RAZOR: more commentary

I also have some things to say about the wonderful BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR. Come over to my livejournal and let's talk. (Warning: super spoilery, obvs.)

This reviewer and I obviously don't see eye to eye...although I'll go with his description of BSG as "the Sylvia Plath of science fiction."

Rumor Control...and Marc Andreessen

OK, yes: it's a rumor, that all 3000 attendees of the Creation BSG Con will converge on the WGA picket line at Universal. That is not the case.

HOWEVER it most certainly IS TRUE, that BSG fans - and heck, all TV fans period - in the area are cordially invited to join the striking writers at Universal Studios on Friday, November 16th. Come on down! I believe Mr. Verheiden will keep you posted on the time/location...or just refer to the WGA's picket locations page.

Marc Andreessen has posted again regarding the strike; he feels it may kick-start a process of recreating Hollywood in Silicon Valley's image:

In Silicon Valley, there are many companies, large and small, that create, market, and distribute products -- and more such companies all the time. In fact, there is a whole industry -- the venture capital industry -- devoted to creating as many new such companies as possible, as rapidly as possible.

• In Silicon Valley, creation, marketing, and distribution of a compelling new product is not very expensive. And with the Internet, marketing and distribution costs drop nearly to zero. Most successful Internet companies, large and small, use free viral marketing techniques and never run ads. And the whole concept of distribution costs goes away when everything is digital -- the next set of bits costs nothing to manufacture.
  

• Therefore, there are no bottlenecks. Many companies, large and small, can afford to be in business -- can afford to develop new products and bring them to market, market them and distribute them. And nobody can really block you.
  

• In Silicon Valley, the creators of the product -- the talent -- are owners: owners of their product, and owners of their company. In fact, the entities that finance the companies -- venture capitalists, private equity funds, the public stock market -- want the creators to be owners: in a world where there can be many companies, the best creative talent will be drawn to the situations in which they will be owners, and will be compensated as owners.
  

• Because of that, in technology, creators get paid like owners.
  

• Therefore, there are no unions. There is no reason for the creators to unionize -- they would be negotiating with themselves. The concept of residuals does not exist -- they'd be paying themselves. And alignment of interests between creators and financiers is near-perfect.

There is also the music business to consider...plenty of musicians have figured out ways to make the internet work for them. Wouldn't it be nifty if film & TV artists could do the same?

Digital

Sometimes the studio and network bosses do seem to understand the internet and digital revolution... just not when it comes to paying the writers.


Also, Mark Verheiden notes that the Friday events are for fans of all shows to come out and show their support for the writers.

Sackhoff

Katee Sackhoff is interviewed by AOL Television's TV Tattler. Katee talks about Bionic Woman and Battlestar Galactica, and reveals small hints for season 4. (No major spoilers.)

Razor Review

Battlestar Galactica: Razor

A review by Logan Gawain

Razor, the new Battlestar Galactica movie airing November 24th on the Sci-Fi Channel, written by Michael Taylor and directed by Felix Alcala is an excellent double episode that sheds new light on much of the back-story details that previously we’ve only heard about, from the journey of Battlestar Pegasus before she joined the rag-tag Galactica fleet.

The film focuses on Kendra Shaw played by Stephanie Jacobsen, as we see Admiral Cain’s actions on the Pegasus through Shaw’s eyes. As the story begins, Lee Adama has just assumed command of Pegasus right after the episode, “The Captains Hand”. Lee pours through the crew fitness reports and finds that Shaw was demoted to kitchen duty under Commander Garner. Lee sees elements in Shaw’s record of service that he thinks will give him “a strong right hand” so he asks Shaw to serve as his XO.

The story is interwoven with Shaw’s flashbacks of her serving under Admiral Cain, from the day Shaw arrived on Pegasus -- the day of the Cylon attack on the Scorpion Ship Yards-- inter-cut with the story of Lee’s first assignment as Pegasus Commander. In that story, Admiral Adama sends the Pegasus on a search and rescue mission for a missing science Raptor. The events of that story tie in to the Adama flashbacks we’ve seen as the Razor Minisodes involving the old style Cylon Centurians, and the experiments they were conducting at the very end of the first Cylon war. Through a twist at the end of this storyline, we also get a jolt of a tease of things to come in season 4.

Stephanie Jacobsen is the center of this film. The story revolves around Kendra Shaw's story, choices, and her journey. And Shaw’s interactions with Kara Thrace -- whom as we know has a history of bucking authority and fighting her XO’s-- provides for some excellent scenes between the two. Jamie Bamber as Apollo and Edward James Olmos as Adama also have several strong scenes together as they adapted to what was then a new dynamic and tension in the family Adama, with one commanding a Battlestar, and the other commanding the whole fleet.

