Con
A science fiction convention, or "Con" is an exercise in choices. There were 30 panel discussions scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon. I had narrowed my interests down to three: "Designing Fantasy Role Playing Games," "The Chinese Space Program," and "2081: The Remake Everyone Was Waiting For" The first included a panelist that I had seen hog the conversation in a prior panel. The second seems too much like work. I picked the third. At movies-in-the-making type panels, you sometimes pick up interesting tidbits with which you can amaze your friends. Of course, the moviemakers are hoping that the spread of these tidbits builds a "buzz" for the movie. It’s a symbiotic relationship: movie and fan. The 2081 panel consisted of four people involved with the film (TheStudioGuy. TheWriter, TheProducer, TheActor) and one moderator from the science fiction community.
TheStudioGuy began by explaining that when Sony acquired the MGM properties, they included all rites to "2001 A Space Odyssey." That classic film will be 40 years old in 2008. They have been working to make a re-envisioned movie for the anniversary. TheActor (Manu Kumar) described how thrilled he was, when he read the draft script, because this script delves more deeply than the original into the complexities of human emotions, giving an actor a real chance to develop the character. He asked his agent to see if he could be considered for a part. TheProducer described how she, at the same time, was talking up Manu within Sony as a perfect candidate for the role, based on his work that she had seen. It sounded as if when they got together to discuss the project, it was like an eHarmony commercial.
Manu is East Indian. TheStudioGuy and The Producer explained that in today's society, an all white cast was not considered realistic, and they were going for a more global appeal. And this would not be a token placement. Manu was signed to play the Dave Bowman character, though of course, the name would be changed. The audience accepted this change with grace.
TheWriter was eager to share some of the differences from the original movie, and the fans were eager to hear. Unfortunately, he was on TheStudioGuy's tight leash. He could tell us that in Arthur C. Clark's original story, "The Sentinel," the alien object was a pyramidal shape protected by a force field. The Stanly Kubrik movie changed this to an obelisk. The new film would be closer to the original. The audience was annoyed that the filmmakers were so tight with the information. They clearly did not understand Con-goers and the symbiosis. The audience pressed and the panel admitted that the bone would appear in the new version, at least in the current version of the script. In fact, TheProducer added that they were seeking the original bone. The fans were pleased with their victory over the corporate suit.
Then things started really going bad. Not only did this panel not understand the symbiosis contract, but also it became clear that they had little respect for fans. TheStudioGuy and TheProducer each had cell phones ring while they were talking. And they took the calls! TheStudioGuy explained that the pacing of the original movie was too slow for today's crowds, especially within their 17-25 core demographic. TheProducer admitted that she had no experience in the science fiction genre, saying that she didn't need it since her job was not creative, but just to make sure that the movie came in on time and within budget.
Tidbits slipped out, but they were not comforting to die-hard fans. The HALdroid would have two red orbs instead of one. That would be consistent with the 3-D scenes from HAL's point of view.
Not only was the audience starting to have trouble with the moviemakers, but also the makers began having trouble with each other. When TheStudioGuy revealed that they were considering shooting locations in Tunisia, Australia, and New Zealand, TheProducer exploded. It seems that TheActor's contract demands most of the shooting in Los Angeles in order to enable him to continue other projects.
"We talked about this."
"Yes, but it was just talk; we didn't reach any conclusions."
Music was another issue. They wanted something with more action. "2001 was all waltzes." TheProducer wanted to add to the global appeal with Yanni.
When one fan, in frustration, said, "Make whatever movie you want. Just don't call it 'A Space Odyssey,'" TheStudioGuy answered, "Well, the title that tested best in the focus groups was '2001 A Space Odyssey.' The second choice was '2081 A Space Odyssey.'"
The final blow was a bad news - good news moment. What tidbits we had collected would do us no conversational good, because the movie would never be made. The whole panel was a hoax. When you make your choices, sometimes you get bored, sometimes you get some special tidbits. I guess sometimes the shark eats the remoras.
TheStudioGuy began by explaining that when Sony acquired the MGM properties, they included all rites to "2001 A Space Odyssey." That classic film will be 40 years old in 2008. They have been working to make a re-envisioned movie for the anniversary. TheActor (Manu Kumar) described how thrilled he was, when he read the draft script, because this script delves more deeply than the original into the complexities of human emotions, giving an actor a real chance to develop the character. He asked his agent to see if he could be considered for a part. TheProducer described how she, at the same time, was talking up Manu within Sony as a perfect candidate for the role, based on his work that she had seen. It sounded as if when they got together to discuss the project, it was like an eHarmony commercial.
Manu is East Indian. TheStudioGuy and The Producer explained that in today's society, an all white cast was not considered realistic, and they were going for a more global appeal. And this would not be a token placement. Manu was signed to play the Dave Bowman character, though of course, the name would be changed. The audience accepted this change with grace.
TheWriter was eager to share some of the differences from the original movie, and the fans were eager to hear. Unfortunately, he was on TheStudioGuy's tight leash. He could tell us that in Arthur C. Clark's original story, "The Sentinel," the alien object was a pyramidal shape protected by a force field. The Stanly Kubrik movie changed this to an obelisk. The new film would be closer to the original. The audience was annoyed that the filmmakers were so tight with the information. They clearly did not understand Con-goers and the symbiosis. The audience pressed and the panel admitted that the bone would appear in the new version, at least in the current version of the script. In fact, TheProducer added that they were seeking the original bone. The fans were pleased with their victory over the corporate suit.
Then things started really going bad. Not only did this panel not understand the symbiosis contract, but also it became clear that they had little respect for fans. TheStudioGuy and TheProducer each had cell phones ring while they were talking. And they took the calls! TheStudioGuy explained that the pacing of the original movie was too slow for today's crowds, especially within their 17-25 core demographic. TheProducer admitted that she had no experience in the science fiction genre, saying that she didn't need it since her job was not creative, but just to make sure that the movie came in on time and within budget.
Tidbits slipped out, but they were not comforting to die-hard fans. The HALdroid would have two red orbs instead of one. That would be consistent with the 3-D scenes from HAL's point of view.
Not only was the audience starting to have trouble with the moviemakers, but also the makers began having trouble with each other. When TheStudioGuy revealed that they were considering shooting locations in Tunisia, Australia, and New Zealand, TheProducer exploded. It seems that TheActor's contract demands most of the shooting in Los Angeles in order to enable him to continue other projects.
"We talked about this."
"Yes, but it was just talk; we didn't reach any conclusions."
Music was another issue. They wanted something with more action. "2001 was all waltzes." TheProducer wanted to add to the global appeal with Yanni.
When one fan, in frustration, said, "Make whatever movie you want. Just don't call it 'A Space Odyssey,'" TheStudioGuy answered, "Well, the title that tested best in the focus groups was '2001 A Space Odyssey.' The second choice was '2081 A Space Odyssey.'"
The final blow was a bad news - good news moment. What tidbits we had collected would do us no conversational good, because the movie would never be made. The whole panel was a hoax. When you make your choices, sometimes you get bored, sometimes you get some special tidbits. I guess sometimes the shark eats the remoras.