About
"'You grow up and go to automotive high school. You graduate from that. You get into NYU which is unbelievable; you're the first person in your family to really go to college. You graduate from NYU. You get into law school. You're on partnership track in a major Manhattan law firm. You're going to quit that. You're going to move to Los Angeles, where you've never been, and you're gonna start writing scripts, which you've never written. That's your plan?' And I said, 'Yeah. And I know I'm right. I know this is my destiny.'"
In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Terence Winter describes his upbringing in Brooklyn, NY. He talks of attending a vocational high school (to learn auto mechanics), tells of his acceptance to NYU and to law school, and shares how he became a successful, unhappy lawyer. Winter then explains how he decided to leave New York for Los Angeles to follow his dream of becoming a sitcom writer. He recounts how he got his first agent, how he almost got hired on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and how he got a job writing for Sister, Sister. He describes the life-changing moment of getting hired as a writer on The Sopranos, speaks of working with David Chase and Matthew Weiner, and describes memorable episodes of the show, including the series finale. He talks of his development deal with HBO, which led to the creation of his own series, Boardwalk Empire. He details the characters, staff (including director Martin Scorsese), production, and storylines on the show and offers teasers for season four of the program. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 18, 2013 in Brooklyn, NY.
Highlights
Terence Winter on teasers for season four of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on wanting to become a sitcom writer and moving to LA
Terence Winter on directing and writing The Sopranos episode - "Walk Like a Man"
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Tony Soprano"
Terence Winter on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot of Boardwalk Empire
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his father's death; on discovering crime and attending a vocational high school
On considering a career in the deli business; on learning he had a talent for writing and getting accepted to NYU; on working at night and being a full-time student during the day
On entering law school, knowing it wasn't for him, yet still graduating; on working for Merrill Lynch while in law school (during the late 1980s); on passing the New York Bar Exam, getting a job as an attorney, and being miserable
On beginning to learn about television and film writing; on wanting to become a sitcom writer and becoming a stand-up comic; on his mother's death and moving to Los Angeles; on writing spec scripts
Chapter 2
On writing a spec script for Doogie Howser M.D. and not getting hired; on writing additional specs and getting a day job as a paralegal
On getting an agent (at least on paper); on almost getting hired as a writer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
On getting accepted to the Warner Bros. sitcom writers' workshop; on getting hired as a staff writer on the drama The Great Defender
On writing for The Cosby Mysteries; on writing for Xena:Warrior Princess and The New Adventures of Flipper
On writing for Sister, Sister; on almost investing in AOL and instead losing his nest egg; on interviewing for The Parent 'Hood, not getting a job, and falling into depression for a year
On writing for Diresta and The PJs
On getting hired to write for season two of The Sopranos; on the buzz surrounding the series, David Chase as a mentor, and writing comedy and drama into the scripts
Chapter 3
On the success of The Sopranos; on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room on the show; on Steve Buscemi's work on The Sopranos
On writing the characters and relationships on The Sopranos
On story ideas on The Sopranos taken from his real life; on appearing on camera
On memorable episodes of the show; on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
On working with David Chase, creator of The Sopranos
Chapter 4
On working with the other writers on The Sopranos; on planning the end of The Sopranos; on the series finale
On his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire; on the budget for and development of the characters for the pilot of Boardwalk Empire; on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot
On casting and plotting out Boardwalk Empire
On the characters on Boardwalk Empire
Chapter 5
On the characters on Boardwalk Empire contd.; on a typical production week and working with HBO
On the opening sequence and music of the show; on his favorite episodes of Boardwalk Empire; on teasers for season four
On then-current projects aside from Boardwalk Empire; on career highlights and regrets and where he sees himself in ten years; on advice to an aspiring writer
Shows
Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on his research for creating Boardwalk Empire, writing the pilot, and Martin Scorsese wanting to direct it
Terence Winter on the budget for and development of the characters for the pilot of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on hiring a writing staff and gearing up for production on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on casting Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on plotting out Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson"
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Jimmy Darmody," his incest storyline with his mother "Gillian Darmody," and "Jimmy's" death
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Gyp Rosetti"
Terence Winter on coming up with ways to kill characters on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Margaret Schroeder"
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Agent Nelson Van Alden"
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Chalky White" and his relationship with "Nucky Thompson"
Terence Winter on the storylines on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on a typical production schedule on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on his working relationship with HBO (while doing Boardwalk Empire)
Terence Winter on the opening sequence of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the music on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Eddie Cantor"
Terence Winter on his favorite episodes of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the press and reaction to Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the fan base of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on how many seasons he sees for Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on teasers for season four of Boardwalk Empire
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Terence Winter on writing a Doogie Howser, M.D. spec script and expecting to get hired as a writer on the show
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The
Terence Winter on almost getting hired as a writer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Mad Men
Terence Winter on reading Matthew Weiner's pilot for Mad Men when Weiner interviewed for The Sopranos
Sister, Sister
Terence Winter on writing for Sister, Sister and being a co-producer for one season
Sopranos, The
Terence Winter on getting hired to write for season two of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on moving back to New York to write for The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the early writing staff of The Sopranos on season two and the buzz surrounding the show
Terence Winter on The Sopranos' David Chase as a mentor and writing comedy and drama into the scripts
Terence Winter on the success of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room
