So how excited am I that not even two weeks after I start at my new gig, I get the chance to go to a press conference where the BSG cast and head honchos will be talking about season 4? Admittedly I would have been more excited if the promised season four premiere DVD had arrived at my desk, or if they had spelled my name right on my name tag...but hey, everyone spells my name wrong (I blame my husband...and his parents for that one) and I'm hopeful that I'll get the DVD before the April 4 premiere so at least I can brag to my friends about it.
The big event was at the Morgan library...a place I've walked by on occasion, but never been into. I like to read, but my books come from Amazon.com, or dusty old used bookstores...I'm confused by this whole library concept. Anyway, I walk in to this museum-like place and get the aforementioned nametag, which despite the whole name misspelling thing is magnetic and doesn't require me to put pinholes in the pretty new dress I'm wearing. Yup, I got all gussied up just for this event. Trying to make a good first impression or what not...though my spouse assumed I was getting dressed up on the off chance I got to meet Apollo... I mean, Lee... I mean Jamie Bamber. But that's not the case at all. I swear.
I'm sitting in the auditorium where the BSG press conference is going to start, I got there early so I had a pretty prime seat. While I'm pondering the miracle that is magnetic name tags (seriously, why didn't someone think of this before...or heck, why didn't I think of it? And could the Eureka peeps have had anything to do with it). When I realize that the library is not only the Morgan Library, but also the J. Pierpont Morgan library, which makes me think of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Megan Mullally singing "J. Pierpont..." to Matthew Broderick, then I suddenly realize to myself that I'm not only a big sci-fi geek, but probably lame for knowing this random fact. Thank the gods I didn't start singing. I seriously need a life.
For those of you who may mistake my enthusiasm for the Sci Fi and BSG stuff as corporate schilling, let me just take a moment to reassure you all that I'm an enormous Battlestar Galactica fan who just happens to work for the same company that owns Sci Fi. I blogged about the show for a while at my old job and just basically force practical strangers/acquaintances to watch the show at any opportunity that I have.So how excited am I that not even two weeks after I start at my new gig, I get the chance to go to a press conference where the BSG cast and head honchos will be talking about season 4? Admittedly I would have been more excited if the promised season four premiere DVD had arrived at my desk, or if they had spelled my name right on my name tag...but hey, everyone spells my name wrong (I blame my husband...and his parents for that one) and I'm hopeful that I'll get the DVD before the April 4 premiere so at least I can brag to my friends about it.
The big event was at the Morgan library...a place I've walked by on occasion, but never been into. I like to read, but my books come from Amazon.com, or dusty old used bookstores...I'm confused by this whole library concept. Anyway, I walk in to this museum-like place and get the aforementioned nametag, which despite the whole name misspelling thing is magnetic and doesn't require me to put pinholes in the pretty new dress I'm wearing. Yup, I got all gussied up just for this event. Trying to make a good first impression or what not...though my spouse assumed I was getting dressed up on the off chance I got to meet Apollo... I mean, Lee... I mean Jamie Bamber. But that's not the case at all. I swear.
I'm sitting in the auditorium where the BSG press conference is going to start, I got there early so I had a pretty prime seat. While I'm pondering the miracle that is magnetic name tags (seriously, why didn't someone think of this before...or heck, why didn't I think of it? And could the Eureka peeps have had anything to do with it). When I realize that the library is not only the Morgan Library, but also the J. Pierpont Morgan library, which makes me think of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Megan Mullally singing "J. Pierpont..." to Matthew Broderick, then I suddenly realize to myself that I'm not only a big sci-fi geek, but probably lame for knowing this random fact. Thank the gods I didn't start singing. I seriously need a life.
I try focusing on the nice ethereal BSG music that's playing and start looking around the rather large auditorium and wonder why more people aren't here. Don't they get it? Hopefully the lack of attendees will boost my chances of meeting either of the two Adamas, or if I'm really lucky Madame President herself.
Then Mark Stern (VP of original programming) comes out on stage and starts hyping up the crowd by showing a teaser trailer for season four. Damn it... now I'm really wishing that I had gotten a chance to see that screener. He talks about how dismayed he is that season four will be the last (dude, you and me both). Tries to make it all better by saying that new webisodes have been commissioned. Then announces that a 2-hour Caprica movie has been greenlit. (You can read my post about that here. Hey, at least its something to fill the BSG void... now where are the pretty people?!? Bring on the pretty people!
First out on the stage is the luminous Mary McDonnell, followed by Katee Sackhoff, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park. I'm shocked by how breathtaking this group is, especially Grace. She's truly gorgeous. Then filed into the back row are Aaron Douglas, Michael Hogan, James Callis, Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos, Ron Moore and David Eick. The last two may not count as pretty people per se, but they are kinda brilliant, so that's OK by me.
