What IS A Showrunner?
In the broadest application of the term, a showrunner is the writer-producer responsible for managing the creative vision of a television series from start to finish, from story creation through final cut.
As showrunner, you’re the CEO of a multi-million company, supervising the creative output of writers, directors, actors, editors, and others while simultaneously dealing with budgets, schedules, deadlines, and corporate executives.
This role is a unique blend of artist and administrator and is not for the faint of heart.
how did showrunning begin?
American television grew out of American radio, whose early leaders developed the production line process of generating weekly dramas, comedies, and variety shows supported by advertising
The system these innovators created typically relied on a non-writing producer to oversee a show and a story editor to commission and refine story ideas and scripts from a large pool of freelance writers.
This was the model that early television in virtually every detail, also generating 39 episodes a year. But as television gradually cut down the number of annual episodes to 22 (after execs realized that TV audiences would sit through reruns), it became possible for talented writers to conceive of and oversee an entire series. This approach often resulted in more original writing with a higher degree of consistency and sophistication than standard TV fare.
Because the audience responded favorably to shows created in this fashion, studios were compelled to adopt the new approach. By the 1970s, writer-producers overseeing hand-picked in-house writing staffs had virtually replaced traditional non-writing producers, dooming the once-robust freelance market to virtual extinction. This new breed of television leader, the writer-producer overseeing all creative decisions, became known as the showrunner.
Showrunner vs. Director vs. Producer
Under the traditional showrunner model, directors and producers report to the showrunner. Directors of individual episodes enjoy a good deal of creativity determining how to shoot a script and direct actors, but they know that their primary creative mission is to satisfy the showrunner. “Producer” is a general term that can include everyone from a writer-producer to a line producer (in charge of physical production) to the head of postproduction. The important point here is that, like directors, virtually all producers on a TV series are working to fulfill the showrunner’s creative vision.
At the premium end of television production, however, these roles have become more fluid. The showrunner model developed as an efficient way to deliver a high volume of quality television on a tight budget and schedule. The explosion of short-order, serialized dramas from subscription and streaming platforms, however, has disrupted traditional production protocols, often resulting in greater authority for directors and studio executives and diminished autonomy for showrunners.
So, one size hardly fits all when it comes to showrunning these days. The savvy showrunner must assess the specific context of each new opportunity and adjust their management style and expectations accordingly.
Showrunner vs. Executive Producer
All showrunners are executive producers, but not all executive producers are showrunners. Sound confusing? It can be. The plethora of executive producer titles on a typical television show can include individuals who actually perform meaningful work on the series, others who may have had something to do with selling the show but are no longer actively involved, and others still who never really had anything to do with the show other than having the clout to snare an executive producer credit. Such pretenders to the throne can include friends of a powerful executive or a lead actor’s agent. With virtually any title on a television show, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard, i.e., you need inside knowledge to determine just who exactly does what.
What Experience Do You Need to Become a Showrunner?
Becoming a showrunner traditionally required extensive experience in writing and producing. It was a role often earned through years of climbing the ranks in the writers' room and on set, learning every facet of the television production process in a de facto apprenticeship system.
Over the last twenty years, however, with the explosive growth of new platforms and the corresponding emphasis on original writing, many writers have been given showrunning opportunities with very limited preparation. This development, accelerated by the advent of “mini-rooms” (writers’ rooms that disband prior to production, in contrast to the traditional writers’ room that continued through production), has seriously eroded the opportunity for genuine apprenticeship, resulting in a critical need for more deliberate educational efforts.
This was the reason I created the Writers Guild of America’s Showrunner Training Program in 2005 and wrote my book, Running the Show: Television from the Inside, in 2023.
In my book, I go over the five traditional routes to becoming a showrunner and how to navigate them. It's a resource I wish I had when starting out, packed with insights critical for anyone looking to run a show.
Skillset of a Showrunner
It’s an exhaustive list that includes storytelling expertise, creative leadership, fiscal savvy, diplomacy, and tenacity. Just a few highlights:
Leadership: A showrunner must be an adept leader, capable of steering the creative vision while managing a large team of writers, cast, and crew.
Communication: Articulating ideas clearly and effectively is crucial, both in writing and in person, to ensure everyone from the writers' room to the set understands the show's direction.
Storytelling: Mastery in crafting compelling narratives and character arcs that engage audiences is the cornerstone of a showrunner's role.
Business acumen: Understanding the financial and administrative sides of production, including budgeting, scheduling, and negotiations, is essential.
Problem-solving: A showrunner must quickly resolve issues that arise during production, from script changes to on-set challenges.
Networking: Building and maintaining relationships within the industry can aid in everything from casting to negotiations with networks.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in network demands or audience preferences, is vital.
Resilience: The ability to weather criticism and setbacks and to persevere through long production cycles is vital for longevity in the role.
The effective showrunner is engaged in constant dance of creativity and control, combining both sides of “show business.” If it’s role that excites you, if you you’re new to showrunning or deep in the swamp, I’d love to talk.
