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Whedonesque - a community weblog about Joss Whedon
"Perpetual torment? Just know that's gonna taste very good."
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October 06 2005

(SPOILER) Down Home Directing. Fascinating Los Angeles Times article describing the process of filming Serenity in Hollywood, a currently unheard-of process for a big studio picture.

Some minor spoilers but a great behind-the-scenes look at the business of making the BDM. Quotes from Joss and Loni Peristere, Cinematographer Jack Greene, First Assistant Director Rich Sickler, and others.

Good sized feature-length article that mentions a "good opening" and referring to Joss as a "hero." Great press, as it was linked to the daily crossword puzzle on-line.

That is a shiny article, and as you say blutortu, great press. This is very likely to be read by the folks outside the Serenity demographic (whatever that is). If nothing else, perhaps it might encourage union members to support the movie.
Some great info there, but the author did make a mistake. She seems to imply that Serenity in her entirety was not CG, when in fact anytime you see substantial portions of her from the outside she most assuredly is CG. It's just her interior that was recreated from the DVD's... in some places better than others.
It certainly won't hurt the So. California grosses. It's great local publicity.
Well, a reputation for doing films on-time, with a small budget, shooting locally and creating a product the recieves critical acclaim has got to count for something. :)
Very cool article - I'm goofing off here on my day job as a project manager & almost feel like this is work related. Not only is Joss a genius story teller, he broke the alleged "iron triangle" of project management which says you can have only two out of three - (1) fast (2) cheap (3) good. Serenity is all three!
Great article! I love hearing about all these behind the scenes stuff!
Cool pic of Joss in the bottom-right-hand corner. :)
Cool six minute behind the scenes video link on that page, well worth watching. (Right hand side, above the Serenity poster)
I guess it's too much to ask that the AFL-CIO let their workers know about a great pro-union film. (sigh)

Oh well, this article just made me love Joss even more!
What a great article! Thank you blutortu for bringing this over, I hope a lot of people have a chance to read it.
I am delighted to add to the already thorough Serenity coverage here at Whedonesque. And equally delighted about the article. Actually I'm surprised I found it while getting my daily crossword fix and not here at my sole must-check-at-least-thrice-a-day bookmarker.

It's nice to know that in addition to being an incredibly talented artist, the man we've devoted an entire website to is also an intelligent, hardworking, and conscientious businessman; Joss' professional responsibility and creativity make it seem as if many more filmmakers to come will have the opportunity to make groundbreaking and daring films whilst working for the studios. As an aspiring film professional, I can really appreciate his work ethic.

And his dance of shame.
""My wife is an architect; I have two kids under 3. There may be a time when I am willing to uproot them, but this is not it.""

Duh... since when did he have two kids? Did we just all miss the birth of his first... or his second?
Same here, aapac.

I knew Joss had one kid...but I was very uninformed of a second...I feel ashamed...
I knew about the kids, but I had never heard that Kai was an architect before. Huh. Having thus glimpsed the fiery reflections, it's back to the cave for SNT.
Look at all the work that went into researching and prepping the pitch (plot, script, talent, budget, economy), finally pitching it and waiting for the challenging questions and having to go back to rethink some issues?!? Then he has to make the film. Sheesh. No wonder we heard so little from Joss! And yet, we still heard from Chris B on a regular basis on the orig FF board. These are seriously talented and hard working guys. I'm just tired writing this note.
This article totally has got to help his career and give him more clout in Hollywood to make what he wants the way he wants 'em. :)
So, yay he may be filming WW in Oz. Bring the family with him. I really would love to meet Kai. The way he spoke about her over here, she sounds like an incredible lady who I would love to just meet and have a yap with. So hoping our next Joss meet up will be on the harbour for a picnic, and not a pub. That way I can bring my teens, and will be a little more relaxing.
Very interesting article. A rare different type of look behind the curtain. I didn't know business was leaving tinseltown so muchly. You do hear constantly of SF movies being shot in Romania or Bulgaria, but....

when in fact anytime you see substantial portions of her from the outside she most assuredly is CG.

Well they also made models, one of about 6-7 feet long so I'm not sure how true that statement is. (They had that model up for display in Universal 2 weeks ago)
I didn't know Kai was an architect either. I once read that Kai was a designer, but I didn't know if she designed clothes or interiors or websites. I did know about the 2 kids. The oldest is a boy, the youngest a girl. I can't remember their names though.
This article appeared in print with a half-page full-color photo on the front page of the Sunday October 9 L.A. Times Calendar section. Better yet, the bundled paper lands on the front step with the article (and Joss' mug) facing out! Exposure much?

The eternal optimist in me expects a surprising third week rally. --Turns cap backwards in tense anticipation--

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