Los Angeles, September 9 – Several talented graduates and current members of NBCUniversal’s Page Program recently met with the 2021 cohort of RespectAbility’s Summer Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities. The team provided insight, personal experiences and a detailed description of what the Page Program really consists of.
The NBCUniversal Page Program is a 12 to 15-month rotational learning and development program that gives participants, known in the program is Pages, exposure to the inner workings of the entertainment and media industries. The program is geared toward people of various educational backgrounds, especially recent graduates. The Page Program seeks to prepare Pages for early-career entry level positions within the industry, including within NBCUniversal itself. The group of graduates and current Page program participants confirmed to the RespectAbility Lab cohort that the end goal for most Pages is to become an employee at NBCUniversal upon completion of the program.
In regard to the location of the Pages in the program, Micaela Asercion Gomez, Manager of the West Coast Page Program stated, “We have what you’ve heard referred to as the West Coast program, which is traditionally based out of LA, and the East Coast program, which is traditionally based out of New York. But for the past year and some change, our program has been operating virtually. So we currently have Pages kind of all over the country, which is really cool.”
Regarding the day-to-day content of the program itself, Asercion Gomez explained, “Pages go through three or four rotations, or assignments you might hear them called, in various departments that can range and function from marketing to corporate functions, content development, communications, ad sales…And these departments fall within all of the different properties and brands that we have at NBCUniversal, so think about news, Peacock or new streaming services, Focus Features, Universal Television, Bravo, E!, there is something for everybody.” In the LA or West Coast-based program, assignments are more film and television focused. However, the East Coast or New York-based program has more opportunities in ad sales, late-night and corporate functions.
Learn more about the NBCUniversal Page Program and how you can apply at the NBCUniversal website.
RespectAbility’s third annual Lab for Entertainment Professionals with Disabilities brings authentic and diverse portrayals of people with disabilities to the screen by creating a pipeline of diverse professionals with disabilities behind the camera. 2021 participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. Lab alumni from 2019 and 2020 currently work for a variety of studio partners including Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and The Walt Disney Company, as well as in writers’ rooms for Netflix’s Mech Cadet, CW’s 4400, and Showtime’s Dexter, among others. Others have had films featured at festivals such as SXSW and participated in additional career track programs including with Film Independent and Sundance Institute.
This Lab is made possible with support by:
- Platinum Sponsors: Murray/Reese Foundation, The Harnisch Foundation, Netflix, Pop Culture Collaborative, Sony Pictures Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company
- Gold Sponsors: A+E Networks and Final Draft
- Silver Sponsors: NBCUniversal and ViacomCBS
