Writing Hollywood

Writing Hollywood highlights the writing process in the production of television drama and comedy series in the U.S. The way writers do their jobs is heavily dependent not only on the demands of commercial business, but also on the uncertainties inherent in a writing career in Hollywood. Drawing on literature in the fields of Media Industry Studies and Occupational Culture, Writing Hollywood explains writers' efforts to control risk and survive in a constantly changing environment.

Using data from personal interviews and a six-week participant observation at a prime time drama, Dr. Phalen analyzes the relationships among writers in series television, describes the interactions between writers and studio/network executives, and explains how endogenous and exogenous pressures affect the occupational culture of the television writing profession.

Auteur

Patricia F. Phalen is the Assistant Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, USA. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on media organizations; the connections between Hollywood and politics; audience research; and the interdependence of media, democracy and culture.

Contenu

PART I: THE CRAFT OF TELEVISION WRITING

Chapter 1: From Amos & Andy to The Shield

Chapter 2: From Idea to Story to Script...and Back Again

Chapter 3: Where the Buck Stops

PART II: POLITICS, CULTURE AND CREATIVITY

Chapter 4: "Managed" Creativity: "It's a weird way to create"

Chapter 5: Welcome to the Writers' Room: "High school for rich, angry, smart people"?

Chapter 6: Political Spaces: "There aren't any rules, but you have to follow every one."

Chapter 7: Global Hollywood