Name: N/A Role: Showrunner's Assistant Experience: N/A Concentration: Comedy
A showrunner is a person who runs the entire operation of a television show. The showrunner’s assistant is the person who helps them organize and manage their workload.
I recently chatted with a showrunner’s assistant! Her identity will remain anonymous, but please enjoy her words of advice.
How did you decide to become a showrunner’s assistant?
In undergrad, I interned every semester because I was so anxious about figuring out my life. I started in production companies just doing development coverage. Eventually, I ended up at Viacom trying out scheduling and programming.
When it came time to graduate, I wasn’t ready for the real world so I applied to grad programs. I ended up at a school in LA and again, over those three years, I interned as much as I could. A friend ended up vacating her spot as the showrunner’s assistant on a popular Netflix series and she submitted me as a possible replacement and here we are!
What is your ultimate goal?
I’m really blessed that I work at a great company and for great people. My personal goal is to become a TV writer, so along the way, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and constantly submit my scripts to contests and fellowships while I’m here. I’m also working on growing my network and meeting with other assistants and coordinators because you never know when a connection can lead to another opportunity.
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If I want to work in the television or film industry, which one is better — NY or LA?
New York v LA… that’s a hard one. It’s hard for me to consider NYC without the fact that’s where I went to school. I was never an adult there and always had the “cushion” of school. At the same time, I know that for me personally, I prefer LA.
Wanting to be a TV writer means I have to be in LA over New York. Also, there’s something about the grind in New York that never sat well with me. It’s a very go go go city and that’s just not my personality. I think you can never really know until you live there for a bit, though.
I know opportunity-wise, New York is more for production execs and SOME development, but the creative process really seems to all take place here in LA UNLESS you’re looking for a specific company and filmmaker who specifically works out of New York because he/she prefers it.
You have to know what you want even if it’s knowing what you want for the immediate future. That way no matter what you interview for or who you meet, you have that goal in mind and can find a way to communicate it.
Do you have any other advice on “making it” in the television or film industry?
I’m not sure about “making it” yet because like I said before, most of my opportunities kind of led into each other. I’d say knowing what you ultimately want is key. Looking out for stories of people who went down paths you think you could follow is always great. People on social media are sometimes more willing than you’d think to answer your questions. Ultimately, though, you have to know what you want even if it’s knowing what you want for the immediate future. That way no matter what you interview for or who you meet, you have that goal in mind and can find a way to communicate it.
More advice about being a showrunner’s assistant
I found this handy video with more information about being a showrunner’s assistant! She is not who I interviewed, but her advice is also so amazing. Enjoy it!
More Resources from a Showrunner
John Wells (of ER, Shameless, and The West Wing) put together a guide for up-and-coming showrunners, called “The Showrunner’s Corner.” On his site, you’ll find breakdowns on everything from how the writer’s room runs to how to get a tv show sold! Check it out now!
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