SYNOPSIS
Showrunners is the first ever feature length documentary film to explore the fascinating world of US television showrunners and the creative forces aligned around them. These are the people responsible for creating, writing and overseeing every element of production on one of the United State’s biggest exports – television drama and comedy series.
Often described as the most complex job in the entertainment business, a showrunner is the chief writer / producer on a TV series and, in most instances, the show’s creator. Battling daily between art and commerce, showrunners manage every aspect of a TV show's development and production: creative, financial and logistical.
PANELISTS BIOS
Des Doyle, director
Des was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. After graduating from the Dublin Institute Of Technology with a Diploma in Film Production he began his career as a camera assistant and over the last 15 years has worked on a diverse range of TV dramas, commercials, music videos and feature films, working with artists such as U2 and Sinead O’Connor as well acclaimed directors such as Jim Sheridan and Lenny Abrahamson.A lifelong passion for U.S. TV drama and the inner workings of the American television industry inspired the idea for his debut film as a director, a documentary feature exploring the world of U.S. TV head writer/creators, referred to within the industry as Showrunners, which was funded by the Irish Film Board and Kickstarter. Twtter: @dcireland
Hart Hanson, showrunner
Hart was the creator/showrunner of Bones, The Finder and currently, Backstrom. Born in California but raised in Canada, Hanson’s first television writing job was on CBC TV’s The Beachcombers. Twitter: @HartHanson
Ryan Patrick McGuffey, co-producer
Ryan is an Irish-American actor/producer based in Los Angeles. Planting temporary roots in all corners of the globe over his 20+ year career, Ryan has worked as a classically trained performer of stage, screen, voice and in music. His diverse work has taken him to over 30 countries.A trip to Sundance Film Festival crystalised a decision to relocate to Los Angeles and pursue his lifelong dream of acting and filmmaking. Upon returning to the US full time in 2008, Ryan immediately landed a principle role in John Campea’s “The Anniversary”. He has since gone on to work alongside such talents as Pierce Brosnan, David Arquette, Fionnula Flanagan and James Remar. In 2010 he welcomed his daughter Olivia Mairím McGuffey into the world and joined Director Des Doyle and Producer John Wallace to co-produce the feature documentary “Showrunners: The Art Of Running A TV Show”. Twitter: @ryanpmcguffey
Mike Royce, showrunner
Mike was showrunner of Lucky Louie, Men of a Certain Age and Enlisted. Born in New York, Royce was a standup comedian in New York City and writer on Saturday Night Live. His first television series credit is for Apt. 2F. Twitter: @MikeRoyce
Moderator - Debra Birnbaum, Executive TV Editor, Variety
