Tony Gilroy, acclaimed writer and director known for the Bourne series and Andor, joins the conversation to share his insights on crafting a second season of a hit series. He delves into creating engaging narratives while balancing audience expectations and production challenges. The discussion covers revolutionary themes in Andor's storytelling, the struggles of follow-up seasons, and the impact of industry competition on creativity. Gilroy also reflects on the relationship between film criticism and writing, touching on resilience and innovation in storytelling.
Tony Gilroy highlights the challenge of maintaining quality and storytelling depth in the second season of a successful TV show like Andor.
The show aims to explore the impact of revolution on ordinary people's lives, expanding character arcs beyond the protagonist, Cassian Andor.
Gilroy emphasizes the importance of pre-planning and collaboration among writers and directors to create cohesive mini-films within the series framework.
Deep dives
Approaching a Second Season
When creating a second season of a successful TV show, it is crucial to navigate the pressures of expectations and reality. Tony Gilroy discusses the challenges he'll face in maintaining the quality and appeal of Andor as he prepares for its sophomore season. He reflects on the feeling of uncertainty that arises after delivering a successful first season and how the need to replicate that magic can be daunting. Gilroy emphasizes the importance of storytelling and character development to ease those pressures rather than simply trying to recreate past success.
The Evolution of Andor
Andor serves as a five-year prequel to Rogue One, allowing viewers to witness the transformation of Cassian Andor from a self-preserving individual to a committed revolutionary. The series explores broader themes of revolution and its impact on various people across different social strata, rather than focusing solely on the protagonist. Gilroy aims to portray how ordinary people’s lives are deeply affected by the tumult of societal change, providing a comprehensive narrative that expands the Star Wars universe. This narrative decision allows for a rich exploration of character arcs and plotlines beyond Cassian's perspective.
The Role of the Writing Team
Gilroy shares insights on his collaborative approach to writing Andor, particularly in organizing the production process around blocks where groups of episodes function as mini-films. By working with directors and writers within these established blocks, he ensured consistency and thorough storytelling throughout the season. This collaborative structure not only streamlined the writing process but also allowed the narrative to unfold in a cinematic manner, with each block contributing to the overarching story. Gilroy emphasizes the importance of pre-planning and flexibility within this system to adapt to the complexities of production.
Handling Expectations Amid Challenges
The unexpected delays during the production of Andor due to COVID-19 provided Gilroy the opportunity to rethink and redefine the show's trajectory. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of continuing to deliver quality content, he was able to reevaluate his approach and focus on developing a sustainable narrative. He recognized the importance of fully fleshed-out characters and story arcs to maintain engagement and coherence throughout multiple seasons. Gilroy's adaptation to challenges reflects a broader lesson in creativity: constraints can sometimes lead to innovative breakthroughs if approached with the right mindset.
The Importance of Collaboration
Gilroy discusses the essential dynamics of collaboration among his writing team and production crew, acknowledging that each talent brings unique strengths to the table. Emphasizing trust and communication, he shares that his intention is to allow directors the freedom to interpret the material creatively while maintaining a clear vision for the series. By fostering an environment where creative risks can be taken without fear of negative consequences, he aims to produce a series that stands out within the larger Star Wars narrative. This collaborative spirit is integral to crafting successful television, affirming that a strong creative ecosystem can elevate narrative quality significantly.
John and Craig welcome writer and showrunner Tony Gilroy (Andor, Michael Clayton) for an in-depth look at crafting a second season of a hit TV show. They look at ways to find your season’s structure, setting your production up for success, controlling the energy your audience spends on information, and how to wrap up your story before the show eats you alive.
They also answer listener questions on what to do when a movie that’s similar to yours is wildly successful, and whether being a movie critic could hurt your writing career.
In our bonus segment for premium members, Tony sticks around to ponder which words we wish existed in English, and how we’d use them in our scripts.