First question up involves how doing the strike affected the show (basically they did some rewrites). Then more chatter about Caprica (yay!), to which Moore says that the first time he heard about movement on Caprica was when he read about it in TV Guide. Stern credits the success of Razor with the movement on the presumed dead Caprica. David Eick says that while they haven't yet had much of a chance to plan out Caprica (he was literally booking a meeting about it backstage before they walked on) that both he and Moore will be involved with the 2-hour pilot and that is their priority. (Hmm... wonder how the people who gave Eick the go-ahead on the Children of Men TV adaptation will feel about that).
Some guy stands up and asks the cast what moment in the original script made them want to do this show. I groan to myself about the ridiculous questions that are being asked. The guy before asked Moore if he considered today's political situation when writing... um, duh. Then this? Sigh. It is going to be a long night. But wait... leave it to Katee Sackhoff to make this actually interesting. Thank you Katee! She says that she liked when Tigh calls Starbuck a chicken and then she turns around and punches him. Tricia chimes in that this was basically the first thing she auditioned for and it had a great cast and a smart script. Her initial reaction was, "They actually want me? Yes!" Grace Park says that "By your command" was her favorite line... to which Ron admits that wasn't in the original first draft of script, but it was in an advertisement and then they added it later on. He gets points for honesty. Mary says that her favorite line was, "we have to start making babies." Then adds, "I don't know what happened, but I thought it was a great idea."
I try focusing on the nice ethereal BSG music that's playing and start looking around the rather large auditorium and wonder why more people aren't here. Don't they get it? Hopefully the lack of attendees will boost my chances of meeting either of the two Adamas, or if I'm really lucky Madame President herself.
Then Mark Stern (VP of original programming) comes out on stage and starts hyping up the crowd by showing a teaser trailer for season four. Damn it... now I'm really wishing that I had gotten a chance to see that screener. He talks about how dismayed he is that season four will be the last (dude, you and me both). Tries to make it all better by saying that new webisodes have been commissioned. Then announces that a 2-hour Caprica movie has been greenlit. (You can read my post about that here. Hey, at least its something to fill the BSG void... now where are the pretty people?!? Bring on the pretty people!
First out on the stage is the luminous Mary McDonnell, followed by Katee Sackhoff, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park. I'm shocked by how breathtaking this group is, especially Grace. She's truly gorgeous. Then filed into the back row are Aaron Douglas, Michael Hogan, James Callis, Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos, Ron Moore and David Eick. The last two may not count as pretty people per se, but they are kinda brilliant, so that's OK by me.
First question up involves how doing the strike affected the show (basically they did some rewrites). Then more chatter about Caprica (yay!), to which Moore says that the first time he heard about movement on Caprica was when he read about it in TV Guide. Stern credits the success of Razor with the movement on the presumed dead Caprica. David Eick says that while they haven't yet had much of a chance to plan out Caprica (he was literally booking a meeting about it backstage before they walked on) that both he and Moore will be involved with the 2-hour pilot and that is their priority. (Hmm... wonder how the people who gave Eick the go-ahead on the Children of Men TV adaptation will feel about that).
Some guy stands up and asks the cast what moment in the original script made them want to do this show. I groan to myself about the ridiculous questions that are being asked. The guy before asked Moore if he considered today's political situation when writing... um, duh. Then this? Sigh. It is going to be a long night. But wait... leave it to Katee Sackhoff to make this actually interesting. Thank you Katee! She says that she liked when Tigh calls Starbuck a chicken and then she turns around and punches him. Tricia chimes in that this was basically the first thing she auditioned for and it had a great cast and a smart script. Her initial reaction was, "They actually want me? Yes!" Grace Park says that "By your command" was her favorite line... to which Ron admits that wasn't in the original first draft of script, but it was in an advertisement and then they added it later on. He gets points for honesty. Mary says that her favorite line was, "we have to start making babies." Then adds, "I don't know what happened, but I thought it was a great idea."
The reporter asks if the show will be turned into a big-screen franchise. Well that's the million dollar question, isn't it? Bonus points to that person. Ron Moore says, "I get this question a lot from the people on this stage. I don't think so is the honest answer. This works best as an ensemble piece and to translate into features it would have to become a different animal. Part of the special quality of the show is that you use this entire cast and you have all these complicated continuing storylines that you can embroider and embroider and get into the richness of their lives. For a feature film ... you really couldn't tie it into the show. You'd probably end up picking two members of the cast and saying, 'Its there movie.' I just don't think it is what makes the show special." Then Moore talks about the Star Trek films that he did and how they were focused on the leads. Jamie politely takes this time to ask Moore, "Which two characters do you think?" Which gets a big laugh. Mary insists that if they gave her and the rest of the cast a lot of money they'd be happy to show up for one day of work on a film. Also big laughs.
OK, so the guy asks exactly what I'm thinking. How wrapped up will the finale be? This is seriously the easiest gig ever. I don't have to ask anything, I can just use my mental powers to get other people to stand up to potential ridicule in asking questions while I sit here and stare at the hotness that is Grace Park. Good deal. Best press conference ever. Moore insists that it will be fairly tied up, but there will be things that will be left ambiguous. David jokes, "Like that thing where it says 'and they have a plan'" and shrugs his shoulders. Funny.
