From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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:
Natasha Allegri , created the web series
Bee and Puppycat turned into a TV series on
Netflix .
[9]
[10]
Paul Abbott , created
Shameless , and is also responsible for the creation of
Reckless and
Touching Evil for ITV, as well as
Clocking Off and
State of Play for the BBC.
[11]
[12]
J. J. Abrams , co-created
Felicity (1998–2002), created
Alias (2001–2006), co-created
Lost (2004–2010),
Fringe (2008–2013),
Undercovers (2010)
Britt Allcroft created the children's television series
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]
Loren Bouchard , co-created
Home Movies (with
Brendon Small ), and created
Bob's Burgers and
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
Jamie Brittain , co-creator with
Bryan Elsley of British teen drama
Skins (2007–2013)
[18]
Johnny Byrne , created
Heartbeat and
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 .
Gábor Csupó , created
Rugrats ,
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters ,
Santo Bugito ,
The Wild Thornberrys ,
Rocket Power ,
All Grown Up! , and
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 .
John A. Davis , created
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Terrance Dicks , co-created the BBC science-fiction TV series
Moonbase 3 (1973)
C.H. Greenblatt , created
Chowder ,
Harvey Beaks , and
Jellystone! .
John R. Dilworth , created
Courage the Cowardly Dog
David Feiss , created
Cow and Chicken ,
I Am Weasel and
YooHoo & Friends .
Bryan Elsley , created
Dates (2013–)
[22] and co-created the British teen drama
Skins (2007–2013) with
Jamie Brittain
[18]
Brad Falchuk , co-creator with Murphy of
American Horror Story ,
[23] co-creator with
Ian Brennan and
Ryan Murphy of
Glee
Phil Ford , co-creator with
Russell T Davies of
Wizards vs Aliens
C.H. Greenblatt , created
Chowder ,
Harvey Beaks , and
Jellystone! .
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)
Chris Gifford , created
Dora the Explorer ,
Go, Diego, Go! and
Dora and Friends: Into the City
Vince Gilligan , created
Breaking Bad and co-created
Better Call Saul
Bryan Elsley , created
Dates (2013–)
[24] and co-created the British teen drama
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
Butch Hartman , created
The Fairly OddParents ,
Danny Phantom ,
T.U.F.F. Puppy ,
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]
Steven Levitan , co-creator with
Christopher Lloyd of
Modern Family
[28]
Christopher Lloyd , co-creator with
Steven Levitan of
Modern Family
[28]
Craig McCracken , created
The Powerpuff Girls ,
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]
Joe Murray , created
Rocko's Modern Life ,
Camp Lazlo ,
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. (2013–2020).
[34]
Tom Wheeler , created
The Cape (2011)
[35]
Toby Whithouse , created
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" .
^ In Newman's memoir, The Avengers and Me , Patrick Macnee interviewed Newman about his never receiving on-screen credit as creator of the series. Newman explained that he never sought on-screen credit on the series because during his previous tenure at the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation , such credits were not given, and he never thought to get one for The Avengers . Per: Patrick Macnee and Dave Rogers, The Avengers and Me (TV Books, 1998,
ISBN
1575000598 ); republished in 2008 as The Avengers: The Inside Story (Titan Books,
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 .
^ Erdmann, Terry J.; Block, Paula M. (August 1, 2000). Deep Space Nine Companion . Simon and Schuster.
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 .
^ Bill Carter (August 11, 2003).
"From Creator of 'C.S.I.,' Testimonials to Himself" .
New York Times .
Main / general Places Profiles Pre-production Production Post-production
Types, formats and genres
Valuation Technical Issues
Theory