Interview | dashPunk

Fandom Today #442 “Chick in the Water on Hulu”

November 20, 2009 in Podcasts, Speculative Fiction Today by Brian Logee

Podcast (speculative-fiction-tody): Play in new window | Download

Legend of the Seeker Marked, Richard and Rahl

Review: Legend of the Seeker 201 “Marked” (via dashPunk)
- Legend of The Seeker Joke (via dashPunk)
Comments on Richard Rahl’s relations on Review: Legend of the Seeker 201 “Marked” (thanks Jessica Williams) (via dashPunk)
Did Darken Rahl fall in love with Kahlan (via dashPunk)

LOTS Interviews

INTERVIEW: Bridget Regan (Kahlan) from Legend Of The Seeker (via The TV Chick)
Interview with Bridget Regan, “Legend of the Seeker” (via Hulu)
LOTS Video Interview on TVGuide – Fan Questions (via dashPunk)

Falicia Day, Stormtrooper Armor and 2012

Felicia Day in Charlie’s Angels TV reboot (via dashPunk)
Stormtrooper battle returns to British courts (via Entertainment News)
Roland Emmerich Developing 2012 Sequel 2013 As Television Series (via /Film)

The Best, The Worst, and The Odd

Best
- Clash of the Titans Teaser Trailer (via dashPunk)
- Production begins on John Woo’s ‘Rain of Swords’ with Michelle Yeoh (via Kung Fu Cinema)
- ‘Auto-Tune the News’ Signs Sony Ad Deal (via Tubefilter) (via NewTeeVee)
Odd
- This Day in History:
  - International Toilet Day (since 2001)
  - 1969 – Apollo program: Apollo 12 astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean become the third and fourth humans to walk on the Moon.
- Gattaca to Spawn TV Series (via /Film)
- David Hewlett Stargate Atlantis Rap Video (via Project: Shadow)

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LOTS Video Interview on TVGuide – Fan Questions

November 12, 2009 in tv/series by Brian Logee

Check out the video interview below with Bridget Regan & Craig Horner from Legend of the Seeker. They answer three fan questions in the interview with hilarious results.

Any good pranks on set?
Would you date a Mord’Sith or a Confessor?
Did you ever get to hug a sheep?

Witch would you rather date a Confessor or a Mord’Sith? For the sake of the question put aside the dangers and lets presume male or female Confessors and Mord’Sith.

dashPunk Podcast: The Confessed

We discuss the latest news about the series as well as the mythic dimensions underlying the show.

Get season 1 from Amazon or

More Legend of the Seeker on dashPunk

P:SI #354 “Stargate Universe = Farscape + Lost In Space (1998)?”

March 19, 2009 in Podcasts, Project: Shadow Informant Show Notes by Brian Logee

Culture

At-At Emulating Pet Dog (dashPunk)
The Real World art work(dashPunk)
Joss Whedon Interview on Writing (dashPunk)
IMDb To Add ‘Web Show’ Category (via Podcasting News)
Fairy, Pixie, Elf, Leprachaun doors (via Instructables)

Movie

Out in Theater Knowing(dashPunk)
Green Lantern to shoot in September (via SCI FI Wire)
Remake: Stephen King’s It (dashPunk)
The Last Starfighter set for sequel? (via Stuck in the ’80s)
Universal is developing a Merman rom-com (via SCI FI Wire)

TV / Series

Dollhouse and the plot arc (dashPunk)
Stargate Universe overview and Robert Carlyle talks (dashPunk)
- New details on SGU’s ‘Earth’ (via GateWorld)

Game

BioWare Announces Mass Effect 2 (via GayGamer)
Leaves of Lorien add-on released for Lord of the Rings Online (via Fidgit)

Webcomic

Looking For Group

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GameFly delivers the best video games to your door! Start for only $8.95 or Try for free

Joss Whedon Interview on Writing

March 18, 2009 in Fandom, Writing, tv/series by Brian Logee

Joss Whedon answers questions from fans about his sources of inspiration and writing.

whedon joss2 245x300 Joss Whedon Interview on Writing

Out of film, television, and internet, which media do you find is most enjoyable to work on, most stressful, most rewarding, and why? — Chloe
Honey, it’s all stress. I’m defined by stress. I’m on the ten best stressed list. The rewards are different — movies are big and intense, TV is long and deep, internet is tiny and personal and mine all mine — but all worth pursuing. I’m a media agnostic. If it’s stories, I’ll brave the stress.

I love how Joss focuses on the story. It’s what really sets his work apart and why if he is working on a project I count that as a huge plus on whether the project will be good or not.

How do you develop a character? Do you have a specific archetype, trope, or “slot” to fill in your shows that you fit a character to, or do you create their personalities separate from their purpose? — Anne
Purpose informs personality. It’s not like I say “I need a wacky sidekick” — although I did when I was working on Disney musicals, but that was the form. I tend to focus on one character (perhaps a young woman of unnatural abilities, to pull an example randomly out of nowhere) and then the other characters are built from the needs of that character’s journey.

