Showrunner Rules from Jeffrey Lieber: Numbers 201–210

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: Numbers 201–210:

Showrunner Rule #201: Don’t HOVER over your staff. They need to know its safe to talk… and vent… and worry… even if its about YOU.

Showrunner Rule #202: With every day a script/outline is late… quiet panic sets in. Same exact script ON TIME, gets 1/2 the notes.

Showrunner Rule #203 (1 of 2): Don’t let day end without stepping into every writer’s office and checking in. So they know…

Showrunner Rule #203 (2 of 2): …you haven’t forgotten them and you know they haven’t dipped into “what are we doing” despair.

Showrunner Rule #204 (1 of 2): Let the impermanence of white board be an analogy for the process. Words written easily unwritten or changed.

Showrunner Rule #204 (2 of 2): Also, when you post picture of the board online, make sure to blur so there are no spoilers. ;)

Showrunner Rule #205: Stories are all LINEAR (A to B to C to D) but you’re in control of order in which you REVEAL STORY (B to C to D to A).

Showrunner Rule #206: Little things matter a lot. Doing notes in BLUE instead of RED makes ideas feel like collaborations not edicts.

Showrunner Rule #207: INS/OUTS of scenes are opportunities for character amidst gack. If 1st line is plot, rethink.

Showrunner Rule #208: If you see the typo in this tweet in less then 3 seconds, you have what it takes to be a script coordinator.

Showrunner Rule #209: Figure out which phone calls don’t REQUIRE you & delegate. 15 minutes you save is 15 minutes you need… to pee.

Showrunner Rule #210: Never be shocked when smallest detail comes your way. Does character X wear her watch on left or right hand?

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.

Comment Archive