Showrunner
A Showrunner is the person in charge of the day-to-day operations of a television series. Think of them as the CEO of a TV show - they manage both the creative and business aspects. They usually start as TV writers and work their way up. Showrunners make key decisions about storylines, casting, and budget management, while also working closely with network executives, writers, directors, and producers. This role is unique to television production, and you might also see it referred to as Executive Producer or Head Writer, though Showrunner is the most common term in the industry.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Showrunner for three seasons of award-winning drama series
Assistant to Showrunner on network television comedy, managing writers' room operations
Promoted to Head Writer and Showrunner for final season of cable network series
Typical job title: "Showrunners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Showrunners
Industry Organizations
Job Resources
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle creative differences between network executives and your writing team?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership, diplomacy, and ability to balance creative vision with business requirements. Should explain experience in finding compromises while maintaining show quality.
Q: Describe how you would manage a show that goes over budget mid-season.
Expected Answer: Should discuss practical experience with budget management, ability to make tough decisions, and creative problem-solving to maintain quality while cutting costs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you structure a writers' room and manage the writing schedule?
Expected Answer: Should explain experience in organizing writing teams, maintaining production schedules, and coordinating between different departments.
Q: What's your approach to handling actor conflicts or availability issues?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of production scheduling, creative problem-solving, and ability to adapt scripts while maintaining story quality.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What experience do you have in television writing and production?
Expected Answer: Should show writing credits, understanding of TV production process, and any assistant experience in writers' rooms or production.
Q: How do you break down a season arc into individual episodes?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of television storytelling, episode structure, and season planning.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (5-7 years)
- Television writing experience
- Writers' room experience
- Script supervision
- Production coordination
Mid (7-10 years)
- Managing writing teams
- Budget handling
- Network relations
- Production oversight
Senior (10+ years)
- Full show management
- High-level network relations
- Budget control
- Creative direction
Red Flags to Watch For
- No television writing credits
- Lack of writers' room experience
- No experience with production schedules or budgets
- Poor understanding of network/studio relationships
