Run The Room

Welcome to Run The Room! The immersive, simulated writers' room built to give aspiring television writers everything they need to thrive in Hollywood's fast-paced shows.

How it works

Run The Room meets twice weekly. Once over Zoom and once in person.The ZOOM SESSIONS cover each week’s topic (think: how to pitch, how to break stories).The IN-PERSON SESSIONS are run exactly like a real writers' room. We'll break a TV season together, based on sample IP.Note that once you walk through the door on Saturdays, you are a working writer in the room. This is your chance to jump inside the culture and cadence of an actual running show.

What you'll learn

RUN THE ROOM covers all the skills you need to be a great TV writer, including:• How to pitch
• How to listen and be heard
• How to give and take notes
• Co-writing and collaboration
• Storybreaking
• Character journeys
• Navigating the hierarchy
• How to pivot like a pro
• How to earn fast title bumps
• How to get out of your head
• How to be valuable on Day One

Schedule + Pricing

RUN THE ROOM meets twice weekly for four weeks.Thursday evenings we do an hourlong Zoom session
Saturday afternoons are our two-hour in-person writers' room (Hollywood area)Our MAY ROOM is beginning soon! Meeting dates:
• 5/7 + 5/9
• 5/14 + 5/16
• 5/21 + 5/23
• 5/28 + 6/2Total price per person: $299

FAQ

Is this geared more toward comedy or drama?
For the May Room, we’re going to build a dramedy together. We'll be breaking 30-min episodes for expediency.How many people are in a room?
The May Room will have 8-10 writers.Is there homework or required reading?
Nope! The only thing you will be asked to do outside of class is watch a movie before the course begins.Do I need a writing sample?
Yes, every applicant will be asked to submit a brief sample of no more than 10 pages. This is to help us get a sense of your voice.Will the Zoom sessions be recorded?
Currently there are no plans to record the Zoom sessions. Members are strongly encouraged to commit to attending the full course, as the live energy of the room is a big piece of the program.Is this open to non-writers?
Currently we are open to aspiring writers only. Future courses may expand to include other creatives, as well as folks who are just Hollywood-curious.Can I apply if I’ve been in a writers’ room before?
Yes! This course is designed to help everyone deepen their skills in the room, and can be applied to any experience level.Can I join with my writing partner?
Yes, teams are welcome. Note that all writers must pay individually for the course.Will I have to write a script?
No. We’ll be breaking stories down to the scene level, but currently we do not require scripted pages within the course.Is this a writing class?
This is a 'rooming' class. The program is designed to help you master the many skills required to be great in a writers’ room. That said, you will undoubtedly pick up useful tools through learning how to break a season of television like the pros.What if I can’t make one of the sessions?
Writers are strongly encouraged to attend all of the sessions. If illness or emergency keeps you out of class, we will do our best to catch you up.What if I have to drop out of the course?
A partial refund will be offered if you must drop out in the first half of the course. Past the midpoint there will be no refunds.Do I need Final Draft?
Nope.Will there be snacks?
What even is a writers’ room without snacks? The answer is yes.I can’t make it in May. Will there be future course offerings?
That’s the idea! Watch this space for more news.

Apply now

About Zach

Two-time Emmy-nominated writer and executive producer Zach Dodes (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series; School Spirits; Disney+’s upcoming Coven Academy) has sold pilots to Fox and Disney, run multiple rooms, and spent several full seasons on set covering everything from prep through post-production. Zach is a proud mentor with the Writers Guild Foundation, and has held every job in the writers' room from script coordinator through EP.