August 01 2005
(SPOILER)
Huge Joss Whedon interview now online!!!
Covers just about everything. It's a must read. Some minor spoilers for Serenity, scroll down to the second part 'Toy Story' if you don't want to be spoiled.
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Paul_Rocks | August 01, 07:53 CET
Simon | August 01, 07:54 CET
bubblecat | August 01, 07:57 CET
[ edited by gossi on 2005-08-01 15:22 ]
gossi | August 01, 08:21 CET
Madhatter | August 01, 08:40 CET
Simon | August 01, 08:41 CET
SeanValen | August 01, 09:01 CET
rbt | August 01, 09:04 CET
gossi | August 01, 09:18 CET
I found the disclaimer that there would not be Spike movie info smile-worthy. Talk about trying to head off disappointment. I also found it funny because he says something about the subject being too recent. Gee, that has been an ongoing subject for how long now?
(Oops, Gossi and I were posting at the same time.)
[ edited by newcj on 2005-08-01 16:19 ]
newcj | August 01, 09:18 CET
rbt | August 01, 09:25 CET
Apocalypse | August 01, 09:38 CET
I don't know...wait wait wait, you're telling me this site isn't for popular Swedish vocalist and interpretive dancer, "Whedonesque"?
Well then what the bloody hell is this site for?!
nna_funk | August 01, 09:47 CET
charisma | August 01, 09:52 CET
Seriously, this sounds great. I always enjoy in-depth interviews with Joss. Some of the best have been on Filmforce but the last one there was a while ago. And we don't even have to register for this one then? Kewl, kewl...
EdDantes | August 01, 09:57 CET
I shall turn into Sherlock Holmes, or more pop culture correctly, Veronica Mars! (with less defined breasts, with myself being male)
Apocalypse | August 01, 10:04 CET
Nancy Boy hair Gel | August 01, 10:09 CET
[ edited by Madhatter on 2005-08-01 18:06 ]
Madhatter | August 01, 10:14 CET
It's up now.
SerenityScape | August 01, 10:17 CET
Simon | August 01, 10:25 CET
SerenityScape | August 01, 10:34 CET
Simon | August 01, 11:00 CET
Caroline | August 01, 11:02 CET
Great interview. There's so much about the Buffyverse already out there, that it's terribly interesting and surprising to read a piece that focus on all of Joss' OTHER work.
rbt | August 01, 11:06 CET
Of all the things I love about this interview, and there is much to love, I loved this answer the best. I'm fascinated by how my favorite artists work, what their influences are, etc. and this nailed on the head one thing I've always loved about Joss' work. If there is one thing that draws me to his work, it's the moment, the defining moment. Like Wesley's death in Illyria's arms or Buffy catching Angelus' sword with her bare hands in "Becoming", Joss' work is laden with those defining moments when everything not only makes an absurd amount of sense, but the emotional truth of the story rings clear as a bell. Those moments are like the most beautiful lines of a poem, and why I'm such a die-hard fan of his work.
But other things in the interview fascinate as well, not least the look into the workings of movies and TV shows, and his ideas about various franchises. I would have loved to see his version of Batman's origin story (Begins underwhelmed me, sorry to say) and his version of the first X-Men script is like an internet Holy Grail or something. I so wish it'd be leaked already. And how cool is it that the interviewer is like totally knowledgeable about Joss' work and doings? This interview is the most comprehensive I've seen since the onion AV club one from years ago.
um, the one strange thing is how he watches police procedurals, which I find weird. I don't know why, I just do. But how adorable that he loves Hugh Laurie as House as much as I do? I get choked up with love for him too. (Though Joss, psst, start watching Arrested Development, bestest thing on TV right now, I swear.)
dottikin | August 01, 11:07 CET
I lost interest in Veronica Mars halfway through (no cool/sexy/interesting adult characters), but I'll try again next season.
I'd be interested to hear how Joss feels about this interview. In my experience, reading back an interview with yourself is always weird and disconcerting and the things you apparantly said to the interviewer sound wrong in print. Wonder if it's like that for Joss as well.
Caroline | August 01, 11:09 CET
Rogue Slayer | August 01, 11:17 CET
dottikin: yes! It's the moments, those transcendent moments.
But no Deadwood love? (Hey, I know, the man has only - what? - 36 hours in a day . . . ) Still, after certain folks here put me onto it, it has become the only show I rate as highly as BtVS or FF. And after watching the special feature interviews with creator David Milch, I would put him and Joss (and probably Neil Gaiman) at the very top of my dream dinner party invite list. That would be some conversation.
