tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7290394765028517050..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38732716286006693472012-03-27T09:22:51.459-07:002012-03-27T09:22:51.459-07:00I've got a general question, that might fall i...I've got a general question, that might fall into your Friday Question genre, or might just be a simple answer.<br /><br />One of my favorite shows over the past couple of years has been Archer. I've described it to friends as a cross between Get Smart and South Park. It's seasons seem to be 10 episodes long.<br /><br />For a season like this, is itt most likely that all of the season will be written and sold, then the voices and animation done in one block, or is it likely to flow in a weekly timeframe similar to other longer running US series?William C Bonnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18419958146523957415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62778117385695140472012-03-21T09:25:45.082-07:002012-03-21T09:25:45.082-07:00A question:
For the occasional plot point where a...A question:<br /><br />For the occasional plot point where a character has oodles of cash, how is this done? Is it real, fake, or some mix, like green paper wrapped in real $100s?Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07469841590403802980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15055090473721650712012-03-20T09:05:10.711-07:002012-03-20T09:05:10.711-07:00My question is -
Have you listened to Bill Lawre...My question is - <br /><br />Have you listened to Bill Lawrence's interview with Marc Maron? If so, what did you think of what he said about show running? He talks a fair bit about the process. I especially enjoyed his story about not asking actors about their characters. <br /><br />Thanks,<br />NathanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31930165663440273412012-03-18T15:06:36.226-07:002012-03-18T15:06:36.226-07:00It is odd that no new term has come along to repla...It is odd that no new term has come along to replace "filming" or "taping". "Recording" doesn't really work, because it is so closely associated with sound/music. Likewise, "Photographed" doesn't sound right, either, and "captured" sounds too accidental.Rich Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146762791223185843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30603271410559236552012-03-17T16:41:43.990-07:002012-03-17T16:41:43.990-07:00Great to know. Thanks, Wendy!Great to know. Thanks, Wendy!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86029960819488302952012-03-17T08:39:39.515-07:002012-03-17T08:39:39.515-07:00Kirk, Cosell had the habit of having a drink befor...Kirk, Cosell had the habit of having a drink before a Monday Night Football game at the party they had in each city for affiliates and the like, but, unfortunately, now and then, he overdid it before airtime. Whether that's why he and Michaels had so much trouble, or Cosell by then was simply out of control on every level, I don't know.<br /><br />Jake, you are a Tennessean if you're from Lindsey country. One of the greatest announcers I've ever heard and from what I've read, one of the nicest and most respected guys in his profession. As for those jackets, when he got the award at Cooperstown, he announced he was giving the Hall of Fame a "Lindsey Nelson working jacket," then said, "In fact, this one," took it off, and handed it to the head of the Hall of Fame.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41125816981191000582012-03-17T08:35:23.754-07:002012-03-17T08:35:23.754-07:00Nonchalant Savant: Yeah, when I'm writing a sc...Nonchalant Savant: Yeah, when I'm writing a script, invariably there'll be a moment when someone pulls out a cell phone, and I'll start to write: "He dials a number..." I'll usually change it to something like "taps out a number" or "makes a call," but it annoys me.jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19310323769848693662012-03-17T07:25:26.636-07:002012-03-17T07:25:26.636-07:00"Why do they say Whitney is TAPED in front of..."Why do they say Whitney is TAPED in front of a live studio audience?" <br /><br />Habit. Folks still say "Dial 1-800-XXX... etc"<br /><br />When is the last time you dialed ANYTHING? Children don't have a clue as to what a telephone dial is.<br /><br />I work with digital audio, and yet still occasionally ask "Are we rolling?" Again, NOTHING is rolling.Nonchalant Savanthttps://twitter.com/#!/NonchalantSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27764199777067579312012-03-16T21:18:51.005-07:002012-03-16T21:18:51.005-07:00Ken: Do you remember Lindsey Nelson? He's from...Ken: Do you remember Lindsey Nelson? He's from my hometown and the worst thing I can say about him is he called Mets games. Seriously, the guy was a pro's pro. Longtime sports viewers might also remember plaid sports jackets, his work for NBC, at the Cotton Bowl, and for Notre Dame football. His "team up" with Curt Gowdy for NBC during the 1969 Mets/Orioles World Series was a classic.Jake Mabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908036270824377919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87644255202154738862012-03-16T21:04:28.147-07:002012-03-16T21:04:28.147-07:00I apologize for my previous question...I didn'...I apologize for my previous question...I didn't realize that was Kevin, your producer. There is a superficial resemblance--thin, glasses.Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71337400289016936022012-03-16T20:41:38.314-07:002012-03-16T20:41:38.314-07:00"Why do they say Whitney is TAPED in front of..."Why do they say Whitney is TAPED in front of a live studio audience? Do they still use tape in 2012?"<br /><br />Wow, you're right.<br /><br />A more accurate way would be:<br /><br />"Whitney is captured to a proprietary digital media format in front of live studio audience."<br /><br />Much better. :)Dave Oldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215102320199051371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45112361917288136042012-03-16T20:20:09.358-07:002012-03-16T20:20:09.358-07:00Speaking of Jimmy Dudley ... he was also the play-...Speaking of Jimmy Dudley ... he was also the play-by-play man for the one and only season of the Seattle Pilots.Al in Portlandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26566701826242606972012-03-16T19:45:35.323-07:002012-03-16T19:45:35.323-07:00My guess is that someone transcribed an Animal Cra...My guess is that someone transcribed an Animal Crackers performance. There is no question that Groucho was a genius at coming up with improvised lines.<br /><br />In fact, there is a famous story about The Cocoanuts, which was co=written by George S. Kaufman, who also directed the Broadway veresion. gsk was at the back of the auditorium talking to a friend and suddenly stopped mid-sentenceand whirled to look at the stage. 'What is it?" the friend is supposed to have asked. "I thought I just heard one of the original lines," GSK replied. <br /><br />Sp.ues, the Marx Brothers improvised a lot, but I think more on stage than on film. Tjat was the famous legend of Irving Thalberg - they had a period of some not-so-good movies, and told Thalberg, when he asked, that it was because they hadn't been able to test the material and hone it in front of a live audience. So Thalberg arranged a road tour on which they performed the comedy scenes with some storyboards to make the links for the audience. The resulting movies were A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races(which has admittedly dated badly). <br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58521943754092479932012-03-16T19:33:04.281-07:002012-03-16T19:33:04.281-07:00Thanks for your words about Kevin Cremin. He'...Thanks for your words about Kevin Cremin. He's a hero in our family, both for the great job he's done and because, as my son would say when he was very little, he's not just a producer, he's an engineer!Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57625614520879001642012-03-16T17:42:12.023-07:002012-03-16T17:42:12.023-07:00Interesting stuff about the Marx Brothers. I'l...Interesting stuff about the Marx Brothers. I'll have to check out that script! Could it not be possible that the stage script evolved over performances of it? It's hard to believe that some variation and experimentation wouldn't sneak in eventually.<br /><br />Also, it's extremely difficult to believe that the vendor stuff from Duck Soup was improvised... It was just so perfect! Have I understood correctly? If so, it's astounding!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68361665393657756112012-03-16T16:31:36.360-07:002012-03-16T16:31:36.360-07:00My question is...Ken, what did you do to your hair...My question is...Ken, what did you do to your hair?Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70305544373994936262012-03-16T15:27:01.595-07:002012-03-16T15:27:01.595-07:00On the other hand, everybody always ASSUMED that t...On the other hand, everybody always ASSUMED that the Marx Brothers made it up as they went along, but, of course, the opposite was the truth. the original script of the play version of ANIMAL CRACKERS exists, and it is said the dialogue matches the dialogue in the movie almost word for word (excepting name changes and certain plot deviations.). In fact, the brothers WANTED everything on paper, so they could make sure the blocking, timing, etc, would be perfect. The idea it LOOKS extemporaneous is a tribute to the brothers' genius. One of the few exceptions to this are the scenes in DUCK SOUP with Chico and Harpo, peanut sellers and Edgar Kennedy, lemonade vendor. DUCK SOUP, of course being directed by (surprise!) Leo McCarey.LouOCNYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16151395857835632917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72020696293657493212012-03-16T12:01:50.560-07:002012-03-16T12:01:50.560-07:00According to a biography of Cosell I just read, he...According to a biography of Cosell I just read, he and Michaels didn't come to blows but did get into a heated off-mike arguement which climaxed in Michaels accusing Cosell of being drunk. Afterwards, a stressed-out Michaels went to the bar at a hotel where both men were staying and ordered a straight vodka in a tall glass. The bartender could only fill the glass halfway, explaining that Cosell had been there earlier, and had pretty much cleaned him out.Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34502991609425284552012-03-16T09:36:25.554-07:002012-03-16T09:36:25.554-07:00Jee Jay is right about GWTW, Oz and the like, but ...Jee Jay is right about GWTW, Oz and the like, but I doubt there was much improv involved in those shoots. However, it's certainly something that goes back in comedy to the silent era. Mack Sennett's bunch was among those who used to make stuff up on the fly. And when a scene wasn't working for director Leo McCarey, he would play piano on the set and brainstorm until inspiration struck. Every now and again you'll read about how some line in a classic film was an actor's improv that got kept. But there's no question that it's more common now (in TV as well), since we have so many working actors who came out of the improv world.jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78561065113281811102012-03-16T08:07:44.722-07:002012-03-16T08:07:44.722-07:00Ken-
I know you are all about being a sportscas...Ken-<br /> I know you are all about being a sportscaster now. However, what would it take to draw you back to the writers room on a show?<br /> -Kevinkjmachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134253337495840757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79875426073022731942012-03-16T07:44:30.314-07:002012-03-16T07:44:30.314-07:00I think Chris' question was looking more at &q...I think Chris' question was looking more at "taped vs stored on a hard drive" rather than "taped vs filmed". <br /><br />Many people have a tapeless video camera in their pocket these days, but I worked at a mid-market TV station for a few years, and I'd almost be surprised if they had even moved up to digital tape yet. They weren't spending any money on upgrades until they <i>had</i> to.Fangrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50688448609648419492012-03-16T07:41:39.413-07:002012-03-16T07:41:39.413-07:00As I understand it, one time, Jimmy Dudley had to ...As I understand it, one time, Jimmy Dudley had to use the bathroom and asked Bob Neal to do an extra half-inning. Neal told him to ... well, never mind. But Dudley really had to go, so there was no play-by-play for half an inning.<br /><br />Then you had a team like Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett, where their joke was that somebody needed to pick out the silver because they might as well get married.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5548171429379643462012-03-16T07:20:21.890-07:002012-03-16T07:20:21.890-07:00"As a classic example, I'll bet the scrip..."As a classic example, I'll bet the script to "The Apartment" was completely finalized before filming"<br /><br />that may be true for <i>The Apartment</i> but there were plenty of classic Hollywood movies that were built, torn apart, and rebuilt before the final version. <i>Gone With The Wind</i> and <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> for examples, had multiple directors, multiple shooting scripts, test screenings, re-shoots, etc. <br /><br />Let's not romanticize the past. They called Hollywood the 'Dream Factory', for a reason.Jee Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18217405064210778890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49755629947598516722012-03-16T06:29:14.941-07:002012-03-16T06:29:14.941-07:00Every Friday morning this column is part of my spr...Every Friday morning this column is part of my spring fever ritual where I don't get anything done. Just surf the net for a couple hours until I'm ready to do minimal work until 5:00PM. So... thanks?Todd Ayresnoreply@blogger.com