Someone else asks the other question burning in my mind (awesome, thank you fellow journalists). What did Michael Hogan and Aaron Douglas think when they found out they were Cylons. Hogan in his gruff way says, "For me the news that I was a Cylon was stunning and I reacted in disbelief. It is kind of like schizophrenia going on in my head and there is no way that I accept it." To which Douglas snappily says, "You know, its not paranoia if they really are after you." I'd SO watch a spin-off where these two just banter for hours. They seem to have a great relationship. Douglas elaborates, "My style and how I act is unlike almost everyone else, save for Katee. We have no idea what we do, we just go up and say words. I don't make choices, I just talk back to the other person. This time, I made a conscious decision on how to play the chief Cylon." Sackhoff says his performance was shit and didn't make a difference. God, how cool would it be to be an extra on this set for a day?
The reporter asks if the show will be turned into a big-screen franchise. Well that's the million dollar question, isn't it? Bonus points to that person. Ron Moore says, "I get this question a lot from the people on this stage. I don't think so is the honest answer. This works best as an ensemble piece and to translate into features it would have to become a different animal. Part of the special quality of the show is that you use this entire cast and you have all these complicated continuing storylines that you can embroider and embroider and get into the richness of their lives. For a feature film ... you really couldn't tie it into the show. You'd probably end up picking two members of the cast and saying, 'Its there movie.' I just don't think it is what makes the show special." Then Moore talks about the Star Trek films that he did and how they were focused on the leads. Jamie politely takes this time to ask Moore, "Which two characters do you think?" Which gets a big laugh. Mary insists that if they gave her and the rest of the cast a lot of money they'd be happy to show up for one day of work on a film. Also big laughs.
OK, so the guy asks exactly what I'm thinking. How wrapped up will the finale be? This is seriously the easiest gig ever. I don't have to ask anything, I can just use my mental powers to get other people to stand up to potential ridicule in asking questions while I sit here and stare at the hotness that is Grace Park. Good deal. Best press conference ever. Moore insists that it will be fairly tied up, but there will be things that will be left ambiguous. David jokes, "Like that thing where it says 'and they have a plan'" and shrugs his shoulders. Funny.
Someone else asks the other question burning in my mind (awesome, thank you fellow journalists). What did Michael Hogan and Aaron Douglas think when they found out they were Cylons. Hogan in his gruff way says, "For me the news that I was a Cylon was stunning and I reacted in disbelief. It is kind of like schizophrenia going on in my head and there is no way that I accept it." To which Douglas snappily says, "You know, its not paranoia if they really are after you." I'd SO watch a spin-off where these two just banter for hours. They seem to have a great relationship. Douglas elaborates, "My style and how I act is unlike almost everyone else, save for Katee. We have no idea what we do, we just go up and say words. I don't make choices, I just talk back to the other person. This time, I made a conscious decision on how to play the chief Cylon." Sackhoff says his performance was shit and didn't make a difference. God, how cool would it be to be an extra on this set for a day?
Then there is talk from James Callis about the cult that forms around Baltar this season. He doesn't say much, sworn to secrecy and all that, but I'm distracted by his pretty eyes so it's all good.
The cast then takes turns quickly answering the question about if they wanted to be a Cylon.
Jamie Bamber: "Not something you really want to think about until it happens." Michael Hogan: "I'd said since the beginning that I WASN'T a Cylon."
Katee Sackhoff: "Being a Cylon is NOT fun. They shoot every scene like three different times and stand in different places and talk to a tennis ball. Every time I have to shoot with a Cylon I'm like, 'Ugh, Why do I have to be in this scene today.' Because you know you have to do it 50 million times. One time to this Tricia, one time to this Tricia, and then over here to Callie and then to another Callie and then... kill me. I had no desire." God, I love her.
Mary McDonnell: "I think there is a general feeling of excitement and dread in finding out. Not because people didn't want to play a Cylon but because we're so deeply invested in the honest of storytelling."
Aaron Douglas:" I hated when I found out. I found out early too because I was at someone's house and saw papers lying around... Went to the bathroom looking for Tyrol and was like, "what?!?!" But I'm not supposed to know, so for 3 months I'm going up to Ron going, 'So... anything happening with the chief?' and he'd be like, 'Not really.' Liars Stop lying to us." He looks pointedly at Moore and Eick. Who just shrug.
Edward James Olmos: "It was in my contract. No Cylon."
Mary McDonnell: "Therefore it was in mine."
To the lovely Madame President someone asks a very amusing question if Barack Obama had asked Laura Roslin to be his running mate. "Actually Hillary has!" She jokes, to which Douglas says, "Hillary's the final cylon." That explains a lot.