SoddingNancyTribe | August 01, 11:21 CET
[ edited by bobtaylor on 2005-08-01 18:33 ]
[ edited by bobtaylor on 2005-08-01 18:50 ]
rbt | August 01, 11:33 CET
palehorse | August 01, 11:34 CET
And I'm not surprised at all that he's been watching procedurals. What I find surprising is that so many people think they're terrible. OK, lots of 'em are kinda bad, but the basic structure/genre is cool. There's lots one could do with it -- what is it, like, the more rules there are, the more ways to break them? Very cool. If he ever makes a procedural TV series, I'm so there. (Who am I kidding? I'd watch anything he wrote. ;))
orphea | August 01, 11:45 CET
Plus, the fact it's in the official publication of the National Organization of Theater Owners is a pretty big deal, as it'll hopefully help get theater owners excited about Serenity.
Anyway, I'd encourage everyone to voice their thanks and appreciation to InFocus magazine via infocusmagazine@mindspring.com (per their contact page).
Robogeek | August 01, 11:47 CET
Mort | August 01, 11:50 CET
Ilana | August 01, 11:59 CET
[ edited by lalaa on 2005-08-01 19:11 ]
lalaa | August 01, 12:09 CET
Joss's "She's not going to look like Trinity" should hopefully silence the naysayers who think she'll be wearing black leather.
And glad to know Joss did not think of the weird "pumpkin headed" thing at the end of Alien 4.
eddy | August 01, 12:10 CET
Iron Man was/is my favorite comic character, and to know that he had a vision for it and was approched,AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
Oh well, to "settle" for Serenity and WW is still quite good...
two_guns | August 01, 12:10 CET
I found that very comforting, as I was already starting to wonder if I simply suck, because I can't keep track of everything. But now I have to wonder if most writers basically have bits and pieces and things they want to include. Images, scenes, conversations... and the difference between good and bad writers is that a good writer knows when to just drop something, while a bad writer will try to squeeze it in anyway.
Trienco | August 01, 12:14 CET
orphea | August 01, 12:25 CET
The most important line in “Star Wars,” to me, is the moment Luke looks at the Millennium Falcon, the most beautiful ship I’ve ever seen, and says, “What a piece of junk!”
Ha...that just floored me when I was a kid!
nixygirl | August 01, 12:33 CET
Ack! Milch, Whedon and Gaiman in the same room. My head would explode, SNT.
Yes, Dottikin, that was a beautiful description. I'm printing that out and pasting it near my 'puter for those moments when inspiration needs renewing.
ETA: Looks like the article has been "edited" to put in commonly published number of sets sold of 200,000. But as others attest below, it did say 1 million in V1.0
Doesn't detract from the Class A backgrounder and interview here by In Focus. Absolutely superb.
[ edited by Drifter on 2005-08-02 00:41 ]
Drifter | August 01, 12:34 CET
gossi | August 01, 12:38 CET
I'd never believe that I'd become more fan of Joss, but after reading it, I'm even more fan of him, than before.
I even got emotional in some parts. Joss you're the Man.
Numfar PTB | August 01, 12:40 CET
Wonderful interview. Joss does these the same as his shows, he includes all the emotions in the package.
I nearly fell out of my chair with that one. Got to love that wit.
Very true. The reason Joss' writing draws me so is he tells a story where everything completely meshes. Other movies today seem to only care for action shots and gee-whiz FX. And they leave me cold because I want a plot. I want character interaction. Damnit, tell me a story!
This statement broke my heart. I can't imagine the frustration that filled Joss that day. I'm very thankful he stuck with it.
Madhatter | August 01, 13:09 CET
Christopher | August 01, 13:10 CET
[ edited by Andy Dufresne on 2005-08-01 20:19 ]
Andy Dufresne | August 01, 13:19 CET
Fantastic interview nonetheless!! The writer really knows his Joss. I learned a great deal of new Joss-related info from this interview... and I've been a total Whedonist since BTVS season three!
I am stoked that Mr. Whedon appreciates Veronica Mars. That is as it should be. It is a fantastic program. As much as I love Batman Begins, I would have loved a Whedon-penned Batman film. -mattro
Hjermsted | August 01, 13:25 CET
Don't get me wrong, I thought it was pretty good, but the whole time I was watching it I couldn't help thinking of all the ways in which it could have been better.
