Outlander producer and writer Matt Roberts must have had a few down minutes today, and we always enjoy when he uses those precious seconds to answer fan questions on Twitter! But apparently I should be paying attention to Instagram too? Here’s the Q&A:
Q How long has it been since you’ve read the whole series?
A I read the books as they were published.
Q Are you going to South Africa?
A Yes, I’ll be in South Africa the whole time…
Q I love your photography. Will you ever publish a book with your photographs?
A One day I’ll do a book or exhibit of photographs but right now I’m just too busy with Outlander.
Q Hi Matt, it’s my birthday today and it would be a real gift if you could share your favorite quote from Voyager.
A “Is that you, Geordie?”
Q Is it difficult when you have to change the storyline a little for TV? Besides people complaining lol
A It’s a challenge to fit all the juicy parts of the books into 59 minutes. And as you know there’s a lot of juice in these books.
Q Did you have to work the entire holiday?
A Most of it. My guess is you want to see Outlander S3.
Q Whoa! I’ve never been on here when one of these starts. Where to begin? My mind is blank!
A What a time to have writer’s block! Arrgh!
Q What do you do when you have writer’s block? Or do you get writer’s block?
A reading and research is the best cure for writer’s block (for me).
Q Somewhere you and your camera want to go that you haven’t been before?
A Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, Norway… and the list goes on.
Q How many months in advance does a location need to be chosen at the latest to start prep on time?
A It depends on how complicated the scene is but at least 6 weeks, some even more.
Q Which is the most beautiful scene from Outlander to you?
A From S1 I really thought Rent was beautiful – showcased the Scottish Highlands in all their glory.
Q New York City premiere this year, please say yes?
A I don’t know anything about premiere dates – honestly. Starz handles all that.
Q I think she means do you have plans to be there! It would be nice if you were!
A Since I have no idea when it will be I canna say if I’ll be there. Sorry.
Q I predict that you will use major events from DoA in Season 3.Perhaps even in the Season 3 finale!
A Since you’re predicting things – who will win the Superbowl?
Q Which S3 episode is your favorite so far?
A We have some amazing eps “in the can – finished” (and more to come) – I truly can’t wait for you to see them.
Q So excited that you and Toni are doing a finale again. Will I be jumping for joy or crying?
A Hard to say how you’ll react but you might weep laugh sigh, cheer, weep some more, smile,scream,weep. Oh yeah, and weep.
Q Does S3 end the same way Voyager does, or will you bring in a little DoA? S2 had a little Voyager leadin…
A Here’s what we are going to do… We are going to end season 3 with a super exciting and spine-tingling… never before
Q Which activity is the most challenging, writing, searching locations, directing? Which do you prefer?
A I enjoy all aspects of filmmaking… but I’m always a writer first.
Q Do you need to have a special “setup” for writing or can you work everywhere?
A I (mostly) write from home – from an easy chair. I don’t have a desk even in my office at work.
Q Since you are a long time reader of Outlander, do you still come across a gem when you are reading that you hadn’t noticed before?
A Of course, the books are so rich with details it’s hard not to find something new each time.
Q While reading for prepping, do you take notes or mark scenes, passages, or lines that you want to see in the season?
A Absolutely… I use postits to mark all my favorite lines and scenes. I don’t like to dogear or highlight.
Q (question unavailable)
A I get goosebumps with almost every scene- but that’s usually because I’m freezing.
Q Have you read all the books?
A I have read all the books.
Q What’s your fav book from Outlander?
A That’s tough. I like Voyager but Outlander is great too then there’s Drums and Dragonfly. But then again FC and Bones
Q Just finished book 8 of Outlander, any books you can recommend?
A Start over with Outlander and read through again… you will find something new I assure you.
Q When and how did you first get into photography?
A Father gave me my first camera when I was five years old. Been a hobby every since.
Q Why not a career?
A Are you suggesting I quit my day job and go into photography?
Q What are your New Year’s resolutions?
A I’m thinking seriously about drinking more whisky…
Q What is your favorite color of script paper?
A That is the strangest writing question I’ve ever had… I guess – Goldenrod.
Q LOL, does that represent fewer draft edits?
A Oh I thought you meant what color was the most pleasing to the eye…
Q I thought they used a different color for each iteration of the episode.
A The colors signify a different draft (blue draft, green draft etc) so you know if you’re holding the right script.
Q Either way – interesting info that I never even knew! I thought it was all on white paper.
A Every studio has their own script color progression – but they are all pretty close.
Q (in response to Matt’s “how about a short Q&A”, well into the event) when?
A Now…. where have you been?
Q Just love all the opening credits to each episode .. do you create all those, and what’s been your favorite so far?
A I help create them, yes. And I shoot all of them. Some of S3’s title cards are verra cool. Excited about them.
Q Always curious how you choose the questions?
A Most questions involve too many spoilers or I don’t have enough room here on twitter to answer thoroughly. On Instagram I try to answer your questions more thoroughly.
Q What is one thing you have taken away from writing Outlander?
A carpal tunnel.
A Bad joke folks – because the books are so long… didn’t mean to make light of anyone’s affliction.
Q What’s your fav thing to do when you’re on break – travel, read, sleep in?
A Since my last real break was two years ago … I tend to sleep when I have a day off.
Q I know probably too many spoilers…but how would you describe the print shop scene in one word? Please!!! We’re dying here!!!
A Is “alepot” one word or two?
Q I absolutely love you! You and Maril Davis have a tight race with Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe for my OL favorites!
A Good company, but how do I take the lead?
Q What is your fav snack food while writing?
A I drink chai when I write.
Q How many episodes did/are you writing for S3?
A I wrote 2 episodes and co-writing a third for S3.
Q What do you want to be when you grow up?
A An explorer.
Q If you’ve had time to read something other than Diana’s books, have a fave from this year?
A Read Jodi Picoult’s “Small Great Things” – amazing!
A (from Jodi Picoult) *blushes*
Q Where are you from?
A I’m a native Californian.
Follow me on Twitter: @OutlanderTIBS, @ErinConrad2 and @threeifbyspace
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