Sunday, March 29, 2009

Publish The Scripts

Mark Verheiden has just blogged about something that fandom has wondered about for a while now: will NBCU/SciFi publish the BSG series scripts? They will undoubtably be an amazing read for fans, sparking new rounds of discussion on changes made between the page and the final cuts.

Would you buy a collection of published scripts? Or would you prefer to see them added to a BSG Full Series DVD set? (I know there were at least one or two seasons of the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER scripts included on one version of their DVD release, for example.) Let us know what you think in the comments.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would definitely buy a script book. It would be most helpful!

Anonymous said...

Definitely would want a script book, but I think I would prefer to purchase it separately. Maybe they could include scripts for episodes where they specifically noted difference between script and episode.
amorporchoco

Unknown said...

They also did this for West Wing. Not all the scrips, just like ones that were fan favorites or whatever. I think it would be a really good idea. I know I'd buy it for sure too. lol.

Unknown said...

I think a script book for BSG would be immensely helpful. Two years ago at the American Academy of Religion convention (I know for sure) and then two weeks ago at the United Nations, we had people examining critically the issues presented in the show. If for no other reason, an indexed, comprehensive, written form of the scripts will be of immense help, especially as scholars, such as myself, seek to contextualize and further understand the issues for which BSG has given us a trope to talk about to a wider audience.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I guess I'd buy 'em. I'd pay much more for extended episodes on DVD, though. If they're only releasing select scripts, though, I'm not shelling out cash for action-oriented episodes like "Scar". Frak that. My favorites remain: "Lay Down Your Burdens", "Occupation"/"Precipice", "Pegasus" (extended), then "Son Also Rises"/"Crossroads".

Anonymous said...

*looks at complete collection of B5 script books*
yup, I'd buy BSG scripts.

Asta said...

I'd definitely buy them considering I know how the episodes have changed from script to screen.

Unknown said...

I'm more interested in versions that are different from the aired episode. I wouldn't care for "scripts" that are basically transcripts taken from what's aired.

I'm probably the only person on Earth who wants this, but I've wanted to read the original script for Woman King for awhile now since it sounds like that one changed a lot.

ProgGrrl said...

@Liz: scripts would probably be what is known as "the shooting script" which is the version used to shoot each episode. And which is often, according to several sources, 1) longer than what is aired; 2) different from how the show is finally cut together to air, sometimes *drastically* different; 3) a great read unto itself for the stage directions and notes -- if you're into that sort of thing.

Anonymous said...

I would definitely appricieate that sort of thing, but rather in the separate form than DVD box.
I'd love to read those notes and commenatary, that ProGrrl mentioned about in point no. 3. :)

Eric H said...

I'd buy the scripts if they also included the show bible and cylon bible - now THAT would be worth owning!

Logan Gawain said...

Yes, I'd love to read the scripts. I think it would be valuable insight into the show as a whole.

The_Brain said...

I would buy a script but it's definitely more convenient in a dvd set box

Mark Sonntag said...

Publish, with annotations. No doubt.

Hieu Le Bui said...

I wouldn't be in buying mainly because it would ruin any if not all the stuff on screen because those are cannon material. Plus I am not that obsess with the series that much to buy anything the BSG crew put out there.

Unknown said...

They certainly would be fantastic reads.

Anonymous said...

I would buy it.

It would be a neat collectors item, and if the show really does want to take itself seriously as literature or art, a set of annotated would serve as a fantastic aid for people wanting to write about it.

It's tough to do culture studies on television sometimes because it's hard to quote things and other people won't want to see it all, but having text at your disposal can make all the difference.

Unknown said...

Since I also purchased a complete set of B5 script books, I'd love to see BSG do something similar. Especially if they could include the kind of behind-the-scenes insights and such that JMS brought to the B5 script book series.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see shooting scripts added to any DVDs or Deluxe sets coming out but in a perfect world, I'd gladly shell out for books with "original" vs shooting scripts for each episode (even the action ones)

Rob Robinson said...

I'd buy the scripts if they also included the show bible and cylon bible - now THAT would be worth owning!

I agree. I would very much like to read the series bible and the Cylon bible. I hope these are published, either online or in print, at some point.