Joss and crew at LA Comic Book and SciFi convention by mojave

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Joss and crew at LA Comic Book and SciFi convention

POSTED BY: MOJAVE
UPDATED: Monday, December 22, 2003 16:31
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Sunday, December 21, 2003 2:59 PM

Do I get to start this thread? It was awesome. I've never been in a room like that. The best moment was when everybody sang the Firefly theme before the guests of honor appeared. Joss is as funny as you might expect, and of his many observations, the one that really got me thinking was one about the Firefly movie. He said that he had to write the movie for people who had never seen the show, but he had to introduce these 9 characters in a different way than they had been introduced on the show, the result being that there would be huge payoffs for the true believers (yeah, he called us that at another point) who already knew something about these characters.

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Sunday, December 21, 2003 3:26 PM

BRTICK

From AICN.....

Herc Gathers News of FIREFLY and ANGEL From The Whedon Himself!!

We just got back from the big “Firefly” DVD Q&A at Sunday’s Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, the one with series writer-director-producers Joss Whedon, Tim Minear and Ben Edlund, as well as regulars Nathan Fillion, Morena Baccarin, Ron Glass, Adam Baldwin and Gina Torres.
We may get more reports with more details on what transpired, but here’s some highlights:
* Whedon addressed the question of the “Firefly” movie before launching the Q&A. He confirmed that the script had been written and that the movie may or may not get made, but “it looks like we have a pretty good shot.”
* The cast was even more optimistic. Baccarin, when asked what was on her plate, exclaimed “We’re all going to do ‘Firefly the Movie’!” “I would cancel dialysis to be in” a big-screen “Firefly,” said Fillion when asked if there were any issues with the cast’s availability.
* Whedon said writing the “Firefly” movie was “the hardest writing I’ve ever done.” He says it will entertain “Firefly” virgins but also sport some big fat payoffs for fans of the series. “Which ones – I can’t say.”
* When asked if Whedon would be doing any more writing and directing for television, the Buffiverse mastermind revealed he would indeed soon be writing and directing an episode of “Angel” dealing with a “setback” for Fred.
* If I heard correctly (feel free to correct me, my fellow attendees; the public address system was not friendliest to Herc’s ears) Whedon said this episode would be shot right after the one Edlund was writing and directing.
* Minear said Fox still hasn’t set an airdate for Minear’s new comedy-fantasy hourlong “Wonderfalls” (which Herc has long hailed as the season’s best new series). “They’re going to air the pilot this time in the middle,” he quipped, referencing Fox’s decision last season to air the “Firefly” pilot as the series finale.
* Torres says there are no immediate plans for her to reprise her role as K-Directorate agent Anna Espinoza on “Alias.” (“They haven’t asked,” she groused smilingly. “It’s kind of a sore spot.”) She did mention (again, if I heard correctly) that she’d soon be joining the cast of “24.”
* When someone mentioned that both Whedon and Edlund had worked on the “Titan A.E.” script, Whedon groaned and remembered that, on the way home from the “Titan” screening, his wife told him to “say something funny so I’ll remember that you are.”
* Fillion revealed the tattoo he sported onscreen is indeed his own, an Egpytian glyph he claims can be translated to “Property of Gina Torres.”

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=16696

Keep Flying!

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Sunday, December 21, 2003 5:18 PM

LEEH

Pretty thorough report from Herc. There wasn 't much "news": Joss said up front that there would be little to tell re: the movie, and when fans tried to prod him for info about what might be in it, or about unresolved elements of the series (River and Blue Sun, Inara's suicide kit, Book's status), he of course refused to tell, indicating that some of this would show up in the film should the film come to pass. He did say that, whatever happened with the film, it would be in some significant way different from the series, and that today's panel wasn't about the film, but about the series as something in the past that we were there to celebrate.

