13 Talented Producers are Participating in Production Intensive Highlighting Food, Lifestyle, and Documentary Formats
Warner Bros. Discovery (Nasdaq: WBD) today announced the official cohort of producers for the second annual WBD Access Unlock Unscripted pipeline program. This year’s group features diverse, mid-level producers on the rise to becoming the industry’s next unscripted TV showrunner.
Participants immersed themselves in a weeklong intensive in New York from August 23-29 featuring special events and programming from WBD’s suite of brands. Throughout the week, participants learned about producing unscripted content across all stages of production, from development through post. The program included of workshops, panels, and networking opportunities to help build participants’ knowledge and skills and prepare them for high-level production jobs in unscripted television. Returning partners include Food Network, HGTV, OWN, and TLC, alongside new partners Magnolia Network, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, and Wall to Wall (UK).
This year’s cohort has tripled in size from last year’s inaugural program with participants joining from the US, Canada, the UK, as well as APAC. The participants will also benefit from new aspects of the program including a private, two-day avid editing workshop and access to an established showrunner as their mentor for the next year.
The 2024 Access Unlock Unscripted Program participants are:
- Tobi Abdul The Great Canadian Baking Show, Shine True
- Courtney Branch Dr. Phil, The Millennial
- Christopher Collins Married at First Sight, Sweet Life
- Jack Fox Farming for Love, History’s Most Haunted
- Jidi Guo Brain Fog, Behind the Belt
- Taylor Henriquez Buzzfeed’s Tasty, Christmas Cookie Showdown
- Mikaela King The Enchanted Rose, Gym Stars
- Danielle Latty Maine Cabin Masters, What Drives You With John Cena
- Meaghan Mascorro Little People, Big World, Outdaughtered
- Priscilla Rubio Flipping Showdown, Where We Call Home
- Oluwatoyin Salami Unfaithful, Real Housewives of Atlanta
- Rajveer Sihota Life and Birth, Anni: The Honeymoon Murder
- Ken Tsui First One in the Water, Woolly Mammoth
The cohort also had opportunities to hear from executives and talent, including hosts of HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, and Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, in conversation with esteemed Food Network chef Jet Tila. In addition, the group spent a day at Food Network, where they toured the famous Food Network Kitchen and took part in cooking demos with culinary producers.
“I am so glad I got to meet this next generation of producers and show them behind the scenes of my home away from home, Food Network,” said Jet Tila. “They have what it takes to excel in this business and I have no doubt that I will be working with them soon.”
“Unscripted programming is an important part of the WBD ecosystem and it is wonderful to kick off another year of Unlock Unscripted in collaboration with beloved brands like Food Network and HGTV,” said Grace Moss, VP of DEI Pipeline Programs for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Last year’s Unlock Unscripted program resulted in participants being placed on Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, TLC’s Before the 90 Days, part of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, and HGTV’s House Hunters International in elevated roles. WBD Access plans to continue the trend with this year’s group, where program graduates will be considered for staffing on WBD’s unscripted shows.
Through best-in-class talent development programs offered at all stages of career development, WBD Access serves as a powerful conduit connecting underrepresented talent to WBD content and brands. For more information on WBD Access programs please visit https://www.warner-access.com/.