There are some boring questions about producers and why the long hiatus. Then someone asks about the end of season 4 (which isn't finished yet). Moore says that when you have to ask an actor to stand in freezing cold water for a week, you don't want to tell them it is there. Makes sense Then about how Moore sort of pioneered the podcast, filming in Canada, the exchange rate. I stop taking prolific notes at this point because well... much as I love to watch the webisodes and what not... I'm trying to figure out if Edward James Olmos is just pissed off to be here, or if he's just a really quiet man. Wait... he kind of looks like he's dozing off, or just nodding intently with his eyes closed. Perhaps he's really thoughtful.
Then there is talk from James Callis about the cult that forms around Baltar this season. He doesn't say much, sworn to secrecy and all that, but I'm distracted by his pretty eyes so it's all good.
The cast then takes turns quickly answering the question about if they wanted to be a Cylon.
Jamie Bamber: "Not something you really want to think about until it happens." Michael Hogan: "I'd said since the beginning that I WASN'T a Cylon."
Katee Sackhoff: "Being a Cylon is NOT fun. They shoot every scene like three different times and stand in different places and talk to a tennis ball. Every time I have to shoot with a Cylon I'm like, 'Ugh, Why do I have to be in this scene today.' Because you know you have to do it 50 million times. One time to this Tricia, one time to this Tricia, and then over here to Callie and then to another Callie and then... kill me. I had no desire." God, I love her.
Mary McDonnell: "I think there is a general feeling of excitement and dread in finding out. Not because people didn't want to play a Cylon but because we're so deeply invested in the honest of storytelling."
Aaron Douglas:" I hated when I found out. I found out early too because I was at someone's house and saw papers lying around... Went to the bathroom looking for Tyrol and was like, "what?!?!" But I'm not supposed to know, so for 3 months I'm going up to Ron going, 'So... anything happening with the chief?' and he'd be like, 'Not really.' Liars Stop lying to us." He looks pointedly at Moore and Eick. Who just shrug.
Edward James Olmos: "It was in my contract. No Cylon."
Mary McDonnell: "Therefore it was in mine."
To the lovely Madame President someone asks a very amusing question if Barack Obama had asked Laura Roslin to be his running mate. "Actually Hillary has!" She jokes, to which Douglas says, "Hillary's the final cylon." That explains a lot.
There are some boring questions about producers and why the long hiatus. Then someone asks about the end of season 4 (which isn't finished yet). Moore says that when you have to ask an actor to stand in freezing cold water for a week, you don't want to tell them it is there. Makes sense Then about how Moore sort of pioneered the podcast, filming in Canada, the exchange rate. I stop taking prolific notes at this point because well... much as I love to watch the webisodes and what not... I'm trying to figure out if Edward James Olmos is just pissed off to be here, or if he's just a really quiet man. Wait... he kind of looks like he's dozing off, or just nodding intently with his eyes closed. Perhaps he's really thoughtful.
More talking about money and budgets... I know this show is expensive and I'm all grateful for that, but I want to know what's going to happen season, like is Katee going to lead them into destruction? At the very least I want to entertained with more fun anecdotes from set. I'm wondering if the "work" of this press conference is trying to look interested in this technical stuff. Mary says something about a shopping ship that would help her get a better wardrobe and my ears suddenly perk up... now their back to schedules and writing process... no good gossip. Back to doodling and looking like I'm paying attention. Maybe EJO is on to something with his quiet nodding.
More chatting about why BSG is such a good show. Why they all feel blessed to get such great scripts. Ron talks about who has influenced his career. Then someone asks the actors if they like playing human elements of the show, even though it is a "sci-fi" show. Park says, "Absolutely. I think that's one of the richest things about Battlestar Galactica." Sackhoff says, "I think it all plays off of itself. The sci/fi fantasy of is extremely interesting to me and extremely challenging for me. I sit in a cockpit and pretend like I'm a child in a cardboard box pretending it is a racecar. Someone asked me one time, 'How fast does a viper go?' I looked at them with utter confusion on my face and said, 'As fast as the crew can push it.'" Have I mentioned lately how much I love Katee Sackhoff? Well... I do. She then talks about playing the human aspects of Starbuck, and how the character is such an extraordinary person, but then admits, "It is definitely more fun to go out with machine guns and blow stuff up. That's more fun for me than sitting in a jail cell by myself and crying, but it is all multilayered."
question is about any surprising hookups this season. Now we're getting somewhere! Sackhoff says, "I already slept with everybody on the show." This gets big laughs from the crowd. The same reporter follows up by asking Edward James Olmos if Adama should get some action. "Get what?" is the confused reply. Aaron Douglas pipes in with, "Oh. I've seen things I can't unsee!" Then out of nowhere Edward James Olmos actually starts talking about how he's upset that the show is ending and that he respect the millions of people that tried to get the show on the air in the first place. "We're pretty well torn apart. It is devastating. There's no more fun in this anymore. The fun of this is doing it. When we are off-camera it gets darker and darker, and we're looking at each other going, 'don't talk about it.' We're not going to be able to repeat this. I wish that they could find a way to get us to do a movie with this cast. It would be interesting... I don't think they could afford it, because everyone up here is really pissed." At this point, I'm starting to wonder if Olmos is joking around, or if he's being straight. I mean, people are chuckling, but he is completely deadpan. Hard to tell since he's barely uttered another word through the entire almost hour this has been going on.
