WTFsutter VIDEOBLOG

Thursday, February 11, 2010

SEASON 3...PATCHED IN



I've been back with the writers for a month now, and today was the first day I felt like I actually plugged back into the show.  I finished a first draft of episode 301 this week, but it wasn't until I mulled, sorted and boarded 302 that I felt reconnected to the process of running a show.  

I've shared this before, but it was a very odd hiatus for me.  I was supposed to begin directing my first feature in January.  It was a script I wrote some years back, Delivering Gen, and recently, we got all our financing together.  The problem was timing.  I had to be in pre-production by mid-December to finish in time to get season three of Sons on air by September, 2010 (no definite air date has been set).  Unfortunately I couldn't put my cast together in time, so we were forced to push the project until summer, 2010.

I jumped from season two of SOA onto the stress of will or won't this movie go.  When it didn't go, I pulled up production on the show so I wouldn't hit the same scheduling snag next hiatus.  Even though I didn't really do anything over the break, I never decompressed or took any downtime.  So when I started back on Sons last month, I felt out of sorts.  Committed, excited, but oddly detached from the process.  Even writing the season three premier didn't plug me back in.

It wasn't until today, when I sat down with the story beats for episode 302 and started weaving the narrative, that I felt "back on the show".  In retrospect, I guess it all makes sense.  The truth is, often premiers are very different episodes from the others in a season.  You have to complete, acknowledge and honor the episodic and emotional arcs from the end of the previous season as well as set up new characters, stories and themes.  All that, plus it has to "feel" like the show.  In our case that means, it's gotta have some bloody fucking balls.  I feel like 301 services all those things, but sometimes because of the parameters of a premier it can feel like an isolated project.  So today, when we sat down and flushed out the next episode, I realized, "Oh shit, I've got twelve more of these to write and produce.  I'm fucking working again..."

I know this will sound self-serving and obvious, but I'm genuinely excited about this season (hopefully you know me well enough to realize that if I wasn't excited, I'd have no fucking problem telling you).  Season three of Sons of Anarchy will take us to some new and very different places -- both narratively and emotionally.  We will reveal some dark Teller family secrets and create a few more in the process.  It was John the Apostle who said "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  Clearly he never spent a weekend with Gemma Teller.

77 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sooooooo fucking excited. Gonna spend the weekend with my Season 1 Retail DVD and Season 2 burned DVDs (don't worry sir, i'll buy S2 retail in August) in honor of you all writing again. Can't wait to see the behind the scenes pictures when filming starts.

Elliott said...

Sounds great, can't wait! Keep up the great work!

Ben Barren said...

I'm looking fwd to some transnational adventure + rekindling of Jax/Obie/Clay/John/Gemma fireworks. Clay still has to pay.

Anonymous said...

It's nice to know that we all have days when we just don't fit into the groove of work. It sounded like you had an eternal Monday for a while there. I'm glad to see your Monday is over and Tuesday has begun. :)

I loved your last line about John and Gemma. It made me laugh so hard. Only because I could see so many places Gemma could hurt someone with the truth :)

Thanks for giving us another Ballsy, bloody and bad a@@ Sons!

Kat Bogart

Unknown said...

CAN'T WAIT MAN!

DiamondSuave said...

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!

Joshua Hyde said...

Love it, glad to have a small piece of insight into what the new season may hold.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I can't wait to see what happens--the last line about Gemma is driving me crazy. Gemma is clearly the puppet master of the show--in one episode we are told--she came home 10 years later with a baby and a motorcycle club--and it is clear that she is not simply some groupie but rather a co-creator of the club. Are we going to dig into Gemma's past and the origins of the club?

Viv

Anonymous said...

oooh! Sounds great!
I can't wait to see what happens!

Also, I hope I get to work on your show at some point this season.


--Natalie Newbill

ak said...

rockstar buddy .. looking forward to it. too bad there isn't a store we can wait outside of, to get sneak peaks of the upcoming season. loving it! awaiting eagerly. HNY!! and have a great valentines w/ the fam. best,

Kris McGinnis said...

You got me sitting on the edge of my seat and the damn show hasn't even started yet

Anonymous said...

