Winter: I was always interested in the 1920’s and the gangster world, in general.
So, I said, I assure you that I will find a series here.
There were a couple of years, in particular, that were very interesting.
At its center was this incredible lead character, Nucky Johnson, upon whose Steves character is based on.
Its fictionalized as Nucky Thompson.
This was a guy who was just incredibly conflicted, as equal parts politician and gangster.
It was just this incredible pallet from which to draw stories and characters.
It was just irresistible.
Scorsese: I think its the charting of this world and the underworld, as withMean Streets,GoodFellasandCasino.
The major urban areas had a lot of gang activity.
Also, there is Americas love affair with the gangster as a tragic hero.
Its about how it resonates today, not only in America, but around the world.
Alcohol decimated the working class and so many people.
Its also about how those characters or people like that interacted with the world, at that time.
Is this a series that can go on for several seasons?
Winter: I was hoping decades.
The 20s itself is just a backdrop.
Its an epic novel.
God willing, well have the opportunity to do that.
This book is extremely dense and extremely specific.
How did you go through and pick out these little elements and moments that you want to bring out?
Winter: The book is very dense, and its almost a history book.
We took a small slice of it.
It literally spans a hundred years.
So, in that sense, it was narrowed down considerably.
Obviously, what makes the series unique is that we have fictional characters that interact with historical figures.
We really take a stab at stay faithful to the history and depict events when they actually happened.
They were more political.
His white collar corruption slowly gave way to actual, hands-on violence that ensued with Prohibition.
It was almost impossible not to be involved in illegal rum-running during Prohibition.
What strikes me are the similarities more than the differences.
Its the same thing through time, up to the present day.
A lot of the parallels that exist between 1920 and today are evident.
I shot it quickly, and it was an energizing experience.
I had a great time with the actors.
I just visualized it the way I normally would with a feature film.
So, this is something that I felt very comfortable with.
How did you know Steve Buscemi could pull off this role?
Scorsese: Ive been watching Steves work sinceParting Glances,back in the 80s.
We got to work together briefly inNew York Stories, and I always wanted to work with Steve again.
I love the range he has and his dramatic sense, but also his sense of humor.
Hes a pragmatist, too.
If the series continues, do you plan on directing more episodes?
Scorsese: I would like to, yes.
Its about scheduling issues, but I would like to very much.
Terence, how much of this is historical, and how much is fiction?
Should viewers take this as being the real thing, or is this more entertainment?
Winter: We venture to be as historically accurate as possible.
Theres a template of history, and a time, place and circumstance.
We tell the story within that framework and have a go at be as accurate as possible.
Why did you choose to change Nuckys last name?
Winter: I felt we had enough historical figures on the show, who were based on real people.
So, by making him Nucky Thompson, hes Nucky, but hes not Nucky.
Our Nucky can do anything and veer off into any direction.
Thats much more freeing creatively, for myself and my writers.
We can just open it up.
That didnt happen in the 70s and 80s with television.
So many of their other series that have been made are thoughtful, intelligent and brilliantly put together.
Its a new opportunity for storytelling, which is very different from television in the past.
This was my inroad.
BOARDWALK EMPIREpremieres on HBO on September 19th
