Head writer

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A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an executive producer.

Overview

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The head writer conceives and outlines the long-term story of a scripted television or radio series.

In daytime television, the over-arcing storylines are broken out into daily episodes, which are then individually outlined by particular writers, and fleshed out with dialogue by others.

In prime time series, individual staff or freelance writers briefed with any long-term storylines generally pitch their episode ideas to the head writer/executive producer. The writer then develops their ideas into a script, which is subsequently edited and revised by the series' entire writing team during the production process.

Current American daytime serial head writers

The Young And The Restless

• Maria Arena Bell, Hogan Sheffer, Scott Hamner (August 11, 2008 - present)

The Bold And The Beautiful

• Bradley Bell (1994-January 21, 2008, April 16, 2008-present)

General Hospital

• Robert Guza Jr. (March 2002-January 3, 2008; March 17, 2008-present)

Days of our Lives

• Dena Higley and Rick Draughon (co-HW) (July 1, 2008-October 10, 2008)

As The World Turns

• Christopher Goutman and Vivian Gundaker (Co-HW) (January 25, 2008-April 17, 2008)

Guiding Light

• David Kreizman, Christopher Dunn, Lloyd Gold, Jill Lorie Hurst (August 22, 2008-present)

All My Children

• Charles Pratt Jr. (August 27, 2008-present)

One Life To Live

• Ron Carlivati (September 11, 2007 - February 14, 2008; May 2, 2008-present)

Salary

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A Head Writer for a 60 minute series, starting February 2, 2008, is paid $32,995 (used to be $31,879) per week, which adds up to $1,715,740 (used to be $1,657,708) per year.

The minimum for a daily breakdown of a network non-prime time serial (when written by a writer other than the head writer) is $1,076 (used to be $1,739) for a 60 minute series.

For each script on which a writer, other than the head writer, performs writing services, such writer will be paid not less than $3,180 (used to be $3,087) for a 60 minute series.

The minimum for rewriting or polishing a non-prime time serial script or breakdown (when done by a writer other than the head writer like a Script/Story editor) is 30% of the script or breakdown fee.

The minimum for a long-term story projection (when written by a writer other than the head writer like an Associate Head Writer or Story/Creative Consultant) for a non-prime time serial is: 1. 3 months or less: $15,302 (used to be $14,785) 2. 6 months or less, but more than 3 months or unspecified: $22,953 (used to be $22,177) 3. 12 months or less, but more than 6 months: $30,601 (used to be $29,566)

Notable head writers of scripted series

Fictional head writers

• Matt Albie (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip)
• Liz Lemon (30 Rock)
• Rob Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)
• Jerry and Phil (The Larry Sanders Show)
• Manatee (South Park)

Writing awards

There are several awards for which a head writer can be eligible for. They include:

• Daytime Emmy Awards
• Emmy Awards
• Writers Guild Of America Award
• Gemini Award
• Saturn Awards
• Golden Globe Award
• BAFTA

Membership

Head writers are members of the following groups: Writers Guild of America, Writers Guild of Canada, Dramatists Guild of America

See also

• Executive producer