Write On: 'Sunny' Co-Creator & Showrunner Katie Robbins
Aug 30, 2024
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Katie Robbins, the co-creator and showrunner of the animated series 'Sunny,' explores the complexities of artificial intelligence and its dual nature in storytelling. She discusses creating relatable characters, particularly the dynamic friendships between human and robot, emphasizing themes of isolation and emotional connection. Drawing influences from Japanese culture and popular films, Robbins reveals how these narratives can challenge societal perceptions of A.I. while engaging audiences with heartfelt relationships.
Katie Robbins emphasizes the dual nature of artificial intelligence in 'Sunny,' showcasing both its comforting and threatening potentials in human relationships.
The exploration of female friendships in 'Sunny' highlights the complexities of emotional intimacy and jealousy among characters during moments of emotional upheaval.
Deep dives
Katie Robbins's Journey to Writing
Katie Robbins began her career in journalism, reporting on public policy and cultural issues before transitioning to screenwriting. Her path included a significant moment when her husband’s manager encouraged her to write a screenplay, prompting her to write her own original story rather than relying on a screenwriter. This determination helped her secure her first staffing job after selling her initial show idea, showcasing the importance of perseverance in a non-traditional career shift. Her journalism background greatly influenced her writing style, as she values thorough research and the ability to listen deeply, skills which contribute positively to her work as a TV writer.
The Themes of 'Sunny'
The show 'Sunny' focuses on the protagonist, Susie, who navigates loss and isolation after her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. The narrative delves into emotional coping mechanisms, showcasing how Susie uses humor as a shield against vulnerability. The introduction of a domestic robot named Sunny serves as a catalyst for Susie’s personal growth and exploration of her emotions, illustrating a shift from introspection to connection. Furthermore, the show weaves in the Japanese concept of hikikomori, exploring themes of loneliness and the appeal and dangers of isolation.
Exploring Female Relationships
Robbins emphasizes the complexity of female friendships in 'Sunny,' particularly through Susie's evolving relationship with Mixie, an aspiring mixologist, and her interaction with Sunny, the robot. Both relationships crystallize during a time of emotional upheaval, allowing for rapid intimacy rooted in shared experiences. The dynamics of a love triangle emerge between Susie, Mixie, and Sunny, highlighting jealousy and companionship in unique ways. This exploration of friendship not only enriches the characters but reflects Robbins's personal longing for deeper connections amidst her busy life as a showrunner and mother.
Navigating the AI Landscape
Robbins addresses contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence, particularly in how it influences human relationships and societal dynamics. The character Sunny represents both the allure and the potential perils of AI, as she is designed to fulfill Susie's emotional needs while also embodying the complexities of technology in our lives. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that the use of AI brings both comfort and ethical dilemmas, mirroring real-world fears about the ramifications of rapidly advancing technology. Robbins became increasingly aware of these implications during production, reflecting a growing societal discourse around AI's role in everyday life.
“I think that Sunny [the robot], as a character, is kind of emblematic of this conundrum we have with A.I. In one scene she is cute and warm and is serving Suzie's [Rashida Jones] emotional needs and is brimming with potential. And that's really enticing. And then in the next scene, she is diabolical, and is going to like, cut a bitch! That is A.I. There are so many great things it can do, and there's so many terrible scary things that it can do. At the end of the day, it's up to us as society to figure out how we're going to use it,” says Katie Robbins, showrunner and creator of the AppleTV+ show Sunny. In this episode of the Final Draft’s Write On Podcast, we talk with Katie Robbins about delving into artificial intelligence, Japanese culture and making a robot appealing (and frightening) to audiences in her show Sunny. Based on the book, The Dark Manual, by Irish writer Colin O’Sullivan, Robbins says she made changes to the story to allow for exploring isolation and the importance of female friendships. “I was excited about the idea of giving [Suzie] a couple of female friends. So one is in the body of a robot and then the other is this aspiring mixologist who she meets in the pilot, Mixxy [Annie the Clumsy]… and telling the story of a friendship like love triangle. Mixxy is a little jealous of Sunny's relationship with Suzie and Sunny is really jealous of Mixxy's relationship with Suzie. The film The Favourite was a big influence for a lot of their relationship dynamics. And it was really fun exploring what that is if one of the friends is an A.I.” she says. To hear more about the show Sunny that’s currently streaming on AppleTV+, and hear Robbins’s advice on writing TV pilots, listen to the podcast.
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