312:. He also moved the focus away from "alien-of-the-week" or "situation-of-the-week" stories to ones that developed the main characters and their relationships, which many point to as the turning point for the series. Another key innovation was Piller’s open-door policy for scripts, allowing anyone to submit story ideas. This policy yielded some of the series’ most popular episodes, including
483:, though it remained unpublished. Following Piller's death in 2005, the book was published on the internet. His wife, Sandra, has subsequently sought to have the work published in bound form. She described in an interview in 2013 that the studio was surprised by his honesty about the writing process and production of
598:
There is an empty space in my heart today. The world without
Michael Piller is a diminished one. Michael's courage, determination, and amazing sense of humor during his ordeal of the last three years was inspirational. He was teacher, mentor, and guide to so many
308:". During the first two years of the series, the writing staff had been plagued by conflicts, with the staff continually changing as different writers came and went. Within a year, Piller had formed a strong writing team, something that had eluded
696:
and later became Vice
President of Operations at Piller Squared, said that Piller's greatest gift was his ability to nurture new writers and help them develop their talent. He felt that this would be Piller's enduring legacy.
575:, debuted June 16, 2002 on USA Network with 6.4 million viewers, the biggest premiere ever on that channel. Viewership remained steady through four seasons, before a dip in ratings saw it canceled in its sixth season.
607:
story telling in a way that will endure forever. He was a man of principle and character, a good and decent person who always tried to do what was right. I admired him; I respected him; I loved him. I will miss him.
649:
put out a press release describing him as, "an extraordinary storyteller and cherished friend, who inspired all of us who knew him." Tributes to him from several members of the cast and crew of
907:
Sandra Piller: Well, I'm working on getting it published now, so… I know it's out there on the
Internet, but I was hoping to make some bound copies and make them sort of special.
31:
1212:
506:. The script, set in a Congressional sub-committee, is about "the passing of control from one generation to the next", and was inspired by his relationship with his son
436:
and retired from the franchise after its second season with Taylor succeeding him for the third season. At the same time, Piller developed another series for UPN called
1192:
186:, was a songwriter. He planned to be a scriptwriter from an early age, but a college lecturer discouraged him, and Piller started out in television working as an
525:
which covered one guaranteed production, along with three orders for pilots. The WB ordered scripts for all four productions, and looked to be moving ahead with
218:. While at the network, he became director of dramas based on fact and program practices. He began writing scripts for television, and after selling a script to
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ran for seven years and garnered increasing critical recognition, culminating in an Emmy Award nomination in its final year for
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and the entertainment side of television in the late 1970s, working as a censor and then a programming executive for
296:. When Wagner dropped out of leading the writing staff for the show's third year, Piller was invited to assume the
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Piller formed a production company with Shawn in 1999 called Piller². They signed a two-year deal with the
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Michael Piller considered this book his last great gift to the fans and to aspiring writers everywhere
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Michael Piller considered this book his last great gift to the fans and to aspiring writers everywhere
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Morrie, Gelma (October 28, 1987). "Sauter
Unveils 'Doctor's Office,' A Reality-Based Medical St".
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In 1993, Piller had been approached to write one of two prospective scripts for the first
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after the series’ fifth season. In 1994, Berman was again asked to create another new
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Adalian, Josef; Schneider, Michael (February 7, 2000). "Vets Ride to Fox's Rescue".
789:. Vol. 115, no. 26. New Bay Media LLC. December 26, 1988. pp. 43–44.
750:. Vol. 320, no. 12. Penske Business Media. October 16, 1985. p. 430.
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178:. With parents who were both involved in writing; Gene Piller, his father, was a
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FADE IN: From Idea to Final Draft ; The
Writing of Star Trek: Insurrection
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FADE IN: From Idea to Final Draft ; The
Writing of Star Trek: Insurrection
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writer Paula Block, while Terry J. Erdmann felt that the complex characters of
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921:"Exclusive: Interview with Sandra Piller – The Best of Both Worlds Screening"
893:"EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sandra Piller – The Best of Both Worlds Screening"
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Adalian, Josef (December 13, 1999). "Piller pair in prod'n pact at the WB".