More talking about money and budgets... I know this show is expensive and I'm all grateful for that, but I want to know what's going to happen season, like is Katee going to lead them into destruction? At the very least I want to entertained with more fun anecdotes from set. I'm wondering if the "work" of this press conference is trying to look interested in this technical stuff. Mary says something about a shopping ship that would help her get a better wardrobe and my ears suddenly perk up... now their back to schedules and writing process... no good gossip. Back to doodling and looking like I'm paying attention. Maybe EJO is on to something with his quiet nodding.
More chatting about why BSG is such a good show. Why they all feel blessed to get such great scripts. Ron talks about who has influenced his career. Then someone asks the actors if they like playing human elements of the show, even though it is a "sci-fi" show. Park says, "Absolutely. I think that's one of the richest things about Battlestar Galactica." Sackhoff says, "I think it all plays off of itself. The sci/fi fantasy of is extremely interesting to me and extremely challenging for me. I sit in a cockpit and pretend like I'm a child in a cardboard box pretending it is a racecar. Someone asked me one time, 'How fast does a viper go?' I looked at them with utter confusion on my face and said, 'As fast as the crew can push it.'" Have I mentioned lately how much I love Katee Sackhoff? Well... I do. She then talks about playing the human aspects of Starbuck, and how the character is such an extraordinary person, but then admits, "It is definitely more fun to go out with machine guns and blow stuff up. That's more fun for me than sitting in a jail cell by myself and crying, but it is all multilayered."
question is about any surprising hookups this season. Now we're getting somewhere! Sackhoff says, "I already slept with everybody on the show." This gets big laughs from the crowd. The same reporter follows up by asking Edward James Olmos if Adama should get some action. "Get what?" is the confused reply. Aaron Douglas pipes in with, "Oh. I've seen things I can't unsee!" Then out of nowhere Edward James Olmos actually starts talking about how he's upset that the show is ending and that he respect the millions of people that tried to get the show on the air in the first place. "We're pretty well torn apart. It is devastating. There's no more fun in this anymore. The fun of this is doing it. When we are off-camera it gets darker and darker, and we're looking at each other going, 'don't talk about it.' We're not going to be able to repeat this. I wish that they could find a way to get us to do a movie with this cast. It would be interesting... I don't think they could afford it, because everyone up here is really pissed." At this point, I'm starting to wonder if Olmos is joking around, or if he's being straight. I mean, people are chuckling, but he is completely deadpan. Hard to tell since he's barely uttered another word through the entire almost hour this has been going on.
He continues "Basically I think we're done and that's the hardest thing. As far as my character is concerned about doing anything in this fourth season... All I can tell you is what I've said from the very beginning. I said it from the start. 'Don't watch this program.' It is not an easy ride. I've got to tell you, it is depression upon depression." He then says someone I can't make out about someone getting killed and then finding out by reading it in the script. Then he talks about how he kids with the writers about some people who are dying and don't know and what to tell them." At the end of the day it is the story. You get your paycheck, you did your thing. But it hurts. And this fourth season really hurts. There's not too many of us left, and if we're lucky, none of us will make it." Then Mary McDonnell chimes in, "And apparently you haven't gotten laid." Nice. Aaron Douglas puts on his best announcer voice and says, "Friday nights at 9. The show where everyone dies!"
Then someone asks when the second half of the 4th season will air. Lots of staring at Mark Stern, who doesn't really have an answer. Could be fall. Could be in early 2009. Sigh. It is going to be a long wait until winter.
The shy girl to me gets up and asks Katee when we'll find out why/how she came back from the dead. Silence. Then some uncomfortable chuckles and then Sackhoff finally replies, "Between the first and 20th [episode]." Yup. Nice and vague.
Then someone asks if Caprica the miniseries does well, when the actual series will start. Lots of vagueness here too, but if the mini does well, then hopefully mid-'09. Casting will begin soon. Mary McDonnell says, "We've all been auditioning. Apparently I'm too old." What will it be about? Eick says, "It is set 50 years before Battlestar Galactica, so the show is before the first Cylon war. The series is about
creating the Cylons and how that happened."
Someone actually asks Edward James Olmos, who has been silent since his only outburst, a question. They want to know if he'll be directing an episode this season, and what his reaction would be if Ron and David asked him to do the final episode. "I'd love to direct the last show. Won't happen, but I'd love to.... But I am going to direct and episode this year. If I'm lucky maybe somebody will break their leg and I'll get to do two. But it has been a tremendous, tremendous ride because of that. Directing the show has been fantastic and Ron is going to direct his first show." Smattering of applause. "Applaud after you see it," says Moore.
