The Entertainment Master Class (EMC), the renowned and internationally recognised peer-to-peer education program created by industry leaders for aspiring creators, is launching a global community titled the Showrunner Society.
The Showrunner Society is a new way for experienced writers and writing producers to learn the craft of Showrunning and a place for media executives to access a pool of talent capable of making the high-quality television series that they need.
The platform is a multimedia experience with a variety of offerings, both online and in person, where participants have the opportunity to meet and interact with the leading Showrunners from around the world in a forum to share experiences and exchange ideas.
The Showrunner Society is launching with a powerful Advisory Board that includes: Emmy-winning writer/producer Tom Fontana (Creator of HBO’s OZ, Canal+’s Borgia), Canadian film director/writer Richie Mehta (creator, writer and director of Delhi Crime for Netflix), TV Producer and former SVP at HBO Anne Thomopoulos (Rome, Plan Coeur), and Executive Producer/Managing Director at Big Window Productions Jörg Winger (co-creator of the TV drama Deutschland 83).
From the outset, the Showrunner Society programs will include a centerpiece program, the Showrunning Masterclass, a four-day, in-person event, where a select group of experienced writers, directors, producers and industry executives gather with some of the top international showrunners to learn from the best. The Master Class will allow participants to be mentored by and to shadow showrunners. Other Society initiatives include in-depth podcast and video interviews with some of the world’s best showrunners.
Christoph Fey, EMC Co-Founder and Showrunner Society CEO explains, “Showrunning requires a unique skill set that goes beyond treatments and scripts. It’s about knowing how to turn a creative vision into production reality. The Showrunner Society aims to empower new talent in the industry to have the experience to ensure their voices and stories are heard.”
Paris-based showrunner Steven Bawol, Director of the Showrunner Society adds, “The Showrunner Society offers a chance for the next generation of writing and producing talent to work with and learn from the world’s top showrunners. As the demand for quality content increases across the globe, the program is a way of building a new model for creating successful long running series.”
"There are more opportunities than ever before to make series and tell the stories that haven’t been told,” said Anne Thomopoulos. “I’m excited to be a part of this program and work with the world’s most talented new creators to help get those stories to the screen.”
Showrunner Tom Fontana added, "With the amazing amount of television that’s being created these days, having a place where showrunners from everywhere can meet to share ideas and experiences is essential. We also need a venue to nurture the next generation of showrunning talent."
The first in person Showrunning Master Class will begin this summer, hosted in Germany, supported by the film funding agency Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.
More information can be found at https://www.showrunner-society.com/
About EMC
Founded in 2008, the EMC has pioneered a new style of peer-to-peer education, a Master Class created by the industry for the industry, designed for aspiring creators, executives and entrepreneurs who work in the worldwide business of television entertainment. More than 250 leading practitioners from within the industry and around the world speak, teach and mentor at the EMC. The focus of its Master Class is always on people – their attitudes, mindsets, and skills – and on how they trigger creativity to make television entertainment with intelligence, emotion and empathy. Internationally recognised for its interactive curriculum, collaborative dialogue, and global reach, the EMC has earned a reputation as the television industry’s own school of entertainment. The school is now in its fifteenth year, and proud of the remarkable successes of more than 1000 Master Class Alumni.