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On
November 1, 2005, StarTrek.com announced that Piller had succumbed to
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followed the breakdown of his relationship with the writers on the show.
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961:. Vol. 377, no. 12. Penske Business Media. pp. 27–28.
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s first two seasons, with Taylor serving as his deputy. Piller left
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148:(May 30, 1948 – November 1, 2005) was an American television
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and died at his home. Full page tributes to him were published in
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through its second year, led to Piller co-writing an episode with
692:". Eric Stillwell, who worked as Piller's executive assistant on
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fraternity. He married Sandra in 1981; they had three children.
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946:. Vol. 377, no. 5. Penske Business Media. p. 64.
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series, he turned to Piller to help him create the new show.
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but he declined. In 1997, he was approached again to write a
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Walker, Adam; Bateman, Tom; Bateman, Dennis (June 4, 2013).
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said that Piller was "more responsible than anyone else for
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were entirely formed from Piller's imagination. Likewise,
330:, which are frequently identified as the best episodes of
264:. He later teamed with him again in the following year on
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Reeves-Stevens, Judith; Reeves-Stevens, Garfield (1994).
801:"Star Trek: Voyager Rewatch: "Basics, Part II" | Tor.com"
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215:
16:
American television producer and scriptwriter (1948–2005)
584:, another series that Piller² developed, debuted on the
234:, where he stayed for three years, becoming a producer.
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transforming itself into the amazing show it became in
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In 1996, he sold his first feature film script, called
473:
feature film, collaborating with Rick Berman to write
995:"Michael Piller Succumbs to Cancer, Age 57 (UPDATE)"
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writers that it can truly be said that he imprinted
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channel. The show ended in 2008 after four seasons.
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began its first season, Piller transferred fully to
774:. Vol. 329. Penske Business Media. p. 44.
735:. New Bay Media LLC. November 13, 1978. p. 69.
403:. As before, Berman teamed with Piller, developing
1213:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni
539:. However, the series never went into production.
487:and paraphrased the response of the executives at
156:, who was best known for his contributions to the
997:. Star Trek.com. November 1, 2005. Archived from
972:USA Network Pulls Plug on The Dead Zone, The 4400
1154:
1149:- website of Michael Piller's production company
1117:- interviewed by Deborah Fisher for StarTrek.com
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518:. As of 2022 the script has yet to be produced.
304:, as of the fifth episode of the third season, "
1193:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
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664:He has been subsequently credited with giving
533:serial based on the UK television mini-series
1115:Spotlight: Michael Piller Gets "Squared" Away
230:, he was offered a staff writing position on
282:, a friend who had led the writing staff of
542:In 2001, Piller was approached by producer
239:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
93:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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328:"The Best of Both Worlds", Parts 1 & 2
300:position, reporting to executive producer
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1092:The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1073:Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion
813:According to Piller, his departure from
457:feature film, with the other written by
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1043:Stillwell, Eric A. (November 2, 2005).
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560:, co-developed with Shawn and starring
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721:by Sheldon Teitelbaum. March 18, 2015
877:from the original on 26 March 2014.
835:from the original on 26 March 2014.
1238:20th-century American screenwriters
1228:Screenwriters from New York (state)
1022:"no goodbyes -- just good memories"
861:Piller, Michael (28 January 2011).
819:Piller, Michael (28 January 2011).
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1233:20th-century American male writers
1208:People from Port Chester, New York
613:Jeri Taylor, Executive Producer -
417:and was replaced as showrunner on
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1020:Wheaton, Wil (November 4, 2005).
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1198:Deaths from cancer in California
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1075:(3rd ed.). Pocket Books.
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615:Star Trek: The Next Generation
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285:Star Trek: The Next Generation
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1223:Jewish American screenwriters
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1045:"A Tribute to Michael Piller"
373:debuted in January 1993 with
210:. However, he then moved to
182:screenwriter and his mother,
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1188:American television writers
1173:American male screenwriters
1111:- biography at StarTrek.com
891:Walker, Adam (2013-06-04).
