Post by TVFan on Aug 1, 2005 10:14:05 GMT -5
From Daily Variety
July 29, 2005
MEREDITH STIEHM, creator and executive producer, CBS' "Cold Case"
BY Steven Kotler
Makes a difference by: Cultivating strong, smart women in her writing and on the job. "Cold Case" star Kathryn Morris plays a high-ranking Philadelphia homicide detective, Lilly Rush. Behind the scenes, other femmes take prominent roles. "I think we have more women in senior positions than any other show on TV," says Stiehm, "Five out of our eight writers are women; two out of three editors are women, and one of our casting directors. When I hire new people I'm always looking for the best person for the job, but I'm always happy when that person turns out to be a woman."
Recent accomplishments: Inked a three-year deal with Paramount in June to create, develop and exec produce new series projects. Got "Cold Case" renewed for a third year, thanks to solid ratings. At 36, Stiehm was TV's youngest female showrunner during the skein's debut year, when it ranked as the top-rated new drama. In 1998, she won a writing Emmy for "NYPD Blue."
Along the way: Spent early years writing stage plays, but realized the only writers she knew making a living in L.A. worked in television. Found that one-hour drama best fit her skills. In 1990, her episode of "Northern Exposure" led to 10 episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210." Then her "NYPD Blue" spec led show creator David Milch to hire her. "He taught me the importance of story over plot and the importance of spare writing," says Stiehm.
Point of view: "Write what you're passionate about," says Stiehm. "If you're going to err, do it on the side of character and emotion."
"ER" writer Lisa Zwilling, Stiehm's friend and former playwriting partner, says, "Meredith's always true to her vision. Especially in the show's early days, that wasn't always easy. There were millions of people trying to tell her how to do things right."
Stiehm stuck to her guns, and now the show's success results partly from its well-developed characters and emotional core.
Coming up: Striving for a third season of "Cold Case" as impactful as the first two, while tackling those new series projects.
July 29, 2005
MEREDITH STIEHM, creator and executive producer, CBS' "Cold Case"
BY Steven Kotler
Makes a difference by: Cultivating strong, smart women in her writing and on the job. "Cold Case" star Kathryn Morris plays a high-ranking Philadelphia homicide detective, Lilly Rush. Behind the scenes, other femmes take prominent roles. "I think we have more women in senior positions than any other show on TV," says Stiehm, "Five out of our eight writers are women; two out of three editors are women, and one of our casting directors. When I hire new people I'm always looking for the best person for the job, but I'm always happy when that person turns out to be a woman."
Recent accomplishments: Inked a three-year deal with Paramount in June to create, develop and exec produce new series projects. Got "Cold Case" renewed for a third year, thanks to solid ratings. At 36, Stiehm was TV's youngest female showrunner during the skein's debut year, when it ranked as the top-rated new drama. In 1998, she won a writing Emmy for "NYPD Blue."
Along the way: Spent early years writing stage plays, but realized the only writers she knew making a living in L.A. worked in television. Found that one-hour drama best fit her skills. In 1990, her episode of "Northern Exposure" led to 10 episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210." Then her "NYPD Blue" spec led show creator David Milch to hire her. "He taught me the importance of story over plot and the importance of spare writing," says Stiehm.
Point of view: "Write what you're passionate about," says Stiehm. "If you're going to err, do it on the side of character and emotion."
"ER" writer Lisa Zwilling, Stiehm's friend and former playwriting partner, says, "Meredith's always true to her vision. Especially in the show's early days, that wasn't always easy. There were millions of people trying to tell her how to do things right."
Stiehm stuck to her guns, and now the show's success results partly from its well-developed characters and emotional core.
Coming up: Striving for a third season of "Cold Case" as impactful as the first two, while tackling those new series projects.
Its wonderful that there are so many females behind Cold Case. Its not often that happens! That plus a female lead, well, thats a lot of icing on the cake ;D