The panel was amazing: Joss, Tim, and Ben, plus Nathan, Morena, Adam, Gina and Ron. Joss came out first and then introduced the others, starting with Tim--but it was Nathan who came out, provoking a big laugh. After Joss's brief no-news news, the panel took questions for over an hour. Some highlight answers from my pathetic middle aged memory:
1) When the actors were asked what made them take the job, Adam replied, "My bank account!" Nathan's reply: he loved a script where his character got to shoot a cop in the face and then a horse in the face. (I don't think this was a celebration of gratuitous violence, for those who are thinking, 'Whaa?' He spoke later of Mal as an anti-hero, someone who is comfortable killing where killing is necessary, and how much he enjoyed that role.)

2) When asked about their favorite episodes, most chose "Out of Gas," "War Stories," or "Objects in Space" (Tim's favorite, if I remember right). Interestingly, Adam did not choose "Jaynestown," but "War Stories"--he did elaborate to say that he preferred WS for watching, but of course "Jaynestown" for acting. (He was funnier than this, of course.)

3) Gina talked about how much she enjoyed playing a character who is not only a badass, but also a wife, with the layers that brings to the character. She was also hilarious on the subject of all the different ways she tried to say "Sir"--giving us examples with different intonations and degrees of emphasis that were pretty amusing (and impossible to replicate here, sadly).

4) When asked how it was that the cast managed to bond so well and so quickly, Gina offered: "I think it was bathing together." To which Nathan added: "Yeah, that was a great idea."

5) When one fan apologized for being nervous, Joss said, "We're all judging you, of course," and when she went on to praise all of his work, added, "And you're brilliant, brilliant!" It doesn't take much to see the source of the superb humor in "Firefly."

There's more, of course, but I wasn't taking notes, so with luck other attendees will chip in with more details.

Lee

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Sunday, December 21, 2003 5:37 PM

EMBASSY

My favourite moment at the event was when someone asked (not me.. I asked about why "Dead or Alive" wasn't made -- short answer is 'it was not ready') "Would you be able with your other commitments to do the Firefly movie?" Nathan Fillion's response was "I would cancel dialysis to make this movie." Everyone else's response was equally emphatic. Adam said, "After they let me live in Ariel, I'm there for anything."

Gina Torres managed to delight by demonstrating about six different ways of inflecting "Sir." She also revealed the singular fact that the cast managed to forge such close personal bonds by bathing together before each shoot.

A great event, well organised, and very fun, the cast and crew had formed obvious bonds with one another and clearly miss what they had together. Joss' favourite episode is "Out of Gas," he said, and Tim Minear's was "Objects in Space."

Embassy's daughter #1 got her Blue Sun shirt signed, and gave one to Joss (remarkably, he didn't have one) . Embassy's daughter #2 had drawn pictures of all the cast members present. Adam Baldwin was especially sweet to her, and Morena Baccarin has put in writing that she rocks (which she does). Mrs. Embassy got our DVD covers signed by the four cast members whose pictures appear on the DVDs and Joss to sign the box.

I have to say that all the browncoats we ran into, mostly folks from the official board, were extraordinarily pleasant and fun. This is a great fandom.

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Sunday, December 21, 2003 8:17 PM

FIREFLYPASSENGER

I was lucky enough to be there. I met Embassy and the little artist.

I decided to takes notes of the session or all browncoats not able to attend. The following is my report.
LA Comic Con- Firefly Session Notes:

Stage Right to Left as they sat on stage:
Ron, Gina, Nathan, Ben Edlund, Joss Whedon, Tim Minear, Morena, Adam
In the audience in front of Tim, Morena and Adam were Saxon, Little Ewok, my sister, myself, Betsyslu, Cyby, Karen.

Joss appeared first then he introduced Tim and Nathan came out Tim followed. Then Ben was introduced and Nathan moved over away from Joss. Finally one by one Gina, Morena, Ron and finally Adam came out. It was Q&A for the first hour. People lined up.

