Favorite Parts of Being an Executive Story Editor in a Television Writers Room
Marshall most enjoys the collaborative "snowballing effect" of idea generation in the writers' room, finding the daily variety—from collaborative brainstorming to solitary writing, intense one-on-one sessions, and the physical demands of being on set—constantly stimulating.
Collaboration, Creative Writing, Adaptability, Communication, Leadership
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. Collaboration and idea-building: Marshall highlights the collaborative nature of the writers' room, where ideas build upon each other, creating a snowball effect. This collaborative spirit fosters creativity and a sense of shared accomplishment.
2. Variety of tasks and environments: The work is dynamic, shifting between collaborative brainstorming sessions, solitary writing, intense one-on-one discussions with a boss, and the physical activity on set. This variety keeps the work engaging and prevents monotony.
3. Daily challenges and learning opportunities: The changing nature of the work demands adaptability and problem-solving skills, presenting daily challenges that contribute to continuous professional growth and learning.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
There are a few things. I think the main thing is the camaraderie, the joy of collaboration. When an idea of yours lands, and then someone else is inspired by it and builds on it with another idea, and somebody else is inspired by that and builds on it, there's this very satisfying snowballing effect that can happen in the room.
That's really enjoyable. But I would say there's also the fact that every day is a little bit different. Especially when you are tasked with writing your script, you go from being in a very social environment to a very solitary, interior environment.
Then, when you're rewriting the script, it's an intense one-on-one experience with your boss. You're arguing for and against what to do on the page. And again, when you go to set, you're on your feet, the days are long, and it's a very physical environment.
So the shifting of what kind of job it is day to day is exciting and always keeps you on your toes. I have to say that those are the main things.
Advizer Personal Links