FAQs
Writing Pad is the country’s leading creative writing school with locations in Westwood and the Arts District in Los Angeles, San Francisco and online. The school was founded in 2005 by writers and offers in-person and live-conferenced online writing classes in all genres taught by award-winning working writers & literary networking events/panels. Our program differs from others in that are classes taught in a space that mimics the experience of the writers’ room. We only hire working writers that have written on the top shows, managers who represent show runners, and execs at the top networks who are in a position to buy projects from or hire our students. We don’t hire people who haven’t worked in the industry in 10 years. Writing Pad prides itself on keeping class sizes small, so that each student gets individualized attention. Students can get 4 script readings / private script feedback sessions at a reasonable fee with our TV instructors (all writers who have written on top TV shows or sold scripts recently), something many other school won’t do. And our instructors are pulled straight from today’s top shows.
Unless you have a will of steel, it can be difficult to keep yourself on schedule to meet your goals. Maybe you have discovered you need solid professional relationships, insider knowledge not accessible to the wider public, and a robust skill set that includes writing, pitching, stellar personal branding, top-notch interviewing skills, top-tier representation and the ability to hit the ground running in the writer’s room. Don’t put off your dream of becoming a working professional TV Writer for another day.
TV Drama (Staffing Track) – Sample Schedule
| Dates | Duration | Class | Teacher | Certificate Program Price | Non-Certificate Program Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | – | Registration Fee | Networking events with huge TV writers and agents | $200 | – |
| Jan – Feb | 5 Wks | TV Drama 1 | Nina Fiore (The Handmaid’s Tale, 4 pilots) | $450 | $525 |
| Feb – April | 10 Wks | TV Drama 2 | Nina Fiore (The Handmaid’s Tale, 4 pilots) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $625 | N/A |
| June | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $625 | N/A |
| June – July | 5 Wks | TV Drama 1 | Sarah Cho (The Girl From Plainville, Them) | $450 | $525 |
| Sept – Nov | 10 Wks | TV Drama 2 | Nina Fiore (The Handmaid’s Tale, 4 pilots) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| Nov | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $625 | N/A |
| Dec | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $625 | N/A |
| Dec | 2 Wks | TV Drama Pitch | Nathan Varni (Creative Exec, Disney-ABC) | $190 | $225 |
TV Comedy (Staffing Track) – Sample Schedule
| Dates | Duration | Class | Teacher | Certificate Program Price | Non-Certificate Program Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | – | Registration Fee | Networking events with huge TV writers and agents | $200 | – |
| Jan – Feb | 5 Wks | TV Comedy 1 | Alie Flierl (Bojack Horseman) | $450 | $525 |
| Feb – April | 10 Wks | TV Comedy 2 | Alie Flierl (Bojack Horseman) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $450 | N/A |
| June | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $450 | N/A |
| June – July | 5 Wks | TV Comedy 1 | Jack Kukoda (Superstore, Community) | $450 | $525 |
| Sept – Nov | 10 Wks | TV Comedy 2 | Jack Kukoda (Superstore, Community) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| Nov | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $450 | N/A |
| Dec | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $450 | N/A |
| Dec | 3 Wks | TV Comedy Pitch | Natalie Gergely (Dvlpmnt Dir, Abominable Pictures) | $290 | $325 |
TV Comedy (Fellowship Track) – Sample Schedule
| Dates | Duration | Class | Teacher | Certificate Program Price | Non-Certificate Program Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | – | Registration Fee | Networking events with huge TV writers and agents | $200 | – |
| Jan – Feb | 5 Wks | TV Comedy 1 | Alie Flierl (Bojack Horseman) | $450 | $525 |
| Feb – April | 10 Wks | TV Comedy 2 | Jack Kukoda (Superstore, Community) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| Feb – Mar | 5 Wks | TV Spec 1 | Paola Limon (Disney & NHMC Fellow, Home Economics) | $450 | $525 |
| Mar – April | 10 Wks | TV Spec 2 | Paola Limon (Disney & NHMC Fellow, Home Economics) | $700 | $775 |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $450 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $450 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $450 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $450 | N/A |
| June | 3 Wks | TV Comedy Pitch | Natalie Gergely (Dvlpmnt Dir, Abominable Pictures) | $280 | $325 |
TV Drama (Fellowship Track) – Sample Schedule
| Dates | Duration | Class | Teacher | Certificate Program Price | Non-Certificate Program Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | – | Registration Fee | Networking events with huge TV writers and agents | $200 | – |
| Jan – Feb | 5 Wks | TV Drama 1 | Nina Fiore (The Handmaid’s Tale, 4 pilots) | $465 | $525 |
| Feb – April | 10 Wks | TV Drama 2 | John Herrera & Nina Fiore (The Handmaid’s Tale) | $1,065 | $1,140 |
| Feb – Mar | 5 Wks | TV Spec 1 | Paola Limon (Disney & NHMC Fellow, Home Economics) | $450 | $525 |
| Mar – April | 7 Wks | TV Spec 2 | Paola Limon (Disney & NHMC Fellow, Home Economics) | $700 | $775 |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $625 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $625 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 1 | – | $625 | N/A |
| May | – | Script Consult 2 | – | $625 | N/A |
| Dec | 2 Wks | TV Drama Pitch | Nathan Varni (Executive Director of Current Programming, Disney-ABC) | $190 | $225 |
All the networks have a fellowship program which is a great way to break into the TV business, although it is very competitive to get accepted into these programs. Most fellowship applications are due by May so we only offer Spec classes for the Fellowship track in January-April.