Michelle Forbes as Cain really brings a depth and a stronger humanity to the character that wasn't completely on display when we were first introduced to the Admiral in season 2. Forbes' performance adds nuance and texture to the role. Seeing Cain before the attack and before Gina (Tricia Helfer) was revealed as a Cylon agent, shows us that Cain’s journey was a long and brutal one, and that by the time she met up with Galactica’s fleet, she wasn’t the same person she had been because of everything she and her crew had gone through alone in space, believing they were the last Battlestar fighting the Cylons in a life and death struggle. Did she shed some of her humanity in order to become a razor? Perhaps so. And that’s a question Kendra Shaw struggles to answer for herself as well. (And in a way, isn't it a question for all the characters on Galactica, if they think back on how much they have changed since their journey began?)

If there is any flaw to Razor, it’s that it’s too short. Clearly the extended version coming to DVD in December will provide more context and fill in the missing pieces. (Also, while people may be expecting Razor to have the epic qualities of a film, it actually is more simply defined as a extra late season 2 double episode, that tells an interesting side-story.) But, even the TV version is a worthy installment in the BSG saga, filled with tons of action, and stunning feature film quality visual FX eye candy to satisfy every fan -- there are some scenes clearly designed to elicit a crowd pleasing cheer.

But, what Razor does really well is allow us to see Admiral Cain in a new light. As Adama said in the second season episode Pegasus “context matters”. Now, we have the context of Cain’s actions, and the choices she made.

This is what Battlestar Galactica always does best: Force the viewer to think about another point of view, and to see the other side of the argument.

For a “sci-fi” show, Battlestar Galactica remains the most harshly realistic television series of our time.

Joss Whedon speaks

Writer, creator, and Battlestar Galactica fan Joss Whedon speaks from the picket line


The strike is really tough on those poor studio executives

Strike Update: So say we all!

Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting on the efforts of agents to get the two sides talking. Perhaps progress will be made.

Variety's strike blog reports on comedy writers not writing.

Blogger Digby writes that even with major media outlets biased against the WGA, the vast majority of citizens of Los Angeles back the writers efforts.

If Edward James Olmos shows up to Universal to picket with the writers, will he lead everyone in a chant of "So Say We All!" as he did at the Arclight Crossroads screening?

Spoilers & Turn off the lights.

We don't address spoilers directly here on the Sitrep, but the Starbuck/Apollo Shippers Anonymous Live Journal group has a nice simple rundown of most of the spoilers floating around out there. Some are vague. Others are probably flat out wrong. But, if you are interested in that sort of thing, check it out.

Also, Tricia Helfer did a "Green is Universal" environmental awareness video tip.

The 3000?

Well, what does EW.com know that we don't?

3000 of you are going to picket with the BSG writers this Friday?

Totally, totally awesome dudes. Where is he getting that info?

(Also, Mark Stern, I hope you are right!)

Roger That Jane.

OK, Jane Espenson says Friday November 16th is BSG Fandom Day on the WGA picket lines - so apparently IT IS ON, fer reals. Los Angeles fans: get your butts out there and represent!

(Also note she says Tuesday is actor support day...TBD on attendance by any "Battlestarstars"...)

ETA: Mark Verheiden chimes in as well, confirming that Fandom should SHOW UP:

THIS FRIDAY, 11/16. Time, studio and gate to be announced, but most likely outside NBC/Universal.

WGA is currently listing week 2 picketing shifts as 6am-10am and 10am-2pm daily.

And bring some sandwiches.

"A mule will labor for ten years willingly and patiently for you, for the priviledge of kicking you once."
- William Faulkner

I'm not sure if this is a joke or what, but the WGA Strike blog United Hollywood has announced the following for week 2 of the writers strike:

Guild staff: "Week Two will be a test. The AMPTP expects us to crumble this week."

Well, what do we think of that? WILL WE CRUMBLE?

Rousing cry from crowd: "THAT SEEMS DECIDEDLY UNLIKELY!"

A little wordy, but I'll take it.

We want to "crush our numbers" as they say on Wall Street. We need a huge showing to demonstrate our resolve. To that end: theme days!

[snip]

FRIDAY 11/16: Battlestar Galactica Day at Universal
There's a BSG convention going on at Universal. And they're going to picket. Probably in costume. Oh, frak!

So for those of you attending Creation Con this coming weekend, why not skip the pre-registration and head over to Universal instead.

Carpool anyone?

