The TV Showrunner's Roadmap

I've been an Executive Producer on twelve scripted TV Series and I can honestly say that everything I've learned about how to sell, create, and operate a show is contained in Neil Landau's The TV Showrunner's Roadmap. Anyone with the ultimate goal of becoming a Creator/Executive Producer of a television series should read this book, as should anyone interested in knowing how their favorite show came to be. - Gavin Polone, television and film producer, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls, Twisted, Zombieland, Panic Room Neil Landau, screenwriter, producer and one of Hollywood's best writing teachers, has blessed us with this amazing guide to the world of television writing and show running. I wrote and produced television for twenty-three years and I learned invaluable skills from this book that I never even aquired on the job." - Fred Rubin, veteran TV producer; UCLA Professor of Screenwriting; and Instructor for the ABC/Disney, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon Writers' Fellowships Neil has not only beautifully and succinctly tackled an enormous subject - what it takes to be a television showrunner - he also has provided a blueprint for any writer forging through the turbulent and ever-changing waters of producing TV series. He gives good common sense information and advice on working in television. And he writes in a clear, understandable, and entertaining way. But the unique value of the book is the interviews from an impressive list of top showrunners, who recount their own experiences. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a career in the television business. - Stephen Tao, Television Executive, Bad Robot Productions Neil's book is a must-read for anyone serious about the craft of writing for television. His analysis of the fundamentals is clear, precise, and entertaining. But it's his one-on-one conversations with showrunners currently working at the top of of their game that makes this book a true gem, giving the reader fly-on-the-wall access to some of the best minds in the business. - Channing Dungey, Executive Vice-President, Drama, ABC Entertainment Group If I had my wish, I would insist that every TV writer -- from the youngest "baby" staff writer to the most experienced showrunner -- read this book! Then I'd get every producer, studio honcho, development executive, and summer intern to read it, too ... because Neil's book really IS the roadmap to TV series in the 21st century! - Tana Nugent Jamieson, Senior Vice-President, in charge of all scripted programming, A&E (Bates Motel, Longmire, The Glades) The ultimate "how to" guide for anyone working in TV. Whether you're a writer, an executive, or just a TV watcher, Neil highlights every aspect of the unrelenting task of producing television, leaving us with even more respect for the process and those who do it successfully. It's the most comprehensive guide I've ever read, supported by interviews with the most talented writers working in the business today. A fantastic and insightful read! - Maira Suro, Executive Producer of the Emmy nominated series The 4400, former Senior Vice-President of Development and Current Series at NBC-Universal Cable Productions, former President at American Zoetrope Television, and former Director of Drama Development at CBS Neil's is the book that finally demystifies the process of breaking into and staying in the business. It's an invaluable guide filled with step-by-step advice about how to navigate the not-always-obvious industry pitfalls. Ignore his advice at your own risk! - Elizabeth Wise Lyall, Current Programming, CW Television Networks Eye opening, frank and honest, Landau takes us inside one of the most exclusive clubs in Hollywood.- Allison Liddi-Brown, director, Friday Night Lights, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, Parenthood, Revenge Neil Landau has written the most comprehensive, thoughtful, and insightful guide to television series. Every chapter elegantly details the craftsmanship re

Neil Landau is a screenwriter, producer, author, and professor in the MFA in Screenwriting and Producing Programs at UCLA School of Film, Television & Digital Media. His movie credits include the teen comedy Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead; his TV credits include Doogie Howser, M.D., Melrose Place, The Magnificent Seven, The Secret World of Alex Mack, Twice in a Lifetime, and MTV's Undressed, and pilot deals at CBS, Disney, Freemantle, Lifetime, Spelling, and Warner Bros. Television. He served as executive script consultant for Sony Pictures Television International for many years, is a faculty member in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and just won a Spanish Academy ("Goya") Award for best screenplay adaptation for the animated movie Tad the Lost Explorer, 2012; he is now working on the sequel, and a new animated movie: Capture the Flag for Paramount.

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 FamilyInterview: Craig Thomas & Carter Bays - How I Met Your MotherInterview: Don Roos and Dan Bucatinsky* - Web Therapy