<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gebohq:
Is it just a chance to talk with the actor or is it focused on a specific movie-thing, like LotR?

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">[20:56:15] <ChatMod> Was it hard acting out the movie sequences involving the Balrog?
[20:56:16] <SIM> GA
[20:56:37] <SIM> I did not see the Balrog until I saw the film!
[20:56:55] <SIM> He was -- it was -- just a yellow tennis ball on top of a pole for me to shout at.
[20:57:09] <SIM> I felt like screaming "You shall not bounce!"

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">[20:28:31] * ChatMod sets mode: +m
[20:28:43] <ChatMod> The floor is closed
[20:28:59] <ChatMod> Please send your question AFTER we begin
[20:30:06] <ChatMod> I won't use questions I receive before we begin...
[20:30:43] <ChatMod> We should be starting in about eight minutes
[20:32:16] <ChatMod> A reminder. We're in moderation mode. The floor is closed. We begin in about 7 minutes
[20:32:56] <ChatMod> Sir Ian will be with us for 30 minutes, then we'll reopen the floor briefly before our next chat with Ron Moore
[20:34:03] <ChatMod> Okay. Five minutes
[20:35:11] <ChatMod> We will be starting in a few moments. We have Sir Ian on the phone
[20:36:01] <ChatMod> Hi everybody, thanks for joining us. I'm Ben Trumble for SCIFI. Tonight we¹re very happy to be chatting with Sir Ian McKellen, a guest who truly needs no introduction. Sir Ian appears as the magician Gandalf in Peter Jackson's now classic Lord of the Rings adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien. This is a 30 minute chat
[20:36:14] <ChatMod> Brief word about the drill. This is a moderated chat -- please send your questions for our guest to ChatMod, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on ChatMod or type "/msg ChatMod" on the command line - only without the quotes.)...Then hit Enter (or Return on a Mac.)
[20:36:20] <SIM> I am ready to start.
[20:36:24] <ChatMod> First Question:
[20:36:35] <ChatMod> <silverstars> to <ChatMod>: Hi, Ian, If you could ask J.R.R. Tolkien anything about his character Gandalf, what would it be?
[20:36:56] <SIM> Is there a Missus Gandalf?
[20:37:01] <SIM> GA
[20:37:05] <ChatMod> <ninjor> to <ChatMod>: Are you familiar with the similiarities between Gandalf the wizard and a character called "Vainamoinen" from a Finnish mythology called "Kalevala"? Has this aspect came clear to you as you have introduced yourself to the script and history of LotR?
[20:38:31] <SIM> No, I am not. But I am aware that Tolkien may have been familiar. But the actor's duty is to be fiathful to the screenplay, not to the novel itself or even to the influences on Tolkein.
[20:38:33] <SIM> GA
[20:38:36] <ChatMod> Varda> to <ChatMod>: Is there a Gandalf quote that you love the most? Can you tell us what it is?
[20:38:59] <SIM> I will try.
[20:39:44] <SIM> All we have to do is to... fill the time that is given to us? Something like that. And I like the fact that there is no religious ethic or morality involved in Middle Earth.
[20:39:57] <SIM> There is no church in Hobbit Town.
[20:40:12] <SIM> Every person must decide for themselves how they organize their life.
[20:40:17] <SIM> GA
[20:40:20] <ChatMod> <superandi48> to <ChatMod>: what has been your favorite scene in the filming of the three movies?
[20:41:11] <SIM> I think as far as Gandalf is concerned, I mjost enjoyed visiting the hobbits in Hobbiton. I did that on my very first day of filming in January 200.
[20:41:20] <SIM> 2000, I mean.
[20:41:30] <SIM> It was thrillintg to see the village brought to life.
[20:41:35] <SIM> GA
[20:41:37] <ChatMod> <deathskiss> to <ChatMod>: Hello Sir Ian- Would you consider reprising Gandalf if Peter Jackson decides to do 'The Hobbit'?
[20:41:55] <SIM> Certainly!
[20:41:59] <SIM> <Laughs>
[20:42:01] <SIM> GA
[20:42:04] <ChatMod> <Locke> to <ChatMod>: Other than Gandalf, is there a character you would like to have been in the LOTR trilogy?
