Earlier this season, I had a chance to sit down with some of the writers from Sons of Anarchy to discuss the writing process on Sons. They were kind enough to come in on their day off (I bribed them w/ pizza and beer and it worked!) and we chatted about what it’s like to be in ‘the room’ of SOA, breaking story, working with cast, and other fun tidbits. So a big thank you to our participating writers: Dave Erickson (Co-Executive Producer/Writer), Chris Collins (Producer/Writer), Liz Sagal (Executive Story Editor/Writer), Marco Ramirez (Writer), and Brady Dahl (Writers’ Assistant/Writer). Our fearless leader, Kurt Sutter, and Co-Producer/Writer Regina Corrado could not be there, but were there in spirit. So here are the Q&A’s with the SOA scribes:
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS IN THE WRITERS’ ROOM? HOW DO YOU BREAK EACH EPISODE?
Chris Collins: I wait for Dave to come up with all the ideas and I agree with everything he says.
(laughter)
Dave Erickson: We have multiple boards in the room. White boards. When we sit down with Kurt initially he says, I want to get here, I want this, I want xyz. We layout 13 episodes and we start placing (on the board) where we think these points might come. We know he wants this in the finale or we think this’ll probably happen around 310, or we know we’re going to Ireland so we knew where we generally wanted that story to be and how many episodes it was going to take place over. Once we have that, we start with whatever happened last season and where the guys were emotionally and we track the major story and it’s just trying to figure out what the A story for the episode’s going to be, and then literally it’s just throwing shit up on the wall, we just write beats, we know we need this to happen in the episode, how do we get to that point. We work backwards from it. What does Jax need in this episode, what’s the obstacle, what’s gonna stop him.
Liz Sagal: This is really cool because, this is my first season from beginning to end, and we did a pre-meeting last November and we started in January and there’s not one mile-marker that Kurt did not present to the writing staff and said I want this to happen that leads to this, and every single mile marker was accomplished in a stellar way.
Dave Erickson: But starting a new episode, we start to layout the potential story. Kurt will come in and pitch what he’s thinking. At that point it’s not fully fleshed out, it might just be a notion, but by throwing sorta what-ifs at him, it provides anchors, ’cause he’ll say, yeah that’s cool, I like that, and then you build on it. And then you gradually start adding more and more beats on the other board until you reach a point where you have twenty-something beats, which essentially every episode we do has around 25-26 beats, on the board anyway.
Chris Collins: On any show, it’s the showrunner that comes in with a vision and says this is the story I want to tell this season, this is where I wanna go, now how do we get there. And as a group of writers, we do that. We help flesh things out, characters, story points, we’re constantly trying to pitch ideas that will add layers and help get him to his vision. I don’t think our formula is 100% figured out yet, in terms of the beats, sometimes we’ll do 25 beats per a one-hour show and that seems a little light, but then all of a sudden we turn in a script that’s 38 pages and realize you’re gonna have 6-8 minutes of additional footage that you need to cut. What I’ve learned from Kurt is that you shoot everything that you write, and then in post he basically whittles down the episode to the essence of the story.
WHAT KIND OF RESEARCH DO YOU GUYS DO FOR YOUR STORIES?
Liz Sagal: We have a technical supervisor who is actually in a real MC.
Dave: Anytime we have a question, part of what Brady does is call our T.A. (technical advisor) and he gets answers for us, and that’s how we try and keep it as real as we can.
Chris Collins: Research is one of the foundations of writing for me, like with the prison episode, I researched the f*&% out of that…
Liz Sagal: And it’s also researching about guns, and what type of guns, the value of the guns and what kind of guns do the alleged IRA deal in …
Brady Dahl: In Season 2, I researched about forty different types of sexual fetishes. We picked one … for the porn fetish that Luann was providing to all the guys, I think we ended up choosing Pillsbury Dough girl Fetish.
Dave: What is that Brady?
Brady: It’s where you, uh, make love to the fat folds in people’s stomachs. Luann was providing that for her clients.
Samcro Blogger: Did you do any first hand research?
