233 | TV Development: Everything You Need To Know (ft. Glen Mazzara)
Jan 17, 2025
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Glen Mazzara, a veteran TV writer and showrunner known for his work on The Walking Dead, shares his candid insights into the ups and downs of TV development. He discusses the intricate balance of creativity and industry expectations, emphasizing the importance of character-driven narratives. Glen highlights the critical role of mentorship and community for emerging writers, warning against costly missteps like paying for representation. He also reflects on crafting genuine character emotions and the collaborative joy found in storytelling.
Glen Mazzara highlights the unpredictable nature of TV development, likening it to a chess game of navigating industry relationships and dynamics.
The importance of character depth over plot mechanics is emphasized, with Mazzara urging writers to define their unique tone and voice.
Lorien shares her experience of reviving a stalled project, illustrating the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the creative process and persistence.
Deep dives
The Impact of Recent Fires
The devastating fires in Los Angeles have significantly affected Hollywood and the surrounding community. The hosts acknowledge the emotional turmoil this situation has caused and express their support for those impacted. They decided to air this episode, recorded prior to the fires, in hopes of providing a sense of comfort and normalcy during such a challenging time. The message emphasizes solidarity, reminding listeners that they are not alone in facing difficulties.
Insights from Veteran TV Writer Glenn Mazzara
Glenn Mazzara, a veteran TV writer and showrunner known for his work on iconic series like 'The Shield' and 'The Walking Dead,' shares his experiences and insights into what it means to be a TV writer today. He discusses his diverse experience working across various genres and formats, highlighting the importance of adaptability in a constantly shifting landscape. Mazzara also emphasizes the creative process involved in developing original content and the challenge of maintaining authenticity. His expertise serves as a guiding light for aspiring writers navigating the complexities of television production.
Overcoming Challenges in Development
Lorian discusses a project that seemed to be dead but found new life, revealing the emotional ups and downs of the development process. She reflects on the outcome of a teaching experience where she emphasized the importance of a character's wants, which resonated with her students. This teaching moment inspired her to revisit her own projects and motivations, underscoring the importance of clarity and purpose in storytelling. The conversation highlights the persistence required in the creative industry, illustrating how hope can be reignited in uncertain circumstances.
Understanding the Television Business
Mazzara breaks down the complexities of the television industry, explaining the roles of production companies, studios, and networks in the development of a show. He likens the process to a chess game, where emerging writers must navigate relationships and understand the business landscape. Mazzara illustrates this by discussing a personal project, detailing how scheduling issues can push projects back, leaving writer's rooms in limbo. This insight emphasizes the shared experiences of writers dealing with the often unpredictable nature of television production.
The Importance of Tone in Storytelling
Mazzara elaborates on the concept of 'tone' in storytelling, emphasizing that it is crucial for engaging and retaining an audience. He notes that emerging writers often struggle with defining their tone, leading to generic scripts that lack personality. Mazzara stresses the importance of understanding character depth and how characters should drive narratives rather than focusing solely on plot mechanics. By encouraging writers to embrace their individuality, Mazzara highlights that unique voices contribute to the richness of television storytelling.
Glen Mazzara has produced, created and/or showran a litany of amazing projects. His impressive resume includes The Walking Dead (he showran seasons 2 and 3) and Damien, which he also created. But even Glen is the first to admit that there's a certain amount of luck that comes with getting the coveted greenlight. Navigating producers, networks, and the studio can be a complicated game of chess, but today, Glen breaks the game down with a refreshing amount of candor.