Showrunner Rules from Jeffrey Lieber: Numbers 241–250

Jeff Lieber is a screenwriter and TV writer. His movie credits include Tuck Everlasting and he is currently an executive producer of the CBS series “NCIS: New Orleans”. On Twitter (@JeffLieber), he has run a series of tweets called Showrunner Rules. For background on Jeff and this Twitter series, go here.

Today: 241–250.

Showrunner Rule #241: When shooting outside LA, pick cool locations, ’cause given the amount of work, its ONLY way to see your host city.

Showrunner Rule #242: Never think, “Today’s an easy day.” NEVER! If you do… 100% of the time, the TV piraña will jump up & bite your ass.

Showrunner Rule #243: The heartbeat of a script should be obvious by page 5. If it isn’t clear (and subtle is fine) go back and rebreak.

Showrunner Rule #244; Remind regs that while this may be their 80th time doing “this scene,” it is guest casts first. No fucking around.

Showrunner Rule #245 (1of2): TV is truly a “forest through the trees medium”. The little stuff you obsess upon (& should obsess upon)…

Showrunner Rule #245 (2of2): …is so much < important than PRIMAL CHOICES. What’s your drive, who’s your character. Headlines always win.

Showrunner Rule #246: Keep writer close during edit. She/He was on set… knows dailies… will be able to find that “all is not lost” take.

Showrunner Rule #247 (1of 2): Unavoidable tension between writers & episodic director. Former knows show’s intentions and deep history…

Showrunner Rule #247 (2 of 2): …latter wants freedom to do what. Difficult balancing act to make collaboration work for both parties & show.

Showrunner Rule #248: Think of script as “what you’d take in a fire.” Write down what’s ESSENTIAL, everything else will just weigh you down.

Showrunner Rule 249: Let the moon be your inspiration, ’cause you can get pages out at 11PM or 4AM, but 9–6 — the day — never gonna happen.

Showrunner Rule #250: Sometimes key to finding scene is mining early takes… before director started directing & actor abandoned instincts.

Here is Jeff’s bio:

One day in 1986, after blowing up a glass beaker in a lab in high school, Jeffrey Lieber’s science teacher, Dr. Nagoi, turned to him and said, “Jeffrey… you be an actor… you be a writer… maybe have a family… but please, dear God, don’t be a chemist.” And it was those words that launched a journey that has ended up with Mr. Lieber becoming a screenwriter, showrunner, blogger, father and husband (Credits? Go here). Every day, while pursuing his passions, Mr. Lieber takes a moment to stop and thank Dr. Nagoi for his sage advice.

You can follow Jeff on Twitter (@JeffLieber).

For all of the Showrunner Rules, go here.