Brady: Yeah, I jumped right in.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER TO WRITE FOR AND THE HARDEST TO WRITE FOR?
Dave: I do like to write Unser, I mean I love everyone in the cast, but I love Dayton, there’s just something specific about Dayton as an actor, he’s just fun.
I think Jax is hard to write for. Only because, especially this season, he’s been going through a transformation and he’s had so much shit thrown at him, and it’s so dense as to where he’s at emotionally and where the plot is, with the two different story lines. I think Jax has become more and more challenging to write. I think he’s deepened as a character.
Marco Ramirez: I would agree 100% with Unser. I think the cadence is in a language that you can get away with and very different than everyone else on the show. But I also would throw Bobby and Tig in there because, Tig especially, because he can be really menacing and really funny within a beat. And that’s really fun.
Liz Sagal: I love writing for Gemma ’cause she’s like, the Clint Eastwood of the club. She’s the badass girl. And I think Tara’s the most difficult because she has that fine line of like, I’m a Doctor, but I’m also an old lady, and that just gets very hard.
Chris Collins: Can I ask you a question Liz? How is it like writing for your sister?
Liz Sagal: Heh! That’s also why I love it, ’cause I get to put words in her mouth. And I know she’ll take a line that’s maybe an 8 and make it a 10.
Dave: What about lines that are just a 5?
Liz I don’t write lines that are just a 5!
(laughter)
Dave: I meant in my case..
(more laughter)
Chris: I would say one of my favorites is Juice because I do find him to be very funny, I like the comedic moments on the show.
WHEN YOU’RE ON SET, WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AND WHAT KINDS OF QUESTIONS DOES THE CAST ASK?
Dave: Once the script is done and we’re shooting, you have to put on your Producers hat, your main job is to protect the script and make sure that the intention that the room had, the intention that Kurt had, is maintained. So, sometimes the questions you get are very simple, ‘I’m walking out this door, why?’ it’s maintaining continuity, maintaining the arc of the episode and the arc of the season, making sure that emotionally the scene is delivering ultimately what Kurt wants to see.
Liz: There are certain things with certain actors, like when you’re dealing with Katey she just wants to know why is Gemma doing this. And with somebody like Charlie, Charlie wants to discuss it emotionally ’cause not only does he have to work really hard on the scripts, but he also has to perfect his dialect. But it’s really trying to track everyone’s emotions and where they’re coming from.
WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE THING ABOUT WRITING ON THIS SHOW?
Liz: The people. The groovy people I get to sit in a room with everyday. The talented people.
Chris: I get to explore very dark themes. I get to explore characters that are outside of my normal life. Writing for outlaws and doing things or saying things that normal society wouldn’t do.
——
That concludes the Writers Q&A! For more Writers Q&A and to actually see what these writers look like, look for the Writers’ Roundtable on the Season 3 DVD due out Fall 2011.
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Tonight’s episode was over the top. I disagree with some viewers who say it would’ve been a betrayal if Jax had left Abel with his new family. Emotionally I thought it was good for the script; having said that, the twist was just that! Outta nowhere. What was really striking though is when Jax denouced his father’s writing and said he was through listening to dead men and then yet ANOTHER twist…the priest trades his life for kid; we saw both Jax and Gemma’s struggles with God and the church and now this man, who they both blamed for so much of what was happening, is not giving his life to save the baby. Wow. Good, good stuff. The only thing I would’ve liked to have seen is the priest’s sister and her reaction to him being taken. Can’t wait for more!
By sonja on November 17th, 2010 at 3:08 amI would like congrtaulate all the writers!!! you done (and do) a great job!!!
By stephuge on November 17th, 2010 at 8:52 ambest ishes from Belgium (Europe!!:))
Please don’t let Tara be hurt by Salazar or lose the baby. Jax knows about the baby now, can’t they have a happy time for alittle while?
By ellie6626 on November 18th, 2010 at 11:01 amHey, wheres our recap for this weeks show?!
By Sarah on November 18th, 2010 at 5:06 pmu guys do a great job!!!!!!!!!!! i dont know what im gonna do when their is no more sons of anarchy!!!! keep up the good work everyone!!!! SONS OF ANARCHY ROCKS!!!!!
