OVERVIEW
The fifth season of the Guild’s highly acclaimed Showrunner Training Program (SRTP) begins January 2010. Conducted in partnership with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, this important industry training program is designed to help senior-level writer-producers develop the skills necessary to become successful showrunners in today’s television landscape.
Providing invaluable instruction from current showrunners and other industry veterans the program has helped produce many successful results. SRTP graduates have gone on to create and/or run hit TV shows, including such members as Matt Nix (Burn Notice, creator), Glen Mazzara (Crash, creator/showrunner; Hawthorne, showrunner), Sam Baum (Lie to Me, creator), David Hudgins (Past Life, creator), Steve Callahan (Family Guy, showrunner), Jennifer Johnson (Cold Case, co-showrunner), Jon Steinberg (Human Target, showrunner), and Darren Swimmer & Todd Slavkin (Melrose Place, showrunners). Other recent SRTP grads include members Scott Rosenbaum (Chuck, executive producer) and John Stephens (Gossip Girl, executive producer).
The Program starts Saturday, January 9, 2010 and runs six Saturdays, ending February 20, 2010 (no class February 13th)
Who is Eligible to Apply?
- Current-active WGAW or WGAE members in good standing with writer-producer credit or above on a current, dramatic (comedy or drama) television series and/or an active studio or network pilot script commitment. Writing teams are considered a single entity and are welcome to apply.
The Application Process
To apply for the SRTP, a recommendation form must first be submitted on the writer’s behalf by a current or recent (2008-2009) showrunner or a network or studio executive (from the development or current department).
Recommendation Forms will be emailed to showrunners, executives, and TV series writing staffs on Monday August 10. The deadline for recommendations to be received is Friday, September 18.
Once the Recommendation Form has been received, the candidate will be sent the URL for the online Application and will have four weeks to complete and submit to the Guild. Once Applications are reviewed, select candidates are invited for personal interviews. Approximately 20 writers/writing teams will be invited to join the Program.
Evaluation Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated principally on leadership potential, managerial skills and career experience.
Deadlines
- Online Recommendation Form: Friday, September 18, 2009
- Online Application: Friday, October 16, 2009
If you have any questions concerning the submission process or the Program, please contact Program Director Carole Kirschner at (323) 782-4867 or email the Showrunner Training Program.