[20:42:19] <SIM> Hmmmm...
[20:42:51] <SIM> No, I think I'm very happy just to have played Galndalf -- but don't forget I play TWO Gandalfs so I was doubly lucky.
[20:42:55] <SIM> GA
[20:42:58] <ChatMod> <Siwel-Kire> to <ChatMod>: In the scene in Bag End where Gandalf hits his head on the beam directly after hitting his head on the chandelier, I've heard that that was not in the script. Is that true?
[20:43:16] <SIM> That is true.
[20:43:21] <SIM> That was my idea.
[20:43:43] <SIM> It told the audience that Gandalf was a little bit forgetful and that he had not been to Bag End recently.
[20:43:48] <SIM> GA
[20:43:50] <ChatMod> <Aragorn-Elessar> to <ChatMod>: Hey Ian. Did you do anything to set a differance between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White? If so what?
[20:44:41] <SIM> The basic difference is that Gandalf becomes more focused, more determined, and is rejuvenated -- is actually younger -- as Tolkein suggests.
[20:44:57] <SIM> So his voice changes, along with his movement and attitude.
[20:45:03] <SIM> GA
[20:45:03] <ChatMod> <Igtica> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian, did you have to learn to ride bareback to do the shadowfax scenes or was there some other means?
[20:45:16] <SIM> <laughs>
[20:45:24] <SIM> Sir Ian chuckles...
[20:45:36] <SIM> Under Gandalf's voluminous costume, there was a saddle.
[20:45:49] <SIM> But there was no bridle, and sometimes no stirrups.
[20:46:07] <SIM> there was also Basil who was the stunt rider.
[20:46:12] <ChatMod> <ricquebec> to <ChatMod>: my daughter would like to now if sir ian has a cat at home and if he do ,what's its name
[20:46:13] <SIM> GA
[20:46:44] <SIM> No, I don't have any pets. But if I did, I think I would have a dog.
[20:46:46] <SIM> GA
[20:46:46] <SIM> GA
[20:46:49] <ChatMod> your friend true many dangers, but you just got him right !?
[20:46:50] <ChatMod> <Siwel-Kire> to <ChatMod>: The differences between your most recent characters of Magneto and Gandalf were very different. How did you become such a good actor?
[20:47:12] <SIM> Thank you.
[20:47:28] <SIM> I have been acting professionally for 42 years, and have not yet been out of work.
[20:47:50] <SIM> Practice does not necessarily make perfect but it helps.
[20:47:54] <SIM> GA
[20:47:55] <ChatMod> <Mithrandir2> to <ChatMod>: How was the sequence on top of the Tower of Orthanc filmed?
[20:48:29] <SIM> The top of the tower was a raised platform built in the carpark of the film studios.
[20:49:00] <SIM> The winds were provided by wind machines, but the interior of Orthanc was a set in the studio itself.
[20:49:04] <ChatMod> <Tabrimmon> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian, which of the three films is your favourite and why?
[20:49:05] <SIM> GA
[20:49:47] <SIM> I think I prefer the first. Because the exctement is beginning to build, and you get to know the characters well.
[20:50:05] <SIM> Gandalf has more variety of character in that film.
[20:50:09] <ChatMod> <Dan> to <ChatMod>: What was your reaction to seeing yourself for the first time in a video game?
[20:50:10] <SIM> GA
[20:50:21] <SIM> <laughs>
[20:50:47] <SIM> I thought "that will make a good present for my great-nieces and nephews."
[20:50:52] <SIM> GA
[20:51:03] <ChatMod> <ElessarKing> to <ChatMod>: What is it like going to all of the premieres for The Return of the King? In NZ
[20:51:36] <SIM> It was one of the most exciting and emotional days of my life.
[20:51:48] <SIM> Film actors rarely meet their audience.
[20:52:17] <SIM> It was wonderful to feel the love that fans have for these characters, as well as for the actors who portry them.
[20:52:21] <SIM> GA
[20:52:21] <ChatMod> <OrangeBlossom> to <ChatMod>: What was your last day of filming like?
[20:52:36] <SIM> Hard work.
[20:52:51] <SIM> I did a lot of Gandlaf's fighting for the final battle.
