In this episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Sierra Teller Ornelas – co-creator, showrunner and executive producer of the critically-acclaimed, native-centred comedy series Rutherford Falls.
Ornelas had written for Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Selfie and Happy Endings before coming on board with Mike Schur and Ed Helms to bring Rutherford Falls to life, becoming the first Native American showrunner in history.
Speaking to writer/producer Duana Taha at the 2021 festival, Ornelas chatted about the process of creating a sitcom that breaks down Indigenous stereotypes through humour, having one of the largest Indigenous writers rooms on television and how her museum background informed her writing on the show.
This conversation was recorded on October 5, 2021.
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