Fellowship programs require you to submit 1 pilot and 1 spec script (an episode of an existing TV show). For those of you who do not want to apply to fellowships, pilot scripts are required for a staffing packet as showrunners do not read spec scripts anymore as a writing sample. Without consults and pitching class, here is how the two tracks compare:
Fellowship Track (1 round of Spec classes and 1 round of Pilot classes):
- TV Structure, Spec & Staff Writing Bootcamp 1
- TV Spec 2
- TV 1
- TV 2
End goal: Finish 1 Spec script and 1 Pilot Script
Staffing Track (2 rounds of Pilot classes):
- TV 1
- TV 2
- TV 1
- TV 2
End goal: Finish 2 Pilot Scripts
Do you want to apply for the fellowships or just learn TV writing in a more comprehensive way (spec scripts are a great way to deconstruct the craft of TV writing)? Then you should pick Fellowship. Feel comfortable with the craft of TV writing and just want to get staffed or sell pilots? Then you should pick Staffing.
Yes, you can. Just pick one of the tracks and do one round of your classes on each type of script. TV Comedy 1 and 2 classes are for ½ hour scripts but can be used on ½ hour Dramedy. TV Drama 1 and 2 classes are for 1 hour scripts but can be used on 1 hour Dramedy. TV 1 and 2 classes are for either ½ hour or 1 hour scripts of Comedy, Drama, or Dramedy.
For most of 2021, we anticipate that all Writing Pad classes will be held live and online and when we resume in person classes at our three locations in Los Angeles, there will still be many live online class offerings for those who do not live in LA. All events will be held online for the near future as well.
-1 on 1 sessions where writers review your pilots and give personalized feedback (only available through our Certificate Program, for a reasonable fee).
-Exclusive pitching and agent workshops.
-Our deepest discounts on Certificate Program classes, $75 off long classes and $35 off short classes.
-Invites to Writing Certificate Program mixers and events.
-A certificate upon completion of the program.
-Advanced notice of upcoming Program courses and enroll before the general public.
-Preferential placement on wait lists.
-Work with and get notes from the people who’re going to hire you for the next 20 years!
-Get access to Writing Pad’s professional network of working TV writers, show runners, agents, and managers.
After the initial $200 program fee, classes are purchased individually. You do not need to pay for your classes all at once. The estimated total cost for tuition for the Comedy Fellowship Track is $4945, Comedy Staffing Track is $5320, and the estimated total cost of the Drama Fellowship Track is $5205 and Drama Staffing Track is $5570. Payment plans are available for each class as well, for those who wish to pay for classes on a weekly basis. For additional questions or information about payment plans or pay-as-you-go options email info@writingpad.com.
We ask that our students complete the required classes within a year of signing up for the program. If you need to extend that timeframe for another year, there will be an additional $50 fee.
If you are working on a half-hour comedy or dramedy you should take the comedy track. If you are working on a one-hour drama or dramedy, you should take the drama track.
Everyone starts the program at the same level. Students wishing to apply for the TV Writing Fellowships should take the spec class while students who wish to have two samples for staffing interviews should take the pilot class. Email info@writingpad.com with questions or for more detail.
Maybe. If you have taken a TV Writing Pilot Class in the last six months and completed the deliverables from that class (mini show bible and pilot beat sheet) were completed to the satisfaction of your advisor.
Writing Pad does not offer grades, but we do expect students in the TV Writing Certificate program to attend all classes and complete all assigned work (reasonable exceptions will be granted). If you don’t regularly attend class, or don’t complete the required work, you may be asked to retake that class. That said, our goal is to make sure all students go through the program without needing to retake any classes.