[20:53:05] <SIM> We then had a party and I was given Gandalf's sword as a souvenir.
[20:53:10] <ChatMod> <sbcglobal> to <ChatMod>: Sir ian, will you ever be coming to Russia for LOFTR premiere? We are waiting for you so much
[20:53:12] <SIM> GA
[20:53:31] <SIM> I would love to return to Moscow.
[20:53:41] <SIM> But so far I have not been invited!
[20:54:01] <SIM> I would really love to visit every country in the world and meet Gandalf's friends.
[20:54:08] <SIM> GA
[20:54:09] <ChatMod> <sam> to <ChatMod>: Hey, Mr. McKellen I was wondering if learning the different lanaguges Tolkien created for the LOTR was an easy task or was it diffcult? Being Gandalf you had to learn so many different speeches... was it hard to keep up with it all?
[20:54:32] <SIM> <laughs>
[20:54:40] <SIM> I spoke very little non-English.
[20:54:55] <SIM> But I had to learn Elvish, but just by rote.
[20:55:04] <SIM> Like a parrot!
[20:55:08] <SIM> <laughs>
[20:55:13] <SIM> GA
[20:55:14] <ChatMod> <Paladin> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian, (you are a fantastic actor!) about how many hours did it take for make-up for you?
[20:55:59] <SIM> To begin with, it took two and a half hours -- maybe more -- for Gandalf the Grey, but it got quicker as the months went by.
[20:56:09] <SIM> Gandlaf the White took almost half that time.
[20:56:15] <ChatMod> Was it hard acting out the movie sequences involving the Balrog?
[20:56:16] <SIM> GA
[20:56:37] <SIM> I did not see the Balrog until I saw the film!
[20:56:55] <SIM> He was -- it was -- just a yellow tennis ball on top of a pole for me to shout at.
[20:57:09] <SIM> I felt like screaming "You shall not bounce!"
[20:57:14] <ChatMod> <cowgurl222> to <ChatMod>: bet you have learned so much working with Peter Jackson and with everyone on this film... what is one thing y ou will carrie with you?
[20:57:14] <SIM> GA
[20:57:54] <SIM> To be patient, and not expect to achieve everything at the first take.
[20:58:09] <SIM> Peter sometimes asked us to do scenes more than twenty times as the camera rolled.
[20:58:16] <ChatMod> moldy-hair> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian, What would you say was your worst day of filming, and could you elaborate?
[20:58:16] <SIM> GA
[20:58:36] <SIM> Ohhhh...
[20:58:58] <SIM> Probably one of the very few days in which I got made up and dressed abd had to sit all day without ever working.
[20:59:04] <SIM> GA
[20:59:19] <ChatMod> <LOTR4life> to <ChatMod>: Hi, Sir Ian, did you volunteer to do most of your own stunts?
[20:59:32] <SIM> No.
[20:59:52] <SIM> My attitude is that stunt people have an expertise which very few actors have.
[21:00:08] <SIM> it would be irresponsible to risk being injured so that filming would have to stop.
[21:00:24] <SIM> However, most of the time you see Gandlaf fighting, it is me.
[21:00:34] <SIM> The riding was a different matter.
[21:01:10] <SIM> A friend of mine was fatally injured riding on set, and I always remember him when I am asked to do something dangerous.
[21:01:16] <ChatMod> <superandi48> to <ChatMod>: How has you history in Shakespearean history helped you on the film?
[21:01:18] <SIM> GA
[21:02:17] <SIM> In Shakespeare, as in Tolkein, I have had to be able to play-act with intimacy, and with large rhetoric.
[21:02:33] <SIM> So I was not frightened of acting big in the film.
[21:02:39] <SIM> When required.
[21:02:46] <ChatMod> Mercury> to <ChatMod>: Who is your favourite cast member in LotR?
[21:03:26] <SIM> Gollum. I want to meet him some day.
[21:03:46] <SIM> But I am very fond of Ian Holm whom I have admired on stage and screen since I was a boy.
[21:03:50] <SIM> he plays Bilbo.
[21:03:53] <ChatMod> <zachary> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian are you sad that it is coming to an end?
