Writing Hollywood

The Work and Professional Culture of Television Writers
1. Auflage 2017
ISBN: 978-1-138-22982-2
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 122 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 192 g

Writing Hollywood highlights the writing process in the production of television drama and comedy series in the U.S. The way writers do their jobs is heavily dependent not only on the demands of commercial business, but also on the uncertainties inherent in a writing career in Hollywood. Drawing on literature in the fields of Media Industry Studies and Occupational Culture, Writing Hollywood explains writers’ efforts to control risk and survive in a constantly changing environment.

Using data from personal interviews and a six-week participant observation at a prime time drama, Dr. Phalen analyzes the relationships among writers in series television, describes the interactions between writers and studio/network executives, and explains how endogenous and exogenous pressures affect the occupational culture of the television writing profession.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Phalen, Patricia F.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Kommunikationswissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: Entertainment Media in the U.S.

From Live Entertainment to Film

Radio and Television Broadcasting

Television via Cable and Internet

Economic Demands and Audience Research

From Scenarists To Writers To Executive Producers

Chapter 2: Writing for TV

Getting There

Being There

Chapter 3: Showrunners — Where the Buck Stops

Who Runs the Show?

Managing Writers and Scripts

Managing Production

Characteristics Writers Value in Showrunners

Chapter 4: The Writers’ Room

Creating the Writers’ Room

Working in the Room

Drama vs. Comedy

Chapter 5: Occupational Culture

The Experience of Writing for Television

Who Succeeds, Who Fails?

Just Part of the Job

Chapter 6: Managed Creativity: It’s a weird way to create

Working With Executives

Notes From Studio and Network

Structural Limitations

Chapter 7: Political Spaces: There aren’t any rules, but you have to follow every one

Politics of Structure and Hierarchy

Writers’ Room Politics

Politics of Professional Relationships

Party Politics

"Hello, he lied"

Dealing With Actors

Politics of Prestige

EPILOGUE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Über Autor(innen)

Patricia F. Phalen is the Assistant Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, USA. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on media organizations; the connections between Hollywood and politics; audience research; and the interdependence of media, democracy and culture.