Directorblog #1
So now it's been about three months that I've been at the helm of the as-yet-to-be-announced because I-am-waiting-for-the-official-press-release film. Believe you me, I really want to mention it, but that will have to wait lest I get in trouble. In any case, I thought it might be nice to start some blog entries about the experience. Hopefully, along the way, you and I will both gain some insight. These first few entries will have to be fairly cryptic, for above stated reason.
Here's a picture of me now, pretty close to the start of pre-production, fresh-faced, enthusiastic. Let's watch as I become more haggard, cynical, and beaten down over the next 2 years of production! OK, just kidding.....well, kind of.
One of the things that's bothering me a little bit right now is that fact that the film I am working on has a fan following (of the source material). No, the fans aren't what's bothering me - in fact, that part's pretty cool. What's bothering me is, I know that the minute they announce me as director, all these fans will run over to my IMDB page, look me up, and see that pretty much the biggest directing credit I have is 'The Tigger Movie' - and then they will freak out, because how dare I direct their beloved (INSERT FILM TITLE HERE LATER) when "all I have done" is this rated G film for little kids. Oh yes, they will freak out. And you know what, I can't say that I will blame them.
So with that in mind, I started these 'journal entries' to not only document the process of directing an animated feature for those interested, but also to attempt to convince worried fans that I'm actually a pretty big geek and fan of the genre - and that I have no intention of softening down the film when the source material is so kick-ass.
And so ends this first entry. Kind of uneventful, really. But hey! More to come, and, in the future when I am allowed to post them, perhaps some official images and artwork. Sorry for the cryptic-ness - soon all will become clear.
posted by Jun at
10:58 PM
21 Comments:
omg, I am dying to know >.<
I am aquiver with anticipation as well. And, I am pretty sure that once the 'fans' have a chance to get to know you and your approach to movie making and story telling, they will be as excited to see the production as we are :-)
-Coriul
Thanks guys, as soon as it's legal I'll announce everything, I swear.
Thanks for putting a human face on the title of director. Looking forward to hearing more!
Some those fans have found you. ^_^
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BotP/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Congratulations on getting this job. Best of luck to you with it and I hope you'll maintain at least some communication with the fan base. Some of them have spent 3 decades immersed in this franchise - might be worth exploring. ^_^
What job? ;)
In any case, welcome, new folks.
I'm glad to hear that you're going to enjoy working on this and staying true to the original. One question though... TWO YEARS of work???? I thought it was slated for release in 2009.... sob...
Yes, the release date of this mysterious unnamed film is probably early 2010 for several reasons. Sorry :(
"how dare I direct their beloved (INSERT FILM TITLE HERE LATER)"
The tone and design of the film, both under the previous director and now yourself, has been an active topic on the INSERT FILM TITLE HERE LATER's (lol) group I linked earlier. I wanted to come back and offer my thoughts on this particular snippet from your post.
This franchise has been redone several times. Sometimes with mixed results, sometimes horribly and sometimes the definition of vanilla was taken to a new middle. No matter what you choose to do, we'll always have the property in its original incarnation. Do a great job and a lot of strangers will love you forever. Don't do a great job and... they'll go back to doting on the original. We've developed a somewhat thick skin (or is it cynicism?) when it comes to receiving and digesting the latest retelling of that story.
A few of us are actually relieved that you're directing it, even though we don't yet know what you plan to do with it. The paths the previous director said they would be pursuing elicited a great sigh (not of relief) from some in this wing of the audience.
How dare you direct it? Nah, more like how dare you not do a great job? I think everyone is hoping that you'll do a great job. ^_^
"No matter what you choose to do, we'll always have the property in its original incarnation."
Yea, exactly, lol. IMHO why remake a perfectly good thing if you don't have something new to add or explore? I'm sure you guys are well aware that (whatever film I'm working on) will necessarily be aimed at a new audience unfamiliar with the franchise, which of course means a modern retelling of the material (much like Transformers, Spiderman, the list goes on and on...). It also does mean we are sticking with an origin story. This isn't really new information, though.
