Father of Anarchy

Kurt Sutter is the writer and creator for "Sons of Anarchy," a show revolving around an outlaw biker family and set in San Joaquin County. (Courtesy photo)

Father of Anarchy

Motorcylce show creator Kurt Sutter uses Lodi area as inspiration

By Marc Lutz
News-Sentinel Business Editor

Saturday, October 11, 2008 6:39 AM PDT

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Kurt Sutter has been writing for TV since 2001 when he landed a job writing for cable netork FX's "The Shield." During those days, he talked with Art and John Linson about doing a project about motorcycles and bikers, a sub-culture Sutter has been fascinated with for years.

After spending some time in and around the biker world, Sutter came up with the ideas for "Sons of Anarchy," a show revolving around an outlaw biker family and set in San Joaquin County.

Most of the setting was inspired by Sutter's trips to Oakland and the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. During a busy day of meetings, interviews and having to go on set, Sutter took a few minutes to talk with Business Editor Marc Lutz via phone about the show, the writing process and his interest in the biker community.

Q: How did you pick San Joaquin County, Lodi and Stockton as settings?

A: I was sort of influenced by a lot of the larger motorcycle clubs beginning in Northern Cali. When these (the Sons of Anarchy) became a club, they didn't have a city. They called themselves the Redwood Charter. I wanted it to be in close enough promixity to the bigger cities like Oakland and San Francisco.

I got lost when I did some research up in that part of the state. In my mind Charming is this fictious community somewhere between Lodi and Stockton. We had that success on "The Shield." We'd always reference real parts of Los Angeles.

Q: Have you ever been to this area?

A: I have. I sort of knew that I wanted to land Charming in that part of the world. I obviously knew that we'd be filming parts of Southern California for Northern California. When I'd go to Oakland, I'd take my own car, and when I'd come home, I'd drive the long way and go therough that area.

Q: What was your inspiration for Charming?

A: I always knew I wanted it to be a small town. This was essentially Mayberry. It was being protected and sheltered by this motorcycle club and this family.

Q: Would you consider coming to the area, researching to get a more authentic feel?

A: We found an area here ... about a half hour from here ... we really shoot those exteriors as Charming. It's one of these communities that was never really settled the way other Southern California towns were settled. It's got that (Central) valley and foothill vibe to it.

I have an idea for something that could be a webisode or additional DVD thing where we shoot the club thing, and get some footage of the San Joaquin area. There's a possibility that we might try to do that next season, if there is a next season.

Q: Do you ride (if so, what?)?

A: I do. When I was younger, I grew up in Jersey. I came across the country on a motorcycle. I have three kids now, and my wife (actress Katey Sagal of "Married with Children" and "Eight Simple Rules" fame) isn't thrilled with the idea of me being on two wheels. It's an interesting life, and I've always been fascinated by that sub-culture.

Q: What kind of feedback have you gotten directly from the biker community?

A: It's been interesting. I have a couple technical advisors that are outlaw bikers. They've been very supportive to keep it authentic. The very nature of trying to capture this lifestyle and put it on TV is antithetical to the very nature of the outlaw. For the most part they get what we're doing. But for the most part they're excited. Trying to give these guys ... faces, I think they've generally appreciated that.

Q: Why are people drawn to bikers and stories about them?

A: I think people are fascinated by outlaws. It's why people are fascinated by the mobster culture. Motorcycles are sexy. People are fascinated by the machines themselves. There's that sense of freedom, of non-conformists. There's all the characteristics that people wish they had. Everybody loves to break the rules and we're drawn to characters that do that.

Q: How long does it take to write a typical episode of "Sons"?

A: We break the story in the room as a team. One writer goes off and does a draft, then I take it from the writer and do a few more drafts, then turn it in. It's about two weeks from conception to final draft.

Q: What was the first thing you wrote for TV?

A: The first thing I ever had produced was "The Shield." That was my first job.

Q: Has the writing process gotten easier or harder for you?

A: It's definitely gotten easier. Once you get into the rhythm of a show, by the third or fourth episode, you've been through the process to know it all gets done. It just gets easier with experience.

Kurt Sutter at a glance
Born: New Jersey
Resides: Southern California
Spouse: Katey Sagal since Oct. 2, 2004
Children: Step-children, Sarah and Jackson and daughter Esmé (with Sagal)
— Sources: FX, IMDB.com

Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing for the entertainment industry?

A: I think, for TV, it's when we get reviewed and people compare us to shows on HBO. It's apples and oranges. On paid cable, there are no advertisers. So you don't have to answer to any of them, so you really have the freedom to do what you want in terms of story.

I'm very aware that TV was created to sale stuff. At the end of the day I need advertisers to keep my show on the air, and (to know) people are comfortable with what's on the screen.

Q: Does being a producer give you more creative control over your projects?

A: Yeah. It's not so much more control as it is management. It helps me manage actors and directors and production elements like set design and props and all that. I feel like everything will be on point. It's just part of the job of running a show. I can't be in five places at once. My day is usually consumed by meetings. Then I'm in post, editing the show. Then, much to the chagrine of my family, I spend my nights writing.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for "Sons of Anarchy"?

A: It began as a collabrative effort. I was always sort of fascinated with bikers. I had a meeting a couple of years ago with my other producers, Art and John Linson. I had been attached to a feature earlier that was a motorcycle project. I didn't have a property or life rights to a book, but John was plugged into (the biker) world. So I jumped into it, spent a lot of time with these guys. Then I ultimately got the idea for the pilot and the show.

Q: Is the show as it is now significantly different than what you originally envisioned?

A: I would say it's pretty much there. Obviously things go through revisions and drafts and things changed based on financing and actors, but I feel like my vision for this first season has been where I've wanted to land. And, where things have changed, have changed for the better.

Q: Besides "Sons of Anarchy," what's your favorite thing on TV right now?

A: This is going to sound lame but my favorite channel other than FX is HGTV. I like to watch people with real jobs doing stuff, like "This Old House." I'm a fan of "Mad Men." I've just started watching "True Blood" and am enjoying it. There's really nothing on network TV. I think that's because Network TV is taking a hit after the writer's strike.

Q: What's your favorite movie?

A: I have lots of favorite movies, liking them for all different reasons. But (there are) five I watch once a year. Two are the "Godfathers," one and two, "Pope of Greenwich Village," "The Verdict" and "Cool Hand Luke." I'd put "The Verdict" at the top of that list. It's just great storytelling. Newman is ... heartbreaking in that role.

Q: How about books? What's your favorite?

A: I'm not an avid reader. I try to be, and I'm really bad. Mostly what I enjoy reading is biographies. I enjoy non-fiction. I'm in the middle of "Tom," Tennessee Williams biography. It will take me six months to read that book. Every time I pick up a piece of fiction, my mind wanders. Thirty pages have gone by, I'll start getting ideas, and I'll no idea what I've read.

Q: Do you have any advice for people wanting to break into writing for the entertainment industry?

A: I learned this early on. Writer's write. Meaning everybody in this town (Hollywood) has a screenplay in their backseat, but that doesn't make you a writer. Writer's write every day. That became a big part of what I did. Five pages at a time.

That's pretty much the adivce I give. It's a page at a time. You get a couple of spec scripts together and something to show people. It was my way in, and I don't know another way in.

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.

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