LEARNING WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW

Today in New York, Moving Picture Institute filmmakers enjoyed a masterclass conversation between David Levien and Brian Koppelman, the co-creators, executive producers, and showrunners of Showtime’s hit drama series Billions, and Lana Link, the Moving Picture Institute’s vice president of talent development. Levien and Koppelman shared their insights on storytelling, writing complex characters, showrunning, and succeeding in the entertainment industry.

More about the speakers: Over the past two decades, Koppelman and Levien, have created an influential and diverse body of work in both film and television. Some of their most noteworthy credits include Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen, Solitary Man, The Illusionist, Runaway Jury, Tilt, ESPN’s 30 for 30 (This Is What They Want), I Smile Back, The Girlfriend Experience, and Joe Berlinger’s Tony Robbins documentary, I Am Not Your Guru. Koppelman is the host and creator of the hit Slate podcast “The Moment” with Brian Koppelman. Levien is also the author of six novels, including four in the celebrated Frank Behr series.

More about Billions: Emmy- and Golden Globe- winners Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis star in a complex drama about power politics in the world of New York high finance. Shrewd, savvy U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Giamatti) and the brilliant, ambitious hedge fund king Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Lewis) are on an explosive collision course, with each using all of his considerable smarts, power and influence to outmaneuver the other. The stakes are in the billions in this timely, provocative Showtime hit series.

For more on the Moving Picture Institute’s masterclass series, visit our Masterclasses page.