I am so excited for season three. We are doing Season One right now for some friends who were "late to the table", and now want to get caught up for Season 3. Your writing, in addition to the acting, is phenomenal!

John said...

Season 2 blew my mind. The season final left me saying wtf, holly sh t over and over. I can't remember a time anything has done that.

I don't think there is a SOA fan that isn't excited and waiting. Man its almost like we are all kids again waiting for next years Christmas.

Christine said...

Best written show on tv, hands down. Can't wait!

Carrie said...

Cannot wait for season 3. I'm gonna have to pull out the DVDs for season 1 and DVR for season 2 again soon to get my fix of SOA. Best show ever!!

Sam in AZ said...

Mr. Sutter, I feeling this upcoming season (s3) will surpass the previous two. However I am not knocking those two. Season one pulled me in, season two had me glued to the TV every Thursday along with other members of my family. We are fully excited and getting impatient waiting on season three to begin. So I'm positive along with much of the rest of SOA fan base that this next season will be all that and more. Good luck with the writing, hope all is well. See you on the TV screen when season three airs.

Unknown said...

Spent the entire snowed in week here in DC re-watching seasons 1 and 2. There is no show on t.v. that matches the genius of the Sons -- Can't wait for September!

Michael Henry said...

I know that no matter what you end up writing will be riveting, just like the shows we have already seen. I can't wait for this show to start back up again. I am hooked.

Aaliyah said...

Kurt,

Thanks for the post. I'm excited to hear you and your crew of writers are back in action. You juggle a lot as the creator and EP. I can't imagine how taxing it can be, but something tells me it will pay off big for you and FX. Glad to hear how much work working at it can be.

jeff in pittsburgh said...

Why did you dump me from following you on twitter? Just curious. I'm a big fan and enjoyed reading your posts. Did I drunkenly send you an e-mail that pissed you off or something?
Jeff in Pittsburgh

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy that you're excited about the third season. I think that if you wern't, it would mean bad things for the show. Your heart has to be in it for it to live like the magnificant beast that it is.

This really is a beautiful show and stumbling across your blogs and twitter is going to kill me. Haha
Before, I'd just forget about a show in the off season - now I have access to the little steps of creation along the way. Makes me a little antsy at times.

Keep up the great work(that goes for everyone attached to the show - you ALL do such a beautiful job)

Thank you so much,

~Charlotte

Kat Scratch said...

i am excited.

Edie said...

Too Good. Your post made my (somewhat crappy) week. I can't wait for the next chapter in all the SOA Boys' lives. Until then I am spending my Friday night re-watching Season 1 all over again!!!

Anonymous said...

So, So excited for season 3. Have been in love since the Season 1 episode 1. Maybe, hopefully Tara and Jax get married this season??? That would make my season!!! Which ever can't wait, you and your crew are an amazing story tellers. Thanks!!!!

Colleen said...

Kurt, every time I type a comment to you I end up not posting because I think I sound stupid. I just wanna say that you're fucking awesome, I love your show and season 3 is gonna kick ass.

Colleen

MerryMsMary said...

Dude, isn't there some way you can speed up the DVD release for S2? Please, I'm having some major withdrawal here!

Anonymous said...

S3 going to be so fucking great!

Shelby Light said...

Is it September yet? SOA is simply THE best show on television.

Lady R (Di) said...

Ooooh... your such a tease! I'm getting stoked about season three, and now that I know your stoked too... I can't wait!

I love Gemma Teller. Kate is the perfect person for her part. Thanks for sharing your creative world with us. We'd be lost without the "Sons"!

Anonymous said...

Super fucking excited for the new season. It seems so far way.

You are a brilliant writer and this show is a testament to that. You have won over your fans and they love you even more than ever.

I know season 3 will be awesome!!! Can't fucking wait. Come on fall!!! I'm ready for season 3 now!!!

Pamela in KC

zeyi said...

I am very excited! I have been going though withdrawal and it feels so so bad! I cannot wait to September, happy month :)

Connie said...

It is overwhelming sometimes what we expect from ourselves and what others expect from us. You delivered 2 amazing seasons of work so far, and it can be a daunting task to live up to your own very high standards. Probably for a lot of people around you too. I am very happy, along with everyone else, to hear you are back to work Mr.Sutter. Husband/father/showrunner/writer/actor. Pretty full plate. It all works out in the end. Thanks for the great job(s) you do.

