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News Archive: April 2008
Featured Doodles #5: Television and Movies
Posted at 12:40 PM (PDT) on Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Click on their names to view their doodles and read the text on their doodle pages for lots of info plus links to their websites.
Patricia Arquette: For her work as the psychic Allison DuBois in MEDIUM, she's won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress (2005) and received nominations for another Emmy (2007), a SAG Award (2006, 2007) and Golden Globe Awards (2006, 2007, 2008).
Candice Bergen: Award-winning actress best known for her roles as MURPHY BROWN (1988-98) and Shirley Schmidt in BOSTON LEGAL (2005-08).
Jeff Bridges #1: Star of countless films including THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT, STARMAN, THE VANISHING, THE BIG LEBOWSKI, THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS, SEABISCUIT, THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, SURF'S UP and... coming soon... IRON MAN and HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE with Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, and Gillian Anderson.
Jeff Bridges #2
Bobby and Jamie Deen: Paula Deen's sweet, funny, and charming sons ...and stars of THE FOOD NETWORK'S Road Tasted show. Their brand new cookbook, Y'all Come Eat was published on April 1, 2008.
Paula Deen: Who would ever think that a housewife from Albany, Georgia, with no formal training in food would become one of the country's most beloved celebrity chefs? Everyday, hordes of fans from across the country line up outside The Lady & Sons, Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah, to catch a glimpse of TV's (FOOD NETWORK) most approachable chef. In June 2007, she won two Daytime Emmy Awards (Outstanding Lifestyle Host and Outstanding Lifestyle Program) for Paula's Home Cooking.
Ellen DeGeneres: Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show (winner of nine Daytime Emmy Awards). She has also hosted the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards... and she's the voice of DORY in FINDING NEMO!
Portia de Rossi: Nelle Porter in ALLY McBEAL, Lindsay Bluth F�nke in ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and, most recently, Olivia Lord in NIP/TUCK.
Lucas Grabeel: Ryan Evans (Sharpay's brother!) in Disney Channel's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 is coming soon) and as Ethan Dalloway in the third and fourth installments of HALLOWEENTOWN HIGH and RETURN TO HALLOWEENTOWN. He has made TV guest appearances on BOSTON LEGAL, SMALLVILLE, TIL DEATH, and VERONICA MARS.
James Hampton: Has been appearing in television shows and films since 1964! THE DORIS DAY SHOW, F TROOP, THE LONGEST YARD, POLICE ACADEMY 5: ASSIGNMENT MIAMI BEACH, SLING BLADE. In TEEN WOLF, he played Harold Howard, father of Scott (Michael J. Fox), the basketball playing teen wolf. He reprised his role in TEEN WOLF TOO with Jason Bateman.
Goldie Hawn: ROWAN & MARTIN's LAUGH-IN made her very popular. And then she won an Oscar for her major movie debut, a supporting role in CACTUS FLOWER (1969, with Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman). She went on to star in THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP, BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, SHAMPOO, PRIVATE BENJAMIN (2nd Academy Award nomination), SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES, SWING SHIFT, OVERBOARD, BIRD ON A WIRE, HOUSESITTER, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB, and THE BANGER SISTERS.
Steven-Charles Jaffe: Producer of MOTEL HELL, NEAR DARK, THE FLY II, GHOST, STARK TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY, STRANGE DAYS, THE WEIGHT OF WATER, and K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER. He has a new feature documentary about cartoonist/illustrator Gahan Wilson called Gahan Wilson: Born Dead Still Weird.
Scarlett Johansson: Rose to fame with her role in THE HORSE WHISPERER. Her performance as Grace earned her a Hollywood Reporter Young Star award. She subsequently gained critical acclaim for her roles in GHOST WORLD, LOST IN TRANSLATION and GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, the latter two earning her Golden Globe Award nominations. She was also nominated for Best Actress for both films at the BAFTAs, and won Best Actress for LOST IN TRANSLATION. In 2005 she starred in Woody Allen's MATCH POINT which led to her fourth Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her other films include THE NANNY DIARIES, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, and coming soon, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.
Jay Leno #1: The Tonight Show!
Jay Leno #2
Tina Majorino: Made her feature film debut playing the daughter of Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia in WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN. Shortly afterwards, she starred opposite Ray Liotta and Whoopi Goldberg in CORRINA, CORRINA followed by ANDRE with Keith Carradine as her father. A year later, Tina starred with Kevin Costner, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Dennis Hopper in WATERWORLD. She also played the role of Deb in the surprise smash hit, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. She was regular on the television series VERONICA MARS as Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie and also played the role of Heather Tuttle in HBO's BIG LOVE.
