Showrunners: The Art of Running a TV Show

2014

1 hr. 30 min.

Documentary

List

67%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Des Doyle explores the world of US television show runners and the creative forces they employ.

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Ahmad Harhash

Ahmad Harhash is an Indian Television actor debut TV pavitra rishta as Atul Shahane in 2009

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/21

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Audience Member

An informative and insightful documentary with fascinating interviews with some famous showrunners. I have always felt I knew what the role of showrunner means and what they are responsible for, but this provided a further education into what is no doubt an exhausting yet rewarding role. What makes this stand out is the openness of the showrunners and explaining, not just some day to day hardships, but also studio interference and how that influences their decisions and creative vision. There is further insight into the hierarchy on a show which is made more enjoyable by the shows covered. We meet the unseen heroes of some well known TV shows, but also some well know showrunners discussing their process. Not a groundbreaking documentary, but an enjoyable and informative one.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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troy k

Very interesting, I would have preferred it had even gone more in depth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The actors use almost the wholesale glory bat people araound meter's sorry for grammar mestake I llearned buy muy self

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

For those who love to see the behind-the-scenes of TV shows, "Showrunners" is a fascinating documentary that shows viewers the ins and outs of putting a show together. Featuring many famous and successful showrunners like J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon, the documentary gives you a look at their complex set of responsibilities and the hardships they endure. However, about halfway through you will wish they stop whining, and discuss more of what needs to be done to have a show come together and be successful. This documentary is best suited for a college class who is learning the art of television and film, as opposed to a huge "Lost" fan who stumbled across this on Netflix because J.J. Abram's name is attached.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

interesting stories and details about alot of things i kinda sorta know about

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Des Doyle

Director

J.J. Abrams

Self

Kristen Bell

Self

Matthew McNair Carnahan

Self

Steven S. DeKnight

Self

Chris Downey

Self

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Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

"Showrunners" is a lively snapshot of the not-always-easy intersection of art and commerce.

Oct 30, 2014

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Brian Lowry

Variety

"Showrunners: The Art of Running a TV Show" should probably be required viewing in film/TV studies classes, but as a mass-consumption documentary, it doesn't quite pass the test.

Oct 30, 2014

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Des Doyle has assembled an impressive array of talking heads to explain the procedures in this consistently engrossing documentary.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 20, 2014

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Dan Schindel

Nonfics

It's like a host of bits from DVD bonus features from various shows stitched together.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 4, 2014

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Jake Cole

Movie Mezzanine

Showrunners...would make a good fit in the WGA showrunner training program glimpsed throughout the film.

Rated: B

Nov 3, 2014

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Fred Topel

Nuke the Fridge

I'm sure there are hours of outtakes of showrunners sharing gold, but the pieces Des Doyle compiled illustrate both the micro and macro concepts in a compelling narrative for both casual fans and industry insiders.

Oct 31, 2014

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Des Doyle explores the world of US television show runners and the creative forces they employ.

Director: Des Doyle
Executive Producer: Jason Rose, Jimmy Nguyen
Screenwriter: Des Doyle
Production Co: Black Sheep Film Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016

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