Abe Sylvia discusses making discoveries on set, healthy debate vs story breaking, working with collaborators, the joy of not outlining, and Retrospecs live show featuring scripts from popular TV shows with a twist.
Palm Royale reflects creator Abe Sylvia's personal taste and style, offering an escape to a beautiful world with underlying darkness.
Abe Sylvia emphasizes challenging conventional storytelling norms, ensuring each twist and turn is earned for characters' self-worth.
Sylvia adopts a unique approach to breaking stories, starting without a plan for spontaneity and managing multiple projects during lockdown.
Collaborating with familiar team members in the writer's room, Sylvia values in-person interactions for creative synergy and organic idea flow.
Deep dives
Creating Palm Royale
Palm Royale reflects creator Abe Sylvia's personal taste and style, with characters he has envisioned since childhood. Developed during the pandemic, the show offers an escape to a beautiful and seemingly safe world, even amidst underlying darkness. The series aims to embody sunny optimism, centered around Kristen Wiig's character, Maxine Simmons, and her unwavering belief in the goodness of the world.
Origins and Development
Palm Royale originated from the book 'Mr. Mrs. American Pie,' adapted to a TV series set in Palm Beach in 1969. The show's inception involved collaboration with producers and director Tate Taylor to bring out the essence of the narrative. Inspired by Slim Aarons' photography, the series delves into superficiality amidst societal unrest, exploring contemporary themes of identity, belonging, and self-worth.
Approach to Storytelling
Abe Sylvia emphasizes the importance of strong stakes in storytelling, focusing on what the audience expects versus unexpected and fun story elements. The series aims to challenge conventional storytelling norms, ensuring that every twist and turn is earned rather than gratuitous. The narrative prioritizes the characters' sense of belonging and self-worth, adding depth and authenticity to the storytelling.
Writing and Production Process
Sylvia adopts a unique approach to breaking stories, incorporating clear character boundaries and allowing the narrative to unfold organically. Rather than rigid outlining, he often begins writing without a detailed plan, allowing for creative spontaneity. The writer and showrunner navigated simultaneous projects during lockdown, managing writer's rooms over Zoom while overseeing on-set production, showcasing adaptability and dedication to the craft.
Collaborative Dynamics
The Palm Royale writer's room comprises familiar collaborators from Sylvia's past shows, fostering a sense of camaraderie and creative synergy. The diverse team brings distinct perspectives and skills to the table, enhancing the storytelling process. Despite challenges posed by virtual interactions, Sylvia values in-person collaboration and the organic flow of ideas during face-to-face engagements within the writer's room.
Inspirations and Recommendations
Sylvia finds inspiration in shows like 'Slow Horses' for its stellar performances and character-driven narrative. Additionally, his guilty pleasure, 'The Supermodels,' offers comfort and captivation with iconic personalities from the '90s fashion era. The creator's viewing preferences provide insights into his creative influences and entertainment choices, showcasing a diverse range of interests.
Reflections on the Process
Abe Sylvia navigates the intricate dynamics between writing, directing, and showrunning, leveraging his multifaceted background in dance, acting, and visual arts. He credits his diverse experiences for shaping his unique approach to storytelling and production. With a blend of creative vision and practical insights, Sylvia continues to craft engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.
Future Endeavors
As 'Palm Royale' premieres on March 20th, Sylvia's journey as a creator, writer, and director unfolds through a rich tapestry of inspirations, collaborations, and storytelling intricacies. The show's launch marks a new chapter in Sylvia's creative evolution, promising a blend of personal vision, thematic depth, and engaging storytelling that captures the essence of his artistic sensibilities.
Abe Sylvia (creator, Palm Royale, George and Tammy; Dead to Me; Nurse Jackie) discusses making discoveries on set, healthy debate vs story breaking, working with frequent collaborators, how not outlining "reintroduces writerly delight," and more.
Come see Retrospecs on Sunday, April 21, 2-4pm PT at the Elysian Theater in LA! In Retrospecs, we dig those old scripts by established writers out of their drawers and expose them to the warm light of the stage. Starring actors you know and love from TV, film, comedy, and the stage. From Girls to Gilmore Girls, from the Big Bang Theory to Buffy, get NEW EPISODES of your favorite shows, written by writers who never wrote for those shows!
The April 21 show features a West Wing from by Marc Guggenheim (co-creator, Arrow) and a Big Bang Theory written by Helen Shang (Hawaii 5-0).
Live or streaming/VOD tickets here: https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/retrospecs0421
THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.
Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.com