Max Makowski: He will direct the bigscreen adaptation of the 1970s TV series KUNG FU which revolved around a Shaolin monk forced to flee to the Wild West, where he used his martial arts skills to fend off various evildoers. It will be shot entirely in mainland China. He is also working on writing and directing a Universal film based on the Japanese movie SHINOBI, a Studio Canal film based on LE PROFESSIONNEL, and he has rewritten the screenplay for the bigscreen version of HAWAII FIVE-O.
Danica McKellar:Best known for her role as WINNIE COOPER in the television show THE WONDER YEARS and as the author of the national best-seller Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. Her acting credits include HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, INSPECTOR MOM, STRONG MEDICINE, NYPD BLUE, NAVY NCIS, KING OF THE HILL, and THE WEST WING.
Simon Pegg: Best known for his starring roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and for the British sitcom Spaced.
Stellan Skarsgard #1: Award-winning Swedish actor, famous for his roles in the films BREAKING THE WAVES (Jan Nyman), GOOD WILL HUNTING (Prof. Gerald Lambeau), KING ARTHUR (Saxon Warlord Cerdic), and THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN TRILOGY (Bootstrap Bill).
Stellan Skarsgard #2
Mikey Teutul: The youngest son of Paul Teutul, Sr. and younger brother of Paul Teutul, Jr., chief designer and fabricator at ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPERS, the focus of The Learning Channel's reality television series AMERICAN CHOPPER. Mikey is the show's Comic Relief.
Lea Thompson: BACK TO THE FUTURE (Lorraine Baines McFly), SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (Amanda Jones), the television series CAROLINE IN THE CITY (Caroline Duffy), Lifetime's FOR THE PEOPLE (Chief Dep. Dist. Atty. Camille Paris). Between 2005-2008, she has appeared as Cathy Davis (a.k.a. Agent Jane Doe) in all nine of Hallmark Channel's JANE DOE original movies.
Sela Ward: Best known for her award-winning television roles as free-spirited Teddy Reed on SISTERS (1991-96) and single mother Lily Manning on ONCE AND AGAIN (1999-2002). She is also noted for her portrayal of Richard Kimble's murdered wife in the Oscar-nominated film version of THE FUGITIVE. She won two Emmy awards for her work on SISTERS and ONCE AND AGAIN (plus a Golden Globe), and a CableACE Award for her role as Jessica Savitch in ALMOST GOLDEN (1995).
Sela Ward (envelope)
Robert B. Weide: Executive producer and the principal director of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. He's been the recipient of repeated Emmy nominations for his work on the show, and won an Emmy in 2003 for one of the episodes from its third season. "Curb" also received the Golden Globe Award in 2003 as Best Television Comedy Series. His first feature as director, HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE, should hit theaters sometime in 2008. It is based on the best-selling comic memoir by Toby Young and stars Simon Pegg (''Shaun of the Dead,'' ''Hot Fuzz''), Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Megan Fox, Gillian Anderson, and Max Minghella.
Robin Williams #1: Signed 4x6 Glossy
Robin Williams #2: Academy Award-winning actor and comedian with a career that spans over three decades. He won an Oscar for his performance as psychologist Sean Maguire in GOOD WILL HUNTING, and garnered previous Academy Award nominations for his work in THE FISHER KING, DEAD POETS SOCIETY, and GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM. He has also received six Golden Globe awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Additionally, he shared the National Board of Review Best Actor Award with Robert De Niro for AWAKENINGS, and, in 2004, he received the prestigious Career Achievement Award from the Chicago International Film Festival.
Gillian's PSA for NDD: Longer Version
Posted at 10:37 AM (PDT) on Friday, April 25, 2008
Gillian has recorded a Public Service Announcement for the 2nd Annual National Doodle Day auction to be held on eBay from May 8-18.
To hear the PSA, click here.
Featured Doodles #3: Cartoonists and Illustrators
Posted at 1:42 PM (PDT) on Thursday, April 24, 2008
Click on their names to view their doodles and read the text on their doodle pages for lots of info plus links to their websites.
Sergio Aragones: Said to be the fastest cartoonist in the world today. He has won every major award in the field, including the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award, and the Will Eisner Hall of Fame Award. He is best known for his contributions to MAD Magazine since 1963 (over 44 years!).
Mike Arnold #1: Nine years with the Children's Television Workshop... he's a freelance cartoonist who has done a lot of commercial work over the years but has a soft spot for a good cause and enjoys using his powers for good instead of evil.
Mike Arnold #2
John Auchter: He has drawn comics for various newspapers, magazines, companies, and websites. His editorial cartoons have appeared in the Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year compilations by Pelican Publishing Company Inc. and he is a member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
Jim Davis: This is an 8"x10" glossy of Garfield autographed by Jim Davis, the award winning cartoonist who created this popular comic strip character. Today, Garfield is the world�s most widely syndicated comic strip reaching over 230 million readers daily.
