What I Did As A TV Show Creator For A Major Streaming Platform
Here are the day-to-day roles I had in creating and executive producing Season 1 Surf Girls: Hawai'i.
Surf Girls is the first women's sports documentary on Prime Video.
The list below is based on what I've personally experienced, but is not a definitive list for all TV show creators.
I was heavily involved, as compared to industry standard.
Every creator's role is different depending on the show, the partners, and the contract they are able to negotiate.
What I Did As Creator & Executive Producer
1. Created development and pitch materials
I wrote and developed the pitch deck, revising it through multiple versions to create the most sellable show.
I also directed the sizzle reel with a small crew and oversaw post-production to ensure the edit aligned with the vision.
Over the course of the process, I worked closely with the team at Hello Sunshine to finalize creative materials for pitch meetings with streaming platforms.
2. Selected main cast and identified storylines
I selected 5 main athletes to follow in the show.
My recommendations were based on who had the strongest storylines and personality.
I built relationships with the athletes and the surfing community over the course of many years, which opened the door to multiple options.
3. Directed talent on set
Because the athletes knew me, I was the trusted bridge between the surfing world and my producing team.
My goal was to create a positive environment where the athletes felt comfortable expressing themselves and being authentic, even when cameras were around.
Additionally, I ensured that the showrunner and producing team had everything they needed from the athletes to produce a successful shoot and tell the strongest story possible.
4. Wrote interview questions and scenes
I collaborated with the showrunner and producing team to write interview questions and scene work.
Our shoot window spanned over 4 months, which allowed us to spend time with our main cast through the end of their competition season.
We conducted two 2.5 hour interviews with each athlete, once in the beginning of our shoot window and once at the end.
Scene work was spread across the shoot window between events and competitions.
I provided realistic scene ideas for each main athlete based on their unique lives and storylines.
We ended up shooting 3-5 pre-planned scenes with each athlete and 3-5 scenes pre-planned as a group.
We accounted for flexibility to shoot a handful of organic scenes and on the fly interviews as they came up throughout the shoot window.
5. Collaborated with my showrunner and other executives in the field
If you are a first time TV show creator, it is unlikely you will showrun or direct your first show.
Often times studios and networks work with vetted showrunners and directors in their network.
But that doesn't mean you can't be involved in an impactful way.
Every day, I would communicate with my showrunner about our creative plan & approach, production schedule, and important decision making in the field.
I approached the experience as a learning opportunity.
6. Provided edit direction and feedback
I was heavily involved in the edit.
Typically, someone in my role would only receive a few versions of each episode to provide high-level feedback on.
However, I co-directed episode structure, story beats, and even pulled interview and scene selects to use in the episodes.
The surfing world is niche and nuanced, so my role was to ensure the athletes and the sport were represented as accurately as possible.
Action Steps & Summary
Here's the 6 ways I contributed to the creation and production of my first TV show:
1. Developed creative & pitch materials
2. Selected cast & storylines
3. Directed talent on set
4. Wrote interview questions & scenes
5. Collaborated with my showrunner and other EPs
6. Provided edit direction & feedback