Megan W said...

I am so excited to see where season 3 takes us. I gotta admit thougm the phrase "oddly detached" makes me a little nervous. Will we, the viewers, notice a difference in 301 and 302? I only ask because as humans, we all get detached from time to time. I am a stay at home mom, and while most days, I put my heart and soul into raising my kids, but there are days where I feel detached and we kind of muddle through on auto pilot. If someone were to put a camera in my house, a random viewer would definitely be able to see the difference. Maybe that's a bad comparison...Maybe not..I'm leaving it for you to decide. Anyway, I am just curious as to whether there will be a noticable difference in the first few episodes. I am also wondering if you think admitting that you were somewhat detached in writing the premiere will have a negative impact on the critics. Either way, if you wrote this show in your sleep, I would still be in front of my TV (provided my kids are in bed) hanging on every word.

holymotherofgod said...

Ah, WONDERING when I would read confirmation of that, THANK SOME SORT OF GOD... =) Looking fwd to your creations.

Kellie said...

I am so excited and can't wait for the next season. I turned my boyfriend on to the show after I bought season 1. I love all the extras and deleted scenes and can't wait for season 2 to come out on disc.

njames said...

I can't wait. You've brought me so much TV joy, all the way back to season 1 of The Shield.

melanie said...

Kurt,

I love the show and we can't wait for season 2 on dvd and for season 3 to start...

I think all the fans need to start a writing campaign but to who and where? This show needs to be acknowledge for the writing and acting!!!

Unknown said...

Kurt,

Incredibly excited about Season 3. Never have I been gripped by any television show in the way that I have been by SOA. I loved the Sopranos, and Six Feet Under, but when the seasons would take take so long to air, I'd eventually forget about them, and by the time they started back up again, the passion and interest had significantly dwindled. Season 2 ended over 2 months ago, and the connection and interest is still as strong as it ever was.

Perhaps it's a sad commentary on my part to say that, in these sometimes scary, uncertain times, you've given me something good to look forward to. Thanks so much for that, and thanks so much for the blog updates.

Anonymous said...

HI kurt,

lookin forward to season 3. I was bummed to see a prospect going down!!! being a prospect myself, i was looking forward to watching him patch in!!!

thanks for your work!!!

Iberostar said...

After reading this, I can't wait for more stories about Gemma - loved that line. It's going to be a great season - riding again with Jax and the club. Too cool.

P-Dub said...

Dude, I just hate waiting! Me and my old lady love the show. Let's not take as long for S4.

Concerned in Winslow said...

I have to say your writing is truely ingenious and the show you ahve created with SOA is brilliant. The fact that you are just now writing for season 3 which means it has nto even begun production yet and it is scheduled to begin in 7 months is mind blowing...your talent and creativity are amazing and it is a shame that you have not been recognized and honored by the awards committees as you rightly should be!

Anonymous said...

Aren't those the greatest pens ever? They make me want to do work just to use them!

Erin said...

Super excited for season 3. I actually just became a fan of the show last week, when I stumbled upon a youtube fanvid of JAX/Tara. I went out to buy Season 1 dvd and caught up. Love the writing and the chemistry between J&T. Can't wait for the new season, and I hope to see a bunch of Jax/Tara sceens :))

Unknown said...

Can't wait! SOA S3 is gonna' totally rock. But, if you could just do one thing - you know - while you are writing S3 and all (and, yes, I know I'm sick) but could you please figure out a way to have Jimmy O impregnate Stahl? I'd pay to see that!

Unknown said...

I am so stoked to hear you're back at work!! Counting down the days until the premier

Sweeney said...

Can't wait for the new season! SOA IS THE BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION!

Indianacat said...

It takes a lot of balls for someone to say to their fan base 'Man, I'm just not up to speed yet.' Kudos to you for that.


Being a creative type myself, I can appreciate the feelings you shared. It's hard to jump from one frame of mind to another with no 'down time' (or little) in between. Let's not even mention the writer's block, plateaus, dry heaves (humps?) or whatever you wanna call them that tend to trip one up.

