'Time' Lauds Bruckheimer's Success

CSI executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, better known as Hollywood's top-grossing movie producer, is in Time magazine this week as television's most influential new developer of dramas.

"Somehow Bruckheimer, the most successful producer in film history, with $12.5 billion in worldwide box-office receipts from movies such as Top Gun, Armageddon and Con Air, is on his way to becoming the most successful producer in the history of TV", wrote Joel Stein at the Time web site.

More surprisingly, according to Stein, is the fact that he has done it without weapons and explosions, the trademarks of many of his films.

"I just want to keep the story moving," said Bruckheimer, whom the magazine credits with using generous budgets and hiring movie directors and crew to create a high-class look for his shows.

Stein also noted that the producer doesn't condescend to the audience, insisting on using the correct medical terminology on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami "even if the audience doesn't know it...because even if they don't understand it, they'll know it's real".

CSI: Miami star David Caruso recalled being impressed when he first saw the set, and co-executive producer Carol Mendelsohn said that creating a consistent look for the show was one of their goals. "Brand identification — that's what we strive to do," she said.

Stein reported that Bruckheimer does not attend writers' meetings but does read every outline and script and watches the dailies. Unlike many other producers, Bruckheimer gives notes via telephone or in person rather than sending down notes.

He has several new series in development for the 2003-4 season, as well as several movies that will open shortly, including Bad Boys II and Pirates of the Caribbean.

To read more about the expenses of CSI episodes and Bruckheimer's not-so-successful past in network television, read the full article here.

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