By tricia on November 18th, 2010 at 7:51 pmGreat ending to the Irish storyline,can’t wait to see what Jax finds out in those letters.Can’t believe to end of the season is here already,long wait till next September.Hope the Jax-Tara story works itself out,I believe they belong together,but Jax has been gone for days and hasn’t even though about her or mentioned her name.The writing is the best,very adult but with a touch of humor.Keep it up!!!
By chris on November 18th, 2010 at 10:58 pmWhy are the seasons so short? Programs on the major networks run 26 or so episodes a season.
By Jimmy-V on November 22nd, 2010 at 8:06 amThis is a very minor detail, but has been nagging at me so—- Abels hat. The blue one that was found on the dock at the beginning of the season. Clay took it from Jax and said ” You”ll get this back when we find Abel”. At the time he wanted Jax pissed, not sentimental. I was expecting Clay to place that hat on Abels head when Jax got him home. Would have been a good moment.
By Mariner on November 30th, 2010 at 7:15 pmWill there be a season 4?
By Robert.Howitt on November 30th, 2010 at 9:59 pmThe 3rd season was the best and I hope there will be more seasons to come. I beleave that the “Sons of anrarchy” should stay on the same track with some of the other biker groups insite on their life stories in order to reach out to more mexicans and blacks with a twist.
By James Zuhosky on November 30th, 2010 at 10:58 pmWhich would include the sons of anarchy helping out those other biker groups in their time of need. Just by adding some of the problems the other biker groups have to deal with. That way it will spice up the fan group and give the series of the Sons to anarchy a boost in the shows to come.
The Sons of anarchy will become better in getting more fans and recieve a great boost of popularity of all races. Showing the problems and sadness within other biker groups that are on the show. Also adding some other things that is positive within the public view could help the series out like helping people that are not bikers with normal problems by putting together fun raising charities that helps out the people that are part of society that are not any part any of a biker gangs but gives the public a totally different view of bikers clubs.
I do hope the Sons of anarchy will never stop even if one of the top characters in the show dies. The show will keep going and the Sons will stay on top of the things and will show that even the other biker groups lose one of their own that like what happened in the 3rd season that it just doesn’t happen to just the Sons of anarchy but it happens to other biker groups as well. It could workout in alot of different ways and I hope this show stays on for a very long time.
I do hope the writers of the show will keep throwing twists and turns on each season and keep the views in suspense at each end of final seasons.
But don’t ever add nor put a real biker gang, prison family, or street gang in the show because it could piss off those type of people and that would not be good thing to do.
I’m a big fan of the show and I don’t want this show to stop the seasons to come because that would be a shame. I can relate to what has happened at the end of season 2 and the happiness of a father’s love for his kids also what he would do to get his own kid back either son or daughter. I do hope this show stays on for years to come.
I love getting to read things like this. It helps me connect more deeply with the show. You guys, along with Kurt obviously, are amazing. This show is hands-down the best show on tv and a huge part of why is the writing. Excellent! I hate that the season is already over. I wish it was longer or that they ran, say, bi-annually! Like once in Spring and once again in Fall! That would be awesome! I just hate waiting til next Sept! Anyway, thank you guys for the great job and keep it up!
