The Procedural Lab: Write the Script That Gets You Staffed!

You already know procedurals dominate television. LAW & ORDER. NCIS. CSI. CHICAGO. BOSCH. TRACKER. These aren't just hit shows — they're the shows that built entire careers. And right now, with streamers launching AVOD platforms and FAST channels at a breakneck pace, the demand for writers who can craft a great procedural has never been higher.

So why aren't more writers breaking in?

Because knowing what a procedural is and knowing how to write one that actually sells — or gets you staffed — are two very different things. That gap is exactly what this lab closes.

Here's what you get.

Over eight weeks, you'll work directly alongside Chris Hazenbush — a TV Director of Development who has developed and sold pilots to ABC, CBS, and NBC. Chris was Director of Development at AfterPortsmouth Productions, the company behind THIS IS US. His latest series, TRACKER starring Justin Hartley, airs on CBS. He also worked on the development teams for the reboots of HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER.

The moment you sign up, you're connected with Chris directly via email — and that access stays open for the entire eight weeks. Real notes. Real answers. Real mentorship from someone who has actually sold shows at the highest level of the industry, available to you personally from day one.

This isn't a passive video course. You'll work with Chris in live workshop sessions and one-on-one meetings throughout the lab. And if life gets in the way, every session recording is available to you within 48 hours — so you never fall behind and never miss a thing.

By the time this lab is over, you'll have a finished, polished script — either your own original procedural pilot or a spec episode of an existing series — ready to send out, get you noticed, and get you into rooms.

You'll also come away knowing how to structure a procedural from logline to final draft, how to build characters compelling enough to sustain multiple seasons, and how to think about your writing the way a development executive does — because your mentor is one.

Why procedurals. Why now.

Networks never stopped needing them. Streamers are all in — Peacock launched POKER FACE, Netflix rescued LUCIFER, and the BOSCH franchise keeps expanding. As the streaming wars shift toward AVOD and FAST channels hungry for reliable, repeatable content, the writers who can deliver great procedurals are the writers who stay employed.

Only 10 spots. That's it.

This lab is intentionally kept small so that every writer gets direct, personal attention from Chris. There are no back rows here. When these 10 spots fill, enrollment closes.

Investment: $799 Payment plans available — contact edu@stage32.com

Testimonials from Chris' previous Stage 32 Courses:

"Chris really helped me hone the craft of TV writing so I could get my pilot in good shape. I highly recommend working with him." -- Samuel S

"Chris rocks! I've never worked with someone who is so knowledgable about all things film and television. He has a real knack for teaching what he knows in an effective manner. Thanks, Chris." -- Liam R.

PRE-CLASS PREP:

Have 2-3 original procedural concepts/loglines or 2-3 episode pitches/ideas for either THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE EQUALIZER, or SO HELP ME TODD (if writing an episodic spec).

WEEK 1: Top-Level Overview of Procedural Series

In Class:

• Introductions
• Review the syllabus and discuss class goals
• Lecture/Discussion
• Genre
• Setting
• Characters and Ensemble Type
• Plot
• Story Engine
• Tone
• Theme
• Timeliness
• What is a procedural?
• What are the key elements to consider when creating a procedural concept?
• Creating a One-Pager that gets attention
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Pick your strongest concept and write a One-Pager for your series or a one-page analysis of the series you’re going to emulate
• Optional: watch THE EQUALIZER pilot

WEEK 2: Understanding Pilot Structure - Overview, World-Building, and Character

In Class:

• Group-style workshop of one-pagers
• Lecture/Discussion
• Essential procedural pilot format
• Entryway into your pilot story (aka the “why here/why now?”)
• World-building and “rules” of the universe
• Essential Character Elements and Character Mapping
• Understanding the building blocks of a procedural pilot
• Creating an effective Story Area
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Write a Story Area for your pilot or episodic spec
• Optional: watch SO HELP ME TODD pilot

WEEK 3: Story Breaking Part I - Getting It All Started

Now that we have our narrative pilot stories sketched out in Story Areas, it’s time to expand upon it beat by beat.

In Class:

• Group-style workshop of Story Area
• Lecture/Discussion
• Teasers/cold opens
• A/B/C Storylines
• Exposition
• Scene Building
• Building stakes and creating mystery/suspense through Act Outs
• Setting a consistent tone through dialogue and other means
• Story Breaking
• How to turn your Story Area into a Beat Sheet
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Write Teaser, Act 1, and Act 2 of your Beat Sheet
• Optional: watch THE GOOD DOCTOR pilot

WEEK 4: Story Breaking Part II - Finishing It Strong

In Class:

• Group-style workshop of Teaser, Act 1, and Act 2 of Beat Sheets
• Lecture/Discussion
  • Incorporating themes and timeliness
  • Writing effective resolutions and pilot outs
  • Thinking through repeatable case structure for your pilot in series
  • Story Engine
  • Ending the Pilot
• Brief discussion on crafting a pitch and creating pitch decks
• What to do once the pilot is finished  
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Write Act 3, Act 4, and Act 5 of your Beat Sheet
• Email Act 3, Act 4, and Act 5 of Beat Sheet notes to team members (in lieu of group-style workshopping in Week 5)

WEEK 5: NO CLASS - Virtual One-On-One Consultation With Chris

You will meet with Chris one-on-one via Zoom to discuss your completed pilot Beat Sheets. Each writer will send in their Beat Sheet in advance and will discuss what works and what doesn’t work with Chris before he “sends you off” to start writing your pilot script.

Assignment:

• Write Teaser and Act 1 of your pilot script or episode spec

WEEK 6: Workshopping Your Pilot

In Class:

• Group-style workshop of your Teaser and Act 1
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Write Act 2 and Act 3 of your pilot or episodic spec

WEEK 7: Workshopping Your Pilot

In Class:

• Group-style workshop of your Act 2 and Act 3
• Q&A with Chris

Assignment:

• Write Act 4 and Act 5 of your pilot or episodic spec
• Email Act 4 and Act 5 notes to team members (in lieu of group-style workshopping in Week 8)

WEEK 8: NO CLASS - Virtual One-On-One Consultation With Chris

You will meet with Chris one-on-one via video to discuss your completed pilot or spec episode. Chris will give you notes to work on moving forward as well as a strategy on how to best get your work read by professionals in the industry.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate writers interested in writing a pilot or spec script for a television procedural show.
• By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have a professional television procedural script.
• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
• **Chris will be available on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information.

• Writers who want to break into TV and need a strong procedural pilot or spec script for their portfolio
• Screenwriters looking for structured guidance and accountability over 8 weeks
• Fans of procedural series (like crime, medical, or legal shows) who want to learn how to write in that format
• Creators developing an original series who need help with concept, structure, and story engine
• Writers who struggle with pilot structure, act breaks, and episodic storytelling
• Writers looking to polish or elevate an existing idea into a professional-level script
• Anyone seeking industry insight into how procedurals are developed and sold

Testimonials from Chris' previous Stage 32 Courses:

"Chris really helped me hone the craft of TV writing so I could get my pilot in good shape. I highly recommend working with him." -- Samuel S

"Chris rocks! I've never worked with someone who is so knowledgable about all things film and television. He has a real knack for teaching what he knows in an effective manner. Thanks, Chris." -- Liam R.