If you are indeed going to be the director of Gatchaman as everyone else is saying, there is only one thing that I would request. PLEASE make the characters look exactly like they did in the series. It would be wonderful to see them in CGI/3D. It just wouldn't be the same if they look different.
I have not announced what film I am working on. Whatever information you guys have it is not official.
This turning out to be a rather poorly-kept secret. The NY Times had it up on their site even before the list found out...
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/400001/Gatchaman/overview
I wonder what exactly those who have chosen to wait are waiting for... lol
I'm one of "those fans" from the supposed title, and I guess my only concern is that you keep the spirit of the characters in line with the original. You could change just about everything else and the fans will be behind you, but change the interaction of the team and there will be snarling and hissing.
On the other hand, I've read mountains of fanfiction where the writer has changed the time, the place, the genders of the main characters, the relationships of the main characters, who's on the good side versus the bad side, who loves whom, and so on and so forth, and just about every vision of this title can be accommodated if the "heart" of the property remains in place.
The pre-existing fans are also mostly in our 30s and 40s, so you'll find we're actually a rather reasonable bunch. :)
Good luck, and I for one can't wait to see more of this as it goes along. :)
amur: Haha, poorly kept or not, I can't say anything official until I am allowed!
philangelus: I've watched the entire 1st series of (the mysterious property that I can't yet mention and will be rather anticlimactic when I actually can) and am pretty familiar with the characters. All I can say right now is, yes we are keeping the general idea of each of the characters intact, with one possible exception, but that exception is not one of the birdies. Let the speculation begin! ;)
rory: You already have the characters looking like they do in the actual show, why do more of the same? I think it's fun to visually re-imagine them for a new audience, so long as the spirit of the characters remains recognizable.
Let the speculation begin? Um.... I'm HOPING that it's our 'friend' in red. I loathe that particular character, and can't understand another character's devotion to red person. I've written a number of fanfics villainizing that particular red person. *evil grin* Of course, I could be wrong in my guess, but that's where I'm placing my (hopeful) bet.
As for a costume change, I can't speak for others, but I'm okay with that as long as the basic recognizable features are there (including general color scheme) and the primary communications device is left intact. As with Star Trek, I'm okay with or without the miniskirts. ;)
"You already have the characters looking like they do in the actual show, why do more of the same? I think it's fun to visually re-imagine them for a new audience, so long as the spirit of the characters remains recognizable."
I think most people would agree with that -- to a degree. Updated clothing, new hairstyles, things that are relatively minor changes won't cause too much outcry. In fact, it's pretty much expected that there will be some changes in the way things look. But there's a fine line between "reimagining" something and making it unrecognizable, and that's where fans get concerned. These characters have been reimagined before, back in 1994, and the results were a mixed bag. While their updated clothing was, in general, done in a manner that fans could accept, the characters themselves were so redone that they didn't look like themselves. Fans are afraid that this is what will happen again. Stick to the core of the characters, design them in a manner that, when fans see them, they can say, "I know who this is," and you'll be okay.
James
You sound like a fun director for The Property Which Must Not Be Named. If you've seen the first series and seen where the 1994 remake fell short (and the comic bombed) then you're good to go. :-)
You know, "the team" itself functions as a character in TPWMNBN. In most fans' eyes, its their favorite character. As long as you keep *that* character intact, this movie is going to rock. :-)
(Although I have to admit I agree about the character that wears red. The hardcore fans have a rather rude nickname for him.)
By the way, James and Wendy know everything there is to know about this series.
I can't believe you are taking so much flak for helming the re-launch of the Get Along Gang.
Oops. Hope I didn't spill the beans.
Congratulations on the mystery job. You did an outstanding job on the Tigger Movie (as did the Sherman Brothers with the soundtrack) - I'm sure you'll knock this one out, too. I can't wait to hear your choice of soundtrack, too.
Good for you.
Old-time fan here, and still lurking around now and then on the fan circuit. Truth be told, we also have "The Tigger Movie" (the kiddos love it :-), but still no negative prejudice here.
Sounds like you love the original material and I'm hoping for all the best (and for the next two years to fly)! :-D
-- Jen Nolan
Can't wait for whatever the official announcement is!! No matter what, I'm sure you're gonna rock it like a socket!
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