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Saturday, December 20, 2008

Sunday, December 21, 2008

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Betsy Morris Interview Exclusive

I think it's great Christmas present for Supernatural and Jensen Ackles'fans. As you know we'll see USA DVD release of Ten Inch Hero soon, supposedly in February 2009. Betsy Morris, the script writer of Jensen Ackles' Ten Inch Hero was so kind to give interview exclusive to our site Supernatural Russia. She tells about working at script, idea of title. You'll know about casting and shooting of this movie. Read interview for to find out a lot of funny and interesting details. Please credit Supernatural Russia if you're going to use this interview on your source and visit Ten Inch Hero Official blog for information.

Did your script find its director straight away, or did the story exist long before David made a movie out of it? Or did you write on commission?

Nope, I wrote it on spec. I had only sent it to a few producers before Mark and David optioned it. I had a really good feeling about them right from the start, and knew they would take wonderful care of it.

Who came up with the title? Is it meant to be provocative? Sometimes, people ask us if it is an adult movie.

Actually, the title existed before the script. It was a silly joke I made in a sandwich shop with my friend Teebie--something she always teased me about! So when I started to write the script, the title was perfect. And yes, it does sound a little obscene, doesn't it? :-) Just remember, a "hero" is a type of sandwich!

Did you play any role in the filming process? What did you find most interesting?

I stayed in close contact with Mark and David--especially during pre-production. We modified the script from time to time, often due to location changes. For example, there's a scene where Trucker is washing his hands, and Zo comes in. He's gaping at her, and she was supposed to reach over and turn off the water and tell him "Love your Mother, Trucker" meaning, of course, Mother Earth. At the last minute, we realized there was no sink there! So we had to change it.

Mark and David are exceptional with how much they included me in the process. Most producers and directors are not so accommodating of the writer! It's important to remember that everyone on a film has their job, and most of the writer's job is over the day filming starts.

Who is your favorite character? There is always someone special, so who would that be?

Oh, that's like Sophie's choice! I can't pick between them. I love them all (with the possible exception of Brad and Tad.)

Of course, Priestly is the funniest, and Jen is the sweetest, and Trucker is the kindest. I think Tish is the most complicated of the characters. I feel protective of her because not everyone understands her. I'm so grateful to Danneel because many actresses would have played her as a two-dimensional character--the punchline of a joke. But Danneel understood her and made her into a wonderful, complicated woman!

Were your characters inspired by real people? If yes, who are they? Do you know them personally?

No, not really. There are always little pieces of me or people I know in each character, I suppose. I'm most like Jen, since I'm pretty shy and spend WAY too much time on the computer. But that wasn't a deliberate choice, just something that

evolved as I wrote her.

SPOILER: I did know a girl in college who would pretend to not enjoy sex to manipulate guys into focusing on her. It was hysterical and fairly disturbing at the same time, so that went into Tish's personality.

Did you take active part in the casting process? If yes, were you tempted or driven to re-write the script after you got better acquainted with their acting range?

No, we had a wonderful casting director who worked very closely with David and Mark. They kept me in the loop, and would sometimes call me to ask what I thought of actors they were considering.

One fun night, they called twice to see what we thought of various actors, and I happened to have a bunch of friends over for dinner, so everyone happily offered up their opinions. We did not re-write for the actors--they all took the existing

characters and ran with them. The actors truly made the characters their own!

Priestly t-shirt slogans. Did you think them up yourself and have the t-shirts custom-made, as part of the general movie concept? Or did the stylist simply pick out the ready made shirts in a shop?

The shirts are in the script. I didn't really expect the costuming people to make up those exact shirts--I figured they'd find funny ones ready-made somewhere--but no, they did have them made.

Did you have other actors in mind to play your characters but then you became convinced that the casting was perfect?

Many writers envision certain actors in a part, but I never do, for some reason. Just the way my mind works. I know when someone is similar to the character I envisioned, but I always think of my characters as real people, not an actor playing them. Hmmm, I hope that makes sense!!

Are you happy with your work or would you sometimes wish you could go back and re-write a few scenes? Were there many scripts changes during the filming? Maybe you had to adapt a role to an actor when you saw his or her potential?

Well, scripts are just blue-prints, you know? The final product is a big mix of everyone's take on the script. The director, the actors, even the make-up artists and hair designers--they all play a part in building the movie.

Just before we started filming, David, Mark and I spent the better part of a day on the phone hashing out the script. Every work, every line. It was like a "speak up now or live with it forever" session.

We made lots of little tweaks during that, and that is pretty much what ended up on the screen. After filming, we deleted and trimmed a few scenes, but that's pretty much it. The actors, of course, put their own spin on lines, which only adds to the flavor and quality of the final film.

