Writing Hollywood: The Work and Professional Culture of Television Writers [Hardcover]

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.

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

Getting There

Being There

Who Runs the Show?

Managing Writers and Scripts

Managing Production

Characteristics Writers Value in Showrunners

Creating the Writers Room

Working in the Room

Drama vs. Comedy