Terence Winter on the relationship between "Christopher" and "Paulie" in the "Pine Barrens" episode of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on Steve Buscemi's work on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Tony Soprano"
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Dr. Melfi"
Terence Winter on writing the relationship between "Tony Soprano" and "Dr. Melfi" on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the relationship between "Tony Soprano" and "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the children on The Sopranos and writing the parent-child relationships on the show
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Junior Soprano"
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Livia Soprano"
Terence Winter on his favorite characters to write for on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on story ideas on The Sopranos taken from his real life
Terence Winter on appearing on camera on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Long Term Parking" in which (SPOILER) "Adriana" gets killed
Terence Winter on The Sopranos getting darker as the seasons progressed
Terence Winter on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Members Only" in which (SPOILER) "Junior" shoots "Tony"
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Live Free or Die"
Terence Winter on directing and writing The Sopranos episode - "Walk Like a Man"
Terence Winter on working with David Chase, creator of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on working with the other writers on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on planning the final season of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the legacy of The Sopranos and his biggest takeaway from the show
Sopranos, The: "Made in America"
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Sopranos, The: "Members Only"
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Members Only" in which (SPOILER) "Junior" shoots "Tony"
Sopranos, The: "Pine Barrens"
Terence Winter on the relationship between "Christopher" and "Paulie" in the "Pine Barrens" episode of The Sopranos
Xena: Warrior Princess
Terence Winter on writing three episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess
Topics
9/11
Terence Winter on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
Characters & Catchphrases
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Tony Soprano"
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson"
Classic TV Series Episodes
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Terence Winter on The Sopranos' David Chase as a mentor and writing comedy and drama into the scripts
Drama
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Fame and Celebrity
Terence Winter on the buzz surrounding The Sopranos
Historic Events and Social Change
Terence Winter on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
Interactive Technology
Terence Winter on how digital technology has affected his work
Memorable Moments on Television
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Pivotal Career Moments
Terence Winter on The Sopranos' David Chase as a mentor and writing comedy and drama into the scripts
Pop Culture
Terence Winter on writing characters for The Sopranos - "Tony Soprano"
Terence Winter on the series finale of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson"
Terence Winter on the opening sequence of Boardwalk Empire
Technological Innovation
Terence Winter on how digital technology has affected his work
Television Industry
Terence Winter on the buzz surrounding The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the power of television
TV Theme Songs
Terence Winter on the opening sequence of Boardwalk Empire
Professions
Show Creators
Terence Winter on his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire
Writers
Terence Winter on wanting to become a sitcom writer
Terence Winter on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room on the show
Terence Winter on directing and writing The Sopranos episode - "Walk Like a Man"
Terence Winter on working with the other writers on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on advice to an aspiring writer
Genres
Comedy Series
Terence Winter on writing for Sister, Sister and being a co-producer for one season
Drama Series
Terence Winter on getting hired to write for season two of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the early writing staff of The Sopranos on season two, the buzz surrounding the show, and working with David Chase
Terence Winter on the success of The Sopranos; on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room on the show; on Steve Buscemi's work on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on writing the characters and relationships on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of the show; on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on working with David Chase, creator of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on working with the other writers on The Sopranos; on planning the end of The Sopranos; on the series finale
Terence Winter on his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire; on the budget for and development of the characters for the pilot of Boardwalk Empire; on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot
Terence Winter on casting and plotting out Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire contd.; on a typical production week and working with HBO
Terence Winter on the opening sequence and music of the show; on his favorite episodes of Boardwalk Empire; on teasers for season four
People
Steve Buscemi
Terence Winter on Steve Buscemi's work on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on casting Boardwalk Empire - Steve Buscemi as "Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson"
Eddie Cantor
Terence Winter on the characters on Boardwalk Empire - "Eddie Cantor" (played by Stephen DeRosa)
David Chase
Terence Winter on getting hired to write for season two of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on The Sopranos' David Chase as a mentor and writing comedy and drama into the scripts
Terence Winter on rules for writing The Sopranos and the writers' room
Terence Winter on writing the relationship between "Tony Soprano" and "Dr. Melfi" on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on the impact of 9/11 on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Members Only" in which (SPOILER) "Junior" shoots "Tony"
Terence Winter on working with David Chase, creator of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on working with the other writers on The Sopranos
Terence Winter on planning the end of The Sopranos
Bill Cosby
Terence Winter on writing for The Cosby Mysteries
James Gandolfini
Terence Winter on the casting of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Members Only" in which (SPOILER) "Junior" shoots "Tony"
Robert Iler
Terence Winter on the children on The Sopranos
Samuel Goldwyn, Jr.
Terence Winter on Samuel Goldwyn, Jr. producing The New Adventures of Flipper
Martin Scorsese
Terence Winter on his development deal with HBO that led to the creation of Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on his research for creating Boardwalk Empire, writing the pilot, and Martin Scorsese wanting to direct it
Terence Winter on Martin Scorsese directing the pilot of Boardwalk Empire
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Terence Winter on the children on The Sopranos
Timothy Van Patten
Terence Winter on Timothy Van Patten's dream inspiring an episode of The Sopranos
Terence Winter on memorable episodes of The Sopranos - "Members Only" in which (SPOILER) "Junior" shoots "Tony"
Terence Winter on hiring a writing staff and gearing up for production on Boardwalk Empire
Terence Winter on Tim Van Patten's role on Boardwalk Empire
Mark Wahlberg
Terence Winter on Mark Wahlberg as a producer on Boardwalk Empire
Matthew Weiner
Terence Winter on Matthew Weiner writing for The Sopranos