Programs
2023 WGA Showrunner Training Program
OVERVIEW
The eighteenth session of the Guild’s highly acclaimed WGA Showrunner Training Program (WGA SRTP) begins January 2023. 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 and recent creators 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. WGA SRTP graduates have gone on to create, co-create or showrun over 160 series.
See a complete list of WGA SRTP alumni.
It is not yet decided whether the 2023 program will be presented in person or virtually. Regardless of venue, class starts on January 21, 2023 and runs six Saturdays, ending on March 4, 2023 (no class on February 18, Presidents Day Weekend).
Read the WGA Showrunner Training Program FAQ.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
- Current-active WGAW or WGAE members in good standing with "Supervising Producer" level credit or above on a current, dramatic (comedy or drama) television series and/or a pilot script, pilot or series currently set up at a network, cable channel or streaming service. 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 (2019-2022) showrunner, or executive producer, 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 August 11, 2022. It will also be available on the Guild website. The deadline for recommendations to be received is Friday, September 16.
Please only have one recommendation form submitted on your behalf.
If a writer applied last year there’s no need to have a new recommendation submitted on their behalf; he or she can use the recommender from the previous year. If a candidate chooses to do this, they should contact Program Director Carole Kirschner before the recommendation deadline (September 16, 2022). This process is only applicable to 2022 applicants. The program will then contact the recommender for any potential updates.
If an applicant has applied before, there’s no need to provide new references, though the applicant is welcome to do so. They can simply list the references from the previous year's application.
The above procedures have been implemented to streamline the re-application process and put a minimum of stress on both the candidate and their references and recommenders.
Once the recommendation form has been received, (please just one rec form per applicant) or in the case of a re-submission, the recommender has signed off for the current year, the candidate will be sent the URL by September 16, 2022 for the online application and will have four weeks to complete and submit to the Guild (October 15, 2022). Once applications are reviewed, select candidates are invited for personal interviews. Approximately 25 writers/writing teams will be invited to join the Program.
Evaluation Criteria
Candidates will be evaluated principally on leadership, experience, project development (where relevant) with a strong consideration given to immediate need. The spectrum of applicants ranges from current showrunners to novice television writers with active development at a network, cable channel or streaming service. In making final selections, consideration is given to inclusion in terms of genres, personal backgrounds and industry platforms.
Deadlines
- Online Recommendation Form: Friday, September 16, 2022
- Online Application: Saturday, October 15, 2022
If you have any questions concerning the submission process or the Program, please email Program Director Carole Kirschner at the WGA Showrunner Training Program.
FAQ
Am I eligible to apply to the WGA SRTP?
Current-active WGAW or WGAE members in good standing with supervising producer credit or above on a current, dramatic (comedy or drama) television series and/or are a creator with pilot script, pilot or series currently set up at a network, cable channel or streaming service are eligible to apply. Writing teams are considered a single entity and are welcome to apply.
A recommendation form must first be submitted on the writer’s behalf by a current or recent (2019-2022) showrunner, or executive producer, or a network or studio executive (from the development or current departments).
Who should submit a recommendation form on my behalf?
A current or recent (2019-2022) showrunner, or executive producer, or a network or studio executive (from the development or current departments). Please only have one recommendation form submitted on your behalf.
Where is the recommendation form and when is it due?
Here’s a link to the recommendation form. September 16, 2022 is the due date.
What is the next step after the recommendation form is submitted?
Recommended applicants will receive a link to the online application form by the week of September 16, 2022. Those applications are due Saturday, October 15, 2022.
What is the next step after the application form is submitted?
All submission materials will be reviewed by the SRTP admissions committee and all applicants will be notified as to whether or not they have been selected for interviews during the first three weeks of November.
When does the program begin and how long does it run?
It is currently undecided whether the 2023 SRTP will be presented in person or virtually on the Zoom platform. In either case, the class starts at 9 a.m. (PT) and goes through until 4 p.m. (PT). On the Zoom platform, there are approximately four 90-minute sessions each day, with significant breaks in-between, including a 45-minute lunch.
Where does the program take place and how long are the days?
The 2023 WGA Showrunner Training Program begins with a pre-program brunch or virtual “get together” so participants have a chance to meet one another, on Sunday, January 8, 2023. The main program begins on Saturday, January 21, 2023 and runs six Saturdays, ending Saturday, March 4, 2023 (no class on February 18, Presidents Day weekend).