Nickelodeon has revealed the names of 12 emerging writers and animation designers from the US who will be joining its annual writing and artist programs this year.

The four selected writers are: Paige Elson, a Black queer writer and actor; Michelle Miyoko Timm, who specializes in improv and sketch comedy; and Bryan Smith and Mayanna Berrin, who specialize in comedy writing and perform as a duo. 

Nick’s year-long writing program will see these participants network with company executives and content creators; participate in workshops, seminars and classes; and gain experience in writing rooms and pitch sessions. Program mentors include Mollie Freilich (director of current animation series), Leslie Wishnevski (director of animation development) and Linda Halder (director of live-action development).

Selected for the animation artist development track are: writer Chase Mack; economics grad Dianna Kim; storyboard artist-turned-animator Chad Bennett; 3D animation artist Elise Fedoroff; engineering student-turned-storyboarder Doyung Lee; artist Jonathan Fernandez; commercial animation artist Bikram Singh; and visual development artist Richard Rodriguez.

They will all learn on the job from Nick’s senior animation artists as they move an actual series project through various stages of production. The program is divided into storyboarding, general design and generalist CG tracks.

Alumni of Nick’s writing and artist programs now work on in-house shows including Baby Shark’s Big Show, That Girl Lay Lay and The Loud House.

Pictured from top left to right: Chad Bennett; Jonathan Fernandez; Doyung Lee; Dianna Kim; Richard Rodriguez; Elise Fedoroff; Chase Mack; Bikram Singh; Paige Elson; Bryan Smith and Mayanna Berrin; and Michelle Timm.