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Chris is an accomplished TV Development Executive, helping to develop and sell pilots to CBS, ABC, and NBC. Most recently he was the Director of Development at AfterPortsmouth Productions (Ken Olin, EP/Director of NBC’s THIS IS US) where he sourced, packaged, and developed an expanding slate of TV projects in broadcast, cable, and streaming. Their procedural series TRACKER, starring THIS IS US star Justin Hartley was greenlit for pilot production in Fall 2022 for CBS while their ABC pilot is in active development. Prior to that he was on the development team for former showrunner Peter Lenkov, whose reboots of HAWAII FIVE-0, MAGNUM P.I., and MACGYVER reached millions of viewers over their successful series runs. During this time, Chris worked closely with both Studio and Network executives developing procedural series through their overall deal with CBS-TVS. Prior to working in Scripted Development, he worked in the TV Lit Department at CAA and in the unscripted space at a branded entertainment start-up called Populus Brands. A Hudson Valley native, Chris graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA with degrees in Classics and Communications and Media Studies, while also running the college’s TV station, TUTV. Before moving to LA, he worked in the legal field as a Case Manager in Rochester, NY. Full Bio »
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with Producer and Stage 32 Instructor, Chris Hazenbush! He is an accomplished TV Development Executive, having helped develop and sell pilots to major networks, and will share his background & experience, give advice, and answer YOUR questions!
The Executive Hour
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Sierra London McDonald has spent over a decade shaping scripted and unscripted television concepts across some of the industry's most recognized media companies — including VH1, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, and WE tv/ALLBLK. At WE tv, she served as Manager of Development and Original Programming, helping create and develop fresh unscripted programming for the network. She also worked on the development of A LA CARTE, which was sold to streaming platform ALLBLK, and throughout her career helped content creators secure paid development deals with major television networks. What made Sierra's perspective especially valuable was the full spectrum of her development experience — spanning programming strategy, concept development, pitch material refinement, and production across both scripted and unscripted formats. Working independently, she collaborates with writers, producers, and creatives to strengthen their concepts and position their projects for network and platform consideration. She maintains strong relationships with network partners across the industry and brings both creative instincts and strategic market knowledge to every project she evaluates. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to content that highlights Black voices and stories — with a particular focus on Drama, Family, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Romance, Rom-Com, and Reality. The Exec Hour with Sierra London McDonald gave Stage 32 Writers' Room members direct access to a development executive whose hands-on experience and network relationships span over a decade of television. Whether writers came with a scripted drama, an unscripted concept, or a pitch they wanted to strengthen before taking it to market, Sierra brought the kind of strategic development insight that moves projects forward.
We're back in the Writers' Room with for the Executive Hour Webcast with Jonathan Harris the Development Executive for Oscar-winner Jordan Peele at Monkeypaw Productions whose credits include GET OUT, US, BLACKkKLANSMAN and many more. Jonathan sits at the frontline of all incoming projects and development, and assists in shaping and managing projects as they move into the production pipeline. Previously, he worked in the TV department at CAAand in development for Kenya Barris - the producer of COMING TO AMERICA 2. Founded by Jordan Peele, Monkeypaw Productions cultivates artistic, thought-provoking projects across film, television and digital platforms. The company is committed to groundbreaking storytelling, visionary world-building and the unpacking of contemporary social issues. Monkeypaw Productions champions highly specific perspectives and artistic collaborations with unique and traditionally underrepresented voices. The work challenges the conventional architecture of genre storytelling from horror to science fiction to social satire, while balancing avant-garde visual language with undeniably contagious fun. During this conversation Jonathan talks about the ethos behind Monkeypaw and what guides their development process. He also talks directly with writers about how they can get started in the industry.
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with special guest Christian Sosa (Roosevelt Film Lab). Prepare to delve into Christian’s captivating journey and wealth of experience, as he generously imparts invaluable advice, all while eagerly responding to the burning questions YOU bring to the table. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a seasoned professional in the industry!
The Exec Hour brought one of the most experienced television development executives working today directly into the room with Stage 32 writers and creators. David Brownfield served as Senior Vice President of Current Programming at CBS for nine years — overseeing the creative development of over 20 scripted series per season, including CSI, NCIS, THE GOOD WIFE, THE BIG BANG THEORY, and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. He later led creative and production teams for seven Primetime series at Dick Wolf Entertainment, the powerhouse behind the LAW AND ORDER, ONE CHICAGO, and FBI franchises. Writers came away with an inside look at how television gets developed, championed, and sustained at the highest level of the network and streaming landscape. What made David's perspective especially valuable was the full range of what he has done inside the industry — from comedy writing on BOY MEETS WORLD and THE DREW CAREY SHOW, to overseeing current programming at CBS, to developing and selling dramas and comedies across broadcast, cable, and streaming through his production deal at CBS Television Studios. Writers learned what it actually looks like to shepherd a series from development through multiple seasons, how networks evaluate and sustain scripted programming, and what separates the shows that become franchises from the ones that do not make it past a first season. The Exec Hour with David Brownfield gave Stage 32 Writers' Room members direct access to a television veteran whose 360-degree view of the industry — writer, network executive, and producer — translated into practical, honest insight they could apply immediately to their current projects. Whether they came with questions about drama development, comedy writing, or how to position a series for today's broadcast and streaming buyers, David brought the kind of hard-won, real-world perspective that only comes from decades at the center of American television.
We’re back in the Writers’ Room for the Executive Hour with special guest Todd Slavkin. Prepare to delve into Todd’s captivating journey and wealth of experience, as he generously imparts invaluable advice, all while eagerly responding to the burning questions YOU bring to the table. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from a seasoned professional in the industry!
We're back in the Writers' Room for The Executive Hour with Daniel Sol, Co-Founder of Hollyshorts. Daniel Sol is the co-founder and co-director of the Oscar-qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and formerly a theatrical sales executive for Lionsgate. With a passion for film and filmmaking since childhood, Daniel decided to move to California in 2000 with an interest in the film business. After working on commercial productions as a production assistant for Tony Kaye Films and then acting in various films, he gained an understanding of the filmmaking process. After graduating at Cal State Northridge in 2006, he realized that young filmmakers had very little access to industry professionals, and few options for screening their films. And thus, the HollyShorts Film Festival was born. Now in its 13th year, HollyShorts has quickly become the most influential short film festival in Los Angeles, with Daniel guiding it as Festival Director and lead programmer for the festival and the HollyShorts Monthly Screening Series, which takes place each month at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres. Aside from HollyShorts, Sol also battled daily with domestic exhibitors as a theatrical sales executive at Lionsgate from 2008-2014. Mr. Sol is also the co founder of the premium Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV content channel BITPIX (www.bitpixtv.com). PRAISE FOR DANIEL'S LESSIONS: "Thanks Daniel for sharing your journey." -Debbie J. "Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience today!" -Ingrid W. "Thank you for your education tonight Daniel." -John M.