Case studies
Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson)
back on the job in The X-Files: I Want to Believe
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Frank Spotnitz
Wants to Believe
In 1997 Spotnitz received an Emmy
®
began film school, I joined a book group in
nomination (with Chris Carter, Vince LA and in that book group was Chris Carter.
Gilligan, and John Shiban) for The X-Files This was years before The X-Files, when he
episode Memento Mori. Other honours for was writing TV movies for Disney. So we
his work on the series include Golden were in this book group together for two
Globe
®
wins for Best Dramatic Series, and half years, then I went to film school
a Peabody Award, and three Emmy
®
- and I didn’t speak to or see him. Then The
nominations for Outstanding Drama Series. X-Files came on air, and I started watching,
Spotnitz also wrote and produced because I knew the name and thought the
The X-Files spin-off series The Lone Gunmen show was great. It never occurred to me to
along with Chris Carter’s other TV series, write for it because I was going to write
Millennium and Harsh Realm. In 2005 he movies: I had no interest in television.
had the unenviable task of reviving Towards the end of the first season a friend
(unsuccessfully) the 1970s cult classic Night of mine, who wanted to write for television,
Stalker, which was one of the inspirations said, “You know this guy Chris Carter,
behind The X-Files. would you call him for me and see if he’ll
Frank Spotnitz is as integral a part of
Spotnitz here talks about The X-Files, the hear some story ideas?” I felt very awkward
The X-Files as creator Chris Carter forthcoming movie The X-Files: I Want doing it, but I said OK. I called Chris and
and Mulder and Scully are.
to Believe, and his fear of being blamed he said, “No, I won’t hear your friend’s
for 9/11. ideas but if you have anything I’ll hear
He executive produced and wrote 48
what you have.” So I thought, ‘What do I
episodes of the television series,
How did you first get involved with have to lose?’ I came up with three ideas
and co-wrote both of the movies— The X-Files? and pitched them and he shot them all
The X-Files: Fight the Future
Well, by accident. My first career was as a down. He didn’t buy one of them and I
reporter. I was a wire service reporter and thought that was a big waste of time. Then
in 1998 and the forthcoming
I worked in New York and Paris, and I a few weeks later he called me and said,
The X-Files: I Want to Believe.
decided I didn’t want to be a reporter “You know, I didn’t buy any of your ideas,
anymore, so I moved back to LA to change but they were all good and this is what’s
By Chris Patmore
careers and study screenwriting. Before I good about each one of them. I’ve just lost
46 By Filmmakers. For Filmmakers.
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