Ilana | August 01, 13:30 CET
When Joss says things like that, I always feel such sympathy for the man. He always tries just so damn hard, and is so amazingly talented. I so wish that he was more appreciated by industry types.
Willowy | August 01, 13:33 CET
nixygirl | August 01, 13:34 CET
m'cookies actual | August 01, 13:35 CET
And take care of your back...how did you hurt it?
Willowy | August 01, 13:41 CET
mister0 | August 01, 13:50 CET
eddy | August 01, 13:53 CET
Good thing I have Buffy and Angel and Firefly DVD's to comfort me. (and ice and Vicodin)
[ edited by m'cookies on 2005-08-01 21:01 ]
m'cookies actual | August 01, 14:01 CET
Couldn't get interested myself. Joss pretty much spoiled me for most tv shows.
Rogue Slayer | August 01, 14:05 CET
electricspacegirl | August 01, 14:12 CET
And, yep, I enjoyed Batman Begins, but it didn't particularly move me.
SoddingNancyTribe | August 01, 14:20 CET
[ edited by MySerenity on 2005-08-01 23:35 ]
MySerenity | August 01, 14:31 CET
I am so psyched about Wonder Woman. If any man can bring her to the silver screen it's Joss.
[ edited by Andy Dufresne on 2005-08-01 21:42 ]
Andy Dufresne | August 01, 14:37 CET
It's amazing how many people come up with this the moment you mention the film. So far, no one's mentioned the adult diapers. (Even though there's a great movie tie-in there..."A movie so thrilling you'll definitely want to be wearing one!")
bobster | August 01, 14:41 CET
Madhatter | August 01, 15:03 CET
DOn't get me wrong, is the best DC COmics character movie, we've had in years. It was one of the best movies based on a comic book in the latest years.
But, despite being a great movie, I left the theather feeling a little bit empty, cause somethign was really missing from it. I didn't care enough about the characters, there was not enough "heart" in it. I that Joss would've been able to provide to the movie.
Okay, you guys just convinced me to give Deadwood another try. I watched something like 2 o3 episodes, but it wasn't for me, from what I saw from these few episodes. But if you guys are praising it this much, I'll give it another try.
[ edited by Numfar PTB on 2005-08-01 22:33 ]
Numfar PTB | August 01, 15:30 CET
IrrationaliTV | August 01, 15:52 CET
rbt | August 01, 15:59 CET
Drifter, I think the reason no one's mentioned that "fact" is because the article doesn't ever say that. It's been just over 20 months since the Firefly DVD set was released: if we take the rate of 200,000 units sold in the first four months and optimistically assume that that rate holds steady for every subsequent 4-month interval - that would give us 1 million units sold. Of course, the inherent assumption may not hold.
Strange, how we often hear that DVD sales figures are never released, something about limiting necessaries royalties to artists due their proportional share of total sales. Last week I read in one of the local free dailies an article about The Family Guy, its cancellation, wildly successful DVD sales, its tv resurrection and upcoming DVD feature. The article quoted an enormous 4.5 million units sold (of course, with no source). Heh.
Honestly, when it comes to Firefly, I really don't think it matters anymore exactly how many sold. In some measure it helped get Serenity made and it continues to draw in more new fans, bringing more attention and (hopefully) more paying movie-goers to Serenity as the release date approaches. For me, that matters above all (especially if my math is wrong ;-)
gorramit | August 01, 16:01 CET
Razor | August 01, 16:05 CET
I was watching the movie about a month ago (it had been a while since I'd last seen it) and the crane-worshippers scene started. And as it played out, I kept thinking Joss must have written this section; it's just too good for Joss to not have written it! So I found it quite amusing that that is the one scene he wishes he wrote but didn't...
WindTheFrog | August 01, 16:09 CET
Madhatter | August 01, 16:15 CET
palehorse | August 01, 16:16 CET
Seriously, what a man! I had a lot of respect for him in the first place, and I knew he had recieved knocks in his time in Hollywood, but the poor guy, getting his Batman pitch knocked, and his (amazing, brilliant, fantastic, funny, well filmed, well-acted) series cancelled on the same day.
R.E: Joss not doing a Buffyverse/new series for at least another two years.