[21:03:55] <SIM> GA
[21:04:57] <SIM> Since I finished principal photography as Gandalf, I have been in three other movies and played in Strindberg's "Dance of death" which I am revising in Sidney Australia next month.
[21:05:08] <SIM> So the wizard and I have already drifted apart.
[21:05:11] <ChatMod> How would you contrast working on small films like Gods And Monsters with blockbusters like LoTR?
[21:05:35] <SIM> The principal difference is the budget.
[21:05:47] <SIM> Gods and Monsters could only take four weeks to film..
[21:06:19] <SIM> Although I like the challenge of intensive work, I think I prefer the more leisurely time scale that a larger budget permits.
[21:06:27] <ChatMod> <Mithrandir2> to <ChatMod>: Since Viggo once needed a taller double to fit the proportions when he was beside a hobbit, did you ever have to have a taller double in the same way?
[21:07:17] <SIM> Yes, Viggo and I shared Paul, a New Zealand actor who is nearly seven feet tall as our double.
[21:07:31] <SIM> I also saw him once dressed as a giagantic Legolas.
[21:07:35] <ChatMod> Sire Ian, our final question -- and thank you so much for taking the time to join us. What advice do you give to aspiring actors and actresses?
[21:07:54] <SIM> <laughs>
[21:08:04] <SIM> You save the most difficult question for the last!
[21:08:40] <SIM> I am sorry I don't have more time to elaborate, but the best advice I can give is to act whenever you can, paid or unpaid, with people whom you know will be honest in their criticism.
[21:08:57] <SIM> Also, watch other people act and analyze why you think they are good or not good.
[21:09:33] <SIM> I might direct everybody to my website: www.mckellen.com where I have answered many similar questions in my e-postings.
[21:09:43] <SIM> All best wishes from Middle Earth.
[21:10:07] <ChatMod> Thank you Sir Ian
[21:10:39] <ChatMod> Okay. We will open the floor. Our chat with Ron Moore starts in 5 minutes
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">[20:58:16] <ChatMod> moldy-hair> to <ChatMod>: Sir Ian, What would you say was your worst day of filming, and could you elaborate?
[20:58:16] <SIM> GA
[20:58:36] <SIM> Ohhhh...
[20:58:58] <SIM> Probably one of the very few days in which I got made up and dressed abd had to sit all day without ever working.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GhostOfYoda:
They didn't ask my question: "Who would win in a fight: Gandalf or Magneto"?

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">[21:02:46] <ChatMod> Mercury> to <ChatMod>: Who is your favourite cast member in LotR?
[21:03:26] <SIM> Gollum. I want to meet him some day.
[21:03:46] <SIM> But I am very fond of Ian Holm whom I have admired on stage and screen since I was a boy.
[21:03:50] <SIM> he plays Bilbo.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2"> [21:16:24] * ChatMod sets mode: +m
[21:17:08] <ChatMod> Ron, can you type?
[21:17:43] * ChatMod sets mode: +v RonDMoore
[21:17:45] <ChatMod> Ron?
[21:17:46] <RonDMoore> I'm getting I don't have permission to send to this channel
[21:17:57] <ChatMod> You're okay!
[21:18:01] <RonDMoore> Cool.
[21:18:10] <ChatMod> Hi everybody, thanks for joining us. I'm Ben Trumble for SCIFI. Tonight we¹re chatting with Ron Moore writer/producer for SCIFI's original mini-series Battlestar Galactica.
[21:18:10] <ChatMod> Brief word about the drill. This is a moderated chat -- please send your questions for our guest to ChatMod, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on ChatMod or type "/msg ChatMod" on the command line - only without the quotes.)...Then hit Enter (or Return on a Mac.)
[21:18:17] <ChatMod> First question...
[21:18:40] <ChatMod> <Kai> to <ChatMod>: Mr. Moore, my question to you is what inspired you to re-make this classic, into the more 2000ish era?
[21:19:46] <RonDMoore> I wanted to take the existing storyline and themes and make them more relevant to us today. I've always felt that's what good science fiction does -- it comments on and examines contemporary issues in society and I
[21:20:45] <RonDMoore> wanted the audience to relate to this project in a way they've gotten away from in other science fiction shows -- that is, that it's all about escapism and fantasy worlds. I wanted this to be much more real and identifiable. GA
[21:20:54] <ChatMod> <justRed-dammit> to <ChatMod>: Where did the idea come from to make the cylons more human in form?