Fred Hembeck: Best known for his parodies of characters from major American comic book publishers and the distinctive curlicues on his characters' knees! He was especially visible in the 1980s when his strips would be seen in Marvel Age, a Marvel Comics information magazine.
Kevin Hawkes: The illustrator of over 35 acclaimed picture books and chapter books including Library Lion, The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, Weslandia, and Sidewalk Circus.
Jim Hunt #1: He has been drawing award-winning editorial and political cartoons for over 15 years with The Charlotte Post. His cartoons have been reprinted in The Christian Science Monitor and The Washington Times, and are distributed to newspapers throughout the country.
Jim Hunt #2
Carolita Johnson: Her cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker, The Complete New Yorker, The Rejection Collection by Matt Diffee, and Funny Ladies by Liza Donnelly.
Paul Meisel: He has studied art, printmaking, and graphic design and has illustrated more than sixty children's books. He was included in The Art of Reading: Forty Illustrators Celebrate RIF's 40th Anniversary (RIF = Reading is Fundamental).
Mike Moran: Freelance illustrator; Partial Client List includes: The New York Times, American Express, Boston Globe, Walt Disney Records, The National Recording Academy (Grammy), Scholastic INC., Harvard Business Review and many more.
Angus Oblong #1: Best known as the creator of the cult TV series The Oblongs, an animated series based on his book, Creepy Susie & 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children -- short stories of adult-oriented humor.
Angus Oblong #2
Mike Peters #1: One of the U.S.A.'s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism in 1981; creator of the award-winning Mother Goose & Grimm comic strip appears in over 800 newspapers worldwide and consistently places in the top 10 most popular ratings.
Mike Peters #2
Jimmy Pickering: A talented artist, author, and illustrator with a unique creative vision and original style which has lead him to work for some of the top creative companies in the world such as Hallmark, The Walt Disney Company, and Universal Studios. He has written and illustrated over 20 books and exhibited his original paintings throughout the world.
Bob Riesett: An author of a series of children's stories about a great horned owl whose wisdom protects and guides the children in his stories.
Charles Santore: Award-winning illustrator best known for his children's books.
Garry Trudeau: DOONESBURY!
Gahan Wilson: Known as "the master of the macabre" and it is agreed by most who know his work that he is a national treasure. His cartoons have graced magazines as widely diverse as Colliers, Look, Punch, Playboy, The National Lampoon, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and The New Yorker. He is the focus of a feature length documentary film, Gahan Wilson: Born Dead, Still Weird (2008), directed by Steven-Charles Jaffe.
Ashley Wolff: Award-winning artist who has written and/or illustrated over 40 books, including The Pen that Pa Built, Only the Cat Saw, Baby Beluga, Stella and Roy, and the ever-popular Miss Bindergarten series.
Featured Doodles #2: The 60s and 70s
Posted at 11:04 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, April 23, 2008
...and still going strong!Click on their names to view their doodles and read the text on their doodle pages for lots of info plus links to their websites. Stephen Bishop: Bish has been nominated for two Grammys and an Oscar. His major hits include On and On, Save It For a Rainy Day, Everybody Needs Love, and It Might Be You, from the movie Tootsie. Angela Cartwright: Known for her acting roles in Make Room for Daddy (TV), The Sound of Music and Lost in Space (TV, 1965-1968), she has been a photographer and artist for more than four decades. Her work is exhibited and collected internationally. Veronica Cartwright: (yes, she's in this category too) She made her screen debut in the 1958 war drama In Love and War, and, in the years that followed, alternated between film and TV work with roles in such features as The Children's Hour (1961) and Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963), in addition to playing Lumpy's sister on the television classic Leave It to Beaver. From 1964-1968, the actress endeared herself to television viewers as Jemima Boone on the popular Daniel Boone series. David Cassidy: Probably best known for his role as Shirley Jones's oldest son, Keith Partridge, in the highly popular tv series The Partridge Family (1970 to 1974). To date, his records have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and have been recognized with eighteen gold and platinum recordings including four consecutive multi-platinum LP's. Dom DeLuise #1: On television: The Entertainers with Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart; twelve years on the Dean Martin Show; guest host for Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. In 1968, Dom hosted his own show on CBS, The Dom DeLuise Variety Show On film: probably best known as a regular in Mel Brooks's films. He appeared in The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World: Part I, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.Dom DeLuise #2Shelley Fabares: Best known for her roles as Donna Reed's daughter, Mary Stone, in the long-running tv series The Donna Reed Show and