This document provides an overview of the role of the showrunner in television production. It begins with an historical approach, noting influential showrunners from the 1950s like Gertrude Berg and from later eras like Steven Bochco in the 1980s. It then presents conceptual definitions of the showrunner's role, including overseeing the writing staff and balancing creative and managerial demands. Key aspects of being a showrunner are outlined, like adapting to schedules and budgets, problem-solving, leadership, and diplomacy. The document also briefly discusses the television industry and production process.

2. 1
INDICE DE CONTENIDOS
• Conociendo a la audiencia
• Aproximación histórica (EE.UU.)
• Aproximación conceptual
• Industria televisiva (EE.UU. // España)
• Proceso de producción

3. Slido.com
Código 1919
CONOCIENDO A LA AUDIENCIA
2

4. Primera Edad
Dorada de la
Televisión
3
APROXIMACIÓN
HISTÓRICA
“(Gertrude) Berg embodied the hyphenate as a
television pioneer: she as a writer, producer,
and actor, and true show-woman” (Banks,
2013: 249-250)
The Boldberg (CBS: 1949-
1951).
60s Rod Serling
70s Aaron Spelling
“I think that MTM Enterprises was largely
responsible for the rise of the showrunner
(although) the term wasn´t in use until the
late 80s or early 90s” (Melvoin, in
Bennett, 2014: 56)
MTM Enterprise
I love Lucy (1951-1957): Jess
Oppenheimer

5. 4
80s Steven Bochco
Segunda Edad
Dorada de la
Televisión
“One of the most creative periods in traditional
broadcasting, with producer-auteurs able to
exercise a greater degree of creative control over
the programs than they had before” (Hilmes, in
Pearson, 2002: 17)
90s Cable Channels “Although (HBO) did not invent putting the
focus of attention on one showrunner-
auteur, the network has made it an art
form (…)where writers are provided with a
maximum of support and a minimum of
interference” (Steiner, 2015: 183)

6. 5
Tercera Edad Dorada
de la Televisión
The Sopranos
(David Chase: 1999-2007)
Streaming platforms Multimedia options
“Netflix represents the revolution, when quality
serialized shows were first produced directly for
Internet” (Douglas, 2015: 96)
Showrunner may use these tools in order to
disseminate and promote their TV series
(Newman & Levine, 2012)

7. APROXIMACIÓN CONCEPTUAL
6
Showrunners: The Art of
Running a TV Show.
Des Doyle (2014)
Documentary

8. 7
“Showrunners are the TV equivalent of
head coaches. They are generally
writer/producers –though some do not
write– who are perceived by network or
production studios as being capable of
steering a weekly sitcom or drama.
Showrunners can be individuals or
come in pairs or even trios. They are
charged with supervising the writers´
rooms and dealing with the sometimes
irrational demands ... They come as
close to being auteurs as one can in
television.”
(Wild, 1999: 3-4)

9. 8
“Today showrunner is an elastic term
that can encompass varying degrees
of creative and managerial control
over a TV series, that might mean
developing the original concept,
overseeing a cast and crew,
shepherding a writers’ room,
consulting with directors, editing
episodes, maintaining a budget, and
negotiating with studios and
networks. The showrunner is the
visionary in chief, operations
manager, and financial officer all
rolled into one.”
(Press, 2018: 9)

10. 9
The Man Who Keeps 'E.R.'
's Heart Beating
Andy Meisler (26 Febrero 1995)
New York Time

11. 10
Las claves del showrunner
• Ajustarse al tiempo y al presupuesto.
• Prever futuras necesidades y problemas de producción.
• Toma de decisiones: visión y objetivo.
• Talento para escribir, y reescribir, y reescribir.
• Paciencia. Fortaleza y resistencia. Tarea.
• Delegar y colaborar.
• Diplomacia: manejo de egos.
• Liderazgo: ser modelo a seguir.
• Confiar en su intuición.
• Habilidades organizativas.

12. NETWORK
-
CABLE
-
STREAMING
11
INDUSTRIA TELEVISIVA
STUDIOS
EXECUTIVE
PRODUCER
-
PRODUCTION
COMPANY

13. PROCESO DE PRODUCCIÓN
12
PRE-PRODUCCIÓN
PRODUCCIÓN
POST-
PRODUCCIÓN
Craig
Gerber-
Elena
de
Avalor

14. 13
PRE-PRODUCCIÓN
PRODUCCIÓN
POST-
PRODUCCIÓN