Steve Levitan Details Creative Process Behind Modern Family's 22 Emmy Wins

Television producer and screenwriter Steve Levitan, co-creator of the critically acclaimed sitcom Modern Family, recently offered extensive insights into the show's award-winning writing methodology. In a conversation highlighted by David Perell, Levitan detailed the core principles that guided the creation and ongoing development of the 22-time Emmy Award-winning series, emphasizing the importance of theme, conflict, and authentic character development.

Levitan stressed that knowing the "theme of what you’re writing" provides a "north star for every decision you make." He elaborated that "better stories come from bigger conflicts," not necessarily through grand explosions, but from "high stakes that’ll cost the characters emotionally if it isn’t resolved." The most effective conflicts, he noted, stem from timeless human experiences such as "love, loss, heartbreak… relationships between parents and kids, couples working through their problems."

A cornerstone of their approach was the belief that "the story is everything." Levitan explained that once the narrative arc is established, "the script practically writes itself," echoing the screenwriting adage that "the first draft is 90% finished once you’re done with the outline." This meticulous story-breaking process, involving "about 7 writers," would typically span "8-10 weeks at the beginning of a new season," followed by a rigorous weekly cycle of rewrites, table reads, and final submissions.

To maintain realism and comedic impact, Levitan urged writers to "be real" and "take it down a notch," avoiding overly heightened or theatrical dialogue. He also advocated for cutting "half-jokes" because "a lukewarm joke kills momentum faster than no joke at all." Emotional moments, he insisted, "must be earned," and should "sneak up on you, to be understated."

Much of the show's authentic humor was drawn directly from real life. Levitan famously "would spy on his family for TV gold," often capturing dialogue verbatim. He advised that "a writer’s antenna needs to be up at all times," as "if you're observant, there's almost nowhere you can't go where you don't think: 'That's funny.'" This commitment to observational humor and relatable situations contributed significantly to Modern Family's widespread appeal and enduring legacy.