Breaking Down the Pilot Script: Emmy-Winner Succession

Hosted by Will McCance

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Will McCance

Webinar hosted by: Will McCance

Senior Vice President at Billion-Dollar Producer Ian Bryce Productions

Will McCance is currently Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND for Netflix and the recent hit FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate. Will entered the entertainment industry as an Agent Trainee at United Talent Agency, supporting UTA in the Motion Picture Lit group, as well as in the Motion Picture Talent department.After UTA, he moved into development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy).Will has produced films such as the upcoming LOLA JAMES, starring Nicola Peltz and Oscar-Nominee Virginia Madsen, BERNARD AND HUEY, starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, and Mae Whitman, as well as Belarus's 2018 Oscar selection for Best Foreign Film, CRYSTAL SWAN, along with Vice. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at UCLA's school of Theater, Film, and Television. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

 

This script breakdown has a 100% satisfaction rating!

 

The hit HBO show SUCCESSION has shattered Emmy history with a record-breaking 27 nominations for the 2023 Emmy Awards alone! Add that to the 13 Primetime Emmy Awards they've already won, as well as the dozens more nominations over its 4 seasons, it is safe to say that SUCCESSION is one of the greatest shows of all time.

As a creative, it's important for you to understand WHY it's so successful.

In an exclusive Stage 32 Script Breakdown Webcast the Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, Will McCance, will break down the first episode of the Emmy award-winning series SUCCESSION using excerpts from the pilot episode.

Will McCance is currently Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND and FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. Will has worked on hit television shows including THE BOYS and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER for Amazon, PREACHER for AMC SWAT for CBS and MAX TILT for HBO Max.

During this FREE Stage 32 Next Level Webcast Will will take you through the SUCCESSION pilot as he examines the main story engine introduction and themes, how character arc intros and drama is teed-up for the season, managing the script's pacing in an ensemble cast and exploring it's tonal elements, and much more!  

Plus, everyone who registers for the webinar will receive a copy of the pilot script of SUCCESSION to study after the webinar is over!


What You'll Learn

In the pilot we will analyze and breakdown:
  • Main story engine introduction and themes
  • Character arc intros and drama is teed-up for the season
  • Managing the script's pacing in an ensemble cast
  • Tonal elements and overview
  • Q&A with Will

About Your Instructor

Will McCance is currently Vice President of Production for Ian Bryce, producer of blockbusters like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, ALMOST FAMOUS, the TRANSFORMERS franchise, and most recently Michael Bay's SIX UNDERGROUND for Netflix and the recent hit FINDING 'OHANA for Netflix. At Ian Bryce Productions, Will oversees the company's entire development slate.

Will entered the entertainment industry as an Agent Trainee at United Talent Agency, supporting UTA in the Motion Picture Lit group, as well as in the Motion Picture Talent department.

After UTA, he moved into development at Original Film's TV department, working on hit shows such as THE BOYS (Amazon) and PREACHER (AMC), as well as on SWAT (CBS) and HAPPY! (Syfy).

Will has produced films such as the upcoming LOLA JAMES, starring Nicola Peltz and Oscar-Nominee Virginia Madsen, BERNARD AND HUEY, starring Jim Rash, David Koechner, and Mae Whitman, as well as Belarus's 2018 Oscar selection for Best Foreign Film, CRYSTAL SWAN, along with Vice.

He is also a frequent guest lecturer at UCLA's school of Theater, Film, and Television.

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