HEAD WRITERS

A Head Writer is a person who is in charge of a televison/radio series' writing team. Head writers are usually a part of a serial, though they are common on primetime serials.

They conceive the long-term story of a scripted television or radio series, and write the thrusts, outlining their tale approximately a week at a time, along with their Associate Head Writers and the show's producers. Sometimes, there may be a story document for one particular plot, summarizing all of the major beats, but this isn't required for all stories.

The head writer, associate head writers, and the breakdown writers then divide the week's thrust into five episodes by meeting three times a week. The breakdown writers outline an episode, breaking it down into acts and scenes, with a summary of the action. Sometimes a head writer or associate head writer may choose to write a breakdown. Then the script writers take the breakdown and write dialogue for each scene.

Script editors, like Elizabeth Korte, proof-read each completed script and check for continuity errors. From time to time, a script editor can also write breakdown and dialogue scripts on their respective shows like Korte does on 'General Hospital. A script is not considered complete until the head writer gives final approval.

A television series' writing team can consist of a head writer/co-head writer, associate head writer, breakdown writer, script writer, script/story editor, and a writer's assistant.

Current American Daytime Serial Head Writers

The Young And The Restless: Lynn Marie Latham & Scott Hamner

General Hospital: Robert Guza Jr.

One Life To Live: Dena Higley

As The World Turns: Jean Passanante, Christopher Whitesell & Leah Laiman

Guiding Light: David Kreizman & Donna M. Swajeski

All My Children: Megan McTavish

Passions: James E. Reilly

The Bold And The Beautiful: Bradley Bell

Days Of Our Lives: Hogan Sheffer & Meg Kelly

Notable TV Head Writers
Irna Phillips, Frank Hursley, Doris Hursley, Pat Falken Smith, Agnes Nixon, William J. Bell, Douglas Marland & Kay Alden