as Craig T. Nelson's wife, Christine Armstrong Fox, in the long-running 1990s sitcom Coach. Kathy Garver #1: Best known for her co-starring role as Cissy in the CBS television hit, Family Affair (1966-71), Kathy has also garnered critical acclaim in movies, stage and voice-over animation. She provided the voice of Firestar in the animated version of Spiderman and His Amazing Friends. Her Beatrix Potter tapes (audio books) have sold over a million copies! Kathy Garver #2 James Hampton: Has been appearing in television shows and films since 1964! He is best known for his roles in The Doris Day Show, F Troop, The Longest Yard (1974), Teen Wolf (1985), Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988) and Sling Blade (1996). Goldie Hawn: It was in Rowan and Martin's comedy-variety show Laugh-In (1968-1970) that Goldie Hawn became very popular and proved herself a talented performer. She won an Oscar for her major movie debut, a supporting role in Cactus Flower (1969, with Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman). She went on to star in There's a Girl in My Soup (1970), Butterflies Are Free (1972), The Sugarland Express (1974), Shampoo (1975), etc. etc. etc. Stanley Livingston: Best known for playing Fred MacMurray's youngest son, Chip Douglas, on the long running television series, My Three Sons (1960-1972). He was one of the three actors to stay throughout the entire series. This sit-com is television's second-longest running comedy series and has been broadcast for nearly 46 years! Stan is also a director, producer, and author. David McCallum: Best known for playing Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ((101 episodes, 1964-1968), for which he received two Emmy Award nominations. Since 2003, David has been starring as Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (which explains his doodle) in the CBS hit series NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Bill Mumy #1: This year, Bill Mumy (Moo-me) is celebrating the 49th anniversary of his professional acting career! He has worked on over four hundred television shows and is probably best known for playing Will Robinson in the long running classic series Lost in Space (1965-1968). From 1994 through 1998 he played the noble, mystical Lennier in the popular science fiction series Babylon 5. He played a Starfleet member in the acclaimed Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode The Siege of AR-558 (1998). Bill Mumy #2 Paul Petersen #1: Achieved stardom as a teenage heartthrob on The Donna Reed Show, an ABC family sitcom that ran from 1958 to 1966. He played son Jeff Stone from the time he was twelve until he was twenty. In 1990, he founded the child-actor support group called A Minor Consideration to improve working conditions for child actors and to assist in the transition between working as a child actor and adult life, whether in acting or in other professions. Paul Petersen #2Jon Provost: 2008 marks his 50th anniversary in the role of Timmy from the Lassie tv series. He is celebrating with the release of his autobiography, Timmy's in the Well, and a multi-city tour. Lana Wood: Probably best known for playing Plenty O'Toole, the Bond girl who gets thrown half out of a hotel window and into a pool in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). She did well on popular television programs such as Playhouse 90, Have Gun, Will Travel, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, The Wild, Wild West, Bonanza, Felony Squad, and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. (Yes, she is Natalie Wood's sister.) THE MONKEES!Davy Jones #1Davy Jones #2Peter Tork #1Peter Tork #2Micky Dolenz #1Micky Dolenz #2Plus two members of Micky's family:His daughter Ami Dolenz: General Hospital (TV), She's Out of Control (opposite Tony Danza), Sloan Peterson in Ferris Bueller (TV), Children of the Night (1991), Miracle Beach (1992), Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway (1993), and Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994). His Son-in-Law Jerry Trimble Jr.: Under the name "Golden Boy", on April 26, 1986 he became the PKA and PKC Kickboxing Champion of the World. Jerry has been in over twenty feature films including Heat (1995; with Al Pacino), Charlie's Angels (2000; nominated for the Taurus Award in the category of Best Fight), War of the Worlds (2005), Mission: Impossible III, and The Last Sentinel (2007).
How To Lose Friends and Alienate People: Release Date
Posted at 7:04 PM (PDT) on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MGM knows 'How To Lose Friends'
Studio nabs domestic rights to Simon Pegg comedy
By Dave McNary
Variety
MGM has acquired domestic rights to "How To Lose Friends and Alienate People" and plans to release the comedy on Oct. 3 in conjunction with Autonomous Films.
Pic, based on Toby Young�s memoir, centers on an English journalist who proves a failure on the staff of New York�s most prestigious magazine as his bad manners and vulgar pranks lead to monumental mishaps.
Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges also star.
Robert B. Weide directed from a script by Young and Peter Straughan.
Gillian's PSA for NDD
Posted at 10:12 AM (PDT) on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Gillian has recorded a Public Service Announcement for the 2nd Annual National Doodle Day auction to be held on eBay from May 8-18.
To hear the PSA, click here.
