Jeff Melvoin
Showrunner & Author
MASTER THE ART OF SHOWRUNNING.
With over four decades in television, I've crafted narratives that have captivated millions. Through my book, courses, speaking engagements, and mentoring, I demystify the complexities of showrunning to transform creatives into effective leaders.
RUNNING THE SHOW BOOK
BE AN EFFECTIVE SHOWRUNNER.
In my new book, Running the Show: Television from the Inside, I teach the challenging art and occasional science of being an effective showrunner in Hollywood. The book details how to harness leadership skills for a successful television career——from guiding your creative vision to mastering critical managerial decisions. Whether you’re an aspiring showrunner or industry veteran, Running the Show will inspire you to level up as a leader and creative. Non-writing producers and executives will also find plenty of insights to work effectively with showrunners. For curious members of the viewing public, the book provides a ringside seat “behind the curtain” of television production and the creative process.
Recent Resources.
Get my insider info on showrunning, production, writing, leadership, and more.
JEFF MELVOIN: SHOWRUNNER
ABOUT ME.
I’m an Emmy award-winning showrunner, writer-producer, author, and advisor who helps individuals, studios, and networks master the art of showrunning. I’ve been a writer-producer on over a dozen primetime series, and I’ve been involved in over 470 hours of produced television throughout my career. I’ve taught courses at USC, UCLA, and Harvard, led workshops at the Sundance Institute and the American Film Institute, and currently chair the Writers Guild of America's Showrunner Training Program. I genuinely love what I do.
Featured Podcasts
HAPPIER IN HOLLYWOOD
Ep. 330: Running The Show With Jeff Melvoin
Listen Now
Media Path Podcast
Ep. 147: The Rules of Showrunning & an Insider's Guide To How TV Is Made
Listen Now
The screenwriting life
Ep. 186: A Crash Course for Showrunners (& Their Staff Writers) featuring Jeff Melvoin
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There’s no one in the field who has mentored as many young writers and contributed more to this generation of showrunning than Jeff Melvoin.
Veena Sud, Executive Producer, (Seven Seconds, The Killing, Cold Case)
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A wonderful ride through the raging waters of creating television. It’s a book full of sharp insights, great advice, and legitimate wisdom.
J.J. Abrams, Executive Producer, Director (Star Wars, Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Alias)
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An insightful, entertaining, insider's look at the entire process of showrunning written by one of the foremost practitioners of the craft. Jeff Melvoin's book is a gift to anyone who's ever considered pursuing a career in television or wondered what a showrunner actually does!
John Wells, Executive Producer, Director (ER, The West Wing, Shameless)
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It pains me to say, but it's rare that a book this educational is so damn entertaining.
Bill Lawrence, Executive Producer, Director (Ted Lasso, Cougar Town, Scrubs, Spin City)
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Melvoin has done pretty much everything in this business. And, more fundamentally, thought about everything. I recommend this book for any writer or aspiring writer.
David Shore, Executive Producer (House, The Good Doctor)
RUNNING THE SHOW COURSE
JOIN MY 9-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM.
Running the Show is a unique, in-depth program designed for writers and producers looking to take a lead creative role in television production, whether in Hollywood or abroad.
Distilled from my 40-year-career as a writer, producer, and teacher, the course explores the essentials of showrunning, but has been especially designed for creatives who haven’t experienced the American model of television production. Featuring insights from industry experts in the US, UK, and Denmark, Running the Show is presented by John Yorke Story in association with MediaXchange, and can be studied from anywhere in the world.
Over 9 weeks, you’ll:
Understand the multiple roles and functions of a successful showrunner
Learn key managerial and storytelling skills for running writers’ rooms
Become familiar with the development process and the vocabulary, production set-up and team structure of different showrunning models
Understand how to apply the theory to practical tasks within your own professional context
Develop a plan to accelerate your career
Learn from an experienced showrunner
CREATE A SUCCESSFUL SHOW.
I take the guesswork out of showrunning. Let’s discuss how I can help.