By Ryan on December 1st, 2010 at 2:09 amI have watched every episode from all three seasons and have not missed a single minute. Ofcourse Ive had the help of my DVR and have seen most episodes more than once. The final episode from season three aired last night. I dream of someday getting a chance to be a part of this AWESOME PRODUCTION!!!! I feel like I live for teusday nights during SOA season. I would like to make the following statement. “ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY 110% OVER THE TOP BRILLIANT!!!! Kurt Sutter is a “GENIUS”. My oldest son and I would always spend teusday nights together and watch SONS. This show made it possible for the two of us to spend quality together and I am very grateful for that. My son past away in february 2010. I miss him very much especially on teusday nights the past few months watching SONS without him. I know he would have loved the direction the show is going and enjoyed every last minute. Ope was his favorite character and he wanted to be just like him. Anyway thank you for this awesome experience. Keep up the great work at Sutter Ink. I can’t wait to see whats next. Thanks again!! “HUGE SOA FAN” Scott Johnson
By Scott Johnson on December 1st, 2010 at 10:47 amWow! That is all I can say. My husband and I have been following this show since it started. We can’t believe how well you wrote these past seasons. This last season was crazy I new that you guys were not going to make Jax look like a rat! I told my husband that…. But I do need to know is this the last season? Please don’t. We don’t have very many shows that we follow. But you guys have so much to go off on! PLEASE PLEAASE! It sounds like we don’t have lives we do but we LOVE the crap out of this show and living in Northern Cali we really relate to some of the things that happen out here. So make a movie wouldja…. Do something.
By Bella on December 1st, 2010 at 3:23 pmBella
I just wanted to let you know as I was sitting at the edge of my bed my heart beating fast and totally freaking out then all the sudden they were all in on it….wow what a way to end season 3… I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this show when it first aired but I have to say I was hooked from the very first episodes. I am a committed huge fan now and I spread the word to everyone they need to see the show.
I would also like to see happy a bit more engaged in the stories he is one of my favorite characters along with juice. I can not wait to see what season 4 brings I am excited Jax and tara found their way back to each other and can’t wait to see where that leads especially now that she is the one to discover the letters. I really hope if Jax reads those letters he doesn’t get confused and start to follow the dead man, John teller had a different vision a vision that is unlike a true MC he left the life and once your in you need to be let go or your never out… I hope Jax understands that…
Great job also to the cast you have selected a bunch of the most talented actors to follow in the footsteps of great writting…
can’t wait for more!
By Marialayna Di Lallo on December 2nd, 2010 at 11:00 amThe last episode was the best episode, you were able to have all 3 years tied in with Jax’s growth as a leader and the SOA team totally powerful and united and master of the game. Unbelievable my many nights watching every episode, after thinking all week what next is going to happen to SOA has paid off, to a great 3rd season ending.
By William on December 5th, 2010 at 3:04 pmThank You I am looking forward to next season.
William Martin
The timing of this show couldn’t have been better. I have loved watching it from the start. All the twists and turns were great. It really tugged at my heart strings when Abel’s adopted parents were killed. Who would have thought. That is some great story telling. There were so many things that kept all of us guessing but I do have to say you had me thinking whether or not Jax would rat on the club. You had me thinking that would have got rid of to many people in the story line for one season and it would have been to hard to have Jax’s dead for what he did. I am sure there will be a new season and the letter at the end a new twist that suggests that Gemma and Clay killed John Teller was a great way to end it. The bad thing is now I have to wait until Sept. to find out what happens with that. I get withdrawal waiting so long and have seen all the shows more than a couple of times. I agree with the person that said that YOU need to have the series once in the spring and then in the fall. Your doing a great jobs with the show and are lucky to have such a great cast. If I could have ONE wish it would to be on this show as well but then who wouldn’t want to be….smile.
By Sharon on December 6th, 2010 at 2:40 pmFriends and family agree SONS is best series on TV. The cast is pefection and what an acting ensemble should be. The characters suck you in to their world and before you know it..the hour is over. That is why we bought season 1 & 2. Bravo to the writers–you are dynamite. The twists and turns blow us away. If this series does not win awards for the best original series, writing and acting….then there are a bunch of idiots out there. Can’t wait for next year. Julia and Al Behrendt
By Julia Behrendt on December 10th, 2010 at 6:44 pmBring on season 4 this show is great!Being an ex old lady I know its the best show i’ve ever seen!
By lois on December 12th, 2010 at 4:22 pmWhen does Season 4 start? We are absolutley addicted to this show and we need more!! Please let us know when we can be expecting more of the action to come.
By Richard & Angel Laws II on December 13th, 2010 at 1:02 amSONS OF ANARCHY IS AWESOME!
My family and I are still raving about this season’s finale! Brilliant writing and thank you sooo much for getting rid of Jimmy and Stahl! LOL!
