While writer Gennifer Hutchison can’t tell you anything about her work on the Lord Of The Rings TV show yet, she can talk about her work in general. In a Q&A posted to Twitter the TV writer, whose prior credits also include Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, talked about her writing process.
With many of the questions coming from other writers both professional and aspiring, it’s no surprise that Hutchison was asked about her process. Here’s the general outline:
It varies, but here’s my general pattern:
-Vomit Draft
-Intense Full revision (scene by scene, in order)
-Slightly less intense full revision (same)
– Intense rewrite “problem” scenes with light rewrite “good” scenes x/however many it takes
-Medium/light full pass
-Proof x/2 https://t.co/qtTpQMsKOv— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
I absolutely do. But I usually have an outline/cards, so I have a sketch of the previous scenes. But it’s a great way to combat writers’ block. https://t.co/aMGqlNHlmx
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 28, 2020
She also spoke about writing characters and character-focused work, after defining it as one of the things she is most proud of in her work.
It’s a blend for me. I have a direction and I get into the characters head and “they” guide me. It has to feel authentic to them, but I also can nudge them in a direction to start. I just can’t force them. https://t.co/6Pe9ox8Tzp
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
Where are they from? What are their values when it comes to how they present themselves? Education? Family? General philosophy on life (laid back, uptight, etc)? What do they want to communicate and how do they want to be perceived? https://t.co/LyV1Q3FBcf
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
Hutchison also spoke of the occasional challenge of bringing TV characters to life as a collaboration between writers, actors, and the many other people involved in the production–especially when actors get attached to the characters they play.
I think at it’s heart, it should be a collaboration. And the director is also a part of this conversation, so all those talks should happen with all present.
Questions are great! Actors have a very specific insight into their characters. I love having those talks. https://t.co/ckiOYrAyX8— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
My big thing is when an actor is snide or assumes the writer is stupid or hasn’t considered all angles. We know the characters too. We live with them constantly and discuss all possible trajectories and emotions. And we also have an idea of the big picture.
So… just be kind.
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
Lord of the Rings fans stressing about the upcoming TV adaptation may be relieved at the fact that Hutchison–one of the writers on Amazon’s TV show–lists Peter Jackson’s trilogy as one of her favorite movie-going experiences.
LoTR was so amazing to experience in the theater when they first opened. 💜
I really never get tired of the moment before the opening crawl of a Star Wars film, just as the music hits and everyone completely loses their shit because STAR WARS.
(Also, “Avengers! …Assemble”) https://t.co/zEsgCxwHvk
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) October 27, 2020
The full thread is currently available on her Twitter, though people looking for new tidbits on the Lord of the Rings show have already been warned that they shouldn’t go trawling through the writers’ Twitter profiles for clues. Fans of Hutchison’s other work on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul can find answers specifically about those shows as part of the Q&A, however, as well as plenty of interesting information about the writing process as a whole.
The Lord of the Rings show is expected to air sometime in 2021. The final season of Better Call Saul is also expected sometime next year.
