THE AFFAIR, IN TREATMENT and HOUSE OF CARDS writer Sarah Treem shares her insight on two of the most talked about shows on TV. From tackling sex, politics and class, to creating a balance of characters and well-paced storyline, Treem opens up with candor about what she feels are the successful aspects of her work–as well as some of the things she regrets having left onscreen. Influences, a background in the theater, and the fallacy of looking for fulfillment in the wrong places is discussed in this uncensored Media Mayhem with Allison Hope Weiner.
GUEST BIO:
She was a writer on HBO series, In Treatment from 2008-2010, based on the Israeli series Be ‘Tipul by Hagai Levi and Ori Sivan and Nir Bergman. She then wrote for House of Cards and is an executive producer and show runner and co-creator with Levi of “The Affair.” She has written the following plays: A Feminine Ending and The How and the Why, in addition to When We Were Young and Unafraid.
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EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:01 Welcome to Media Mayhem.
00:15 Introducing Sarah Treem, writer-producer of The Affair.
01:00 Sarah Treem’s inspiration for the show.
03:00 Morally ambiguous characters and a new perspective on affairs.
05:30 Looking at marriage through the lens of an affair.
08:45 Using cliches to the advantage of the show.
10:45 Creating a unique balance between crime show and drama.
13:00 Uncommon character traits and perspectives.
16:30 What role do the in-laws play in revealing character traits?
18:00 What does class have to do with the story?
19:40 How does nudity and sex play a role in advancing the show?
27:40 The pacing of character-based shows.
32:20 Is lack of morality important to the characters’ portrayal?
35:50 Treem’s favorite current shows and sources of influence.
42:00 The fallacy of believing you can find everything you need in one person.
44:20 Treem’s history as a playwright and criticism from the New York Times.
47:50 Different experiences in the television industry based on gender.
54:45 How is the American House of Cards different than the British series?
56:05 Thank you and goodbye.