My Career Serial Dramas | Jane Espenson | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Writer Jane Espenson discusses her background in linguistics and cognitive science, how it influenced her writing style and love for metaphors. She also talks about her experiences working on shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Battlestar Galactica," and "Game of Thrones," and her current project, "Husbands."

Transcript

Female Presenter: Join me in welcoming to Google, Jane Espenson. [applause] >> Jane Espenson: Thank you. This is fun. I like being here at Google. >> Female Presenter: OK, I'm gonna take you back. Back. [laughter] >> Jane Espenson: Doodoodoodoo. It's all blurry. >> Female Presenter: Pre 1992. >> Jane Espenson: Oh no, OK. >> Female Presenter: So ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Espenson's academic background in linguistics and cognitive science influenced her writing style and love for metaphor.
• 🌍 The use of metaphor in writing allows for more honest discussions about real-world issues, as demonstrated in shows like "Battlestar Galactica" and "Dinosaurs."
• ❓ Avoiding a moral cheat sheet in storytelling creates more engaging and participatory experiences for the audience.
• 📺 Writing for TV offers more control and decision-making power compared to movies, and the TV schedule encourages constant content creation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did your past in linguistics and cognitive science inform your work as a writer?

Espenson explains that her academic background allowed her to understand how people understand and filter information, which influenced her writing style and love for metaphor.

Q: Can you discuss the concept of the moral cheat sheet and its importance in storytelling?

Espenson explains that avoiding a moral cheat sheet allows for more nuanced storytelling, where characters can make both right and wrong decisions. It also encourages viewers to actively engage and think about the choices being made.

Q: Why do you prefer writing for TV over movies?

Espenson explains that in TV, writers have more control and decision-making power compared to movies, where directors often take the lead. She also highlights the importance of the TV schedule, which keeps writers constantly creating content.

Q: What is your favorite show that you didn't write and wish to partake in writing?

Espenson mentions shows like "MASH," "The Wire," and "Community" as some of her favorites that she would love to have written for, each offering different opportunities for her style of writing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jane Espenson discusses her academic background in linguistics and cognitive science, and how it influenced her writing style.

• She explains the importance of metaphor in her writing, allowing her to speak honestly about real-world events through the lens of science fiction and fantasy.

• Espenson talks about the significance of having no moral cheat sheet in storytelling, using examples from "Battlestar Galactica" and "Dinosaurs" to highlight the power of metaphor and its ability to address complex issues.