Maura N.
The Last Black Unicorn
If you’ve ever dreamed of being in charge of your own network, cable, or web series, then this is the book for you. The TV Showrunner’s Roadmap provides you with the tools for creating, writing, and managing your own hit show...
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Neil Landau, Professor & Lecturer, MFA Screenwriting & Producing Programs at UCLA School of Theater, Film, Television & Digital Media.
Key Features: - provides you with the tools required to become an effective showrunner, with in-depth advice about a range of issues, from structuring and developing a TV drama and creating iconic, multi-layered characters to dealing with network and studio script notes, budgeting, and managing writer room crises - including in-the-trenches perspective with contributions from A-list showrunners such as Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad; X-Files), Alex Gansa (Homeland; Dexter; 24), Jason Katims (Parenthood; Friday Night Lights) and others - a companion website bonus interviews If you’ve ever dreamed of being in charge of your own network, cable, or web series, then this is the book for you. The TV Showrunner’s Roadmap provides you with the tools for creating, writing, and managing your own hit show. Combining his 20+ years as a working screenwriter and UCLA professor, Neil Landau expertly guides you through 21 essential insights to the creation of a successful show, and takes you behind the scenes with exclusive and enlightening interviews with showrunners from some of TV’s most lauded series, including:
- Breaking Bad
- Homeland
- Scandal
- Modern Family
- The Walking Dead
- Once Upon a Time
- Lost
- House, M.D.
- Friday Night Lights
- The Good Wife
So grab your laptop, dig out that stalled spec script, and buckle up. Welcome to the fast lane.
Contents:
Chapter 1: Prepare the Perfect Pitch Interview: Ian Sander and Kim Moses – Ghost Whisperer
Chapter 2: Explore a New Arena Interview: Steven S. DeKnight* – Spartacus
Chapter 3: Service Your Franchise Interview: Michael Rauch – Royal Pains
Chapter 4: Deliver the Verdict Interview: Michelle and Robert King – The Good Wife
Chapter 5: Make Us Care Interview: Vince Gilligan – Breaking Bad
Chapter 6: Value Family Dynamics Interview: Shonda Rhimes – Scandal
Chapter 7: Fuel Your Story Engine Interview: Pam Veasey* – CSI: New York
Chapter 8: Identify Characters’ Weaknesses Interview: David Shore – House, M.D.
Chapter 9: Determine the POV Interview: Alex Gansa – Homeland
Chapter 10: Get to the Heart of Your Story Interview: Jason Katims – Parenthood
Chapter 11: Know Who and What They’re Up Against Interview: Tim Kring – Touch
Chapter 12: Mine the Mystery Interview: Damon Lindelof – Lost
Chapter 13: Blueprint Your Structure Interview: Glen Mazzara – Walking Dead
Chapter 14: Unify Storylines (via Theme) Interview: Chip Johannessen – Dexter
Chapter 15: Pique Our Interest with a Potent Teaser Interview: Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin* – The Riches
Chapter 16: Hit the Sweet Spot Interview: Hart Hanson – Bones
Chapter 17: Pay Off the Setups Interview: Veena Sud – The Killing
Chapter 18: Establish the Mythology Interview: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis – Once Upon a Time
Chapter 19: Push Them Off a Cliff Interview: Michael Kelley – Revenge
Chapter 20: Designate an Expertise Interview: Janet Tamaro – Rizzoli & Isles
Chapter 21: Make Us Laugh Interview: Christopher Lloyd – Modern Family Interview: Craig Thomas & Carter Bays – How I Met Your Mother Interview: Don Roos and Dan Bucatinsky* – Web Therapy
Order your copy of the book The TV Showrunner's Roadmap: 21 Navigational Tips for Screenwriters to Create and Sustain a Hit TV Series at the Student Filmmakers online store today!