He continues "Basically I think we're done and that's the hardest thing. As far as my character is concerned about doing anything in this fourth season... All I can tell you is what I've said from the very beginning. I said it from the start. 'Don't watch this program.' It is not an easy ride. I've got to tell you, it is depression upon depression." He then says someone I can't make out about someone getting killed and then finding out by reading it in the script. Then he talks about how he kids with the writers about some people who are dying and don't know and what to tell them." At the end of the day it is the story. You get your paycheck, you did your thing. But it hurts. And this fourth season really hurts. There's not too many of us left, and if we're lucky, none of us will make it." Then Mary McDonnell chimes in, "And apparently you haven't gotten laid." Nice. Aaron Douglas puts on his best announcer voice and says, "Friday nights at 9. The show where everyone dies!"
Then someone asks when the second half of the 4th season will air. Lots of staring at Mark Stern, who doesn't really have an answer. Could be fall. Could be in early 2009. Sigh. It is going to be a long wait until winter.
The shy girl to me gets up and asks Katee when we'll find out why/how she came back from the dead. Silence. Then some uncomfortable chuckles and then Sackhoff finally replies, "Between the first and 20th [episode]." Yup. Nice and vague.
Then someone asks if Caprica the miniseries does well, when the actual series will start. Lots of vagueness here too, but if the mini does well, then hopefully mid-'09. Casting will begin soon. Mary McDonnell says, "We've all been auditioning. Apparently I'm too old." What will it be about? Eick says, "It is set 50 years before Battlestar Galactica, so the show is before the first Cylon war. The series is about
creating the Cylons and how that happened."
Someone actually asks Edward James Olmos, who has been silent since his only outburst, a question. They want to know if he'll be directing an episode this season, and what his reaction would be if Ron and David asked him to do the final episode. "I'd love to direct the last show. Won't happen, but I'd love to.... But I am going to direct and episode this year. If I'm lucky maybe somebody will break their leg and I'll get to do two. But it has been a tremendous, tremendous ride because of that. Directing the show has been fantastic and Ron is going to direct his first show." Smattering of applause. "Applaud after you see it," says Moore.
After the press conference is over, and everyone gets applause, we're shuffled out of the auditorium and ushered upstairs where a lovely party/the official Sci Fi upfront awaits. There's a huge crowd around the press line, where the BSG stars, as well as the Eureka stars are "arriving." Did they usher the BSG peeps out a back entrance and then back around? Sneaky. Since I've already been staring at the cast for the last hour or so I decide to opt out of edging out a spot among the pushy press people and head for the food/bar. I play catch up with some friends/colleagues for a while, nibble on some tasty little hors d'overes. Stare longingly at the cones of French fries that are being passed out and think about how many minutes on the treadmill those would be worth and decide to say no. Damn diet!
I mingle some more, stare at the pretty people, waiting for a break in the crowds that are hovering near them. Say hi in passing to the guys from Eureka, tell them I like their show, which gets me big smiles. I'm nearly blinded by the effect of the dual gleaming teeth of Ed Quinn and Colin Ferguson. Wow. Not quite as wow as Amanda Tapping who is standing two feet away from them. She looks amazing out of that ugly Stargate uniform.
Then David Howe, President of Sci Fi, comes out and starts the upfront presentation. Thankfully, I've just landed a seat to a pal of mine on an ottoman looking thing. Then I look around and see that I'm sitting smack in front of NBC head honcho Jeff Zucker. Note to self: No fidgeting! For the half hour or so we get presentations on all the Sci Fi products and shows and comic books and websites. They announce for those who weren't at the BSG panel that Caprica got a backdoor pilot. Their shows look pretty interesting. I'm so watching Run for Money, a crazy game show where people basically play a grown-up version of Tag. At this point I realize that Who Wants to Be a Superhero is not on their reality lineup. Guess they're not planning a third season. While I'm not surprised (the ratings were horrible), I'm a little bummed. I liked that show. I know, maybe my badge should have just said Geek/Television Without Pity instead of bothering to put my name. The execs also announce that they'll be streaming the season premiere of Battlestar Galactica at noon on April 4th. Note to self: Skip lunch to watch.
After all the sales and facts and figures have been presented, we're released back into the mingling. I decide to make it my mission to actually talk to someone and act like a real reporter. This gets waylaid when a friend and we notice that they're allowing people to take photos with Grace Park and Tricia Helfer. For the sake of our respective marriages (me so my husband won't drool too much and my friend so that his wife won't get mad that he was posing with two hot chicks) we decide to forget the whole journalistic integrity thing and go together to get our picture taken. Tricia Helfer is really tall. She's wearing heels, but still. Very statuesque. I on the other hand just sort of make some lame comment about how I should have worn higher heels. She smiles. Yeah, I come off like a dork. Oh well.
After the press conference is over, and everyone gets applause, we're shuffled out of the auditorium and ushered upstairs where a lovely party/the official Sci Fi upfront awaits. There's a huge crowd around the press line, where the BSG stars, as well as the Eureka stars are "arriving." Did they usher the BSG peeps out a back entrance and then back around? Sneaky. Since I've already been staring at the cast for the last hour or so I decide to opt out of edging out a spot among the pushy press people and head for the food/bar. I play catch up with some friends/colleagues for a while, nibble on some tasty little hors d'overes. Stare longingly at the cones of French fries that are being passed out and think about how many minutes on the treadmill those would be worth and decide to say no. Damn diet!