National Doodle Day: May 8-18, 2008
Posted at 12:01 PM (PDT) on Monday, April 21, 2008
The 2nd Annual U.S.A. National Doodle Day auction to benefit Neurofibromatosis, Inc. is coming soon!
Doodles make great unique Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthday, get-well-soon, and even Christmas presents (it's only 8 months away!). And for those of you thinking about what to do with your upcoming Stimulus Checks, how about donating some of it to charity by getting a doodle or two?
The NDD Online Gallery has 153 doodles at the moment (more coming in) so we're going to guide you through the doodles as we get closer and closer to the start of the auction.
Today's Featured Doodles: The X-Files
Click on their names to see their doodles:
Gillian Anderson: Dana Scully
Chris Carter: The Creator!
Veronica Cartwright: Cassandra Spender
David Duchovny: Fox Mulder
Annabeth Gish: Monica Reyes
Seth Green: Emil in "Deep Throat" (1993)
Dean Haglund: Ringo Langly (The Lone Gunmen)
John Hawkes: Phillip Padgett in "Milagro" (1999) - This is one of the chosen 8 episodes in the new DVD TXF : Revelations (see below, April 10).
Laurie Holden: Marita Covarrubias
Victoria Jackson: Sheila Fontaine in "The Rain King" (1999)
Clyde Klotz: An Emmy Award-winning production designer who has worked on numerous television productions including: The Hitch Hiker, 21 Jump Street and The X-Files as well as feature films. His work on the series Beast Wars garnered him a special jury Emmy Award in 1998 for best production design; the first of it's kind awarded for work in CGI animation.
Mitch Pileggi #1: Walter Skinner
Mitch Pileggi #2
Mark Snow: TXF Composer
Xzibit: FBI Agent, TXF: I Want To Believe
Plus these 2 XF-related doodlers:
Miguel Bello: Lead singer of a popular Portuguese rock band called "Lulla Bye". John Hawkes (see above) wrote the lyrics of their new song GONE and also appears in their music video.
Kendra Stout: Check out her cartoon of Mulder and Scully!
New X-Files Book
Posted at 7:57 AM (PDT) on Saturday, April 19, 2008
 The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series, the Myths, and the Moviesby Matt Hurwitz (Author), Chris Carter (Foreword) List Price: $49.95 Amazon Price: $32.97 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. You Save: $16.98 (34%) This title will be released on October 21, 2008.Save an extra 5% on all Books pre-orders. Pre-order now! Also available at Amazon.co.ukThe Complete X-Files is a declassified look at all nine seasons of the American Peabody and Emmy Award-winning science fiction television series created by Chris Carter. Delve into the mystery and myth of X-Files with in-depth looks at its entire television run, the first X-Files film, and the upcoming cinematic sequel. X-Files creator and producer Chris Carter takes us into the never-before-seen archives with explanations of unsolved plots, discussions of the FBI's paranormal investigations, scene by scene breakdowns of popular episodes, and insider information on both the previous and upcoming X-Files films. Discover the mystery behind Mulder's alien abduction, Scully's secret objectives, the designs of the shadowy "Cancer Man," and the full truth about the Mytharc episodes. Includes many bells and whistles, such as gatefolds, alien and monster charts, alien and monster cards, movie posters, a secret dossier, Mulder and Scully booklets , and more! The Complete X-Files will captivate fans and sciencefiction audiences, proving that nothing is what it seems and that "the truth is out there."
New XF Comic Book in the Pipeline!
Posted at 7:05 AM (PDT) on Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chris Carter Jumps the Gun on New X-Files Comic
By Peter Guti�rrez
Firefox News
It just kind of slipped out. While series creator Chris Carter was answering a question last night (NY Comic-Con) about other incarnations the franchise might take, he "spoiled" an official announcement (supposedly due today) that DC/Wildstorm is launching a new title in conjunction with the release of I Want to Believe.
What else did Carter and collaborator Frank Spotnitz say about the new film and the future of The X-Files in general? Well, keep reading for some of the best nuggets and one-liners the duo delivered to their chomping-at-the-bit fans.
By the way, that last part is no exaggeration. The way that the capacity crowd at New York Comic Con went ga-ga over the screening of the trailer for The X-Files: I Want To Believe, one would have thought that it was its premiere. And that tone of wild enthusiasm continued through the spirited Q&A that followed. Here are some of the highlights.
Q: Why so mysterious guys?
Chris: "I think everyone wants to be surprised on July 25." (Carter went on to reference the number of "spoiler sites" on the Web as a reason for his vigilance.)
Q: How has the contemporary political climate had an effect on The X-Files?
Frank: It "certainly affected the end of the show." And the movie "feels like it takes place right now" (implying that it also reflects its time politically).
