Fox Audience Strategy has announced that writer Ester Lou Weithers is this year’s FOX Writers Intensive (FWI) Fellow. Ester, who was selected from a group of 12 finalists announced earlier this year, has received a script development deal with FOX Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television. Since 2011, the FWI has nurtured experienced writers with diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences and created a pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on FOX television shows, films and other Fox Entertainment projects.
The FWI finalists spent four months in a rigorous curriculum, administered by FWI partner Film Independent, that focused on honing writing skills for various mediums and establishing creative connections across Fox’s television, film and other entertainment businesses. This year’s program featured collaborative sessions with producer Glen Mazzara; senior executives from FOX, 20th Century Fox Television and FX Networks; as well as managers and agents.
“Writing for TV requires a lot of trust, collaboration and fearless creativity,” said Todd Harthan, creator and executive producer of FOX’s drama “Rosewood,” which has staffed FWI alumna Diana Mendez as a story editor. “FWI engenders these values in its participants.”
“Establishing FWI as a creative resource was a primary goal for our company and, through our partnerships with so many of the Fox creative businesses and shows, that goal is being realized — to the benefit of the industry,” said Nicole Bernard, Executive Vice President, Audience Strategy, of Fox Television Group. “I am especially thrilled that the FWI participants embraced the addition of our partnership with The Young Storytellers this year to contribute to the future pipeline of dynamic talent.”
Ester worked at MTV in New York before relocating to Los Angeles to start her writing career, which took her to the writers’ room for “House of Lies.” In 2015, she co-created and directed the web series “Sexless” and “Chef Julian.” Ester’s script “Sparrow” resulted in her being named this year’s FWI Fellow.
The FWI seeks both to elevate the craft of participating writers and further establish deeper connections with a wide range of Fox staff writers, showrunners, screenwriters, filmmakers and creative executives across television (both on-air and multiplatform), feature films and digital entertainment.
Fox Audience Strategy is a department within 21st Century Fox designed to identify programming and operational opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives across all of its entertainment platforms.
