Ch. 14/15: Jen Statsky & Joe Mande, Writers | Trent O’Donnell, Director
Aug 14, 2018
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Jen Statsky & Joe Mande, writers for The Good Place, and Trent O’Donnell, director, discuss Mike Schur's unique approach to forcing writers to act on TV. They also talk about Jameela Jamil's stunning fashion, Ted Danson's phenomenal performance, and share a shirt-ton of funny behind-the-scenes stories.
In Season 2 of The Good Place, the writers aimed to condense a full season into one episode, providing a full recap and establishing a new narrative direction with Michael's perspective.
Eleanor undergoes character development as she realizes she doesn't belong in the Good Place and reveals the true nature of their situation to the other characters, while introducing new characters and exploring soulmate dynamics and challenges.
The visual effects in the episode included practical elements like tearaway clothing and hand movements, as well as animations and effects like Michael's hand disappearing behind Darcy's neck, with the use of sound cues enhancing comedic timing during editing.
Deep dives
The Good Place Season 2 Overview
In the Season 2 premiere of The Good Place, the characters wake up in a second iteration of Michael's torture experiment with new soulmates. They navigate the challenges of this new scenario, and Eleanor realizes that she doesn't belong in the Good Place. Michael reboots the humans for a second time without Sean's knowledge.
The Decision-Making Process
The decision-making process for Season 2 was to condense a full season into one episode. The writers aimed to provide a full season recap and establish a new narrative direction with Michael's perspective. The episode structure involved revisiting scenes from different character perspectives in a Rashomon-style fashion.
Character Development and Revelations
Eleanor undergoes character development as she realizes she doesn't belong in the Good Place and reveals the true nature of their situation to the other characters. The episode also introduces new characters, such as Vicky in a dissatisfying role, and explores the dynamics between the soulmates and their challenges.
The Visual and Special Effects
The visual effects involved practical elements like tearaway clothing and hand movements, and the VFX team created animations and effects like Michael's hand disappearing behind Darcy's neck. The episode also features the use of sound cues instead of visual cues during editing to enhance the comedic timing.
A Purposeful Rescue and Forged in Fire
Jen recommends supporting A Purposeful Rescue, an animal rescue group that specializes in adopting older dogs. Joe shares his fascination with the TV show Forged in Fire, where contestants create knives and swords under unique challenges.
The Good Place writers Jen Statsky and Joe Mande and director Trent O’Donnell shoot the shirt with host Marc Evan Jackson. They talk about how Mike Schur forces the writers to act on TV, Jameela Jamil’s stunning fashion, Ted Danson’s phenomenal performance as Michael in Season 2 and a shirt-ton of funny behind-the-scenes stories.