About

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

From conception to final rewrite, The TV Showrunner’s Roadmap is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to create a series that won’t run out of steam after the first few episodes. This groundbreaking guide features a companion website with additional interviews and bonus materials. www.focalpress.com/cw/landau 

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!