Showrunner Rules from Jeffrey Lieber: Numbers 101–110

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

Today: Numbers 101–110:

Showrunner Rule #101: 1st week of room, call actors & find out secret talents. To have lead “character” juggle fire is pretty fucking cool.

Showrunner Rule #102 (1 of 2): Everything has an associated cost. EVERYTHING. Choosing to use “bullshit” on basic cable means…

Showrunner Rule #102 (2 of 2): …spending extra 2–3K in post to make “safe for daytime” version with the shit removed. Choices. Choices.

Showrunner Rule #103 (1 of 4): Great shows need all 3 of the following… the BUY, the COME, and the STAY (my terms, I think).

Showrunner Rule #103 (2 of 4): BUY is the concept… reason Network schedules show. Head of New Jersey crime family… goes into therapy.

Showrunner Rule #103 (3 of 4): COME is the week-2-week draw. Remember that therapist? “Next week”… Crime Boss starts fucking her.

Showrunner Rule #103 (4 of 4): STAY is mid-episode twist that keeps viewer in seat. Crime Boss’ wife discovers fucking… & shes got a gun?

Showrunner Rule #104: Make LOCATIONS REPORT on Final Draft a friend. That EXT with 1 OCCURRENCE 6 miles from set? Kill it now, kill it fast.

Showrunner Rule #105: The work must get done, where the work must get done

Showrunner Rule #106: Being a great staff writer is equal parts invention & mimic. Invention of story… mimic of the creators’ voice/style.

Showrunner Rule #107: Know you’re network brand. Crying, “but Mad Men does it,” at F/X is like trying to mate an aardvark with a giraffe.

Showrunner Rule #108: Not every character speaks English or in full sentences or has good grammar. Not every character… speaks like you.

Showrunner Rule #109: Easy to make 1st & last 5 minutes compelling. When plotting pilot find a moment at 23:12 that takes your breath away.

Showrunner Rule #110: Don’t become that person behind a closed door. Must let staff in on as much as possible so you’re all in it together.

For Showrunner Rules: Numbers 1–10, go here.

Numbers 11–20, go here.

Numbers 21–30, go here.

Numbers 31–40, go here.

Numbers 41–50, go here.

Numbers 51–60, go here.

Numbers 61–70, go here.

Numbers 71–80, go here.

Numbers 81–90, go here.

Numbers 91–100, go here.

Next: Showrunner Rules: Numbers 111–120.

I asked Jeff for a bio. Here it is:

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.

Thanks, Jeff. Best of luck on the front lines of running a TV series and all your creative endeavors!

UPDATE: Speaking of “best of luck,” Jeff lands a new gig.

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