This four week class will teach you how to show run a scripted drama television show, from hiring the pilot director, casting the show, assembling your production and post-production team, hiring and managing the writing staff, managing pre-production and production, editing the show, delivering that final cut, marketing the show, doing press, and of course live tweeting the premiere.  You will learn the creative and practical aspects of the job as well as the necessary psychology needed to manage both artists and executives while keeping yourself creatively anchored and inspired. Hand-outs include a script, outline, prep memo, concept art, set design, shooting schedule, one-liner, and more.

Sunday Nov. 17 - Dec. 15

10:30am - 12:30am

WEEK ONE

Congratulations you got the green light! 

Sharing your vision 

--  How to communicate

--  Lookbooks

--  Positive Energy

-- Thinking About the Season Arc 

Working with Studio Executives 

--  Friends not Foes

--  The Partnership

--  Compliment good notes

--  How much is the Budget? 

--  Where are we Shooting? 

Finding the Right Director 

-- Due diligence

-- Watch their stuff

-- The Interview Process

-- The Partnership (kind of)

Casting

-- The Casting Agent

-- Creating Sides

-- Watch all of self-tapes

-- The Actor Interview

-- The Approval Process

Assembling The Production and Post-Production Team

-- Line Producer where art thou? Your vital right-hand person.  

-- Finding the Right Artists and Good People 

-- Hiring Episodic Directors

-- Reuniting with Old Friends 

The Approval Process

-- Sets

-- Locations

-- Wardrobe

-- Hair and Make-up

-- Series Props

WEEK TWO

The Writer’s Room 

Hiring the Writing Staff

--  The Studio List

--  Evaluating Sample Scripts

--  The Interview

--  Due Diligence

-- The Support Staff   

The Machinations of the Room

-- Big Enough and Cozy Enough to Inspire

-- Offices for Each Writer 

-- Whiteboard vs. Cards

-- Food

The First Week

-- Anything Goes (Lionel Has Wings) 

-- Conveying Your Taste to the Writers

-- Giving Constructive and Inspiring Feedback

-- Creating the Season

-- Character Arcs

-- Three Acts

-- The Calendar and Writing Order

The Studio/Network(Streamer) Pitch

-- Preparation

-- Don’t Read

-- Passion Passion

-- Answering Their Questions

Breaking an Episode

-- The Board

-- The Story Area

-- The Outline

-- The Script

-- How to Give Notes

WEEK THREE

Production

Prep

-- The Concept Meeting

-- Rallying The Troops

-- Scouting Locations

-- Bonding with the Director, 

-- Art Dept., Wardrobe, VFX, Stunt Meetings

-- The Production Meeting

-- The Tone Meeting

The Table Read

-- Managing Actors

-- Who Reads Scene Description?

-- Managing The Studio/Network Notes

-- Writer’s Round Table

On Set

-- Get to Know Crew 

-- Spread Positivity

-- Giving Notes to Director

-- Empower Director

-- Your Trailer is Your Sanctuary

Be Ready to Pivot

-- What Can Go Wrong Will Go Wrong?

-- Ability to Think Quick 

-- Actors are Human Beings

-- Weather

-- Trust

Dailies

-- Someone Should Watch

-- Correct When Necessary

-- Don’t Overcorrect

-- Managing Executive Anxiety

And that’s a wrap! 

WEEK FOUR 

Post-Production

Your Team

-- The Post Producer - Your Right-Hand Person 

-- The Editor

-- The Composer

-- The Music Supervisor

-- The VFX Team

The Director’s Cut 

-- Keep an Open Mind

-- How to Give Post Notes

-- Email the Director

Editing the Episode

-- Working with Editor and Assistant Editor

-- Patience

-- Experimentation is Okay

-- When you Know it You Know it

Spotting sessions

-- Music and Sound

-- VFX

-- ADR with actors

Studio/Network Cut

-- Don’t Overhype

-- Editor and Post Producer on Call 

-- The Note Behind the Note

Finishing Touches

-- Main Titles

-- Coloring

-- The Mix

Lead up to the premiere

-- Marketing Meetings

-- Social Media

-- Comic-Con

-- Press

THE PREMIERE AND BEYOND

-- Fan Interaction

-- Reading Reviews

-- Enjoy