We have a group of 4 families that watch your show and then we discuss it off and on for the next week. We love to praise up the good parts and pick apart the weaker parts. But, we all agree that we LOVE the show! Who ever writes for Tig is incredible….he always gets the best one liners!
Thank you for making the characters human as well as bad-ass! Our same group used to watch The Shield and we were sad to watch it end. We were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to find a another guilty pleasure show! You guys have hit a home run with this show and I hope it has a large following and will be on for many seasons to come!
KUDOS TO YOU!
By Kelly Lorentz on December 14th, 2010 at 6:21 pmA well delivered and awsome season. I have well over 40 personal friends that love the sons. Not includeing personal family. I speak for all of us when i say that a season four must follow! We would be so pist if not. We all own all the seasons and compair lives to it. I grew up in the actuall setting of the show. very acurate to personal life. So keep it up!
- From the men and women of The Untouchables
By Nick on December 26th, 2010 at 10:00 pmKurt Suter is a very progressive writer. Your storyline for the Sons is so realistic I’m not suprised that you have an MC person as a consultant.
By David Ryan on December 27th, 2010 at 7:54 pmWas Kurt ever written up or featured in the Old Life Magazine? I have a foggy memory that he and his partner and some other people were pictured in that publication.
St. Bona Grad
Just a couple questions,1st I swore that was Steven King in eposode 3 season 3 as Bachman (The Cleaner) and nice touch adding Sonny to the finial eposode 4. Hell whats next Peter Fonda.
By sam bannon on December 28th, 2010 at 5:44 pmwhen will season 3 be released? LOVE THE SHOW!!!
By Julie Cussimanio on December 31st, 2010 at 12:06 pmSon’s of Anarchy is the best TV Series since I can remember. The actor’/actress’ play there parts perfectly. But I have to say Jax is my favorite.
My question is will there be a season 4 and if so when will it begin?
Ruth Heinle
By ruth heinle on January 14th, 2011 at 10:37 pmI hope you guys never stop production with the SON’s. I Love this show and all the cast. My daughter gave me the DVD”s of part one and two for Christmas (that’s all I wanted)so I can watch them over and over. I can’t wait for part three to be released. I was so glad when fx put the series back on our cable. I have watched every show and hopefully you will please continue the GREAT work.It’s like we are all part of the show and we feel the pain and joy that the characters feel.
By Kathy Little on January 21st, 2011 at 12:00 pmdear sirs when will season four start i really love the show and want to see more season 3 left me hanging need to no whats next dont ever stop this show best on tv
By dawn l burgess on April 14th, 2011 at 3:36 pmwhat does SAMCRO STAND FOR ? (SONS OF ANARCHY MOTORCYCLE REDWOOD ORIGINALS??)
By what does SAMCRO stand for?? on April 22nd, 2011 at 1:05 amReally love the show.. When will SOA be airing?
By veronica on May 9th, 2011 at 9:21 pmI became quickly addicted to this show when I first stumbled across it & realized it was not the type of show I thought it was originally going to be after all it was about a motorcycle club!! I, just like the rest of America that are die-hard watchers of this show would really like to know when the 4th Season is going to start & what has the hold up been?! It really has been too long!! PLEASE GIVE SOME BIG HINT AS TO WHEN THEY WILL START AIRING SEASON 4!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
By Angela on May 14th, 2011 at 9:31 pmMy best guess is that SAMCRO stands for…
By FunkHound on May 16th, 2011 at 2:06 pm(S)ons Of (A)narchy (M)otorcyle (C)lub (R)edwood (O)riginals
David Hasselhoff???????????? are you kidding???? He is a total loser and you have the best bad boy show on tv! Way bad decision. Not even a decent joke. He is a total ass clown, and should’nt even be on tv. LOSER
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By drew meyers on December 1st, 2012 at 11:56 pmAll new season SONS OF ANARCHY
By SONS OF ANARCHY on January 5th, 2013 at 6:31 pmNew season latest episode so exciting to watch !
By SONS OF ANARCHY on January 5th, 2013 at 6:32 pm