OVERVIEW
The eighth season of the Guild’s highly acclaimed Showrunner Training Program (SRTP) begins January 2013. 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 hone the skills necessary to become successful showrunners in today’s television landscape.
Providing invaluable instruction from current showrunners and other industry professionals, the program has helped produce many successful results. SRTP graduates have gone on to create, co-create and/or executive produce new and returning series. Five new shows were created this year by Program alums including Stephen Falk (Next Caller), Eric Friedman (Crash and Burnstein) and Karl Gajdusek (Last Resort), Chris Harris (The Goodwin Games) and Rob Wright (Mob Doctor).
Alumni with continuing series include April Blair (Jane By Design), Jordan Budde (The Client List), Matt Corman & Chris Ord (Covert Affairs), Jim Dunn & Sam Ernst (Haven), Eric Garcia & Leo Chu (Supah Ninjas), Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis (Once Upon A Time), Darlene Hunt (The Big C), Joe & Tony Gayton (Hell on Wheels), Aaron Korsh (Suits), Glen Mazzara (Walking Dead), Bryan Moore & Chris Peterson (Lab Rats), Matt Nix (Burn Notice), Craig Shapiro & Elizabeth Kruger (Necessary Roughness), Veena Sud (The Killing), and Janet Tamaro (Rizzoli & Isles).
The Program starts Saturday, January 12, 2013 and runs six consecutive Saturdays, ending February 16, 2013.
Emmy Award-winning executive producer Jeff Melvoin (Army Wives, Alias) talks to WGAW Showrunner Training Program Director Carole Kirschner about how and why he created the program and the four words a showrunner must remember to be successful in television.
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 (2009-2012) showrunner or a network or studio executive (from the development or current departments).
Recommendation Forms will be emailed to showrunners, executives, and TV series writers on Monday, August 13, 2012. The deadline for recommendations to be received is Friday, September 14, 2012.
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 twenty-five 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
If you have any questions concerning the submission process or the Program, please contact Program Director Carole Kirschner at (323) 782-4867 or e-mail the Showrunner Training Program.