Warner Bros. Discovery revealed the 2024 class for its second annual WBD Access Unlock Unscripted pipeline program, which focuses on diverse, mid-level producers on the rise to becoming the industry’s next unscripted TV showrunner.
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Thirteen producers were admitted for this year’s program, triple in size from 2023’s inaugural class. Those accepted came from US, Canada, the UK, as well as the APAC region.
Per WBD, “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).”
New for this year, participants will also attend a private, two-day avid editing workshop and have access to an established showrunner as their mentor for the next year.
The cohort had sessions with executives and talent, including hosts of HGTV’s “100 Day Dream Home” Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, Warner Bros. head of food content Betsy Ayala, and Food Network chef Jet Tila. The group also spent a day at Food Network, where they toured the famous Food Network Kitchen and took part in cooking demos with culinary producers.
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Participants admitted for the 2024 Access Unlock Unscripted Program include:
● 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”
Last year’s Unlock Unscripted program resulted in participants being placed on Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions,” TLC’s “Before the 90 Days,” 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, per the company.
“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,” Tila said. “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 work to kick off another year of Unlock Unscripted in collaboration with beloved brands like Food Network and HGTV,” said Grace Moss, vice president of DEI Pipeline Programs for Warner Bros. Discovery.
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