SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chesterfield Writer's
 Film Project (WFP), the prestigious fellowship program which encourages new
 screenwriting talent, has announced an application deadline of May 15, 2002.
 The program is sponsored by Paramount Pictures and overseen at the studio by
 Paramount Motion Picture Group Vice Chairman John Goldwyn and Senior Vice
 President of Production Dede Gardner.
     The WFP was established by the Chesterfield Film Company at Steven
 Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and has launched numerous writing careers.
 WFP alumni include Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner David Auburn, whose
 play "Proof" is currently starring Gwyneth Paltrow under the direction of John
 Madden ("Shakespeare In Love"), and Karen Janszen, who wrote the hit film "A
 Walk to Remember," which earned over $12 million in its opening weekend.  WFP
 alumni have worked for nearly every studio and independent production company
 in Hollywood.
     Academy Award-winning screenwriter Tom Schulman ("Dead Poets Society")
 said: "This program is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in
 starting a screenwriting career."  Adds screenwriter Nicholas Kazan ("Reversal
 of Fortune"): "The Writer's Film Project does an excellent job of identifying
 and supporting talented writers, but most importantly, it gives them the tools
 to develop their craft.  I'm delighted to be involved with the program."
     The WFP is supported by an Industry Board which includes writers Robin
 Green and Mitchell Burgess (Executive Producers of HBO's "The Sopranos") and
 Ed Solomon ("Men In Black"), producers Steve Starkey ("Cast Away") and Denise
 DiNovi ("Message In A Bottle"), and directors Michael Lehmann ("40 Days and
 40 Nights") and Jerry Zucker ("Rat Race").
     This year, up to five writers will be chosen to participate.  Each writer
 will receive a $20,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the year-long
 workshop.  The WFP winners are chosen by national competition.  Interested
 writers may submit writing samples in a variety of forms, including
 screenplays, plays, short stories and novels.  Past fellowship winners have
 included critically-acclaimed novelists and short-story writers and award-
 winning playwrights, as well as first-time screenwriters.
     During the WFP Fellowship year, participants meet with Paramount
 executives, selected film professionals and screenwriting mentors.  This
 year's mentors and guest speakers include Stephen Gaghan ("Traffic"), David
 Arata ("Spy Game"), Don Roos ("Bounce"), Marshall Herskovitz ("I Am Sam"),
 Robin Swicord ("Little Women") and Peter Iliff ("Varsity Blues").  In addition
 to developing important industry relationships, WFP writers are introduced to
 literary agents at the end of the workshop.
     Designed as a bridge between the Hollywood film industry and talented
 fiction, theater and film writers interested in screenwriting careers, the WFP
 has an impressive track record.  WFP alumni have written scripts for nearly
 every studio and major independent including Paramount Pictures, Disney,
 Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Sony Pictures, MGM, Imagine
 Entertainment and American Zoetrope.  WFP writers are represented by the
 Creative Artists Agency, International Creative Management, the William Morris
 Agency and the United Talent Agency among others.
     "Our program offers something unique to aspiring screenwriters," says WFP
 Executive Director Ed Rugoff.  "Through our workshop, we provide continuing
 guidance and support, and the opportunity to work with the industry's top
 writers and filmmakers.  With the active participation of Paramount Pictures
 and its executives, we feel we have created the ideal environment to nurture
 and develop new talent."
     The deadline for applying to the Writer's Film Project is May 15, 2002.
 Interested writers can get more information by visiting the WFP Web site,
 www.chesterfield-co.com , or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to
 The Chesterfield Writer's Film Project, Box 544, 1158 26th St., Santa Monica,
 CA 90403.  The phone number for information is (213) 683-3977.
 
     For further information please contact: Ed Rugoff, +1-213-683-3977, for
 The Chesterfield Writer's Film Project
 
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SOURCE  The Chesterfield Writer's Film Project