Development is more than taste. It’s a skill.
Advanced story training for aspiring TV and film executives.
Better notes. Better collaboration. Better stories.
The Executive Training Program (ETP) at The Professional Pen trains aspiring development executives
to think and operate like true story partners.
Participants - we call them Changemakers - learn how to evaluate material, understand the writer’s process, and guide projects with clarity and intention — not confusion or ego.
By bridging creative and executive perspectives, ETP leads to:
More effective collaboration with writers
Shorter, smoother development timelines
Stronger, more inclusive storytelling
Content that resonates with diverse audiences and sells
“This is one of the most insightful and generous training programs I’ve ever participated in. The level of behind-the-scenes access, real-world application, and executive-level insight is unmatched — the kind of knowledge aspiring creatives and execs rarely receive, let alone in such a passionate, accessible format. Shannan is a phenomenal instructor, and the team is incredibly giving with their time, feedback, and wisdom. You can feel how deeply they care about your growth. This is a top-caliber program that not only sharpens your eye to executive function but also elevates your sense of what’s possible.”
- Dionne, Cohort I
7 weeks of virtual sessions
Live, instructor-led sessions focused on real-world development skills, shaped by a former TV executive and working screenwriter who understands both sides of the desk.
Speaking the Writers' Language
Giving Notes
Learn TPP’s proven note-giving method that prioritizes the writer's growth. Develop clarity, objectivity, and structure in your feedback style, so you can advocate for the script without rewriting it yourself.
WEEK 4
WEEK 1
Welcome to the Industry
The Basics of Being an Executive
Start with a foundational understanding of the development pipeline. Learn the hierarchy of roles, where executives fit into the creative process, and what it really takes to build a career in development.
Practice What You Preach
The First 15
We’ll introduce TPP’s development rubric as a tool to break down the first 15 pages of any script that lands on your desk. Learn how to evaluate a script and articulate your perspective like a professional exec. You’ll apply these tools to two real submissions to sharpen your instincts and communication skills.
WEEK 5
WEEK 2
A Day in the Life of an Exec
Executive Panel
Meet real working execs across film and television. Hear what their days really look like, what they look for in talent and story, and how they climbed the ladder. This session offers context to shape your executive identity and questions for the rest of the program.
WEEK 6
Executive Coaching -
Notes on Your Notes
Step into the writer’s seat and receive professional feedback on your First 15 analyses. Strengthen your communication skills and learn how to revise feedback with clarity and care—because great execs know how to support great writers.
Film School Fast Track
Story Structure
Learn to identify the key beats of 2-act, 3-act, and 5-act structures across film and TV. Strengthen your story intuition so you can speak the writer’s language and evaluate scripts with confidence.
WEEK 3
WEEK 7
The Finale
Wrap Up + Career Strategy
Submit your revised notes following the coaching session. Reflect on your growth and begin strategizing your next steps. Each Changemaker will receive a 1:1 coaching call with Shannan E. Johnson, CEO + Head Consultant at TPP, to map out a personalized career plan moving forward.
PAST EXECUTIVE PANELISTS
WHO ARE THE IDEAL CANDIDATES
The Executive Training Program is built for rising and transitioning leaders ready to shape the future of storytelling. Ideal candidates include:
Aspiring Creative Execs and Producers: Individuals pursuing roles in scripted TV or film who want hands-on, real-world training in development.
Early-Career Insiders: Readers, assistants, coordinators, or junior execs looking to sharpen their story instincts and move up the ladder.
Industry Switchers: Mid-to-senior level professionals from adjacent or unrelated industries making a strategic pivot into entertainment—especially those with transferable leadership or storytelling experience.
Inclusive Leaders: Change agents committed to building a more diverse and representative Hollywood.
Growth-Minded Changemakers: Professionals eager to fast-track their careers, make smart development decisions, and build authentic relationships with writers.
FROM THEORY TO EXECUTION
A firsthand look at how ETP produces confident, capable development Changemakers.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application, including your résumé and a short development exercise based on assigned case study scripts. All qualified applicants will receive an invitation to register for the program.
This process is designed to assess how you think about story, not how perfectly you format notes.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Registration opens: Spring 2026
Registration closes: TBD
REGISTRATION FEES
$699
PROGRAM DATES
7 Weeks of Virtual Sessions
TBD
FOR LESS THAN $100/week, you'll
Go from script reader to trusted creative exec — with the professional-grade tools to prove it.
