33 - Tony McNamara (The Great) from Hollywood Unscripted

33 - Tony McNamara (The Great)

28 minutes Posted Aug 17, 2020 at 8:00 am.

Tony’s experience in quarantine in Australia. 

His beginnings in finance and finding his path to writing

His first play, which was produced by the Sydney Theatre Company. 

His experience with film school. 

Returning to work with STC. 

His play, THE GREAT, and writing for Robyn Nevin. 

Turning the play into a screenplay, which landed in the hands of Yorgos Lanthimos

Coming on board THE FAVORITE to work on the screenplay and working off a script originally by Deborah Davis

Knowing casting THE GREAT would be difficult, and finding his Peter in Nicholas Hoult.

Elle Fanning’s involvement as lead actress and EP

Finding an ensemble with the necessary comedic and dramatic skills. 

Communicating style to the writers room and staffing the room with specific skills. 

The interesting historical facts they found (including the pregnancy test used in the show)

Finding the humor through his characters. 

The casual violence in the show. 

Elle’s nerves about her comedic experience. 

The tool of sex throughout the story. 

Tony’s favorite aspect of these characters. 

The big job of the Production designer. 

The first and last days of production on THE GREAT. 

Getting picked up for season 2

Handwriting the first draft. 

Tony’s perspective on a life in storytelling. 

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Show notes

Showrunner Tony McNamara joins host Jenny Curtis to talk about his career, his life in storytelling and his Emmy-nominated Hulu hit, THE GREAT. Throughout the conversation, they discuss:

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Hosted and Produced by: Jenny Curtis

Edited and Co-produced by: J Whiting

Executive Producer: Stuart Halperin

Theme Music by: Celleste & Eric Dick

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