Variety’s A Night in the Writers’ Room: Showrunners Share Insights
At Variety’s A Night in the Writers’ Room event, five drama showrunners came together to discuss the evolving landscape of television and share their unique approaches to the creative process. The lively discussion, moderated by Emily Longeretta, Variety’s senior TV features editor, shed light on the diverse ways in which these showrunners tackle their work.
One standout moment from the panel was the revelation of each showrunner’s preferred working style. Jennie Snyder Urman, showrunner of CBS’ “Matlock,” shared her unconventional method of taking her scripts for walks to stimulate her creativity. This commitment to movement and freedom from the desk surprised her peers on the panel.
R. Scott Gemmill, showrunner of HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” challenged the notion of long hours in the writers’ room, advocating for shorter, more focused meetings to maximize productivity. His belief in allowing writers to live life outside of work to bring fresh perspectives to the table resonated with the group.
Sterlin Harjo, creator of FX’s “The Lowdown,” shared his structured schedule of working from 10 to 4, highlighting the importance of discipline in the writing process. The discussion also touched on the unique solitary approach of Brad Ingelsby, creator of HBO’s “Task,” who emphasized the daily commitment of sitting down to write without the constraints of strict outlines.
The panelists offered a range of perspectives on the writing process, from the value of discovery in freeform writing to the challenges of adapting novels for television. Jenny Han, creator of Amazon’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” shared her experience of expanding her original vision for the series based on her YA novels, showcasing the fluidity and evolution of storytelling in the TV landscape.
Overall, Variety‘s A Night in the Writers’ Room provided a glimpse into the diverse approaches and creative insights of showrunners shaping the future of television. The willingness to experiment, adapt, and collaborate underscored the dynamic nature of storytelling in an ever-changing industry.
(Image: R. Scott Gemmill, Jenny Han, Sterlin Harjo, Brad Ingelsby, and Jennie Snyder Urman at Variety’s A Night in the Writers’ Room)
