Today Matt Roberts (writer/producer) gave Outlander fans another chance to ask him a question on Twitter. Here is a transcript of what happened on Twitter today. As always, usernames are not included and not all questions are included. Take a look at Matt’s Twitter account for all the details.
Q: Can you tell us who has written which episode? Which are yours so far?
A: All the writers have written two scripts each. Ron wrote episodes one and two I wrote episodes 4 and 9 so far.
Q: What do you do when you are on set (in a nutshell)?
A: The writers/producers try to maintain the continuity of the stories.
Q: Matt who is back in Scotland this week, and what will they be doing?
A: Production is in full swing. We prep for a month before any shooting starts.
Q: What’s a day in your life like on set from am to pm?
A: The days usually start very early at sunrise and if we are on location we shoot until the very last second of light.
Q: When does filming get going again?
A: Next month.
Q: How long have you been writing scripts and was it something you set out to do?
A: The writers room started last March but we did not start writing the scripts until June.
Q: If your skipping episodes as you write, then there must be an overall outline of the way the episodes will unfold?
A: Yes, we break out the entire season’s first with what we think will happen. Then each episode is broken even further.
Q: Have you ever worked on a project with such a large fan base and had so much interaction with them?
A: No. Normally we have fans AFTER the show has aired so yes this is very new to me and the other writers. I knew there was a passionate fan base but I was surprised just how passionate you all could be. in a good way
Q: How far ahead of production is writing? I assume they have to know what to prep, so writers must be up to which ep?
A: We try to have scripts ready for production at least three months ahead of shooting. If we can 🙂
Q: What top 3 things went through your mind while sitting In the audience 2 Saturdays ago in LA?
A: This must be the right place – Are you sure you want me to sign that? – and WOW
Q: You have to be there in case of changes of the script?
A: That’s one of our duties on set
Q: Which character is the most fun to write for? Are they a good character or bad one?
A: Villains are definitely fun to write. I think Diana might agree with me there.
Q: Will there be a “making of” feature for Outlander?
A: I’m not sure but there definitely filming a lot of behind-the-scenes action.
Q: What will surprise us the most in the first season?
A: If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it? we definitely have some surprises though.
Q: Switching the seasons in the book to coincide with the weather you have, has it caused any difficulty in writing the scripts?
A: Not really difficulties. We just have to make everything tied together. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of it so far.
Q: How often do you have to adjust the scripts on-the-fly?
A: We make minor adjustments to the scripts all the way through shooting to adjust to locations and anything else that may come up.
Q: Will you at any point look towards DIA/Season 2 if you write so far ahead of filming, or will that be based solely off Season 1?
A: All the writers have read dragonfly and we are definitely looking forward <with hope> as I’m sure all of you are.
Q: Any chance of an updated picture of the writer’s room, have you gotten more decor for inspiration?
A: Sadly the writers’ room looks exactly the same as it did in that first picture.
Q: Do you consult Diana often? Or not too much you were writing the script?
A: We do talk to Herself. When in doubt, go to the source!!!!!
Q: Has the spanking scene been written? If so, who wrote it?
A: I was the lucky writer who adapted it.
Q: Which writer is the lucky one who wrote Diana’s cameo scene?
A: I was also lucky enough to write her cameo as well.