I mingle some more, stare at the pretty people, waiting for a break in the crowds that are hovering near them. Say hi in passing to the guys from Eureka, tell them I like their show, which gets me big smiles. I'm nearly blinded by the effect of the dual gleaming teeth of Ed Quinn and Colin Ferguson. Wow. Not quite as wow as Amanda Tapping who is standing two feet away from them. She looks amazing out of that ugly Stargate uniform.
Then David Howe, President of Sci Fi, comes out and starts the upfront presentation. Thankfully, I've just landed a seat to a pal of mine on an ottoman looking thing. Then I look around and see that I'm sitting smack in front of NBC head honcho Jeff Zucker. Note to self: No fidgeting! For the half hour or so we get presentations on all the Sci Fi products and shows and comic books and websites. They announce for those who weren't at the BSG panel that Caprica got a backdoor pilot. Their shows look pretty interesting. I'm so watching Run for Money, a crazy game show where people basically play a grown-up version of Tag. At this point I realize that Who Wants to Be a Superhero is not on their reality lineup. Guess they're not planning a third season. While I'm not surprised (the ratings were horrible), I'm a little bummed. I liked that show. I know, maybe my badge should have just said Geek/Television Without Pity instead of bothering to put my name. The execs also announce that they'll be streaming the season premiere of Battlestar Galactica at noon on April 4th. Note to self: Skip lunch to watch.
After all the sales and facts and figures have been presented, we're released back into the mingling. I decide to make it my mission to actually talk to someone and act like a real reporter. This gets waylaid when a friend and we notice that they're allowing people to take photos with Grace Park and Tricia Helfer. For the sake of our respective marriages (me so my husband won't drool too much and my friend so that his wife won't get mad that he was posing with two hot chicks) we decide to forget the whole journalistic integrity thing and go together to get our picture taken. Tricia Helfer is really tall. She's wearing heels, but still. Very statuesque. I on the other hand just sort of make some lame comment about how I should have worn higher heels. She smiles. Yeah, I come off like a dork. Oh well.
Back to my quest to do some actual work here. Earn my keep and all. I see Mark Stern, say hello and tell him that I'm glad he picked up Caprica. He seems pretty pleased with the decision (and the response that its been getting). Scanning the room, Mary McDonnell is surrounded by Sci Fi execs. Katee Sackhoff, James Callis and Jamie Bamber are being pestered by hordes of reporters, but then I see Michael Hogan, who is juggling a plate of food and another reporter... but there isn't a crowd. I'm going to sneak my way in there. I'm nervous, because I love me some Tigh, but he's a little um... intense.
Turns out that while Tigh may be a mean old drunk Cylon, Michael Hogan is awesome. He welcomes me and another fellow journalist into his little corner of the party. Tells us all about his experiences backstage at the David Letterman show (where the crew taped a Top 10 list) and laments the fact that he has to wear an eyepatch and how he needed help getting to the stage.
At this point I tell Michael Hogan he should tell Ron Moore to fix his vision problem now that he's a Cylon. Mr. Moore is suddenly standing right there, asks what Hogan is complaining about now. I explain since he's a Cylon, there should be a way to fix his eye. To which Moore warns that if Hogan complains he might end up with one of those red laser beam eyes that the robotic looking Cylons have. Guess that's the downside of telling the headwriter what you want to happen on the show, they'll make it so much worse.
I then ask the Hogan (officially my new favorite BSG cast member) if Cylon Tigh is meaner or nicer than regular Tigh. He answers that he's the same. Then I giddly tell him how I never saw him as a Cylon and how shocked I was at last season's finale. "I agree," he says. "When I read it, I was like 'No way, this can't be real.'" From the beginning I always said, 'I'm glad I'm not a Cylon.'" Then he talks all about the "All Along the Watchtower" and how he always used to tell his kids to play that song when he loud when he dies. Then he explains how he loves the special effects on the show as much as the rest of us BSG geeks and credits the amazing crews for all the hard work that they do. We then digress into a conversation about food (my other favorite subject) and the goodies that are being offered.
So I'm being uber-fangirl and after talking to Michael Hogan for a few minutes convinced him to take a picture with me (in all fairness someone else started the whole photo thing) and while I'm snapping a shot of said other guy, Aaron Douglas walks by and is like "Why would you want to take your picture with him? He's a Cylon." To which I quickly retort, "Um, look who's talking." And he stares straight at me and says, "Am I? Am I really a cylon." Then winks and walks away. Oh, these pesky actors have been trained so well by Ron Moore to be deceitful and misleading at all costs.