But when all the cylinders are running smooth and firing in order, it's the next best thing to -- well, put in your own descriptive phrase and you'll know what I mean!

Yes, I am waiting for Season 3 to air, so that once again, I'll be glued to the screen on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (yes, I even watch the recap!) for thirteen weeks of sheer bliss.

May I say thank you for being willing to put out little treats for the fans on Blogspot and Twitter? Thank you. These little tidbits are what keeps the withdrawals at bay!

May the creative juices keep flowing, and may you have an even better season than the two before. S1 got us introduced to everyone, S2 got us emotionally hooked on 'em. Can't wait to see what happens in S3, and where the guys go from here.

There's a lot of loose ends to tie up, but I'm sure you'll do a great job at it.


Take Sunday off, have a great Valentine's Day with the lovely Ms. Sagal. You both deserve it.

Marineposa said...

What a relief!!! Your back at work. Thank heavens you like to work and are excited. Well, we're excited too--We can't wait! I'm at a crossroad in my life so it's nice to have SOA to turn to and forget... what it is I want to forget and try figure out what I want to do next. Should this legal assistant go to law school, should I take that real estate job in the meantime... I need a blog just for my career indecisions! But right now, one thing in my life is certain, I'm having an SOA viewing party!!! And someday, someday my dream is to meet you & Charlie!!!! Yes, I've fallen in love with him too! Sometimes my Pete gets a little jealous when I'm drooling over those shower scenes (he doesn't look like Charlie, he looks just like Kid Rock and even gets free drinks for it--so I've got nothing to complain about!). No, I've never been star struck before and don't want to think about this in any rational way. Sam Crow forever!

GYPSYSOHMC said...

A great view of the outlaw motorcycle world nearer to the truth than the general public will ever know (or need to).Except obviously we have more fun and less stress. Your sons need a 1% diamond on their cuts no god fearing mc member would leave home without one

Pointman said...

Don't think for one moment that your effort is wasted or unappreciated.
The fans of you and the show won't go away between seasons- they network with each other, they will watch and review past episodes for further clues, and ponder how the personality twists of each character will evolve in upcoming seasons.
It's great to see you're riding again- what better life could there be?
Riding and Writing..

michele said...

Mr.Sutter,

When I watched episode one of Season One of SOA I never ever thought I would be so addicted to a show. I have turned so many of my friends on to your show and now they are big fans. You have a gift and you put it to good use. Keep up the good work and thanks for an amazing show and amazing characters. I can not wait for Season Three to begin. I am sure it will be awesome. Each season seems to get better then the last. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I'm from Malaysia and I need to wait for dvds for my season 3..and that will only be in January 2011....Arrrggghhhhh!!!

Silence_Du_good said...

Congratz on being renewed for season 3.
Your show has top-notch writing with a character-driven storyline.

For season 3, I hope you expand on the origins of SAMCRO. The allure and mystery of the Outlaw MC is what interests me about your show. I love motorcycles and the "brotherhood of the road". When your show focuses on that topic, it is in a class by itself. Yes, I know you have to complete some storyline arcs from season 2, but please kill off that fucker Zoebel ASAP. The neo-nazi bad guy is so cliche and tired. Although, I have to admit, the Henry Rollins character was pretty intense.

Anyhow, I am going to bring up the suggestion again of eventually publishing the John Teller journal/manuscript "Life and Death of SAMCRO. How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their way. I don't know if you have actually written more than a couple of pages from this fictional book, but I think many people would love to read it -- myself included. Perhaps, you could publish it in full when the series concludes or you could publish extracts throughout the remaining season(s).

Before, I forget. Soundtrack...excellent. Keep up the good work. Man, I love that "John the Revelator" song.

Anyhow, got to go. Going riding with the usual crew out to Bandera in the Texas hill country. Afterwards, we are gonna rock the local gun range with our AKs and AR-15's. Loving our freedoms in the Lone-Star state.

Best of luck in Season 3.

The Reluctant Salesman said...

You really gotta hammer on FX to get their seasons out at least a few months before the next season in the series starts. I want to turn people on to the show who haven't seen it so we can get those rating seven higher season 3!

Unknown said...

You are such a mean person.

We are stuck in our own little lives waiting and waiting, and you have all the knowledge, man.

