Latinos in the Writers Room: Q&A with Rob Sudduth of FOX’s ‘Red Band Society’ | National Hispanic Media Coalition
Rob Sudduth, a 2008 graduate of the NHMC Television Writers Program, is Executive Story Editor on FOX’s upcoming comedy-drama series Red Band Society.
Born and raised in Texas, Rob says he’s always carried along his small town roots wherever his journey has taken him. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, he spent several years acting in New York. He then went to Los Angeles, and did some commercials — but after being accepted into the NHMC TV Writers Program, he officially abandoned his headshot for his laptop. His first feature, Going to Gunn, won Best Comedy in the Page International Screenwriting Awards, and he has since written for GCB, The New Normal, The Crazy Ones, and currently Red Band Society.
Rob took some time to speak with NHMC about his journey as a writer, how the NHMC TV Writers Program helped his career, and to send a message to aspiring Latino television writers.
NHMC: What’s it like in the writers room?
RS: It’s a mixture of chaos and collaboration. There is constant pitching and shaping of story ideas, character arcs, themes. Your job as a writer is to jump in that hamster wheel, pitch when you can, listen even more and make sure you’re always driving the room forward. Most people are shocked to find out how such little writing actually happens inside the room.
NHMC: What is your favorite thing about working in the writers room?
RS: Dirty jokes and cupcakes from visitors.
NHMC: How did the NHMC TV Writers Program help you?
RS: In that it was a “mock” writer’s room, we had to pitch, write and table read our episodes, so it was a good first step in preparing for the real thing.
NHMC: What message or advice do you have for aspiring Latino TV writers?
RS: Hone your voice. Forget about convention. Don’t let someone talk you out of an idea because it’s “too out there.” Safe scripts suck and they will not get you noticed. Also, network. Friends get friends jobs.
NHMC: Why do you think it’s important for more Latinos to be in the writers room?
RS: I see it more as an individual thing. Being Latino means something different to everyone. To me it’s the loud family I love, the religion I shunned, enchiladas for Christmas, my grandpa feeding cows. All of these parts of me that define my experience of being a Latino — I bring to the room and (hopefully) bring to stories and characters. My hope is that more Latinos are given the opportunities to do the same.
Red Band Society premieres Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 9/8 central on FOX.
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