Back to my quest to do some actual work here. Earn my keep and all. I see Mark Stern, say hello and tell him that I'm glad he picked up Caprica. He seems pretty pleased with the decision (and the response that its been getting). Scanning the room, Mary McDonnell is surrounded by Sci Fi execs. Katee Sackhoff, James Callis and Jamie Bamber are being pestered by hordes of reporters, but then I see Michael Hogan, who is juggling a plate of food and another reporter... but there isn't a crowd. I'm going to sneak my way in there. I'm nervous, because I love me some Tigh, but he's a little um... intense.
Turns out that while Tigh may be a mean old drunk Cylon, Michael Hogan is awesome. He welcomes me and another fellow journalist into his little corner of the party. Tells us all about his experiences backstage at the David Letterman show (where the crew taped a Top 10 list) and laments the fact that he has to wear an eyepatch and how he needed help getting to the stage.
At this point I tell Michael Hogan he should tell Ron Moore to fix his vision problem now that he's a Cylon. Mr. Moore is suddenly standing right there, asks what Hogan is complaining about now. I explain since he's a Cylon, there should be a way to fix his eye. To which Moore warns that if Hogan complains he might end up with one of those red laser beam eyes that the robotic looking Cylons have. Guess that's the downside of telling the headwriter what you want to happen on the show, they'll make it so much worse.
I then ask the Hogan (officially my new favorite BSG cast member) if Cylon Tigh is meaner or nicer than regular Tigh. He answers that he's the same. Then I giddly tell him how I never saw him as a Cylon and how shocked I was at last season's finale. "I agree," he says. "When I read it, I was like 'No way, this can't be real.'" From the beginning I always said, 'I'm glad I'm not a Cylon.'" Then he talks all about the "All Along the Watchtower" and how he always used to tell his kids to play that song when he loud when he dies. Then he explains how he loves the special effects on the show as much as the rest of us BSG geeks and credits the amazing crews for all the hard work that they do. We then digress into a conversation about food (my other favorite subject) and the goodies that are being offered.
So I'm being uber-fangirl and after talking to Michael Hogan for a few minutes convinced him to take a picture with me (in all fairness someone else started the whole photo thing) and while I'm snapping a shot of said other guy, Aaron Douglas walks by and is like "Why would you want to take your picture with him? He's a Cylon." To which I quickly retort, "Um, look who's talking." And he stares straight at me and says, "Am I? Am I really a cylon." Then winks and walks away. Oh, these pesky actors have been trained so well by Ron Moore to be deceitful and misleading at all costs.
Now that I've actually done some work, I decide to head downstairs with my friend where we're told we can get the photo we took with Tricia and Grace downloaded onto the nifty little digital keychains they are giving out as part of the goodie bags. Our picture isn't quite ready yet, so I decide to head to the rest room since there is shockingly no line at this point (a rarity at ladies' rooms at parties.) In fact, the only person in there is Erica Cerra (Deputy Jo from Eureka) and she's putting on a fresh coat of lipstick. She looks amazing. Another Sci Fi channel star whose uniform is doing them no favors. What is Sci Fi thinking having these gorgeous guys and gals in uniforms all the time? The ratings would skyrocket for episodes where these women get to let their hair down. Oh, or if the guys didn't have shirts on ... either way works.
Afterwards, I get my pic and it is really, really tiny but you can make out that it is me and my friend sandwiched between Grace and Tricia. Then I head back upstairs, see that the festivities are starting to die down a bit, but the people I'd want to talk to are still surrounded by other folks so I decide to call it a night. I grab my goodie bag (filled with the aforementioned digital photo keychain) and the third season of Battlestar Galactica on DVD. Score!!!
All in all a pretty entertaining night. I just can't wait for Season 4 to start, and I swear I'm not just saying that because I work for the same people that own the Sci Fi Channel.
Now that I've actually done some work, I decide to head downstairs with my friend where we're told we can get the photo we took with Tricia and Grace downloaded onto the nifty little digital keychains they are giving out as part of the goodie bags. Our picture isn't quite ready yet, so I decide to head to the rest room since there is shockingly no line at this point (a rarity at ladies' rooms at parties.) In fact, the only person in there is Erica Cerra (Deputy Jo from Eureka) and she's putting on a fresh coat of lipstick. She looks amazing. Another Sci Fi channel star whose uniform is doing them no favors. What is Sci Fi thinking having these gorgeous guys and gals in uniforms all the time? The ratings would skyrocket for episodes where these women get to let their hair down. Oh, or if the guys didn't have shirts on ... either way works.
Afterwards, I get my pic and it is really, really tiny but you can make out that it is me and my friend sandwiched between Grace and Tricia. Then I head back upstairs, see that the festivities are starting to die down a bit, but the people I'd want to talk to are still surrounded by other folks so I decide to call it a night. I grab my goodie bag (filled with the aforementioned digital photo keychain) and the third season of Battlestar Galactica on DVD. Score!!!
All in all a pretty entertaining night. I just can't wait for Season 4 to start, and I swear I'm not just saying that because I work for the same people that own the Sci Fi Channel.