I cant pretend I'm not a little dissapointed, but in the end, Joss gave us three mind-blowing series that took us on unimaginable twists and turns, and he worked bloody hard on those series. All three series are total gems, and although i would love a fourth one, he deserves a break. I suppose all we have to do now is have Faith. (I would say no pun intended but that would just be lying :))
In short, without sounding too much like a fanboy, im thinking Joss, in terms of what he's achieved and what he represents to people around the world, is pretty amazing; somebody to inspire aspiring writers and directors all over the world. He's a normal guy with a talent who worked (really) hard to get where he is today, and I gotta big him up for that, because he has made me laugh, smile, cry, scream, swear and fall in love with his characters, over and over again. And i know for a fact I am not the only one. A site like this shows the thousands of people that he has touched with his work and the people who will keep coming back over and over again.
So I got one last thing to say:
Joss, you da man!
Apocalypse | August 01, 16:20 CET
Just like we all have said a million times about Joss' shows.
Willowy | August 01, 16:24 CET
socks | August 01, 16:25 CET
So now I must weigh in on this shiny interview - wow. Simply amazing, especially in its depth and breadth and for all the fascinating information and character details it reveals about the man himself. I love his Star Wars comments, particularly his assessment of Lando's ROTJ climax co-pilot as "a frog." I'd heard a long time ago some very vague rumours about him pitching a "Batman Year One"-esque story but his revealing that it was shot down the same day that Firefly was cancelled, that makes my heart hurt.
On a happier note, I am especially gratified to learn that he wrote what sounds like a much more interesting script ("scripts", in the plural, that is) for Alien Resurrection and that the embarassingly stupid "Newborn" Alien was most certainly not his idea; thank you so, so much for clearing that up, it always made me hesitant whenever I thought about Joss and that movie.
dottikin, good call about The Onion A.V. Club interview - I love that one so much I saved it to my hard drive! It's been shuffled around some but can still be found here and a longer, web exclusive version here.
gorramit | August 01, 16:48 CET
Madhatter | August 01, 16:54 CET
Loved the article though. I'm with you all about it being interesting to hear Joss talk about some of the movies that he has worked on rather than just the TV shows.
I got a Deadwood disc out of the library. Unfortunately it was the last couple episodes of the season, but it was all they had. It is absolutely a quality show, but I am not sure whether I care to follow the story of those people in that place for week after week. I understand they are using the ugliness of the social norms and the people to make a point, I'm just not sure I want to live there for an hour each week. And honestly, I got as sick of hearing the same one or two cuss words over and over as I do if I am stuck around some particularly unimaginative drunks for any length of time. I understand the reasons behind it, but it still got on my nerves as much as if all the characters had kept saying "ya'know" once or twice per sentence. Of course it does not help that I had to keep pausing it whenever my son was in ear-shot either. I guess I have to get ear-phones if I want to watch the rest of the series. But yes, a quality show with quality performances.
newcj | August 01, 17:03 CET
Melisande | August 01, 17:07 CET
gossi | August 01, 17:07 CET
electricspacegirl | August 01, 17:18 CET
Ellis being Ellis has now reacted and described Joss as Almost Psychopathically Nice. Those comic book writers love him :).
Simon | August 01, 17:18 CET
I cancelled HBO for a while, and so have only seen most, maybe all, of the first season. And I don't want to rent the rest, because I know I want to own the series, and it's damn well expensive enough without incorporating rental costs as well. But I'll get to it.
Angela | August 01, 17:29 CET
http://www.robert-b-taylor.com/030405.html
http://www.robert-b-taylor.com/041104.html
Here are two to enjoy, if you're interested.
[ edited by bobtaylor on 2005-08-02 01:04 ]
rbt | August 01, 18:03 CET
But it still doesn't rule out a Spike tv movie, it's not a pilot is it.
SeanValen | August 01, 18:14 CET
SeanValen, I'll admit the wind left my sails when I read that line that you and others have mentioned. Another Jossless season...:(
Willowy | August 01, 19:22 CET
nixygirl | August 01, 20:43 CET
:P
Willowy | August 01, 21:05 CET
mister0 | August 01, 21:46 CET
[ edited by Caroline on 2005-08-02 19:46 ] (See below why this was deleted)
[ edited by buffbuff on 2005-08-03 16:42 ]
buffbuff | August 01, 22:02 CET
WhoIsOmega? | August 01, 22:06 CET
catalyst2 | August 01, 23:42 CET
now if that isn't an inducement, I don't know what is.
I've heard raves about Deadwood and everything, but I totally gotta check out The Wire first.
dottikin | August 02, 00:13 CET
And finding out that he won’t be pitching a pilot…devastating. I am really missing some Joss TV even with 'Veronica Mars'.
Rank Amateur | August 02, 00:25 CET
Don't be too drunk, don't be distracted. You must pay attention to this show. It is challenging, with all the Shakespearean dialogue...but you, as a viewer, will be well rewarded.
