Tonight I had an opportunity that few “Sopranos” fans ever get- I got to meet a few members of the show's creative team, and hear them discuss the behind-the-scenes workings of the program.
Taking place at NYC’s Center For Communication, the event was a panel discussion featuring several of the names familiar from the show's opening credits: executive producers Ilene Landruss, Robin Green, and Mitchell Burgess, producer Henry Bronchtein, and episode director Allen Coulter. Jeffrey Goldberg, who writes the wonderful “Mob Experts” roundup in Slate every Monday, was the moderator; Vincent Curatola, who plays Johnny Sack, was unfortunately unable to make the event due to a medical emergency.
Among things I learned: at least a couple of the producers share my pet peeve about fans only caring about who gets whacked to the point of ignoring the rest of the show. They bemoaned some fans bitching about too much violence while others claim not enough. Also, 'Sopranos' has never used actual mobsters as “technical advisers,” which isn’t to say they haven’t been approached by such figures.
Some fascinating insights were shared about the writing and storyboarding process, such as the way the entire arc of each character is mapped out at the beginning of the season. I also asked Green to confirm Daniel Geffen’s theory about Little Carmine being a George W. Bush stand-in. She said that while the theory made sense she hadn’t heard it before, although Green stressed that that particular episode was penned by another writer.
Interestingly, the Gay Vito thing did not come up in conversation, although an HBO publicist (while trying to fend off a pushy reporter asking about Dominic Chianese’s alleged ties to political extremist Lenora Fulani) said that Vito’s story is not one that will resurface in any major way this year.
And finally, Green confirmed that the writing of the sixth and final season will begin in January of 2005, with the new episodes debuting in (yikes) January of 2006. So enjoy the last three episodes of this year; you won’t be getting any more new ‘Sopranos’ for awhile.
Posted by Stephen Silver at May 11, 2004 01:26 AMCan I ask the stupid questions? What the fuck does David Chase do that it takes 2 years to get 13 episodes?!! That is the stupidest thing I ever heard!
It's not done in ahem.. Aramaic.
There are no elaborate sets.
David Chase doesn't do anything else last I checked.
Way to feel your litle series is more than it is. He ought to actually do a show instead of patting himself on the back incessantly. It would leave his hands free. Sorry for the rant - I just don't get it. 2 years? For what??!!
Posted by: Ari at May 11, 2004 12:41 PMI heard that Sid Rosenberg of WFAN's Imus in the Morning gave away a future plot twist in which someone dies. Is that true, and if so, what did he say is going to happen?
Posted by: Thomas at May 12, 2004 01:16 AM