Showrunning 101

4-PART IN-DEPTH CLASS (OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION)

Learn from a professional showrunner who's worked with Norman Lear, the creators of FRIENDS, TBS, Hulu, Sony, and more!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

For many television writers and creators, becoming a showrunner is the dream job. And the role seems fairly straightforward: deliver quality episodes on time and on budget. But anyone who has been or worked with a showrunner knows that goal is easier said than done.

A showrunner must straddle both the creative and business sides of television. They manage the writers’ room, talent, and directors, and they help keep a unified vision of the show while also managing budgets, schedules, the crew, and executives’ expectations.

With so much to learn and understand, it seems crazy that most showrunner’s learn the position on the job! But in this exclusive Stage 32 class, you’ll learn everything you need to know about what a showrunner does, how they do it, and how you can excel at it.

Over his 30-year entertainment career, John Lehr has worked under amazing showrunners, from legendary Norman Lear to FRIENDS’ creators Kevin Bright, David Crane, and Marta Kauffman. John has also created and served as showrunner on his own series for TBS, Sony, and Hulu.

Over four sessions, John will show you what it takes to be a showrunner and, ultimately, everything that goes into making a television series.

You’ll cover the differences between creator and showrunner, how seasons and episode budgets differ, overseeing departments so that you’re not micromanaging, handling production setbacks, working with network executives, and more.

By the end of these four sessions, you’ll have more information about showrunning than many first-time showrunners. Whether you’re looking to become a showrunner or team up with one for your project, this class is an invaluable opportunity to learn how it’s done from a professional showrunner.