TV vs. Movies: Who Has the Power?

• At the beginning, the screenwriter has all the power—the power of imagination.
• A producer or studio options the script—now that person or studio has the power to change the script, hire another writer, or revise the project in any way.
• The director comes on board—now the director has creative authority.
• The main actor (star) is cast, and an uneasy jockeying for power begins. However, the director still has the power, even as shooting starts.
• In the third week of photography, power begins to shift from the director to the star. Midway through photography, the star has the power. That’s because the star cannot be replaced, whereas the director can.
• Shooting wraps; the director has the power again, but only temporarily.
• When the director delivers the director’s cut of the movie, power goes to the studio or distributor, which can recut the movie in any way it chooses.

• The writer-producer who sold the series to the network (the “showrunner”) hires the director and approves what is shot.
• The director works on the episode, then turns the footage over to the editorial department.
• The showrunner works with the editor and approves the episode.
• The television network has final approval and may make changes.

• Once your project is approved, you will generally have full artistic control of your movie, as long as you follow the assignment guidelines.
• Enjoy it! You have more creative control now than you will ever have in the professional world!