33 - Tony McNamara (The Great)

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: 


0:36 - Tony’s experience in quarantine in Australia. 


1:30 - His beginnings in finance and finding his path to writing


3:03 - His first play, which was produced by the Sydney Theatre
Company. 


4:00 - His experience with film school. 


5:30 - Returning to work with STC. 


6:11 - His play, THE GREAT, and writing for Robyn Nevin. 


7:24 - Turning the play into a screenplay, which landed in the
hands of Yorgos Lanthimos


7:45 - Coming on board THE FAVORITE to work on the screenplay and
working off a script originally by Deborah Davis


9:09 - Knowing casting THE GREAT would be difficult, and finding
his Peter in Nicholas Hoult.


10:26 - Elle Fanning’s involvement as lead actress and EP


12:20 - Finding an ensemble with the necessary comedic and
dramatic skills. 


13:14 - Communicating style to the writers room and staffing the
room with specific skills. 


14:22 - The interesting historical facts they found (including
the pregnancy test used in the show)


15:28 - Finding the humor through his characters. 


16:36 - The casual violence in the show. 


16:47 - Elle’s nerves about her comedic experience. 


17:45 - The tool of sex throughout the story. 


20:18 - Tony’s favorite aspect of these characters. 


21:07 - The big job of the Production designer. 


21:50 - The first and last days of production on THE GREAT. 


24:13 - Getting picked up for season 2


25:25 - Handwriting the first draft. 


26:23 - Tony’s perspective on a life in storytelling. 


Learn More: Hollywood Unscripted


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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


A CurtCo Media Production


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