"Q&A with ABC/Disney Executive"

Date
Wednesday (not Mon), February 15, 2011
6-8PM
6-6:30 Networking; 6:30-8pm Speaker

Location
The Writers Store
3510 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505

About the Event
Are you a scriptwriter who would to like to find out what ABC/Disney is looking for in their TV and feature scripwriter fellowship finalists? Maybe you applied in past years and didn't get in, but want to try again this year... If so, this is an intimate event that you do not want to miss! You'll learn about ABC/Disney's paid Writing Fellowship as well as receive tips on applying. Also, all participants will have an opportunity to ask questions directly to speaker!

About the Speaker*

Frank Bennett Gonzalez currently serves as Director, Talent Development & Diversity, for The Disney | ABC Television Group. He runs the Disney | ABC Writing Program which is one of the leading writers development and staffing programs in the entertainment industry.

In his current capacity, he leads the selection of, development and staffing of Disney | ABC program writers on The ABC Television Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, and DisneyXD. Gonzalez prepares program writers for working in the writing room and works creatively in developing writing samples used for staffing by taking pitches and giving notes.

He also coaches writers on how to prepare for meetings with showrunners, producers, and executives with the goal of staffing on network and cable television shows. Through this program, Gonzalez has been able to staff writers on ABC TV Network shows such as “Private Practice,” “Pan Am,” “Happy Endings,” and “Once Upon A Time.”

The Disney | ABC Writing Program has had an unprecedented record of staffing all of its program writers on the Disney | ABC Television Group shows. In over a twenty year span, this program has been developed into one of the most prestigious opportunities in the entertainment industry and is considered by many as an industry “gold” standard for talent development. In addition to leading this program, Gonzalez contributes to the tracking of new writers and directors by reading material, reviewing directing samples, and meeting new and emerging creative talent.

Gonzalez has also demonstrated leadership in forging synergistic relationships with executives from all the major television networks, in addition to a variety of high profile arts organizations including but not limited to East West Players, National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP), and The Institute of American Indian Arts. Gonzalez has also developed strong working relationships with the major guilds and unions, including SAG, AFTRA, DGA, and the WGA/West.

Gonzalez started as an assistant in current programming in 2000, and hired specifically to work on the then Walt Disney Studios & ABC Entertainment Fellowship Program. Additionally, during his tenure at ABC, Gonzalez was directly involved in the development of the ABC/DGA Directing Program, the ABC Casting Project, and created the IMPACT Summit, The IMPACT Native American Workshop, IMPACT speaker series, and podcasts.

Other programs Gonzalez continues to be involved with include contributing to the selections for The ABC/DGA (Director’s Guild of America) Directing Program and advising participants in The NHMC (National Hispanic Media Coalition) Latino Television Writer’s Program.

Prior to joining Disney | ABC, Gonzalez worked extensively in video, film and television production, as well as, a stint in syndicated television marketing. A well-rounded independent filmmaker, his breadth of knowledge also spans short film and documentary production.

A native of Southern California, Gonzalez earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the UCLA Producer’s Program and a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from UC Irvine. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) and a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) Diversity Committee.