Television show creator
A television show creator or television program creator is the person who developed a significant part of a TV show's format, concept, characters, and pilot script. They have sequel rights to the material as well.
Often, the creator is also the showrunner or a producer. Sometimes it is a writer of the series bible, or writers' guidelines.[1][unreliable source?] In the United States, a Writers Guild of America (WGA) screenwriting credit system governs credits. For example, the Writers Guild of America West provides specifications for creator credits that govern its members.[2] The Producers Guild of America's corresponding code for producers defines "Executive Producer" and similar roles but not an explicit "Creator" role.[3][4][failed verification]
Creator is a specific credit given explicitly in many shows. However, it has not always been a prominent, explicit credit. For example, Sydney Newman, the accepted creator of The Avengers (1961–69), was never given an explicit credit as creator; Newman never thought to ask for one.[5] The creator of a television show may retain rights to participate in profits, often to be paid by the production company as a percentage of fees that it receives from networks and distributors.[6] In 2014, for prime-time network TV shows, the WGA-required royalty to be paid to a writer with "created by" credit is approximately $1,000 per episode or higher.[7] Who merits creator credit is sometimes a matter of contention. In a 2013 legal case, a director sued a former writing partner for co-creator credit.[8]
Examples
Notable examples of creators include:
- J. J. Abrams, co-created Felicity (1998–2002), created Alias (2001–2006), co-created Lost (2004–2010), Fringe (2008–2013), Undercovers (2010)
- Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later re-titled Thomas & Friends), Shining Time Station (with Rick Siggelkow) and Magic Adventures of Mumfie
- Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, co-creators of Thunderbirds (1965–66);[13] Gerry Anderson also created Supercar (1961–62)[14]
- Danny Antonucci, created The Brothers Grunt, Cartoon Sushi, and Ed, Edd n Eddy
- Meredith Averill, creator and executive producer of The CW science fiction teen drama Star-Crossed.[15]
- Craig Bartlett, created Hey Arnold!, Dinosaur Train and Ready Jet Go!.
- Ben Bocquelet, created The Amazing World of Gumball.
- Donald P. Bellisario, co-created Magnum, P.I., created Airwolf, created Quantum Leap, created JAG, co-created NCIS.
- Maxwell Atoms, created Grim & Evil, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Evil Con Carne.
- Rick Berman, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller,[16] co-created Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor, co-created Enterprise (retitled Star Trek: Enterprise in 2003) with Brannon Braga.[17]
- Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil and co-created Central Park (TV series)
- Ian Brennan, co-creator with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of Glee
- Marc Brown, created TV series Arthur
- Skins (2007–2013)[18]
- Noah's Ark(1997–98)
- Stephen J. Cannell, co-created The Rockford Files, created Baretta, created The Greatest American Hero, co-created The A-Team, co-created Hardcastle and McCormick, created Stingray, co-created Wiseguy, co-created 21 Jump Street, created Silk Stalkings, co-created The Commish, created Renegade.
- Rugrats Pre-School Daze.
- Michael Schur, co-created Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, created The Good Place.
- Mitch Schauer, created The Angry Beavers.
- David Crane, co-created Friends (with Marta Kauffman), co-created The Class with Jeffrey Klarik,[19] and co-created Episodes for the BBC.[20][21]
- Keith Chapman, created Bob the Builder, Fifi and the Flowertots, and PAW Patrol.
- Greg Daniels, co-created King of the Hill, developed The Office, co-created Parks and Recreation, created Upload, and co-created Space Force.
- The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
- Terrance Dicks, co-created the BBC science-fiction TV series Moonbase 3 (1973)
- .
- John R. Dilworth, created Courage the Cowardly Dog
- David Feiss, created Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel and YooHoo & Friends.
- Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain[18]
- Ryan Murphy of Glee
- Phil Ford, co-creator with Russell T Davies of Wizards vs Aliens
- .
- Jorge Gutierrez, created El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera and Maya and the Three.
- Bruce Geller, created the television series Mission: Impossible (1966–73)
- Dora and Friends: Into the City
- Vince Gilligan, created Breaking Bad and co-created Better Call Saul
- Skins (2007–2013) with Jamie Brittain[18]
- David Greenwalt, co-created Angel, co-created Profit, and co-created NBC drama Grimm
- David E. Kelley, created Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal, and Harry's Law
- Matt Groening, created The Simpsons,[25] Futurama and Disenchantment.
- Stephen Hillenburg, created SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Susan Harris, created Soap, Benson, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses and The Golden Palace.
- Chris Kratt and Martin Kratt, co-created the children's TV series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Be the Creature, and Wild Kratts
- Jeffrey Klarik, co-created Episodes and co-created The Class with David Crane[26]
- Glen A. Larson, created The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, created Battlestar Galactica, co-created B. J. and the Bear, created Galactica 1980, co-created Magnum, P.I., created The Fall Guy, created Knight Rider, created Automan.
