Title: Taylor Sheridan's Astounding Feat: Overcoming Boundaries as the Ultimate Long-Distance Showrunner

Taylor Sheridan, the co-creator of the expanding cinematic universe of Yellowstone, has turned his attention to the global war on terror with his new show, Special Ops: Lioness. The series is based on a real-life CIA program and follows the story of a female Marine who is assigned the task of befriending the daughter of a suspected terrorist. The talented cast of the show is led by Zoe Saldana, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman, with Saldana and Kidman also serving as executive producers.

Although Special Ops: Lioness is just one of many shows created by Taylor Sheridan, he was not initially the showrunner. This role was initially held by Thomas Brady, who wrote the series with the assistance of a writers' room. However, when Sheridan took over, he personally rewrote all the scripts. Sheridan is known for his strong commitment to his own creative vision, which makes it intriguing that the showrunner was not present during the filming of Special Ops: Lioness. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, cinematographer and director Paul Cameron shared his thoughts on this matter.

Paul Cameron: When we arrived, we had two scripts, but Taylor and his team did not have a direct connection to the showrunning process. Although there were some individuals from Taylor's camp present, there was no designated showrunner overseeing everything. Consequently, we had numerous discussions with both Taylor and Michael Friedman, who collaborates closely with Taylor on the production side. Essentially, it was a situation where showrunning was conducted remotely.

How Taylor Sheridan’s Creative Approach Fits Into The WGA Strike

Since May 2nd, the Writer's Guild of America has been on strike, with one of their main concerns being the size and duration of writers' rooms. These rooms have become smaller and shorter due to the popularity of limited and streaming series. Recently, Sheridan faced criticism for his comments on the matter, stating to The Hollywood Reporter that writers' rooms have not been successful for him. Additionally, the WGA is advocating for writers to be present on set to address creative ideas and concerns, a common practice in film and TV production. However, with Sheridan's absence from set, these issues were only addressed if time permitted. Paul Cameron weighed in on the situation:

Paul Cameron highlights the challenge of working with a roster of renowned actors, including Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Zoe Saldana, Michael Kelly, Bruce McGill, and Jennifer Ehle. These actors, known for their exceptional talent, often raise questions or suggest changes to their lines during scenes. The approach taken is to initially film the lines as written, allowing room for creative input. If the actors have ideas or concerns, they can be discussed collectively or brought to the attention of Taylor, potentially leading to adjustments in shooting schedule. Despite the apparent limitations, this process grants a sense of liberation by prioritizing the vision of the writer and showrunner.

Sheridan's remarks to The Hollywood Reporter could be viewed as a violation of unity within the WGA, possibly even undermining the guild's vital objectives. Nevertheless, Sheridan is an undeniable mastermind in the industry and a remarkably productive writer. The individualistic approach adopted by Sheridan and figures like Mike White, creator of The White Lotus, has resulted in remarkable achievements. One could argue that if something is working well, why change it? The impact of Sheridan's unique combination of control and detachment on Special Ops: Lioness will become evident upon its premiere on July 23rd, exclusively on Paramount+.