[21:21:49] <RonDMoore> It came out of discussions early on between myself and David Eick. We were talking over both production problems associated with doing full-on Cylon body suits or CGI as well as
[21:22:34] <RonDMoore> the existing problems with the Cylon backstory, or lack thereof. At some point we began to gravitate toward human-looking Cylons because the themes and stories would be more
[21:22:56] <RonDMoore> interesting and the production problems would be much more containable. GA
[21:23:04] <ChatMod> <TheCabbage> to <ChatMod>: Could you describe to those of us unfamiliar with the series, what makes Battlestar Galactica stand out in science fiction?
[21:24:09] <RonDMoore> Galactia came on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the first Star Wars film and was the first science fiction series on primetime TV since the original Star Trek. So it landed with
[21:25:28] <RonDMoore> a fair amount of publicity and hype and made a lasting impression on the audience of the time. The unusually dark premise of the rag-tag fleet on its lonely quest for Earth resonating with the audience along with the "Chariots of the Gods" themes.
[21:26:45] <RonDMoore> I think it still is remembered today because of the initial publicity, the high budget production for the time, and the memorable performances of the original cast, particularly Dirk Benedict, Richard Hatch, Lorne Greene and John Colicos. GA
[21:27:04] <ChatMod> <Apothis> to <ChatMod>: Throughout the 25th anniversary year you have made yourself very available for fans in forums and chats on fan boards. Will you continue to maintain close ties with the fandom?
[21:27:16] <RonDMoore> Yes. GA
[21:27:23] <ChatMod> <RingMasterAl1020> to <ChatMod>: Hi Mr. Moore, were you a fan of the Battlestar Galactica series when it was originally on?
[21:28:13] <RonDMoore> Yes. I remember reading about it in the Fall Preview issue of TV Guide, being very excited about it and then watching religiously every week. Hell, I even watched Galactica 1980. GA
[21:28:28] <ChatMod> <PipedreamerGrey> to <ChatMod>: As a writer, are you going to be molding your scripts to your actors' strengths, or will you be trying to stay true to the character dynamics of the original series?
[21:29:51] <RonDMoore> Once you have actors in the roles, part of your job as a writer is to craft the material to take advantage of their strengths. It'll be very important to use their own "voices" in the scripts while maintaining the dynamics present in the current show. GA
[21:29:55] <ChatMod> <BlueSpringsBelle> to <ChatMod>: Were you happy with the final choice of cast members?
[21:30:37] <RonDMoore> Extremely. In fact, Edward Olmos and Mary McDonnell were the very people I had fantasized about getting for their roles. Ga
[21:30:54] <ChatMod> <sailoraeryn> to <ChatMod>: Hello this eveing. what was it like working with John Carpenter for big trouble in little china?
[21:31:23] <RonDMoore> I think you have mistaken me for Kim Cattrell GA
[21:31:58] <ChatMod> Apothis> to <ChatMod>: Do you feel that diehards fans will come to accept your version of Battlestar Galactica as just another Galactica story?
[21:33:37] <RonDMoore> I think it depends on which fans you're talking about. Some will never accept this version in any context. Others will watch and find something they can enjoy. I think the fans who honestly give this a chance will realize that it's indeed Battlestar Galactica at its core and that they can enjoy this take on that universe. GA
[21:33:42] <ChatMod> Several people are asking about the Number-Six-Baby-Killing scene. How does it service the plot
[21:35:18] <RonDMoore> Well, not to give anything away here, but the scene demonstrates both the cold-blooded nature of the Cylons and their more human aspect at the same time. Watch Tricia's performance carefully in this scene and I think you'll see that from her point of view, she's conducting a mercy killing -- as frightening as that may be to you or I. GA
[21:35:28] <ChatMod> <Kai> to <ChatMod>: Mr. Moore, did at any point of time during this, did you think about asking any of the original series actors to be into the mini series, or maybe make guest appearance?