I want more SOA and I can't believe that I can only chose to be drip-fed my drug of choice (SOA!!)

What I am looking forward to is more Gemma-style smack downs in the new season (skateboard, anyone?) While you will guide as you see fit, I can only hope the idea of a Jax wedding would be off the cards but more shower scenes and delicious views of Charlie will be forthcoming.

I'm sick of reading how genius you are (even though true) so, Mr. Creator, Get to Work!

Unknown said...

Well, Ok Kurt...in the first two seasons of SOA we have seen,dynamite up some dead dudes ass, we have seen balls cut off, (nice touch) and a patch burned off as well as shootings and explosions. We have seen people shot, we have seen logo's cut into dead bodies to obliterate said cuttings. We have seen the worlds most awesome smack down of a corrupt murdering AFT agent. So please, reassure me of two things.

First, we won't have to wait till mid season to see that kidnapping Irish POS get caught up with. And second, that his death will be something we have not seen yet. Perhaps arms tied to the back of one Harley, legs to another and the ride off in different directions? Kinda like what they did to William Wallace for the modern biker?

Glad your back at work, I'll out riding while your working, :-) looking forward to seeing how things progress.

kacado said...

Hi
Kurt Sutter the series s.o.a. is just magnificent i derive such pleasure from the cast,Gemma aka The Katey Sagal the women are portrayed wonderfully. The men of mayhem well picked i must say, also the show has given me the oppotunity to interact online and also use my sociological skills as well, this show is one big sub-culture on another im in heaven truly! I admire your interaction with the fans and the realism you project. Which is why in my view you have such a loyal fan base.Glad you are feeling like you are back, it cannot be easy with out that down time we all aspire to undertake on breaks. Very much looking forward to seas 3! for now i just keep breaking the prior seasons down and ask a million questions but then thats what i enjoy about the show. Thanks for hints it really helps untill seas 3 and you have quite a good fan base here in Australia and growing!

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE your show! I'm so excited to hear that it is going on for another season. Thank you!

I love the bikes too! Hope to see some more cool bikes! :) Will there be any girls who ride in coming shows? Does Jemma ever ride?

Jill
I Live to Ride

Miffed67 said...

Oh, God....Season 3 can't come soon enough!

I gotta say, tho, I was SO disappointed when Zobelle got away. He's like evil personified for me.....can we kill him? Please?

shovelhead said...

Bro i have your writing style since the Shield.I am PH in A Detroit club that has been around since 66'.You have the club dynamic down.I have bros I hang with all the time and I have bros that i dont like but the club is bigger than me.Like SOA not all club members agree with the bosses direction the club should take but as good bros we support our own whether we agree or disagree.The club is bigger than anyone member and I was happy to see it.I was expecting Clay and Opie to stripp their rags and go toe to toe as we do when bros have a problem between each other.Then once its over they sit down and buy each other a beverage and that is the end of it maybe we can see that happen when all the shit gets settle externally.Fuck man 13 episodes I know writing is not an easy gig but over by Dec. is killing me.i know it is on a rival network but thank the Lord we have Burn Notice that starts a new season in Jan I would hate to have to choose(no Tivo or DVR).Bro keep on bring us the goods every week.i will tell you wife is the real deal as an MC queen.See you in Sept.

Lisa said...

LOVE SoA!! Excellent casting and characters! I'm totally hooked! Having to wait until September when Season 2 DVD comes out and Season 3 starts is torture! Can't you do something about that? Also, 26 weeks would be SOOOO much better than just 13! Can't get enough Sons!! Hope to see Jax learn that it was Gemma who had his dad killed and the ramifications of that! Keep up the great work! Looking forward to a long and exciting run for SoA! Lisa

Urno Talbot said...

I love the photo with the new blog, is that your jammies and slippers? It's going to snow again here in Jersey, I know you dont miss that.
Maybe you can get Dennis Hopper to do a cameo.

Unknown said...

Hello Kurt,

I love the Shield. I haven't gotten around to watching Sons of Anarchy but I've heard good things.

My cousin Joe Rapoport is in the Navy. He used to be on a submarine as Sonar Tech, but he's in Afghanistan now.