I wonder if he follows Joseph Campbell’s philosophy and / or what other models he uses to determine what other characters they need.

You get a lot of critical and fan acclaim for being an excellent 3rd generation writer but I really enjoy your directing style. Who are your influences in that regard and what kind of background training did you receive before you got behind the camera? — buffywrestling
I had no production experience outside of my backyard, but I had the best professors in the world. I’m influenced by everything I’ve seen and I studied most of the great American directors at Wesleyan (hint: watch EVERYTHING.) If I’m gonna pick directors, I’d say Borzage, Minnelli, Hitchcock, Carpenter. Today. But for some reason, Soderbergh’s The Limey had the most immediate and visceral effect on my sense of style. It’s so casually daring. Also, comic books really help dynamic framing and narrative coherence.

that’s awesome that he mentions using comic books as a means for dynamic framing. It’s the same conclusion I came to.

I recently read an interview with you in Mother Jones magazine. “Geek God” I think was the term they used for you. How do you feel about your success? What advice do you like to give other “geeks” with good ideas? — Jennifer Russell
If you have a good idea, get it out there. For every idea I’ve realized, I have ten I sat on for a decade till someone else did it first. Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.

I love how he is not necessarily style restrictive even in this case he is all for just producing it.

: Image via Wikipedia

Bonus Goodies

We all know that Dr. Horrible was a result of, and a metaphor for, the writer’s strike. He even says, at one point, that he wants to “put the power in different hands.” But things didn’t turn out so well for Billy in the end. How did the tragic ending relate to the writers-strike metaphor, or did the metaphor not extend that far? — Jonathan
We didn’t write it as a metaphor — we just wanted Penny to have an agenda besides being torn between two men, and Billy’s perspective is the classic cry of the noble villain. But this is a story that’s been relevant for a long while — like, since there’s been power. And people hoarding/abusing it. Wonder Woman brought up similar issues, which may be part of why it wasn’t made.

Do you watch the movies/television shows the cast members from Buffy, Angel, or Firefly star in? Any favorite works of the cast members in particular? — Daniel
Dude, Summer Glau is a Terminator. Summer Glau is a Terminator! My work on Earth is done.

And Castle [the new show starring Nathan Fillion] looks fun.

this is a hilarious answer, I had the same thought about Summer Glau… She Rocks!!! if only the show was any good.

P:SI #352 “Cylons At The UN, Are We Frakked?”

March 17, 2009 in Podcasts, Project: Shadow Informant Show Notes by Brian Logee

Culture

How to make a Light Saber! (dashPunk)
moving on(via boxee)
- boxee iPhone remote app available on the App Store (via boxee)
Jinni’s Semantic Movie Search Now Works With Netflix (via Mashable)
United Nations to Discuss Battlestar Galactica (That’s Not a Joke, They Really Are) (via Topless Robot)

Movie

DVD Releases: March 17th, 2009 (dashPunk)
Review: Futurama The Beast with a Billion Backs (dashPunk)
Linda Hamilton Confirmed for Terminator Salvation (via /Film)
Who’s Harry Crumb? (via Hulu)
Transformers 3 on July 1st 2011 (via /Film)
Watchmen writer David Hayter forms genre film company (via SCI FI Wire)

TV / Series

Joss Whedon Interview on Dollhouse (dashPunk)
- Terminator, Dollhouse ratings creep up for the first time (via SCI FI Wire)
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog Fan Works Awards (dashPunk)
- 8 Award Nominations (via Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog)

Book

Looking For Group Volume 2 In Stock! (via Looking for Group)

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Joss Whedon Interview on Dollhouse

March 16, 2009 in tv/series by Brian Logee

Joss Whedon answers questions from fans about Dollhouse. I find his coy replies hilarious and at times revealing.

dollhouse Joss Whedon Interview on Dollhouse

You’re known for projects where main characters grow and evolve with one another, which dramatically changes the dynamics of their relationships. How difficult will doing that be [when Echo, the main character on Dollhouse,] is different every week? — Michael
As the series progresses, I think you’ll see that there’s a great deal more to Echo than who she is that week. And the evolution of the people around her is going to be equally important, and therefore equally twisted. In some ways, this premise allows for radical character shifts that usually require a few seasons and/or an alternate dimension. But it’s all to a purpose — we don’t just

randomly throw things out there. More I cannot say. Keep watching! That means you, all of America!

The evolution of echo has been fascinating. At times I find myself tapping my right shoulder and saying “shoulder to the wheel.” I love how Joss hints that all of those odd occurrences are toward a purpose and not just random things.

I’m enjoying your use of the phonetic alphabet as a naming system. Does that mean Echo was the fifth “doll?” Will there be an Omega? Or a child “doll?” Are there only 26 at a time? I have to admit I was surprised after seeing the previews to see male dolls. Will there be any duel assignments? Love interests? May I look forward to a musical episode? — “Freddie”
Duel assignments, love interests, check. Omega, check. Child dolls, no check. A.I. covered that territory powerfully in a much safer venue. We couldn’t and shouldn’t go there. And I can’t do a musical of EVERYTHING…

He doesn’t say no to a musical but I bet that won’t do one until season three… fingers crossed.