[21:36:21] <RonDMoore> We did contact several of the original actors and discussed having them appear, but they declined the offer. I'm open to contacting them again and discussing that possibility if we go to series. GA
[21:36:30] <ChatMod> <lotr> to <ChatMod>: to Ron Moore: What led you to choose this as a career?
[21:37:37] <RonDMoore> I've basically been a writer all my life. I wrote short stories in grade school and then wrote a play in high school. I never seriously considered it as a career option until I left college and needed to actually do something with my life. GA
[21:37:40] <ChatMod> During the filming of Battlestar Galactica, you were in Los Angeles working on Carnivale. Was that difficult?
[21:39:06] <RonDMoore> It was hard. I wanted to go up to Vancouver for some of the filming, but I was simply never able to break away from Carnivale. David sent me boxes of dailies and I kept in touch by phone and email, but I was always two steps removed from the show and missed it. At some point I began to realize that my heart was really with this project. GA
[21:39:14] <ChatMod> <TheCabbage> to <ChatMod>: What previous science fiction literature or film has influenced you in the creation of this version of Battlestar Galactica? I
[21:40:11] <RonDMoore> Certainly the first Alien, Bladerunner, 2001 were influential. Also some of Heinlien's books. GA
[21:40:23] <ChatMod> <Apothis> to <ChatMod>: Have you already put together a story arc of how you see Season One of a weekly series?
[21:40:44] <RonDMoore> I've roughed out some arcs for the first season as well as a handful of episodes. GA
[21:41:08] <ChatMod> Did you feel that Michael Rymer was able to bring your script to the screen effectively?
[21:41:59] <RonDMoore> Absolutely. Michael took the notion of shooting this in a documentary style and ran with it. It's that rare thing of seeing the script brought to life in exactly the way you'd hoped. GA
[21:42:02] <ChatMod> <sailoraeryn> to <ChatMod>: Mr. Moore, could you share your experinece working on the star trek series, and has it helped you with writing for galactia?
[21:43:38] <RonDMoore> I spent 10 years working at Trek and it shaped and molded my career. My experience on TNG was like going to an undergraduate program in TV writing -- then DS9 was like grad school. The lessons (and frustrations) of those years were definitely influential in my work on Galactica. GA
[21:43:48] <ChatMod> What kind of freedom do you find working on an HBO project like Carnivale versus a network or cable program?
[21:44:53] <RonDMoore> On HBO, they're willing to push story and character into areas that other networks will not. It's a very exciting, very challenging environment and it was a tremendously rewarding experience. GA
[21:45:03] <ChatMod> <PipedreamerGrey> to <ChatMod>: If you get the go ahead for a series, do you see BSG being an episodic series, such as Star Trek, or a series with more of a untied plot, such as Babylon 5
[21:45:23] <ChatMod> Reminder -- Brief word about the drill. This is a moderated chat -- please send your questions for our guest to ChatMod, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on ChatMod or type "/msg ChatMod" on the command line - only without the quotes.)...Then hit Enter (or Return on a Mac.)
[21:45:57] <RonDMoore> It will probably be a combination of the two approaches -- episodic stories layered with continuing stories and character arcs. GA
[21:46:01] <ChatMod> <Apothis> to <ChatMod>: Why did you choose not to show the destruction of the battlestar fleet in the remake?
[21:50:46] <RonDMoore> I'm here
[21:51:13] <ChatMod> Why did you choose for Adama not to believe in the Earth myth unlike the original show where Adama's faith in the Earth myth was never in question?
[21:53:13] <RonDMoore> I felt that it Adama knew about Earth all along, it took something away from him at the end -- "Hey, don't worry about home getting wiped out, I know where Earth is!" It seemed like a bit of a cheat. But if he makes it up as a way of giving people something to live for, something to believe in, then he's scrambling in a desperate situation. And he's making a deal with the devil in that someday this is going to come back and bite him on the *** . GA
[21:53:26] <ChatMod> <Astronomer> to <ChatMod>: What other science fiction series would you like to see get a remake?
[21:53:42] <RonDMoore> How about the original Star Trek?
[21:53:45] <RonDMoore> GA
[21:53:59] <RonDMoore> Spock as a woman, anyone?
[21:54:00] <RonDMoore> GA
[21:54:26] <RonDMoore> Ac tully that would be T'Spock...
