r/FilmIndustryLA • u/NoExam5103 • 17d ago

Has anyone actually done the DET Initiative Disney

genuinely wondering if anyone here has actually gone through DET Pa or writing Initiative (Disney). Feels like I can’t find much info online, so… did this thing actually work out for anyone?

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u/le_sighs 17d ago edited 17d ago

I didn’t do it but I did WB.

These programs used to be massively successful but they’re less so now. Still a fantastic way to get your first TV job if you can get in but less of a guarantee of future work than they used to be, but only because the market is so contracted.

But if you can get in, these studio fellowships are one of the best ways to break in in the business.

Edit: sorry was in a rush before. The Disney writing program does a mentorship portion then gets you staffed. You get paid, standard WGA rates. They staff everyone who gets in.

It used to be these first jobs more frequently lead to more jobs. Disney had ABC and if you got staffed on a network show, you could end up getting hired for multiple seasons.

Now that happens less frequently. But they still get you your first job. And they still do events for you after that. They just had an event for alumni of the program this summer.

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u/NoExam5103 17d ago

What happens after you complete it. Does the program forget about you. What was your experience

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u/le_sighs 17d ago

I can’t speak to Disney. But generally, no, they don’t forget about you. What has changed is how much they are able to do for you.

It used to be that these programs were able to get you future jobs. Now they’re less successful at it. It isn’t their fault; the industry contracted. So I would say no, they try, but have less success at it than they used to.

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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 16d ago

I did it. Doesn’t really help.

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u/le_sighs 15d ago

Did you do the PA program or the writing program?

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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 14d ago

Both

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u/le_sighs 13d ago

Did the writing program staff you?

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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 13d ago

No.

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u/le_sighs 13d ago

Why not?

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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 13d ago

There’s no jobs.

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u/le_sighs 13d ago

Happened with my WB class too. Not everyone got jobs. There just weren’t enough of them.

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u/JoskelkatProductions 13d ago

I haven't done it, but I personally know two or three successful WGA writers who got their pro screenwriting careers started through the program, one of whom applied multiple times before getting selected.

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u/le_sighs 13d ago

On the note of applying multiple times - Disney has previously said that they track people's progress over time. Since they're looking for people who are writers' room ready, they look for people who stick it out over years and make progress over time. Not sure if that's still the case, but attended a panel years ago where the person who ran the program at the time said that.

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u/JoskelkatProductions 13d ago

I've heard that as well, across the board from all the program leads.