(04-24-2017, 07:42 AM)eric Wrote: IMO anyone in Hollywood who starts out thinking they have a show that will last 6 seasons and plans story arcs to cover that many would be viewed as as a egomaniac. Especially a show with a concept not already shared by 20 other shows(see NCIS, any medical soap opera). I am sure most writers, directors, and actors are nervous wrecks waiting to hear if the show will be renewed one more season and they can continue to keep their girlfriend/boyfriend/bookie/drug dealer supplied with money. Most shows keep the same formant, become predictable because its the safe thing to do. Changing story lines, characters lives is risky and can result in homelessness.
They don't have to think they will last the whole 6 seasons or have every single story line specifically mapped out for 6, but when writers/series are looking for producers and a network, they usually need to have a TV show bible that includes info about future seasons or multi season story arc for the characters. Networks buy shows on the premise that people will want to view the show and it will stick around for more than one season, they need to see that the writers have more ideas to build on. The normal contract for tv show actors and writers are for 6-7 seasons and there is a reason for that.