Learn everything you need to know about television showrunning so you can become a successful showrunner from a veteran showrunner who has worked with Disney, The CW, ABC, and more!

PLUS! Receive multiple production documents from the hit series SHADOWHUNTERS, which the host was the showrunner on, including an episode outline, script, shooting schedule, prep memos, casting memos, set drawings, location pictures, post-production schedule and more!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

A series showrunner is the most essential and complex role on a television show. The showrunner is responsible for all facets of the production - from pre-production, shooting, post-production, and even marketing. If you want to be a showrunner, you need to be able to handle both the creative and business sides of a television show. While the demands on a showrunner are quite high, there is little that first time showrunners can do to prepare themselves for the job. Until now...

This intensive on-demand 4-session class will teach you how to showrun a scripted drama television show, from hiring the pilot director, casting the show, assembling your production and post-production team, hiring and managing the writing staff, managing pre-production and production, editing the show, delivering that final cut, marketing the show, doing press, and of course live tweeting the premiere.

You will learn from veteran showrunner/writer/director Todd Slavkin, who will share his advice and personal anecdotes to help guide you through the process of showrunning. Todd's experiences showrunning series for Disney, The CW, ABC, and more have provided him with an arsenal of showrunning tools that he will share with you to prepare you for your own career as a showrunner. Todd has worked in all different kinds of genres and has been involved with many popular television shows, including SMALLVILLE, SHADOWHUNTERS and most recently THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, for which he was nominated for two Emmys. He has written pilots for ABC, NBC, FOX, FREEFORM and The CW, where he developed and was the showrunner of MELROSE PLACE 2.0. Other television credits include NO ORDINARY FAMILY, ALPHAS, DEFIANCE, DOMINION and GUILT. He began his career in features, penning DARK REFLECTION and CONTROL, starring Ray Liotta, Willem Dafoe and Michelle Rodriguez.

PLUS! Todd will provide you with exclusive handouts from an episode of his hit series SHADOWHUNTERS to help guide you as a showrunner. Downloads include:

• Episode Outline
• Episode Script
• Shooting Schedule
• Prep Memos
• Casting Memos
• Set Drawings
• Location Images
• Post-Production Schedule
• And More!

This class will teach you the creative and practical aspects of the job of showrunning as well as the necessary psychology needed to manage both artists and executives while keeping yourself creatively anchored and inspired. It’s not an easy task, but through in depth learning and real-world examples you will walk away from this class with the knowledge to effectively showrun your own series.

The best way to learn showrunning is from a showrunner and this is a rare opportunity for you to do just that.

Praise For Todd's Teaching

"Todd's experience and expertise shine through. If you've ever wanted to be a showrunner on a TV series then learn all you can from him." -- Rahime B.

"I never realized how much fell on the showrunner before working with Todd. He's a fantastic educator!" - Meg L.

SESSION ONE: Congratulations, You Got The Green Light!

• Sharing Your Vision
  • How to communicate
  • Lookbooks
  • Positive Energy
  • Thinking About the Season Arc
• Working With Studio Executives
  • Friends not Foes
  • The Partnership
  • Compliment good notes
  • How much is the Budget?
  • Where are we Shooting?
• Finding the Right Director
  • Due diligence
  • Watch their stuff
  • The Interview Process
  • The Partnership (kind of)
• Casting
  • The Casting Agent
  • Creating Sides
  • Watch all of self-tapes
  • The Actor Interview
  • The Approval Process
• Assembling The Production and Post-Production Team
  • Line Producer where art thou? Your vital right-hand person
  • Finding the Right Artists and Good People
  • Hiring Episodic Directors
  • Reuniting with Old Friends
• The Approval Process
  • Sets
  • Locations
  • Wardrobe
  • Hair and Make-up
  • Series Props
• Let’s shooooooooot!
• Q&A with Todd

SESSION TWO: The Writer’s Room

• Hiring the Writing Staff
  • The Studio List
  • Evaluating Sample Scripts
  • The Interview
  • Finding the Right Number Two
  • Due Diligence
  • The Support Staff
• The Machinations of the Room
  • Big Enough and Cozy Enough to Inspire
  • Offices for Each Writer
  • Whiteboard vs. Cards
  • Food
• The First Week
  • Anything Goes (Lionel Has Wings)
  • Conveying Your Taste to the Writers
  • Giving Constructive and Inspiring Feedback
  • Creating the Season
  • Character Arcs
  • Three Acts
  • The Calendar and Writing Order
• The Studio/Network(Streamer) Pitch
  • Preparation
  • Don’t Read
  • Passion Passion
  • Answering Their Questions
• Breaking An Episode
  • The Board
  • The Story Area
  • The Outline
  • The Script
  • How to Give Notes
• Q&A with Todd

SESSION THREE - Production

• Prep
  • The Concept Meeting
  • Rallying The Troops
  • Scouting Locations
  • Bonding with the Director,
  • Art Dept., Wardrobe, VFX, Stunt Meetings
  • The Production Meeting
  • The Tone Meeting
• The Table Read
  • Managing Actors
  • Who Reads Scene Description?
  • Managing The Studio/Network Notes
  • Writer’s Round Table
• On Set
  • Get to Know Crew
  • Spread Positivity
  • Giving Notes to Director
  • Empower Director
  • Your Trailer is Your Sanctuary
• Be Ready to Pivot
  • What Can Go Wrong Will Go Wrong?
  • Ability to Think Quick
  • Actors are Human Beings
  • Weather
  • Trust
• Dailies
  • Someone Should Watch
  • Correct When Necessary
  • Don’t Overcorrect
  • Managing Executive Anxiety
• And That’s A Wrap!
• Q&A with Todd

SESSION FOUR - Post-Production

• Your Team
  • The Post Producer - Your Right-Hand Person
  • The Editor
  • The Composer
  • The Music Supervisor
  • The VFX Team
• The Director’s Cut
  • Keep an Open Mind
  • How to Give Post Notes
  • Email the Director
• Editing the Episode
  • Working with Editor and Assistant Editor
  • Patience
  • Experimentation is Okay
  • When you Know it You Know it
• Spotting Sessions
  • Music and Sound
  • VFX
  • ADR with actors
• Studio/Network Cut
  • Don’t Overhype
  • Editor and Post Producer on Call
  • The Note Behind the Note
• Finishing Touches
  • Main Titles
  • Coloring
  • The Mix
• Lead Up To The Premiere
  • Marketing Meetings
  • Social Media
  • Comic-Con
  • Press
• The Premiere & Beyond
  • Fan Interaction
  • Reading Reviews
  • Enjoy
• Q&A with Todd

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to developing their original stories and maintaining audience engagement can benefit from this class.

All levels of showrunners (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to refine their skills and stay updated with the latest industry practices can attend to enhance their expertise.

All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) interested in taking on showrunning roles in the future can learn about the multifaceted aspects of the job.

Producers who want to understand the challenges and tasks associated with showrunning can attend the class.

Actors who want to study the success for the showrunning.