*** These are my notes of the questions and the answers to the best of my note taking ability.***

Before any questions were asked Joss said he knew there was a question that might come up. Joss, “Yes I am a bit gay.” Gina comments, “a bit”. Then seriously he talks about the Firefly Movie, “The script is written, things looking good. Don’t want to jinks it. He has been fighting to make the movie. Can’t go into detail about what is in it. The script does not repeat but is clear for first timers.”

First Q: What made you say yes to doing Firefly?

Adam: My bank account. (Everyone cracks up)
Nathan: Shooting the cop and shooting the horse.
Adam: Jayne is Warren Oates.
Gina: Only had the outline of the characters and the mission, but the fact there were no aliens was what appealed most; also that the material is new, fresh and intelligent.
Ron: Excited about being black and gray. Intrigued by the possibility of goodness in space. Also investigating my evilness in space.

Q2 to Joss: When did you create Firefly?

Joss: About 3 yrs prior to shooting. I was reading –Killer Angels about the Battle
of Gettysburg on vacation. Started thinking and then writing on vacation.

Q3: What are you working on since Firefly?

Morena: Firefly the Movie (all positive about the future). Still Life which does not have an air date. A friend has a small independent movie only showing in LA, Way Off Broadway. Everyone support it.
Tim: Just watching the DVDs. Also working on Wonderfalls no airdate yet. Fox is thinking of showing the Pilot in the middle this time.
Joss: Working on Angel and Firefly.
Ben Edlund: My directorial debut on Angel is coming up.
Nathan: Just on Miss Match working with Alicia Silverstone. Also I had poison oak for weeks.
Gina: I was in this small movie Matrix Revolution, don’t blink or you’ll miss me.
I was on Angel. And I will soon be on 24.
Ron: I just finished judging the Miss Louisiana Beauty Contest.

Q4 To Ben and Joss: Was there a creative line from Titan AE to Firefly.

Joss laughing: There was no creative line through Titan AE. Thanks for reminding us of our past.

Q5 From Betsy: Is there a reason Book is on the cover and not someone else?

Nathan(I think it was him): Ron said he would not do the movie if he was not on a cover.
Tim: We only had enough for four.

Q6: The tattoo is it your or Mal’s and what is it?

Nathan: It’s mine and it has 2 parts peace and a hieroglyphic that means property of Gina Torres. I’m going to have that removed.

Q7: What is your favorite episode?

Tim: Objects in Space.
Joss: Out of Gas
Morena: Out of Gas
Adam: War Stories seeing the cut ear off.
Ben: Out of Gas and which one is the hospital? Ariel.
Nathan: War Stories and Out of Gas both show what they mean to each other and what they are willing to do.
Gina: Out of Gas, I miss … (Did not catch what exactly she missed.)
Ron: I have no idea what happened in the episodes. I do remember shooting kneecaps.

Q8: Working with ensembles there is diva element. Everyone really clicked and gelled? How did that happen?

Gina: Bathing together helped. (Everyone laughs.)
Joss: Yes the auditions (still joking).
Nathan: I credit Joss writing characters and actors that bring them to life.
(Then Nathan goes into a Christopher Walken impressions about life. I cracked
up and didn’t hear the rest.)
Adam: That guy right there. (Pointing at Nathan referring to his humor.)
Joss: I look for sanity. (Gina laughs and cries, “Sanity”) The thing is Nathan was the star and he forgot to go Diva.
Nathan: What? I forgot?

Q9: The Script Dead or Alive? What went into deciding not to produce it?

Joss: It wasn’t there wasn’t time. We needed to go deep and get to the funny and
the scary. The story was external. We just ran out of time.

Q10: The Merging of China and Europe how did that come about?

Joss: Well China is a superpower, some people don’t know that. They have a great wall. Just a utopian vision of the superpowers joining together when earth was in peril.

Q11 To the cast: How did you feel about the Chinese. Everyone on stage is laughing.)

