HBO responds to Access Writing Fellowship website crash

Many hopeful applicants were unable to complete their applications for the HBO Access Writing Fellowship Wednesday morning, as the application site Without A Box crashed before the 1,000-person submission cap was reached.

HBO says they will expand the number of applicants and grant waivers to some.

“The site was unable to handle the volume of activity at the time of launch,” HBO said in a statement to EW.

“Without A Box worked quickly to resolve the issue, but due to the overwhelming number of applicants the site is moving slowly. In response to the demand for the program, HBO will expand the number of applicants it will review and grant waivers to some who were unable to access the site at the time of launch. Applicants may request a waiver by sending an email to hboaccess@hbo.com with REQUEST FOR WAIVER in the subject line. Waivers will be granted on a first-come basis until the new cap is reached.”

HBO announced last week that it was launching the program, which seeks emerging minority writers to train in the script development process through classes and one-on-one guidance with an HBO development executive.