There was a scene I really liked that we ended up cutting because it didn't add that much to the film. It was a phone call between Piper and Noah, where they were both eating girl scouts cookies and discussing what they were wearing. It's a cute scene and I was sad to see it go because it brought a little intimacy to the two characters, although I understand why they cut it. However, I think it may end up in the bonus material on the North American DVD.

Are there some scenes with Priestly you had to delete unfortunately?

I don't think we had to delete any Priestly scenes, at least not that I remember. Some were shortened, but that's always the way with films. You have to cut every little thing to make the film as streamlined as possible.

I know there are many outtakes on the tampon buying scene-they filmed several possibilities-- but I don't know if they will be on the DVD or not.

Please tell us your impressions about Jensen Ackles.

All I will say is yes, he is a very nice guy, very professional, very interested in doing good work. He took Priestly off the page, and made him his own. He did a great job!

Would you like to write a sequel? If yes, did you pitch this idea to David?

You know what? Rather that a sequel, I'd like to see it as a tv series, although I know the Supernatural fans would kill me for saying that!

At one point--prior to filming the movie--David, Mark, and I talked about the movie being a pilot. We even came up with a new ending, and plots for 13 episodes. But it's not very likely at this point.

Did you ever consider writing a book based on the movie? Maybe what would happen to the characters in the future? We would love to buy a book like this.

Nope, I haven't, but it's an interesting idea.

Are you familiar with the Russian cinema? If yes, are there any movies or directors that you like most?

I'm ashamed to admit that I'm not very familiar with Russian cinema. It's a little overwhelming to me! So many choices. Maybe you and your readers can recommend some DVDs to me that you like?!

Please tell us about yourself and how you became a script writer? Did you publish any books?

Well, I've been a technical writer for a long time, writing computer manuals. And one day I read the script to Sense and Sensibility, and something just clicked in me. I love movies, and I love to make up characters and stories, so it was a perfect match for me.

Do you watch tv shows? What are your favorites?

As a working Mom, I regretfully do not have much time for TV anymore. That makes me a little sad, because there is so much good programming on TV these days.

Last year, I was pretty good about watching at least Heroes and Supernatural, but I've been bad this year! My friend Teebie is much better about watching, and she keeps me up to date (I got lots of text messages from her during a certain Supernatural episode recently when Sam got, ahem, busy!!).

Do you have any hobbies, not connected with writing or film industry?

Well, I read constantly and see as many movies as I can. Isn't it nice when your job is related to your hobbies?! :-)

Most of the rest of my time is spent with my family. Both of my daughters enjoy Irish dance, so the competitions take up much of our time. I am also a girl scout leader of a fantastic troop of teenage girls, which keeps me very busy!

Quiz: name three favorite movies, directors, actors, bands, writers (or books). Or pick any other number.

Oh my God, I flunk questions like this because it's so hard to pick my favorite three of anything!
I love all kinds of movies, from heavy drama to romcoms to fantasy. Torture porn and Slasher are the only genres I avoid. My favorites would depend on my mood that day. There are so many movies I can enjoy over and over.

Like many writers, I read all the time. I have a bookshelf next to a reclining chair in my bedroom with about 100 books crammed in it--that's my "to be read" pile. In fact, I'm typing fast because I have about 50 pages left to read in "Gone Baby Gone" by Dennis Lehane and I can't wait to get in there tonight and finish it!

I guess if I had to pick the book that affected me the most, I'd say "To Kill a Mockingbird" which I read a million years ago in high school, and re-read every year or two. Another book that profoundly affected me was "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell.

I'm all over the board with music too, although, as a writer, lyrics are important to me. I may like the music, but if the lyrics aren't compelling, I lose interest fast. Lately, I've been enjoying Green Day, ColdPlay, and My Chemical Romance. My old standbys are Dave Matthews, Bruce Springsteen, and anything by Pete Townsend. And of course, Joni Mitchell is a goddess!

http://community.livejour...ernatural_tv/1752226.html

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My Bloody Valentine 3D Contest
Contest ends January 5th, 2009.

I found a contest where you can win 1 of 50 double advance screening passes to see My Bloody Valentine 3D. Screenings are in theatres of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, Victoria, and Winnipeg.

Click to take you to contest page. My Bloody Valentine Contest should be first on the list.

http://community.livejour...ernatural_tv/1751823.html

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACI DINWIDDIE



The beautiful Traci Dinwiddie ..aka Supernatural's sexy psychic Pamela Barnes..is having her birthday today.

Here's to wishing Traci a day filled with fun, laughter and friends.

http://community.livejour...com/dean_sam/6790542.html

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CW official description

...for S4/11

( Here )

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Another TVGuide scoop

How will a Supernatural star's new gig affect his role on the spook-tacular CW series?

http://qa-beta.tvguide.com/News/NCIS-Supernatural-Mega-1001173.aspx?rss=object

*Thank you Ines*

( Or here )

(Spoilers)