Chris: Regarding Watergate, which Carter vividly recalls from his high school days, he said, "We live in a time when there are similar things to be worried about."
Q: What do you want the millions of X-Files fans to take away from this film?
Frank: "Hope."
Chris: "The trash from under your seat."
Q: What was the biggest challenge and biggest reward of making this new movie?
Frank: Snow during the shoot and fan reaction, respectively.
Chris: "Ditto."
Q: What is your favorite moment from the series and one that best typifies Mulder's and Scully's relationship?
Chris: Favorite episode, "The Post-Modern Prometheus" from season five. Moment that best sums up the protagonists' relationship -- when, re Scully driving, Mulder says, "I was just never sure your little feet could reach the pedals."
Q: Will we ever know who the father of Scully's baby is?
Chris: "It's Mulder."
And a few last tidbits...
Frank: "The theme of The X-Files is not about 'aliens.' It's about other people" and our relationships with them.
Chris: The "Blu-ray will be very cool" although it's hard to say what extra footage will be included on home releases since the filmmakers are "still editing the film."
More...
XF2 Has A Title!
Posted at 11:02 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
X-Files movie title is out there: I Want to Believe
By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
The truth is finally out there about the new X-Files movie title.
The second big-screen spinoff of the paranormal TV adventure will be called The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Chris Carter, the series' creator and the movie's director and co-writer, told The Associated Press.
Distributor 20th Century Fox signed off on the title Wednesday.
The title is a familiar phrase for fans of the series that starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents chasing after aliens and supernatural happenings. I Want to Believe was the slogan on a poster Duchovny's UFO-obsessed agent Fox Mulder had hanging in the cluttered basement office where he and Anderson's Dana Scully worked.
"It's a natural title," Carter said in a telephone interview Tuesday during a break from editing the film. "It's a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. I Want to Believe. It really does suggest Mulder's struggle with his faith."
I Want to Believe comes 10 years after the first film and six years after the finale of the series, whose opening credits for much of its nine-year run featured the catch-phrase "the truth is out there."
Due in theaters July 25, the movie will not deal with aliens or the intricate mythology about interaction between humans and extraterrestrials that the show built up over the years, Carter said.
Instead, it casts Mulder and Scully into a stand-alone, earth-bound story aimed at both serious X-Files fans and newcomers, he said.
"It has struck me over the last several years talking to college-age kids that a lot of them really don't know the show or haven't seen it," Carter said. "If you're 20 years old now, the show started when you were 4. It was probably too scary for you or your parents wouldn't let you watch it. So there's a whole new audience that might have liked the show. This was made to, I would call it, satisfy everyone."
Hardcore fans need not worry that the movie will be going back to square one, though, Carter said. The movie will be true to the spirit of the show and everything Mulder and Scully went through, he said.
"The reason we're even making the movie is for the rabid fans, so we don't want to insult them by having to take them back through the concept again," Carter said.
Carter said he settled on I Want to Believe from the time he and co-writer Frank Spotnitz started on the screenplay. It took so long to go public with it because studio executives wanted to make sure it was a marketable title, he said.
The filmmakers have kept the story tightly under wraps to prevent plot spoilers from leaking on the Internet, a phenomenon that barely existed when the first movie came out in 1998.
"We went to almost comical lengths to keep the story a secret," Carter said. "That included allowing only the key crew members to read the script, and they had to read it in a room that had video cameras trained on them. It was a new experience."
New SUPER LARGE Photo thanks to Philiater!
ShockTillYouDrop.com's Visit to the XF2 Set
Posted at 6:13 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A Set Visit to the X-Files Sequel
By Ryan Rotten
ShockTillYouDrop.com
This latest X-Files marks a return home for Carter and his crew. When the series began in '93 lensing took place in Vancouver before the production ultimately moved to Los Angeles. Familiar faces of X-Files' past populate the crew providing the director with a comfortable insulation. John Bartley, director of photography on seasons one through three, is working second unit alongside first assistant director and ex-Lone Gunman Tom Braidwood. Meanwhile Bill Roe, from the Los Angeles days, resumes his duties as d.p. on first unit. Then, of course, there's Duchovny and Anderson as Mulder and Scully, respectively. They're joined this time by newcomers Amanda Peet, Billy Connelly and Xzibit, in a slice of arguably inspired casting...
In the interim, Carter and Spotnitz tabled sequel notes they scribbled together and later revisited them with slightly more mature eyes. "We feel there is a lot to be proud of with the X-Files and we wanted to move forward knowing we had a real story to tell and a reason to tell it," Spotnitz says. "I think we have that. I already think this is going to be something we're all proud of and feel good about."
