[How to: TV] 3 Levels of Power

I can think of three levels of power in a creative team.

1. Deciders.
2. Trusteds.
3. Newbies.

Deciders are the people with the authority to determine the direction of the project. There’s at least 2 types. The Foot is the final decision maker; probably the person with the original idea but it could as easily be the producer. In lovebites, the Foot was sometimes me, Sean and Andrew – and sometimes it was Larry Parr. The other type is the Power Behind the Throne - the quiet, less public adviser.

Trusteds are people that you’ve worked with before, who you can rely on to get the job done. You trust them because you know how their minds works and how to communicate with them. You respect them. They’re like Senior Partners.

Newbies are anyone you’re working with for the first time. Junior Partners are experienced writers you’ve invited in based on reputation or recommendation. Fresh Meat is anyone who’s experiencing working in television for the first time (they may be friends or writers who’ve auditioned on spec or interns). These are the people who may or may not melt-down.