s program featured collaborative sessions with writers and producers, including Ilene Chaiken (EMPIRE), Virgil Williams (“Criminal Minds”) and senior executives from 20^th Century Fox Film, Fox Broadcasting Company, 20^th Century Fox Television, FX Networks, Fox 21 Television Studios and Fox Digital Studio.

“The FWI program has been invaluable to me as the showrunner of EMPIRE. Last year’s FWI winners, Ed Gonzalez and Jeremy Haft, made huge contributions to Season One. JaSheika and JaNeika James, who were finalists this year, have now joined our writing staff and are contributing at a very high level. Fox cultivates these individuals into excellent storytellers and I can't speak highly enough about the benefits. I strongly suggest that other showrunners take advantage of all FWI has to offer,” said Chaiken. 

In addition to Fang, the 2015 FWI class included finalists Sarah Carbiener, Aaron Carew, Jason Coffey, David Cornue, Chuck Hayward, JaSheika James, JaNeika James, David McMillan, Diana Mendez, Jess Pineda, Jared Romero and Erica Rosbe. Following their completion of the FWI, all of the finalists are being promoted across the Fox creative community and submitted for potential staffing on current and future Fox entertainment productions. To date, six of the FWI finalists have been staffed on series for 2015-16, including FOX’s EMPIRE, THE FRANKENSTEIN CODE, COOPER BARRETT’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE, LUCIFER and ROSEWOOD, as well as CBS’ “Rush Hour.” In addition, FWI alum and 2012 FWI Fellow, Tom Wong, has been staffed on FOX’s MINORITY REPORT for 2015-16.

This year’s 10 FWI finalists were selected from more than 400 nominations and submissions by talent representation and arts organizations across the country, including National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Sundance Institute, Veterans in Film and Television, Outfest, Film Independent, NAACP, Women in Film Los Angeles, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment and Visual Communications. 

-more-

2015 FWI FELLOW NAMED – Page 2

Fox Audience Strategy is a department within 21^st Century Fox designed to identify programming and operational opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives across all of its entertainment platforms.

-FOX-