Biggest Challenges Faced by an Executive Story Editor in a Television Writers Room
Marshall's biggest challenge as an Executive Story Editor is managing ego and prioritizing the show's needs over personal attachment to ideas; the ability to "set aside what's really precious and focus on the big picture" is crucial, as pushing a beloved but ultimately unsuitable concept is "counterproductive".
Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Marshall Knight
Executive Story Editor
Television Writers Room
UCLA
n/a
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Maintaining objectivity and prioritizing the show's needs over personal preferences is crucial.
2. Balancing individual creative vision with the collaborative nature of the writers' room is essential.
3. Stepping back to analyze whether an idea aligns with the show's direction, rather than clinging to personal attachments, is key.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
I think I mentioned before, the idea of keeping your ego in check and making sure you aren't holding on too tightly to an idea you love. You'll find yourself in a situation where you have a really detailed pitch laid out, and the room seems like they've moved on from the version of the story you wanted to pitch.
It's so tempting to just send it out anyway, or to suggest a fix to a problem that's already been solved. You might also be tempted to pitch a character that your boss has already suggested, or a story you don't really care about. This is counterproductive.
You need to be able to step back and analyze if your idea, even if it's good on its own, is what the show needs. Is it what your boss is looking for? Will it derail the room?
Almost every writer falls in love with their ideas. Being able to set aside what's precious and focus on the big picture – what the show needs – is easily the hardest part of the job.
Advizer Personal Links