396:series for Paramount's new
73:Los Angeles, California, US
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1248:21st-century American Jews
1243:20th-century American Jews
1094:. New York: Pocket Books.
785:"Sauter has a 'Hotline'".
370:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
200:Charlotte, North Carolina
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324:Outstanding Drama Series
314:"Yesterday's Enterprise"
190:-winning journalist for
1071:Nemecek, Larry (2003).
870:. TrekCore. p. 2.
828:. TrekCore. p. 2.
476:Star Trek: Insurrection
248:In 1987, together with
212:Los Angeles, California
731:"Fates and Fortunes".
642:The Hollywood Reporter
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176:Port Chester, New York
55:Port Chester, New York
647:Lions Gate Television
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523:WB Television Network
170:Piller was born to a
166:Early life and career
1203:American showrunners
1001:on November 25, 2005
631:head and neck cancer
562:Anthony Michael Hall
256:/medical series for
237:Piller attended the
666:The Next Generation
512:The Next Generation
459:The Next Generation
386:The Next Generation
379:The Next Generation
351:The Next Generation
349:In late 1991, when
332:The Next Generation
320:The Next Generation
310:previous executives
278:In 1989, a call to
262:The Doctor's Office
103:Television producer
623:Star Trek: Voyager
619:Star Trek: Voyager
489:Paramount Pictures
406:Star Trek: Voyager
401:television network
361:Paramount Pictures
354:executive producer
221:Cagney & Lacey
258:MGM/UA Television
252:, he developed a
250:Van Gordon Sauter
232:Simon & Simon
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208:Chicago, Illinois
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1051:November 15,
1049:. Retrieved
1047:. TrekNation
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1028:November 15,
1026:. Retrieved
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1005:November 15,
1003:. Retrieved
999:the original
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925:. Retrieved
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68:(2005-11-01)
51:May 30, 1948
1168:2005 deaths
1163:1948 births
690:season four
682:Wil Wheaton
544:Lloyd Segan
390:Jeri Taylor
357:Rick Berman
306:The Bonding
302:Rick Berman
294:"Evolution"
162:franchise.
1157:Categories
1064:References
902:2020-11-09
586:ABC Family
558:The series
375:"Emissary"
298:showrunner
188:Emmy Award
174:family in
47:1948-05-30
670:Star Trek
661:website.
659:Star Trek
651:Star Trek
601:Star Trek
578:In 2005,
550:'s novel
546:to adapt
504:Oversight
497:Star Trek
394:Star Trek
365:Star Trek
344:Star Trek
273:Star Trek
180:Hollywood
159:Star Trek
872:Archived
851:: p. 334
830:Archived
645:, while
581:Wildfire
346:series.
192:CBS News
154:producer
136:Children
1147:Piller2
959:Variety
944:Variety
815:Voyager
772:Variety
748:Variety
636:Variety
527:Day One
516:Voyager
481:Fade In
448:Voyager
434:Voyager
427:Voyager
415:Voyager
411:Voyager
292:called
266:Hotline
260:called
254:reality
204:WBBM-TV
130:
122:
1098:
1079:
439:Legend
202:, and
172:Jewish
113:Spouse
107:writer
875:(PDF)
868:(PDF)
833:(PDF)
826:(PDF)
701:Notes
569:'
508:Shawn
495:Post-
430:'
340:Spock
124:(
120:
1133:IMDb
1096:ISBN
1077:ISBN
1053:2014
1030:2014
1007:2014
929:2014
639:and
617:and
564:and
529:, a
514:and
465:and
446:and
196:WBTV
152:and
63:Died
57:, US
41:Born
1140:at
1131:at
678:TNG
421:by
398:UPN
388:by
216:CBS
206:in
198:in
1159::
982:^
974:,
905:.
895:.
605:ST
571:s
316:.
126:m.
105:,
1104:.
1085:.
1055:.
1032:.
1009:.
931:.
139:3
49:)
45:(
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