Master screenplay structure with a graduate-level lens.
Learn to give actionable notes that support, not silence, a writer’s voice.
Understand the real responsibilities of a development exec — and what it takes to get there.
For the price of one industry mixer and a few lattes,
you’ll join a space for aspiring creative execs that literally doesn’t exist anywhere else - built by a former exec who's been on both sides.
FOR JUST $699
OUR ChANGEMAKERS
ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE THE HOLLYWOOD LANDSCAPE AS A CREATIVE EXEC?
Sign up to stay up to date on our Changemakers Program
you’ve got questions. we’ve got answers.
Browse our FAQs — or chat 1:1 with a Story Expert to get your questions answered.
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The Executive Training Program (ETP) is a 7-week virtual experience designed to fast-track aspiring TV and film execs into scripted development-ready professionals. Built by a former studio executive, the program teaches participants how to evaluate scripts, give constructive feedback, understand story structure, and build strong relationships with writers. It’s a writer-centered approach to executive development — because strong storytelling starts with smart, thoughtful leadership.
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The Executive Training Program is a professional development experience — not a career placement program. While we don’t secure jobs for participants, we do train you to think and communicate like a creative executive. By the end of the 7 weeks, you’ll walk away with stronger qualifications, a deeper understanding of the industry, and a skill set that makes you more competitive for roles in scripted development and current programming.
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The Executive Training Program is a 7-week immersive experience that prepares aspiring film and TV executives to work in scripted development and current programming. Through weekly live virtual sessions, participants learn how to analyze scripts, identify structure, tone, and format, and give actionable development notes that support writer growth. They’ll also gain a clear understanding of the development process—what executive titles mean, how projects move from pitch to production, and how to build stronger writer-executive relationships. The program ends with real-world application, allowing participants to sharpen their instincts and practice giving professional-grade feedback on actual scripts.
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The Executive Training Program is led by Shannan E. Johnson, CEO + Head Consultant at The Professional Pen. A former executive at the Syfy Channel, Shannan brings extensive experience in both development and current programming—guiding projects from concept to production. She’s also a working screenwriter, giving her a unique perspective on both sides of the desk. That dual experience allows her to teach executives how to communicate with writers more effectively and move projects forward with confidence.
To deepen the learning experience, the program also includes a panel discussion with current industry executives, giving participants firsthand insights into the day-to-day realities of creative executive roles in today’s entertainment landscape. -
The Executive Training Program is designed for individuals who have some experience within the entertainment industry or adjacent fields. While you don’t need to have served in an executive role, applicants should demonstrate a foundational understanding of the film and television development process—or show senior-level experience in a related industry if they’re transitioning into entertainment. We're looking for candidates with strong instincts, leadership potential, and a genuine interest in the role of creative executives. This ensures participants are ready to engage with the material and contribute meaningfully to industry conversations.
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The Executive Training Program blends hands-on practice with industry-level theory. Participants learn The Professional Pen’s signature methodology by analyzing the first 15 pages of real scripts—the same threshold most execs use to decide whether to keep reading. Throughout the program, you’ll evaluate actual submissions from our First 15 Competition using a professional-grade scoresheet that focuses on key development areas like structure, tone, premise, formatting, character, dialogue, and more. You’ll also learn how to recommend next steps with clarity, offering actionable notes such as “Consider,” “Needs Development,” or “Pass.” This real-world training sharpens your eye for story, builds your confidence in giving feedback, and prepares you to assess material like a seasoned creative executive.
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To apply for the Executive Training Program, you must demonstrate a foundational understanding of story and the development process. Here's how:
Download the Materials
You’ll be given access to the first 15 pages of two scripts.Write Your Notes
Craft development notes that reflect your instincts and ability to evaluate a script. Focus on what’s working, what’s unclear, and what revisions might help the writer move forward. (These are not line-by-line notes—treat this like an executive’s coverage or story memo.)Submit Your Application
Combine your notes into a single PDF. Each notes page should include:The title of the script
Your name
Deadline to Submit: TBD
Late applications will not be accepted.
This process allows us to assess your instincts and readiness for the program. No prior experience as an executive is required, but some familiarity with storytelling is expected.