- Norman Lear, created All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, Maude and Good Times
- Bunsen is a Beast
- Mike Judge, created Beavis and Butt-Head, and co-created King of the Hill, The Goode Family, Silicon Valley, and Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus
- Emily Kapnek, created As Told by Ginger, Suburgatory, and Selfie
- Roberta Leigh, created puppet TV series Sara and Hoppity, Torchy the Battery Boy, Wonder Boy and Tiger and Send for Dithers, as well as created Space Patrol, (US title: Planet Patrol)[27]
- Christopher Lloyd of Modern Family[28]
- Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Wander Over Yonder, Kid Cosmic
- Patrick McGoohan, creator[29] or co-creator[30] of The Prisoner
- Carol Mendelsohn, co-creator and executive producer of CSI: Miami and CSI: NY
- Lorne Michaels, best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live
- Ryan Murphy, co-created Glee (with Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk) and co-created American Horror Story[23]
- Let's Go Luna
- Mic Neumann created Kung Faux
- Sydney Newman, created The Avengers[31] and Doctor Who[32]
- Jonathan Nolan, created Person of Interest
- Steve Oedekerk, created Back at the Barnyard and co-created Planet Sheen
- Van Partible, created Johnny Bravo.
- Michael Piller, co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and of Star Trek: Voyager
- J.G. Quintel, created Regular Show and Close Enough
- Paul Reiser, co-created Mad About You (1992–99)
- Rob Renzetti, created My Life as a Teenage Robot
- Shonda Rhimes, created Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal
- Sol Saks, most known as created Bewitched (1964–72)[33]
- Chris Savino, created The Loud House.
- Adi Shankar, created The Guardians of Justice.
- Sidney Sheldon, created The Patty Duke Show (1963–66), I Dream of Jeannie (1965–70) and Hart to Hart (1979–84)
- Mr. Warburton, created Codename: Kids Next Door.
- Jhonen Vasquez, created Invader Zim
- Genndy Tartakovsky, created Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, developed Star Wars: Clone Wars, co-created Sym-Bionic Titan and created Primal
- Pendleton Ward, created Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors and The Midnight Gospel.
- Alex Hirsch, created Gravity Falls
- D.B Weiss and David Benioff, co-created Game of Thrones (2011)
- Joss Whedon, created Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), Angel (1999–2004), Firefly (2002–03), Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), Dollhouse (2009–10) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–present).[34]
- Tom Wheeler, created The Cape (2011)[35]
- Being Human[36]
- Dick Wolf, created Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: UK.,[37] and created Crime & Punishment
- Justin Zackham, created FX drama series Lights Out
- Anthony E. Zuiker, created the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise of several TV series,[38]
See also
References
- ^ donedealpro.com messageboard thread
- ^ "Determining Separated Rights on a Television Series". Writers Guild of America.
- ^ "Code of Credits – Television Series – Non-Fiction".
- ^ "Code of Credits – Television Series – Comedy/Drama".
- ISBN 1845766431)
- ^ "Standard Deal Points When Selling Your Television Projects". TV Writers Vault. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ Dina Appleton. "The Ins and Outs of TV Series Writer Deals".
- ^ C. Edwards (September 20, 2013). "Live-Action TV Director Sues "Johnny Test" Producer For Creator Credit". CartoonBrew.Com.
- ^ Talking to the Top Female Filmmaker on Kickstarter, Bee and PuppyCat's Natasha Allegri,Vulture, November 6, 2014. Accessed November 24, 2021.
- ^ Cult-favorite cartoon Bee and Puppycat finds a home at Netflix for season 2, Polygon, October 6, 2020. Accessed November 24, 2021.
- ^ British Film Institute screenonline database. Accessed October 22, 2007.
- ^ "Estate of Play", The Guardian, July 12, 2008. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "Thunderbirds". IMDb.
- ^ "Supercar (TV series)". IMDb.
- ^ Wiegand, David (February 16, 2014). "Star-Crossed so dopey, teens might not even like it". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-671-50106-8.
- ^ "Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone". May 22, 2000. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Skins". IMDb.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Creators of The Class". BuddyTV.com. November 2, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ "Biggest Sunday Ever on Showtime! Shameless, Episodes & Californication to Premiere January 9th". FutonCritic.com. Showtime press release. September 22, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ "Press Packs: Episodes". BBC. December 17, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ "Dates". IMDb.
- ^ a b Denise Martin (May 22, 2012). "Ryan Murphy Dissects Glee and American Horror Story, Addresses Fans and Critics".
- ^ "Dates". IMDb.
- ^ "The Simpsons". IMDb.
- ^ Werts, Diane (September 18, 2006). "'The Class' gets an A for effort". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 26, 2006. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
- ^ Internet Movie Database: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164289/fullcredits#cast
- ^ a b "Modern Family". IMDb.
- ^ ""Prisoner" Star Patrick McGoohan Dies". CBS News. January 14, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- ^ "The Prisoner". IMDb.
- ^ Note Sydney Newman apparently never received screen credit as the created The Avengers.
- ^ "Doctor Who (1963–1989)". IMDb.
- ^ "Bewitched". IMDb.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 29, 2012). "ABC Greenlights 'S.H.I.E.L.D' Marvel Pilot, Joss Whedon To Co-Write & Possibly Direct". August 28, 2012. deadline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ^ Kelly West (December 18, 2010). "Interview: NBC's The Cape Creator Tom Wheeler".
- ^ "Being Human". IMDb.
- ^ Weiner, Allison Hope (May 23, 2005). "Case Closed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
- New York Times.