And dottikin, The Wire is well lauded. Still, check out Deadwood first. Just my recommendation, but I can't stress it enough. You will NOT regret it.
Willowy | August 02, 00:26 CET
gossi | August 02, 06:01 CET
missingbuffy | August 02, 08:47 CET
ringworm | August 02, 09:58 CET
Paul_Rocks | August 02, 10:19 CET
Jonas | August 02, 12:08 CET
I'm no prude when it comes to cursing (I do it quite frequently) but one of the reasons I can't get into "DEADWOOD" is the ridiculous (almost comical) overuse of the word "c**k****er". So much so that I call the show C**K****ERS OF THE WEST. But as I said I see why people are into it. Me, I'm waiting for THE SOPRANOS. After I'm finished waiting for SERENITY, that is.
In the interest of the subject of this thread, I thought this was a great interview. I learned a lot about the specific realities of script-doctoring and enjoyed hearing the facts about Joss' involvement in the screenplays he's been associated with. I really liked knowing his intentions vs. the final product.
batmarlowe | August 02, 12:19 CET
Caroline | August 02, 12:46 CET
As for Veronica Mars, my opinion is this: I found the first two episodes, written by series creator Rob Thomas, to be rather bad. I think they were just filled with too much poorly delivered exposition for my tastes. But from episode 3 on the series continues to improve, and I became quite hooked after a handful of episodes. I suggest that everyone give it at least until episode 4 to find its groove.
I was just watching part of Alien: Resurrection on the Sci-Fi Channel the other day. Poor Joss.
[ edited by MindPieces on 2005-08-02 19:55 ]
MindPieces | August 02, 12:55 CET
Carnivale love here. Lots of it - what a terrible shame they cancelled that show. I just fell into into when I rented the DVD's. For the aussies - do your libraries carry DVD's to rent out? If these various series are too expensive to buy - perhaps you can rent them. It's what I do.
ruthless1 | August 02, 13:10 CET
Then there's this: And the fact of the matter is, a woman stands as tall as she makes you think she is.
I love how that can apply to so much more than just height. Attitude is altitude... Now that I think about it, except for my husband Joss might just be the coolest girl-guy I know of.
Wiseblood | August 02, 20:09 CET
Checked out "House" tonight just because of this:
" I actually choke up at the thought of how powerfully noble and beautiful his total misanthropy is."
Turned out to be pretty good.
obsessed | August 02, 21:15 CET
The thing about HOUSE is that the show itself is pretty much a straight up medical drama with decent enough writing and some attempts at arc-episodes, all of which is fun by Hugh Laurie's performance. He's just gloriously mean and sarcastic, with little subtle hints of cuddlesome vulnerability inside, and it's totally a star turn done with immense amounts of flair and charm. And I have loved Hugh Laurie since forever too (well, since BLACKADDER) and never knew he has this in him, so I'm like doubly impressed.
and that line is great:
And the fact of the matter is, a woman stands as tall as she makes you think she is.
His blatant feminism makes me want to cuddle him.
dottikin | August 02, 22:45 CET
Kiba | August 02, 22:58 CET
aver | August 03, 01:21 CET
Kiba | August 03, 07:27 CET
Unfortunately, pickin's seem to be somewhat slimmer toward the middle of the state. It's not that there aren't any geek-girls and guys hereabouts (I feel like I know most of them), it's just they don't have any interest in Joss's projects* (incomprehensible, I know) -- or maybe it's just that they don't want to admit it. Or maybe I'm just not so good at locating covert Whedonists. The "underground" is still pretty genuinely underground here, and on the cultural relativity scale, admitting you're way into the work of a writer/genre TV creator just doesn't carry as much water among people I keep running into as, say, being into classical/jazz, film, theater or poetry. If you're educated, it's almost like you're obligated to regard "pop culture" as a dirty word (or two).
There are reasons I think GSO tends to be a less hospitable environment for general genre TV/film appreciation/awareness, in general. It's just too bad I didn't know about them before I choose to move here. However, in my defense, GSO had the arts program I wanted, a really kick-ass music scene in the early '80's, and Buffy et al. had yet to stake her claim on TV and my heart.
I made my bed then, and now I'm lying in it. It's got Angel sheets on it, at least in my mind ;)
*(except for the three friends and one spouse I've managed to convert so far)
Wiseblood | August 04, 03:12 CET
ShinyAlice | August 12, 21:31 CET