"I was surprised by how alive they still were in our imaginations," he adds referring to protagonists Mulder and Scully. "We arrived at what they would be doing at this point in their lives and what happened to them the last six years. For eight years I wrote and produced this show, I spent many hours thinking about Scully and Mulder so in a sense they're very real to me."
The sequel, as Spotnitz said, picks up six years after the show's conclusion. Real time has elapsed which has brought about change in the lives of Mulder and Scully. What those changes are, we're never told save for the fact that the two are drawn back into the world of X-Files by one case in particular. Carter likens the film's air of secrecy to a Christmas present. It's something we can shake. Something we can hypothesis about but when all is said and done, he'd prefer to have all of the details blown wide open when the sequel arrives in theaters on July 25th...
Carter adds: "I think the first three seasons really helped lay the foundation for the rest of the show. If you look at those first three, you'll see connections to what you're going to see in the movie. We're trying to scare the pants off of you. It's not a mythology episode but it owes to the character's lives, what they've been through, the relationship and the arc of the show."
As a result, this level of intimacy with the characters means scaling back on locations and not going as global as the first film did. "[The story] comes from the heart and who these characters are," Spotnitz reinforces. "That is part of why it's such a pleasure to do, we were freed of the complications and the machinery of the plot which had gotten quite complicated over nine years. We didn't really have to service a lot of that, we could just tell a really good scary, stand-alone story and go deeper into the characters of Mulder and Scully and their relationship than you could in a weekly series. Mulder and Scully bare a lot of scars from their experiences and you can't do a movie like this without recognizing that ." Much More...
On-set interview with Gillian Anderson
On-set interview with David Duchovny
Gillian in MAXIM
Posted at 4:36 PM (PDT) on Monday, April 14, 2008
Look for Gillian in the May 2008 issue of MAXIM which should be available in bookstores and newsstands this week.
Elisha Cuthbert is on the cover of the magazine.
Photos
Transcript Thanks to Ericka and Philiater!
Nick Lea's Charity Auction Is Back Online
Posted at 4:35 PM (PDT) on Saturday, April 12, 2008
From nicklea.com:
Sorry, there was some kind of problem, and all the auctions had to be re-started. Looks like the previous bids were lost. But they're back in business now.
If your bid was lost, please bid again.
Click here for the eBay, Canada auction. For more information, scroll down this page to the messaged posted on April 1.
The Truth is at NYCC
Posted at 11:50 AM (PDT) on Saturday, April 12, 2008
Meet Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz at the New York Comic Con!
When: Friday, April 18
Where: IGN Theatre, Jacob Javits Center, NYC
Time: 7:30 p.m. for Q&A with Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz
The Truth is at New York Comic Con
by Peter Tatara
Chris Carter is the Director-Writer-Producer. Frank Spotnitz is the Writer-Producer. Both will be at New York Comic Con.
In grand X-Files tradition, the second X-Files movie's storyline is being kept under wraps, but this much I can tell ya. It's a stand-alone story in the tradition of some of the show's most acclaimed and beloved episodes, and it takes the complicated relationship between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in unexpected directions. What can't I say? Everything else. Want to find out?
You'll want -- need -- to be in the IGN Theater at 7:30 PM on Friday to learn the Truth is closer than you think.
You'll also want to be in the Autographing Area in the rear of the Exhibition Hall from 5-6 PM on Friday as both Chris and Frank will be signing.
A big thanks to all our friends at FOX for making this event happen! The Truth is at New York Comic Con!
Fox Home Video Announces 'X-Files Revelations'
Posted at 3:49 PM (PDT) on Thursday, April 10, 2008
 Essential Guide to The X-Files Movie: 8 Critical Episodes Handpicked By The Series Creator (Chris Carter)
List Price: $22.98
Amazon Price: $16.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
You Save: $5.99 (26%)
This title will be released on July 1, 2008.
Pre-order now!
Fox Home Entertainment presents an exclusive insider�s pass to the science-fiction television phenomenon just in time for its second trip to the big screen when �THE X-FILES� REVELATIONS descends onto a two-disc DVD collection July 8th.
Selected by eight-time Emmy� Award nominated series creator Chris Carter himself, all eight full hour episodes in the compilation include special on-camera introductions by Carter and producer Frank Spotnitz, revealing why each were chosen and how they relate to the highly anticipated feature film, invading theaters on July 25th.
Also featured on the set is the February 2008 WonderCon panel session with Carter and Spotnitz, as well as series stars David Duchovny (Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Scully), making their first fan convention appearance together in several years and taking questions from rabid �X-Philes,� in an interview spanning over 38 minutes.