[21:55:07] <RonDMoore> GA
[21:55:23] <ChatMod> <IMAGinES> to <ChatMod>: Aside from an ongoing BG series,should it come to pass, what's on the horizon for you?
[21:55:52] <RonDMoore> I have a development deal at Universal, so I'm working on some other ideas for series. GA
[21:56:03] <ChatMod> <heretic> to <ChatMod>: last night david eick mentioned that you and him had thrown some ideas together for episodes for a galactica. can you share what those ideas were?
[21:56:32] <RonDMoore> Not yet -- gotta keep some things quiet for now. GA
[21:57:20] <ChatMod> Ron, what led you to put greater emphasis on the military angle of this Galactica?
[21:58:11] <RonDMoore> It seemed right. Galactica is supposed to be an aircraft carrier in space, so I decided to treat it like one, to embrace the military aspects of the show and play them as realistically as possible. Ga
[21:58:46] <ChatMod> <PipedreamerGrey> to <ChatMod>: How does a project like this remake come about? Who has the idea and who do they approach? It seems like an even more mind-boggling task than even the improbability of getting a series produced at all.
[22:00:06] <RonDMoore> Galactica had a particularly convoluted history. My participation came when David Eick called me up and said that the Singer/Desantos version had been abandoned and that Universal was looking for someone else to come in with a new take on the property, and would I be interested? GA
[22:00:30] <ChatMod> i loved roswell, any chance that will come back in for of mini series or made for tv movies?
[22:01:08] <RonDMoore> There was talk of that immediately after the series ended, but I haven't heard anything since. Be nice to see those characters again. GA
[22:01:23] <ChatMod> <BlueSpringsBelle> to <ChatMod>: Other than EJO and Mary Mc, did you have any criteria for casting the other roles? Other than that Starbuck was female?
[22:02:49] <RonDMoore> In all honesty, I don't remember what we talked about in the initial casting conversations regarding the other characters. I do know that I didn't anticipate the great humor that James would bring to role of Baltar, and which is just tremendous. GA
[22:02:56] <ChatMod> <Apothis> to <ChatMod>: Why did you choose to create new characters like Dualla and Omega instead of bringing back Rigel and Omeaga as part of the bridge crew?
[22:03:58] <RonDMoore> Dualla, in essence, is Rigel. But I'd gone away from using names like Apollo and Starbuck as actual names and therefore to stick in Rigel just sounded odd. GA
[22:04:21] <ChatMod> Do you foresee a lot of cameos for BSG?
[22:05:26] <RonDMoore> Very hard to say at this point (and I'm assuming you're talking about "star" cameos). That depends on how the series is pericieved in the TV community, the $$ involved, etc. GA
[22:06:07] <ChatMod> What was the reaction to the LA premiere -- Many people wanted to see the second segement after segement 1 we're told
[22:07:00] <RonDMoore> It was a very strong, very positive reaction. A lot of people wanted to see Night Two and kept coming up to me afterward saying how much they enjoyed Night One. It was a very gratifying reaction. GA
[22:07:19] <ChatMod> <heretic> to <ChatMod>: in the original cmdr. adama was in charge os the fleet. in your version pres. roslin looks to be in charge. why the change and will there be a "council of 12"?
[22:09:08] <RonDMoore> I wanted to create a more complex political and social backdrop for the series. I wanted to play out the tensions between the military and the civilian leadership in a crisis like this. There will probably be a council of 12 in some fashion, but how and when will be a matter of considerable debate as Laura Roslin begins the difficult task of "nation-building" in space. GA
[22:09:11] <ChatMod> Ron, our time is up, so we'll make this the final question. That's so much for joing us this evening! What can BG do to encourage SCIFI to pick up Galactica as a series?
[22:10:02] <RonDMoore> Tune in and watch both nights of the miniseries. And send cash. GA
[22:10:12] * ChatMod changes topic to 'Guest Chats'
[22:10:18] <RonDMoore> Thank you all and I hope you enjoy the show.
[22:10:38] <ChatMod> Ron, thanks for a great chat. Have a wonderful weekend. Good night
[22:10:49] <ChatMod> We'll open the floor now
[22:10:58] * ChatMod sets mode: -m
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