1st Edition

TV Outside the Box Trailblazing in the Digital Television Revolution

By Neil Landau Copyright 2016
    470 Pages
    by Routledge

    470 Pages
    by Routledge

    TV Outside the Box: Trailblazing in the Digital Television Revolution explores the new and exploding universe of on-demand, OTT (Over the Top) networks: Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Crackle, CW Seed, Vimeo, AwesomenessTV, and many more. Featuring in-depth conversations with game-changing content creators, industry mavericks, and leading cultural influencers, TV Outside the Box is essential reading for anyone interested in the dynamics of a global media revolution – while it’s happening. Readers will discover:

      • How the new "disruptors" of traditional television models are shaping the future of the television and feature film business. You’ll hear directly from the visionaries behind it all – from concept genesis to predictions for the future of streaming platforms; their strategies for acquisitions and development of new original content; and how the revolution is providing unprecedented opportunities for both established and emerging talent.

      • What’s different about storytelling for the progressive, risk-taking networks who are delivering provocative, groundbreaking, binge-worthy content, without the restraints of the traditional, advertiser-supported programming model. Through interviews with the showrunners, content creators, and producers of dozens of trailblazing series – including Orange Is the New Black, House of Cards, Transparent, and many more – you’ll learn how and why the best and the brightest TV content creators and filmmakers are defining the new digital entertainment age – and how you can, too.

    1. Goodbye "idiot box," hello Apple TV, Roku, Xbos, Crhomecast, Amazone Fire -- and the interactive TV computer screen; 2. Forecasting and prognosticating where, when, and how we view our favorite shows; 3. Once-a-week programming + summer reruns = old school; 4. Broadcast commercial TV vs. (legal) downloads; 5. Interviews with Top Programming Executives; 6. Good news: TV Studios and networks need more original programming than ever! Bad news: They want it to be better, faster - and cheaper; 7. The Value of "bottle shows" and contained arenas; 8. Defying the formulaic: fresh voices and "buzz worthy" shows; 9. Iconic, indelible (heavily flawed) characters trump plot devices; 10. Interviews with creators/showrunners; 11. Amazon Studios' Open Submission Policy; 12. Sony Crackle Initiative at UCLA School of Film & Television & Digital; 13. The Anthology Series is Back; 14. Reality Shows Off Network; 15. Spoof TV; 16. Broadcast Yourself; 17. The New Breed of Late Night Talk Show; 18. The New Frontier of Movies for the Home Theater.

    Biography

    Neil Landau is a bestselling author, producer and award winning screenwriter who runs the Writing for Television program in the UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media (his alma mater).

    Credits include Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead; Melrose Place, The Magnificent Seven, Doogie Howser, M.D., The Secret World of Alex Mack, Twice in a Lifetime, MTV's Undressed, and one-hour drama pilots for CBS, ABC, ABC Family, Warner Bros., Disney, Lifetime, and Fremantle. Neil has also served as Executive Script Consultant for Sony Pictures Television and Columbia Pictures.

    His animated movie projects include the Tad: The Lost Explorer, which earned him a Spanish Academy "Goya" Award for Best Adapted Screenplay; Capture the Flag for Paramount; and Sheep & Wolves for Wizart Animation. He’s the author of the bestselling 101 Things I Learned in Film School; The Screenwriter’s Roadmap, and The TV Showrunner’s Roadmap.

    "TV Outside the Box blew my mind—and not just because I'm one of the fascinating interviews in the book. Check it out and expand your consciousness beyond the zeitgeist."

    —Dan Harmon, Emmy Award-winning Writer/Producer/Showrunner: Community, Rick and Morty

    "TV Outside the Box boldly takes us inside the rapidly evolving television business; it's an engrossing, provocative, groundbreaking read."

    —Lisa Kudrow, Emmy Award-winning Actor/Writer/Producer: Friends, Web Therapy, The Comeback 

    "By way of candid, fascinating conversations and sharp insights, Landau is a wonderful guide through the creative revolution that's redefining television." 

    —Beau Willimon, Academy Award and Emmy-nominated Writer/Producer/Showrunner: House of Cards, The Ides of March