DURATION/TIME 7 weeks Mondays, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 16-Dec. 4 (no class on 11/27) LOCATION West Hollywood, Calif. MORE INFO Email us, or call (310) 659-5668. PRICE $475 ($450 for ) more info

Course Details

You've read all the books. You've studied all the shows. You've taken all the classes. And you're still wondering: "How do I break into this thing called television?" This 7-week symposium cuts the bull, cleans up the clutter, and puts you face-to-face with the people who run the show. Literally.

We'll begin with a three-hour seminar detailing the infrastructure of the industry. The remaining meetings will have panels focusing on a particular aspect of the television industry. The panels, moderated by Chad, consist of entertainment professionals sharing their views and experiences in television. We'll meet studio suits, independent producers, and staff writers of all levels.

Here's a breakdown of the seven weeks:

• Allison Gibson, creator, Reba (WB); writer and producer, Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place (ABC), Home Improvement (ABC), and others
• Drew Goddard, supervising producer, Lost; writer and producer, Alias; writer, Buffy and Angel
• Warren Littlefield, principal, Littlefield Company; executive producer, Keen Eddie (FOX), Like Family (WB), Foody Call (Style), and Love Inc. (UPN); former president, NBC Entertainment
• Francesca Orsi, creative executive, HBO
• Leigh Redman, director, Drama Development, Paramount Television
• Matt Shakman, director, Brothers & Sisters, Psych, Everwood, Everybody Hates Chris, Six Feet Under, and Boston Legal
• Lesley Wake, writer/producer, Notes From the Underbelly (ABC); formerly of That '80's Show (FOX) and What I Like About You (WB)
• Robert Zotnowski, vice president, Drama Development, CBS
• ... and more to come.

• How TV shows are developed and progress through the corporate hierarchy of networks, studios, and production house
• How a writers room works and how writers at different levels function
• What happens when a finished script goes into production: how it's prepped, shot, and edited
• How agencies work: How do they sell projects? How do they package? How do they accept new clients? And the all-important question: do you need an agent?
• How to navigate the diverse world of alternative programming. What elements are needed to sell a game show? A talk show? How is reality changing the landscape of television?
• Where to find that first, entry-level job and how to move ahead as fast as you can

Instructor Bio

Chad Gervich's Courses

Chad Gervich is a television producer, published author, and award-winning playwright who spent five years as a development executive and producer with the Littlefield Company, former NBC president Warren Littlefield's production company with Paramount Television. Chad developed and produced the Style network's hit comedy/reality series, Foody Call, and recently executive produced Celebrity Drive-By, a talk show pilot for E! Entertainment. He's currently working on Dirty Laundry, an internet soap for FOX, and writing on staff for The Daily Grind, an online comedy for Warner Brothers.

Prior to joining Littlefield, Chad worked in development at NBC Studios, Sony Pictures, CBS Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox. He's been instrumental in the development, production, and maintenance of countless pilots and series such as Love, Inc. (UPN), Malcolm in the Middle (FOX), Like Family (WB), Time Tunnel (FOX), Star Search (CBS), and Do Over (WB). His plays have been produced across the country, and his writing appears regularly in Daily Variety, Fade In, Moving Pictures, Writer's Digest and Orange Coast, as well as in several other nationally available books and magazines.

Testimonials

Chad is a very energetic and charismatic speaker with a non-judgmental, supportive teaching style. I left his class with tangible tools to move forward with the next step. -- Sue Karlin, freelance journalist, Newsweek, Forbes, Esquire

"Chad has valuable insights to share about the TV business and the craft of writing pilots. Whether you're a rookie or a professional, you'll feel focused, smarter, and ready to write." -- Wendy Calhoun, staff writer, NBC-Universal/NBC

"The course content was fabulous. Exactly what I expected in terms of starting from scratch to getting into the minute detail. It was just perfect." -- Georgia Cassimatis

"Chad is very knowledgeable and is able to present all topics in an informative, logical way with lots of enthusiasm." -- Vanessa Amador

"Chad is passionate about television and very down to earth. I was very impressed with the candid nature of Chad's information and his honest responses to people's questions. He gave them real answers." -- Chayah Masters

"I started this class with a blank writing tablet and ended the course with a spec script that I would be proud to submit to an agent. That's worth the time and the money." -- Dylan Conroy

"Chad was a dynamic speaker and took his time to make sure that everyone in the class participated and got their questions answered. I will definitely take another class with him. " -- Angie Truschel

"The presentation of the material was excellent. This is probably the best course I've taken." -- Roberta Cruger

"Chad is a great teacher and brings with him a wealth of information. I learned a great deal and the class is a heckuva lot of fun!" -- Susan Morris