After taking our classes, 431 students have been staffed on shows such as THE PITT, NOBODY WANTS THIS, A MAN ON THE INSIDE, FARGO. Also, 193 won Disney, Paramount and Sundance Fellowships. The reason is simple: unlike any other TV Writing Program, all our classes are taught by award-winning, currently working Showrunners, EP’s, Co-EP’s and TV writers from today’s top shows including SEVERANCE, BRIDGERTON, A MAN ON THE INSIDE, THE PERFECT COUPLE, SHRINKING. The TV Drama Certificate Program has one track, designed to meet your specific goals: Staffing, but the classes included will also help you apply to fellowships.

Curriculum Summary

The curriculum includes two full rounds of pilot classes plus a 2 or 3 week pitching class (a total of 32-33 weeks of class). In addition, certificate program participants can pay for four private script feedback sessions (only available to non certificate program participants) and exclusive access to 2 TV networking events and panels.

The program includes:

1. Exclusive access to script feedback session with top TV writers (purchased separately, only for students who have workshopped the same script through TV 1 and TV 2)
2. 2-3 networking events with showrunners, agents, managers, and fellowship directors
3. The deepest discounts on classes and group events

Past speakers and instructors:

• David Iserson (Co-Creator and Showrunner, PONIES: PERSONS OF NO INTEREST)
• Sera Gamble (Creator and Showrunner, YOU, THE MAGICIANS, EP, PHYSICAL)
• Dailyn Rodriguez (Showrunner, LINCOLN LAWYER)
• Paul Thureen (Showrunner, SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE)
• Clyde Phillips (Creator and Showrunner, DEXTER: NEW BLOOD, DEXTER)
• Tim Minear (Showrunner, 911, EP, AMERICAN HORROR STORY)
• Greg Daniels (Showrunner and Creator, UPLOAD, THE OFFICE, PARKS AND REC)
• Issa Rae (Creator and Star, INSECURE)
• Melanie Marnich (Showrunner, APPLES NEVER FALL)
• Sam Ernst (Showrunner, CROSS)
• Janine Sherman Barrois (Showrunner, THE BIG CIGAR, CLAWS)
• Gloria Calderón Kellett (Showrunner and Co-Creator, ONE DAY AT A TIME)
• Tanya Saracho (Showrunner and Creator, VIDA)
• Rachel Bloom (Creator and Star, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND)
• Isaac Aptaker (Showrunner, THIS IS US)
• Stacy Traub (DAISY JONES and THE SIX, Showrunner, BLACKISH)
• Evan Lewis (Literary Manager, Stagecoach Entertainment)

Required Classes :
☐ TV 1 or TV Comedy 1 (Script 1)
☐ TV 2  or TV Comedy 2 (Script 1)
☐ TV 1 or TV Comedy 1 (Script 2)
☐ TV 2  or TV Comedy 2 (Script 2)
☐ 1 3-Week Pitching Class with a development exec
☐ 4 Private script feedback sessions (2 consults on each script)
OR
☐ TV 3 (Script 1) and 1 consult (Script 1) afterwards
☐ TV 3 (Script 2) and then 1 consult (Script 2) afterwards

All students will leave with 2 completed scripts, vital industry connections, and the essential skills to pitch themselves and their projects at a professional level.

Still have questions?
Read our Certificate Program FAQ →

Still have questions?
Read our Certificate Program FAQ →

Program Cost / How It Works

By joining the certificate program, you are ONLY committing to spending $200 total for the registration fee and can put down a $50 deposit and pay it off as you are able to. By registering, you will get invited to exclusive networking events with gatekeepers (e.g. Fellowship Heads, Showrunners, Managers and Agents) and get access to custom consults with our current and former instructors, many of whom are Showrunners and Co-EP’s.

The payment plan for the $200 registration cost has no administration fees. By default, it is set to charge you $50 every other week, but we can delay your payments if you have cash flow issues if you email us at hello@writingpad.com

The estimated total cost for the program is $5,205, but we do not collect or bother you for the cost of the classes or consults, we just expect you to pay the $200 registration fee.

If you can afford to, you can sign up for classes and consults one at a time (unless you want to do simultaneous classes and consults). We send monthly reminders of the required classes & consults you need to complete. Candidates do not need to pay for all classes or tuition upon enrollment into the program. After the initial $200 program fee, courses are purchased on a per-class basis. Payment plans are available for those who wish to pay incrementally.

But if you are unable to complete or sign up for them due to financial or personal issues, we do not hound you. Our intention is to support you in preparing to become a professional TV writer and help you develop the most polished samples possible.

If you are able to complete all the certificate program requirements, your personal cost will vary depending on the individual classes you sign up for. Here’s how it works:

• Pay for the initial nonrefundable program fee of $200 either all at once or through payment plan ($50 every 2 weeks).
• You will receive coupon codes for your classes via email.
• Sign up for your first class (TV 1, TV Comedy 1, TV Drama 1). We also recommend you take TV Structure during or before your TV 1 even though these are not required classes.
• You will receive an email recommending your first class if you have already taken TV 1.

You will have 1 year from when you sign up to complete your required classes and your 4 script consults. If you need more than one year, you pay $50 to extend (or if you’re having financial difficulties, just email us at hello@writingpad.com).