After taking our classes, 402 students have been staffed on shows such as CROSS, SHOGUN, FARGO, PALM ROYALE, BEL-AIR, YELLOWJACKETS, WEDNESDAY, MATLOCK, THE BROTHERS SUN, AMERICAN BORN CHINESE, SAINT X, CHICAGO PARTY AUNT, FRASIER, GINNY & GEORGIA, UPLOAD, DEXTER: NEW BLOOD. Also, 173 won ABC/Disney, NBC, CBS & Sundance Fellowships. The reason is simple: unlike any other TV Writing Program, all our classes are taught by award-winning, working Sworking Showrunners, EP’s, Co-EP’s & TV writers from today’s top shows including SEVERANCE, BRIDGERTON, BEL-AIR, CROSS, THE HANDMAID’S TALE. The TV Drama Certificate Program comes in two tracks, designed to meet your specific goals: Fellowship and Staffing.

Curriculum Summary

Each curriculum includes two full rounds of pilot classes, or one full round of pilot classes and one full round of spec 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 2-3 TV networking events and panels.

Past speakers and instructors at Writing Pad include: 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, A MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD), 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), Dave Andron (Showrunner, SNOWFALL), Rachel Bloom (Creator and Star, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND), Samir Mehta (Showrunner, UNDER THE BRIDGE), Isaac Aptaker (Showrunner, THIS IS US), Stacy Traub (DAISY JONES & THE SIX, Showrunner, BLACKISH), Diablo Cody (UNITED STATES OF TARA), Peter Ocko (Showrunner, LODGE 49, THE LEFTOVERS), Evan Lewis (Literary Manager, Stagecoach Entertainment), among others.

Required Classes :
☐ TV 1 or TV Drama 1 (Script 1)
☐ TV 2  or TV Drama 2 (Script 1)
☐ TV 1 or TV Drama 1 (Script 2) (or TV Spec 1 for fellowship students)
☐ TV 2  or TV Drama 2 (Script 2) (or TV Spec 2 for fellowship students)
☐ 1 2-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.

Difference between Fellowship and Staffing Track :
The only difference between Fellowship track and Staffing track is that the Fellowship track replaces 1 round of Spec Script classes (TV Spec 1 and TV Spec 2) for 1 round of pilot classes (TV 1 & TV 2) to prepare the student for fellowship applications that require a spec script.

Still have questions?
Read our Certificate Program FAQ →

Program Cost / How It Works

The estimated total cost for the program is $5,205. However, your personal cost will vary depending on the individual classes you sign up for. Here’s how it works:

1. Pay for the initial nonrefundable program fee of $200 either all at once or through payment plan ($50 every 2 weeks).
2. You will receive coupon codes for your classes via email.
3. Sign up for your first class (TV 1, TV Comedy 1, TV Drama 1, TV Spec 1). We also recommend you start with TV 101 and TV Structure even though these are not required classes. You will receive an email recommending your first class if you have already taken TV 1.
4. 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.

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

If you are inactive in the program for over 9 weeks (not currently enrolled in a class or having recently completed a consult), you will need to re-register for $200. To attend networking events, you have to be an active student (currently enrolled in a class or recently completed a consult).

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.