Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin Chris Carter, X Files
41 snips
Jul 9, 2025 
Chris Carter, the mastermind behind The X-Files, discusses his fascinating journey from a surfer to a celebrated television writer. He shares insights into the challenges faced while developing the iconic series and the influence of nostalgia in storytelling. Carter explores the innovative four-act storytelling structure and how it shaped the dynamics between Mulder and Scully. He also dives into the cultural impact of the series, particularly Scully's inspiring role for women in science, and reflects on the blend of real-world events with speculative narratives.
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Journey Into Screenwriting
- Chris Carter transitioned from art to journalism and became a screenwriter due to encouragement from his screenwriter partner Dory.
- He quickly moved into Hollywood with a comedy script liked by Jeff Katzenberg, landing him a deal.
Pitching The X-Files With Evidence
- Chris Carter pitched The X-Files as a believable story rooted in real belief statistics to overcome initial skepticism.
- Using evidence like the Roper survey helped convince the network of the show’s potential appeal.
Origin of The X-Files Concept
- The idea for The X-Files was inspired by the 1970s show Kolchak the Night Stalker and FBI investigations of occult phenomena.
- Chris connected these influences to create a believer and skeptic FBI duo investigating strange cases.