Nathan: Well I have this cassette tape. One of the first,(looking at the cassette) No
the first they gave me to learn these phrases. (Starts reading the words on the
tape.) Here you go. (Nathan gives the tape to the girl who asked the question!!!)

Q12: What was the most challenging working on Firefly?

Tim: Being cancelled. We were still working on the Message when we found out.
Then we had the scene were everyone is laughing. That was challenging.
Morena: In Trash I am sitting on this high wall in a dress carrying guns that were
heavy, I was afraid of falling off. Also (to Nathan) in Shindig dancing and talking
was hard.
Nathan: Dancing, talking and acting, very hard doing all three at once.
Ron: No Problem I like everything.
Joss: Summer straddling listening above had to re-shoot that several times to get it
right. Safe was problematic needed 30 secs Adam did a great job of looking at
several props.
Adam: Saying goodbye. We were together the last day we were singing on our way to the set.

Q13 To Joss: Will you be directing any Angel episodes?

Joss: Yes after Ben’s episode.

Q14 To Gina: Will you be returning to Alias?

Gina: They haven’t asked.

Q15 How did you deal with blending themes? Also why is religion part of your show?

Joss: Religion is part of reality, various points of view different and the same at different points. Blending I take from Shakespeare, Turn of the Century Dutch, Whatever I can draw from?

Q16: Fred on Angel and River are similar. Fred was kind of insane and has become more normal. Would River follow the same path?
Joss: Never thought of them both. Huh it seems I can only write one thing. No River is more coherent than people give her credit. She would never be completely cured but she would be more sane. She is a genius so she would never be normal.

Q17: What was the most surprising thing about working on Firefly?

Tim: Writing Firefly the character voices came easily.
Joss: I was writing OMR in a restaurant, Mal is talking to Saffron about his Ma and what she used to say. For the first time I stop, and think where did that come from? “brand the buyer.” That was the first time that ever happened.
Ben: Writing Trash was easy and comfortable.
Adam: It’s a family drama, dysfunctional family.
Morena: Never got stale.
Gina: Playing a wife who is a strong warrior woman, seeing both sides.
Ron: Character’s fundamentalism who has humor and respect.
Nathan: He is an anti-hero, ready to kill when necessary and feels no guilt about it.

That's all I have.

Enjoy, I sure did.

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Monday, December 22, 2003 7:04 AM

HJERMSTED

AICN coverage on this event:

http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16692 (check out what Herc's sources say!)

http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16696

mattro

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Monday, December 22, 2003 10:44 AM

KEVIN

to fireflypassenger-THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REPORT!how long did they talk?how long was the signing?did they get to everyone?shiny.

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Monday, December 22, 2003 11:01 AM

STILLSHINY

It's...........almost...........like.......being here and wanting to have been there. Thanks for the info.

“Firefly is the source of probably more joy & pain than anything I’ve done.” - Joss

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Monday, December 22, 2003 1:54 PM

SHINY

Thanks so much, fireflypassenger! That was very shiny! :)

RIVER
Purple elephants are flying.
MAL
Good. Thanks for the update.

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Monday, December 22, 2003 4:31 PM

MSCKAREN

Hi, Embassy, It was great to meet you and your daughter (#2, I think).

I'm usually at the OB (4-5 threads over there on this topic) but I wanted to get the perspective on this site, too. I'm glad we all managed to get along in the line at the convention center even if we haven't always in cyberspace...

Almost 100% coverage between the two boards. One personal observation: When you asked about Dead or Alive I noticed Nathan turn to Gina in surprise and she shook her head and gave him a look like, "I never heard about that either..."

Also, wanted to mention that we gave Josh a big version of our independence flag (see Blue Sun Room) and he was really thrilled. He and Tim Minear stood up to unfold it and see it in it's full "glory". That was the personal highlight for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Appears they've canceled the show and we're still here. What does that make us?"
"Big damn junkies, Sir!"
"Ain't we just."

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