These eight essential episodes � �Pilot,� �Beyond the Sea,� �The Host,� �Clyde Bruckman�s Final Repose,� �Memento Mori,� �The Post-Modern Prometheus,� �Bad Blood� and �Milagro� � span seasons 1�6 and cover a variety of paranormal and unexplained cases centering on alien abductions, psychic phenomenon and life forms not quite human that set the stage for the eagerly anticipated sequel.
As an added bonus, the DVD set also features the theatrical teaser trailer along with a free Hollywood Movie Money ticket (valued at $8.50 U.S. / $10 Canada) to see the sequel in theaters. Source
Lexicon Interviews: XF2
Posted at 11:07 AM (PDT) on Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Lisa Angelo: Were there any funny moments on the movie set that stuck out in your mind?
Chris Carter: I have to say Amanda Peet dancing sticks out in my mind because she is such a good dancer, but she�s a funny dancer. She is a really funny girl and so her dancing really made me laugh. Billy Connolly is always -- he�s the most natural entertainer I have ever met. He really sets a tone. And then of course David is one of the sharpest, wittiest people I know. And Gillian is one of the loveliest people I know. And Xzibit has kind of an infectious laugh. You know it�s amazing. Not only did we cast the right people in the parts, but they all helped to make it a pleasure.
Lisa Angelo: What do you think of all these supposed spoilers circulating on the Internet?
Frank Spotnitz: I�m delighted. I�m delighted by all the confusion and there�s a lot of bad information out there and nobody knows what to believe and from my standpoint that�s absolutely perfect. And I wouldn�t want to do anything to clear it up. I�m happy to tell everyone on July 25 what, if anything we planted. But until then I think there�s just the element of surprise that we�re eager to encourage.
Read the entire interview at The X-Files Lexicon.
TXF2: IGN.com Interview
Posted at 10:46 AM (PDT) on Tuesday, April 8, 2008
X-Files Folks Offer Hints
Carter and Spotnitz on Mulder and Scully's return
by Eric Goldman
April 7, 2008
Excerpts:
At the recent Paley Festival X-Files reunion/tribute, I had the chance to speak one on one with both Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz about the upcoming new X-Files sequel.
Carter: "...I think, especially coming back a number of years later, the best thing to do would be to reintroduce The X-Files to its core audience, but also maybe introduce it to a lot of people who haven't had a chance to see it before, who were maybe too young to see it before. I talk to college kids now who were too young fifteen years ago [when the series began], and if you're 22 years old and in college, you were just a kid. So I think there are lots of kids who didn't see it. "
Spotnitz: "It's scary. It's about Mulder and Scully, very much. It's about them and their relationship and who they are and it's a personal and emotional movie too, in a way that the series rarely could be, because we're not doing 24 episodes - we're just doing this one standalone movie. And it's designed to reward fans. It certainly touches upon things that fans alone will appreciate. But [it's also designed] to work for people who never saw The X-Files - who were too young. That's what's most exciting, honestly, is the chance to introduce these characters to a new generation."
So might this be the beginning of a new series of X-Files movies? When asked that question, Spotnitz replied "Hopefully! That would be nice. We had such a good time doing it, it would be nice to keep going."
To read the entire article, go to IGN.com.
A Letter from Nick Lea
Posted at 5:01 PM (PDT) on Tuesday, April 1, 2008
UPDATE: THE AUCTION HAS STARTED. CLICK HERE.Hi Everyone!
Myself and some other friends have a very close compadre that is suffering through a life threatening bout of cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago and it has now spread to her liver. Our friend Babz Chula is a widely unique and wonderful person. She is a highly respected and talented actor. She has a heart the size of Texas.
She has chosen a particular course of treatment that is not covered by our medical system in Canada and we, her community, have gathered in an attempt to help her through a very scary part of her life. To this end we have organized a number of fund raising events to help cover the cost of this very expensive undertaking.
Beginning on April 2nd 2008 people will be able to bid online for dinners with some of their fan faves from in front and behind the camera. David Duchovny and I will be available for dinner with the person who wins the bid. Chris Chris Carter is also up for grabs. I've put up some of my favorite articles of clothing from the X Files, etc. There is a complete list of actors available for dinner bids as well as other great memorabilia.
This is something that we are behind passionately. Babz is a close friend. She needs our help now. I ask you as a favor to not only take a good look at the website but to also consider a manageable donation or if the spirit moves you to bid on a dinner with David D. and I and others. It should be fun.
Thank you so much for ALL your support. Thank you for your kindness. Please spread the word as far and wide as you can. Babz is a stranger to you all but believe me when I tell you that this is a worthy cause. You can find out all you need to know at babchulasociety.org.
Thank you. Lots of love. See you at dinner.
Nick
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