Page 119 - Harvard Business Review (November-December, 2017)

a terrific, if tough, the previous year’s Emmys, when
partner since the early days of Dope. he was still at HBO.
But her new idea was edgier, more “Carla, great to see you again.”
explicit—not at all right for RBN. She “You, too, Dale. Congrats on the
envisioned it airing on a cable network move to Cascade.”
like AMC or HBO, or maybe Netflix, “Thanks; I’m really fired up about
Amazon, or the new media upstart that it. Huge shows coming up—one from
was getting so much buzz, Cascade. Tarantino, the other from Clooney,
How could she explain to Michael acting and directing. Limited series, of
that she wanted to scale back on her course. Can’t tie these big stars down.
existing shows so that she could create But top-notch production, filmed on
The formal pitching season a new one she’d most likely pitch to a location, amazing scripts and casts.” Streaming services that
for broadcast networks competitor? And what if the dramedy “Expensive,” Carla replied. offer high-profile shows
runs from July to October. idea failed? She’d worked incredibly “Well, our investors believe that such as House of Cards
Networks might see 500 hard for her three hits and knew that content is still king. Of course, I don’t and Transparent have
ideas, buy the rights to the ride—an amazing and lucrative have to tell you that! You’re the queen fundamentally changed
60, and, after discussions the dynamics of the TV
with show creators, order one—wouldn’t last forever. Maybe she of RBN.” industry in recent years.
12 pilot episodes to be should suck up the workload and enjoy “You’re too kind.” Is this a trend Carla needs
produced. her success while it lasted. “Seriously, three shows—on that to be a part of?
grueling network timetable. And you
HEART TO HEART still find time for business breakfasts!”
The Forty Stories read-through took “I try,” Carla said drily.
longer than expected. The script, from “Would you have time for lunch at
another of Carla’s up-and-coming Cascade? Our CEO would love to hear
producers, needed tweaking, and she’d your perspective on the industry, what
been too busy to eat dinner. Munching audiences really want, how our shows
on a bag of almonds, she made her way stack up. I know you’re locked in at
back to C3. Two hours later, at a little RBN, but—”
before midnight, she and Melanie had “I’m not locked in,” she interrupted.
nailed their scene. She was exhausted “RBN gets a first look, but we’re not
but exhilarated. tied to them.”
“Just in time,” Melanie said, “Of course. Well, if you’re ever
yawning. “Thanks. I didn’t want to ask ready to do something different, we’d
you for help, but I clearly needed it. love to discuss it.”
I feel mostly on top of things, but it’s He handed her a card, and Carla
good to work together again.” took it. Part of her wanted to leave
“Next year will be easier,” Carla said. right then and there to write the pilot,
“Maybe,” Melanie said. “But I’ll schedule the meeting, make the pitch.
never be you. I had a drink with Keston But she couldn’t. She had to be on the
the other night, and he feels the same Forty Stories set in an hour, to make
way. At the end of the day, these are sure that finale was perfect, too.
your shows, not ours, and it’s hard to Later, she considered her situation.
run them without you.” She had more magic left in her. But
“No one’s asking you to be me. What she wasn’t sure she could sprinkle it
we need is more ‘Melanie magic.’” across three shows and a new venture.
Melanie brightened. “Hey, are we She’d have to cede control to Melanie
still going to that top-women-in-TV and Keston, or she’d have to convince
breakfast tomorrow?” Michael that the series would benefit
Carla groaned inwardly. “I’m not from fewer episodes in the long run,
speaking, am I? Do we both need to go?” even if RBN and C3 took a financial The longest-running drama
“You’re not presenting, but it won’t hit in the short term. The only other series in the modern era
be pretty if I show up without you.” option was to convince herself that the include Law & Order
(20 seasons), Law &
“OK, then. Let’s call it a night.” dramedy idea wasn’t so urgent; she Order: Special Victims
could set it aside and wait for things Unit (19), NCIS (15),
A PROPOSITION to slow down in a few years, as they CSI: Crime Scene
Carla walked into the Beverly Hilton surely would. Investigation (15),
ballroom the next morning and ran That was all the thinking she had and ER (15).
into Dale Grossman, the new head of time for, though: Her casts and crews
content at Cascade. She’d met him at and viewers were waiting. SEE COMMENTARIES ON THE
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