Television Writers' Room Terminology
Vice President for Creative Development – Responsible for identifying, developing, and overseeing television series from initial idea through broadcast or streaming of final product. They develop new talent, provide feedback on the script, liaise with all production departments, and keep projects on schedule. In The Antipodes, this is most likely the offstage characters of Jeff and Victor.
Showrunner – Often (but not always) the creator of the show. Top of the writers’ room hierarchy. Exerts executive control over the show’s narrative direction and determines which ideas are the most viable. Showrunners often also have executive producer titles. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Sandy.
Producer – Includes co-executive producers, supervising producers, producers, and co-producers—who fulfill leadership roles in the writers’ room. These various kinds of producers are still writers who have moved up the writers’ room hierarchy, but are below the showrunner and exec. producer(s). Often are seasoned writers who may participate in other responsibilities like script approvals, casting, production, and creative direction. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Dave.
Story editor – The show’s more seasoned writers who have been with a show for some time. Takes on leadership roles in the writers’ room when no producers are present. Usually are the ones tasked with writing a draft of the episode. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Danny M1.
Staff writer – Developing writers tasked with breaking and developing the story of an episode. A lower-level position in which you can hone your storytelling skills when beginning a screenwriting career. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Adam, Danny M2, Eleanor, and Josh.
Writers’ assistant – Many writers’ rooms will have a writers' assistant on hand, who is responsible for taking notes and keeping the writers on track. In The Antipodes, this is certainly Brian's role.
Writers' production assistant – This is an entry-level job. Writers' production assistants answer phones, make copies, fetch coffee and snacks, and order lunch. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Sarah's role.
Pitch – An idea or concept of a potential project in hopes of getting picked up and being further developed. The Antipodes begins after the pitch has been approved by the offstage characters of Jeff and Victor.
Breaking a story – Developing a vague idea into a concrete outline of a story, scene by scene.
Hiatus – A break or pause halting a project until further notice.
Showrunner – Often (but not always) the creator of the show. Top of the writers’ room hierarchy. Exerts executive control over the show’s narrative direction and determines which ideas are the most viable. Showrunners often also have executive producer titles. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Sandy.
Producer – Includes co-executive producers, supervising producers, producers, and co-producers—who fulfill leadership roles in the writers’ room. These various kinds of producers are still writers who have moved up the writers’ room hierarchy, but are below the showrunner and exec. producer(s). Often are seasoned writers who may participate in other responsibilities like script approvals, casting, production, and creative direction. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Dave.
Story editor – The show’s more seasoned writers who have been with a show for some time. Takes on leadership roles in the writers’ room when no producers are present. Usually are the ones tasked with writing a draft of the episode. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Danny M1.
Staff writer – Developing writers tasked with breaking and developing the story of an episode. A lower-level position in which you can hone your storytelling skills when beginning a screenwriting career. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Adam, Danny M2, Eleanor, and Josh.
Writers’ assistant – Many writers’ rooms will have a writers' assistant on hand, who is responsible for taking notes and keeping the writers on track. In The Antipodes, this is certainly Brian's role.
Writers' production assistant – This is an entry-level job. Writers' production assistants answer phones, make copies, fetch coffee and snacks, and order lunch. In The Antipodes, this is most likely Sarah's role.
Pitch – An idea or concept of a potential project in hopes of getting picked up and being further developed. The Antipodes begins after the pitch has been approved by the offstage characters of Jeff and Victor.
Breaking a story – Developing a vague idea into a concrete outline of a story, scene by scene.
Hiatus – A break or pause halting a project until further notice.