MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: HARSH REALM {TAPE 2 OF 2} {LONG VERSION}
Summary
Continued from T:60666. Tape two of two. One in a series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. Held at the Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles, and moderated by Los Angeles Museum Vice-President and Director Steven A. Bell, this seminar examines "Harsh Realm," a science-fiction series created by "X-Files" auteur Chris Carter. This second half of the seminar picks up right after the screening of the pilot episode. Executive Producer Frank Spotnitz joins Bell on stage for a brief interview, to be followed by questions and answers. Bell opens by asking Spotnitz about the genesis of the program, and Spotnitz explains that the original concept came from an obscure comic book of the same name. Bell then asks Spotnitz about how working on this show is different from working on "X-Files." Spotnitz replies that there are not many differences, explaining that creator Chris Carter likes to work visually, and both shows have an expansive visual scope. Bell asks about the casting, and Spotnitz reveals that he first met lead actor Scott Bairstow when the actor appeared in a small role in an episode of "The X-Files" during that program's first season. D.B. Sweeney was the only other cast member who was actively pursued to participate in the program, he notes. Spotnitz then reveals that Carter "called in some favors for the casting," adding that the narrator's voice belongs to actress Gillian Anderson of "The X-Files." A bit part at the beginning of the pilot was filled by another Carter regular, Lance Henrikson of "Millennium," who went uncredited for this appearance. The floor is opened up for questions, and the first one comes from a woman who angrily accuses Spotnitz of irresponsibility in marketing this show to young people, castigating the program for its violent content and format. Spotnitz replies that he does not think the show superfluous in its violence, and that he believes that all of the characters' actions have clearly defined consequences. The questions then become less critical. One woman asks Spotnitz whether he has heard about plans at the Department of Defense to solicit Hollywood special-effects houses to create a virtual-reality simulator similar to the one seen in "Harsh Realm." He laughs and says that he has heard about the plan. One woman asks about the work routine of the program's writers, and Spotnitz responds by saying, "We are a terrible place to work. Chris Carter is a mean man; he's very demanding." Other questions deal with the program's similarities to the hit film "The Matrix," the problems with writing oneself into a narrative corner, and the parallels between the character of Thomas Hobbes in the program and Jesus Christ.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: September 24, 1999 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:60667
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven A. Bell … Moderator
- Frank Spotnitz … Panelist
- Gillian Anderson
- Scott Bairstow
- Chris Carter
- Lance Henrikson
- D.B. Sweeney