Strike news update from Logan: Check out this op/ed by Lost exec producer Damon Lindelof in The New York Times where he explains the future of content delivery, new media and the internet steams/downloading issue for writers. And in Entertainment Weekly, Mark Harris explains why the writers are right. Also check out Maureen Dowd talking to SNL's Seth Meyers in her NYT column. And Maureen Ryan covered strike day 5, as well as the impact of the strike on Chicago.

And if you want cool WGA strike swag buy some here.

Vote in the People's Choice Award

From the Battlestar Blog:

The 34th Annual People's Choice Awards
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has been nominated for a PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD!!!!!!

FAVORITE SCI-FI SHOW
"Battlestar Galactica"
"Doctor Who"
"Stargate Atlantis"

How to place your vote for BSG ....
Go here http://www.pcavote.com/
Click on the VOTE NOW button
On the right hand side you will see VOTE BY CATEGORY
Choose TELEVISION
Click on Battlestar Galactica, click on CAST YOUR VOTE

Winners will be revealed during the live broadcast hosted by Queen Latifah from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 8 (9:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Razor Flashback 6

The latest Razor minisode.

Front Lines

Another simple explanation of the situation for writers in New Media.

At Friday's WGA rally at Fox, author Harlan Ellison can be seen here in photo number 2 holding a sign that says, "Nick Counter Sleeps with the Fishe$$$". (Nick Counter is the mafia style negotiator for the corrupt corporate bosses of the AMPTP.)


UPDATE: photo of Harlan by Eric Appel.

Writer Josh Friedman, the show runner of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (to be scored by Bear McCreary) has a great blog post on the strike. Also, check out the latest from Ken Levine on the march up Pico.

RAZOR is coming…has arrived...

According to these two gaming sites, Jamie Bamber and Ron Moore will attend the Seattle RAZOR screening. As we already mentioned, writer Mark Verheiden wants his fans to know he is planning to attend the Ventura, CA screening.

And for those of you eager beavers who can't make it to a screening? Well... Umm...*g*

Hollywood trade paper Variety has a review of RAZOR up this week...Yes hello, Mr. Lowry? "Zombie" fans? Really? Sigh.

And, seriously Off-Topic, but making my day: “I gotta motor if I wanna be ready to explore strange new worlds tonight.”…”How very. Fascinating.” (heh heh)

50% Off Season 1

Amazon is having a sale on BSG Season One DVDs for 50% Off MSRP.

(And YES, writers get a cut of DVD sales!)

ETA: SALE IS TODAY ONLY

What Does Harlan Think?

Harlan Ellison discusses the merit of getting paid for one's writing.

Warning: NSFW

Sign It!

United Hollywood notes that you can sign this petition in support of the WGA.

This post on United Hollywood, and this on TUAW bring up some of the new media issues involved in this whole mess.

For some humor from the picket lines visit the blog of writer Ken Levine.

The latest info here and here.

Showrunners

Video from the Show Runners rally at Disney yesterday that Ron Moore attended


Variety's blog reports that the show runners are putting pressure on the corporate studios to come back to the table. The united front of the show runners is forcing shows to shut down sooner than expected and since the suits only care about money, it will hurt their bottom line.

Below, Carlton Cuse, exec producer of Lost displayed his great sign at the show runners rally.

RDM at the Picket Line

IGN spoke to Ron Moore at the WGA picket line today about the issues at hand, and how this is affecting BSG's final season:

As for how Battlestar Galactica is being affected, Moore said "We have an episode [filming] on the stage right now that will be the last episode. We don't have a script beyond that, so this will be it." There had been varying talk about just how many episodes Battlestar had completed of its 20 episode final season, but Moore told me the episode filming now "happens to be our mid-season cliffhanger, so it's just one of the quirks of the schedule that boom, we will finish our first ten and the network had planned to show just the first ten anyway. The airdate for the back ten was up in the air. Now it's even more up in the air."

In the event of a prolonged strike, I asked Moore how difficult it might be to reassemble the cast and crew, who had thought they would be finishing work on the series forever this spring. "We can certainly do it," Moore said, in regards to getting everyone back. "I know that the entire cast and crew and writing staff are eager to finish and it's very, very important to us to finish, so whenever it's resolved, we'll all be ready to go back in and finish the show. We know what the stories are. We haven't written the scripts, but we know what the stories are, leading up to the finale. "

It had recently been announced that Moore would be making his directorial debut on a Battlestar episode, and he laughed, revealing that was going to be the next episode shot. "It was an interesting week last week, because the very next one was going to be the one I was going to write and direct, and that's the one that we're not gonna do."

(Btw Ron, yes your stuff is on Hulu.)

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