Anyways, I saw this posted as his Facebook status:

"Me & the boy's are hooked on a new show. Sons of Anarchy. Show is like crack for guys with nothing to do in the barracks"

Entertaining troops isn't a bad thing. So, my point is, keep doing what you do.

Thanks.

sek said...

Cant wait!!!

Casey Obblog said...

I love you. Love The Shield...Love SoA.... Love the way you make me contemplate right vs. wrong and acceptance.

By the way..I have gone to Soledad Prison a couple of times to do some service work...but after Otto got his eyeball poked out with a broomstick...it made it a little bit more difficult for me to feel comfortable there! *)

Keep up the amazing work!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Kurt - my motorcycle club show writer - I wanted to tell you that this is the one entertainment venue that brings my family together, all except for my yong son (10) whom has yet to mature to the degree that this show demands. My daughter, my wife and I watch and the questions they have asked over the years are answered in view form; such as when your VP refuses to remove his colors (cut). This clearly demonstrated what we live and will die for - maybe even how and why. This example serves to answer questions I'm reluctant to answer to my children as if dying for this was more important than them. Thanks for the show - like the man in AZ said; "it is a soap opera - but it ours".

therealzenobia said...

Final Draft 8: I vote no, but I'm low volume and I dislike change.

Karen S. said...

I have wondered what it must be like to sit down and write a storyline that continues without a definate end... Unlike a book, with a beginning, middle and end a show like SOA takes on the challenge of continuing the hook it has on the fans, telling the story all the while not really knowing the end... curious feat I will say that you have managed to tap into that yang side of your fans... for me it was understanding why I was so drawn to the show... simple.. it taps into the "yang," bad girl side of me... that side we all secret away (except for the actor who plays otto :_) in short (ha ha) enjoy the work, becasue the people enjoy the product

Olle said...

Thank you lord! SOA is currently my favorite tv-serie so this is wonderful!
Just bought the SOA season 1 box which was released just some weeks ago here in Sweden I think. Its going to be so fun re-watching it again!

Plummer said...

Sutter man, the past two seasons have my drooling for a third. All the story lines have me in great anticipation to see what will happen next. I don't watch television shows hardly at all, but SOA is the best thing to happen to television in a very long time. I bet everyone can relate to it. Keep up the great work bro!

Anonymous said...

Yea! Can't wait. When is Season 2 coming to DVD?

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved the last two lines of your latest blog. Right away I am wondering what could Jemma be up to? I hate wishing this coming spring and summer away especially with all the snow we have been getting pounded with in PA but I still find myself saying "I can't wait til season 3 starts.

Reynard Da Sylva said...

Hey Kurt, great to hear the 3rd season is coming together. All the little details make it unmissable, how the threads all pull together as time goes on.

I've been writing a book that hits on similar subjects, even down to the Emma Goldman quote, though I give some history. is it coincidence that Clay is called Clay and Clay Frick is such a notorious figure in American history... personally I don't beleive in coincidence
Thanks again

Anonymous said...

HELLS YAH. THE WAY SEASON 2 ENDED ITS BEEN DRIVIN ME F****N CRAZY. ROCK OUT SEASON 3

Kelly Lopez said...

Great show Mr. Sutter. Can't wait to buy season 2 and season 3 to premier. You are a great writer and you really made one hell of a show.

Daniel said...

I have seen alot of shows and movies about "Motocycle Clubs" in my time. "Hells Angels" was the most, down to earth real life story of the clubs enduring strove of their way of life and the code of the club in which they had lived even to this day. I honestly and respectfully have to say that the "Sons of Anarchy" is the most enthusiastically enthrhralled series on television today. I have never anticipated on the next storyline, the next episode, or even the next alluring season of a television series as I do the "Sons of Anarchy". It takes an extrodenary mind to create such reallity and facts of the way society envisions the lives of "Motorcycle Clubs" today. I wish to commend you on a most revisionism of this way of life that only a true memeber of a chapter can bring to life. I'm looking forward to purchaceing the book once the series comes to it's finally as well as all season boxsets. Your an extrordenary writer and visionist. Keep them coming and we'll keep watching and anticipating the next episode and season. I was wondering, if it wasn't to much to ask, if I could have the honor of having you as a friend on "Facebook"? It would be a seriouse honor if you would.