Exploring the Showrunner Model

Join us as we tackle the big topic of showrunning with some of the most experienced and successful showrunners in the world.

The most impactful and successful contemporary television is bold in vision and strong in authorship. The vision originates with the writer. It is shaped through a thoughtful and collaborative development process and reaches its full potential when creators and key writers work in partnership with producers and all departments throughout pre-production, production, and post-production, maximising creative integrity – Australian Writers’ Guild

Our panel will talk about why evolving the Australian production model to one of partnership between writers and producers is the surest and fastest way to create more successful Australian shows. Hear our panelists talk about what makes a good showrunner and importantly, how to become a good showrunner.

Our special guest is Jeff Melvoin who, with over 40 years in TV and some 470 hours of primetime episodes under his belt, has honed the art of making writers into showrunners. He is the founder and chair of the prestigious WGA Showrunner Training Program. He is also the author of the bestselling book, Running the Show: Television from the Inside.

Joining Jeff on the panel is highly esteemed Shane Brennan, Australia’s most successful showrunner. Shane was the creator and showrunner of the immensely successful NCIS: LA. Since returning from the US in 2016, Shane has focused his attention on providing training and opportunities for Australian writers seeking to be showrunners.

Writer, showrunner and producer Sarah Lambert has created some of Australia’s most critically acclaimed drama series in recent years. Most recently, Sarah was the creator and showrunner of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Sarah will join the panel to offer insight into showrunning and how her production company Lantern Pictures is approaching the changing screen landscape.

Mithila Gupta is an Indian-born, Aussie-bred creator, writer and executive producer. She recently created and was lead writer of the hit romantic drama Four Years Later (SBS). Mithila is currently developing a slate of projects, including the screen adaptation of Shankari Chandran’s Miles Franklin award winning novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and writing on a romcom series with Hello Sunshine and Goalpost Pictures.

Our final panellist is the in-demand Anya Beyersdorf, creator of the enormously successful Fake and writer on Netflix’s global smash hit, Apple Cider Vinegar. Anya is one of Australia’s most highly sought after creators/showrunners and will offer her unique insight into the Australian industry and its future.

Hosting this fascinating conversation will be Loani Arman. Loani is writer, director and producer whose work puts diversity firmly into the centre of the story. She has also worked as a development executive, most recently as Commissioning Editor at SBS and at Screen Queensland.

Doors open from 6pm.

Panel commences at 6:30pm.

Please note: The Library is currently being renovated, so entry is only available via the Mitchell Building (the old building). Staff will direct you from there to the Auditorium. 

Full transport and access information can be found at sl.nsw.gov.au/visit-us