I’m glad he decided not to go down the road of child dolls I have to agree that it would be crossing a line. A.I. does cover that territory… good call Joss.

What is different about writing for the world in Dollhouse? What are some challenges or opportunities about writing in a more concrete version of reality [vs. the worlds depicted in Firefly, Buffy and Angel]? — Jenn Handorf
This reality thing is a bitch. You gotta obey the laws of physics. I didn’t take physics. I want my alternate realities! And more horses.

Actually, the human brain is the most surreal landscape I’ve ever walked through. Though this does try to be more grounded, in some ways this show has license to be crazier than anything I’ve done.

This may be our answer to whether this show is Science Fiction or Sci-Fi with Sci-Fi winning. Not a bad thing I find Science Fiction to be too restrictive for story telling with the exception of Idea as story type of story.

Adelle’s mentioned that Echo is highly requested among Actives. Why is that? — Jennifer
She’s got that spark that no one else has. We call it the “She’s Eliza Dushku, For god’s Sake” factor.

Image via Wikipedia

LOL, great answer wizard after someone peeks behind the curtain of a convention for getting the story told.

There’s been a lot of comparison to the story of Echo being a sort of warped interpretation of the River Tam story, do you agree/disagree? — Vivienne
It wasn’t meant that way, but I do have my little obsessions…

Support of Eric’s theory.

You mentioned in an earlier interview that Ms. Dushku hasn’t really had a chance to do much comedy in her career, will you give her a chance to bust out her comedic chops in a coming episode??? — “Fionnlaech”
Wait’ll you see her with Patton Oswalt. So cute.

Eliza does comedy! I can’t wait to see. She did a great job with singing and she does pull off being a lead well… why not comedy.

Are you concerned about Fox canceling Dollhouse before it’s really able to grow into your dream? If so, what differently are you doing this time around? — Ryan
I’m doing what I did every year on Buffy — wrapping everything up with a pretty bow made of questions.

I must say it’s a decent solution for the getting cancelled dilemma. I can’t wait until Joss gets fed up and moves more Indy and online then with full control over his projects he can’t get cancelled.

What aspects of hidden human desire are you most looking forward to touching on in Dollhouse? — Douglas
Perversion. Often more shameful than harmful. Why?

If you could hire an Active – what would you have it do? — Gulliver
Something clean and decent and safe and legal.

Great question… if only we got a real answer, but then if we turn that question to ourselves. What would you have an Active do if you could hire one?

For reviews of each episode and to watch it streaming online click here

(via Hulu)

P:SI # 98 "Gate to the Future of MMO"

February 28, 2008 in Project: Shadow Informant Show Notes by Brian Logee

Culture

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early (P:S HQ)
Where Is Waldo IRL (P:S Symposium)

Game

Stargate Worlds
- Debut Trailor (P:S HQ)
- Dan Elggren Interview (P:S HQ)
- Demetrius Comes Interview (P:S HQ)

Book / Magazine

Steampunk Magazine issue 4 (via Boing Boing)

Music

Ace’s Pain in the Neck (P:S Symposium) [get Fractured III or the album Trouble Walkin’
Morning Vision Blue (P:S Symposium)

Webcomic

Looking For Group

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Harry Potter Changes Must Happen

February 27, 2008 in Fantasy, Movies by Brian Logee

Change is bound to happen since the books are so long and full of detail that would not all fit into a several hour film. The real question is will the change be in size or will it also be in substance.

There is a story device called suspense, aka fear of the unknown or as put in Wikipedia “it consists of having some real danger looming and a ray of hope”. This is a powerful experience since it plays in our mind, off our expectations of danger and is felt internally.

The last two Harry Potter books use suspense masterfully. Rowling builds a tremendous amount of suspense surrounding when and where a death eater will attack. She also builds suspense over who and how those attacks will manifest. It is that suspense and mystery that is a major driving force behind the story that drove me feverishly forward through many, many pages. It is that same suspense that is under threat in the upcoming film.

I have been quite disappointed with our modern batch of movie directors, except for M Night Shyamalan, who seem to be absolutely stupid in regards to the art of using suspense. Many films, with their producers and directors at the helm, have taken the easy way out and have replaced suspense with razzle dazzle graphics or the overly grotesque by showing details to the viewers. It appears that producer David Baron has also given into the dark side as well.

In a recent interview with the “Herald Sun,” “Harry Potter” producer David Baron revealed details of an extra scene to be inserted into “Half-Blood Prince,

[spoiler alert, although very vague]

The extra scene is rumored to be an attack by the Death Eaters. This would normally not be an issue since even those who have not read the books could guess that those attacks would increase but in this case the location of the attack and circumstances would destroy a powerful suspense element that is also used in the final book as a very powerful, shocking, scene. If they put in this scene they would be removing a very powerful story element and experience.

[spoiler alert over]

I find it hard to believe that Rowling would allow this to happen so does it mean that she has come up with an even more brilliant way to build that suspense and surprise for the last two films. Only time will tell…

(via MTV Movies Blog)