'Browncoats: Redemption' Interview with Michael Dougherty on Pink Raygun

The new fan-made film is taking shape

When I first heard about the new film set in the Firefly/Serenity 'Verse it seemed too good to be true - the sort of brilliant idea that would never happen. But now filming is coming to an end and that brilliant idea is coming to life more spectacularly than I could ever have imagined. One of the creators, Michael Dougherty, was kind enough to take time out of his incredibly busy schedule to do an interview with me which is published today over at Pink Raygun. He talks about the inspiration to make the film, the challenges and how all the profits will go to charity. There should be more to come soon...

Exciting news!

This is my first article in Pink Raygun and working with Lisa Fary and John Dallaire is a real buzz. They have built up PRG into a fantastic resource for all fangirls (and yes, fanboys) with news, articles and reviews about all the shows, films and comics that matter. This is their new venture:

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Local comic creators, Lisa Fary and John Dallaire, will be at Geno’s Steaks in South Philadelphia fundraising for the Fraternal Order of Police survivors fund.

The pair’s latest comic effort, Intergalactic Law: Grey Squad is on Zuda, DC Comics’ online competition, through April 30th. The winner is selected via reader votes over the course of the competition. For every vote and comment that Grey Squad earns, Fary and Dallaire are donating twenty-five cents to the Philadelphia police survivors fund, with a goal of $1000. 

(from the 'Grey Squad' website)

If you want to show your support:

• Go and read Grey Squad on Zuda
  
• Click the “Vote” button to the right of the comic. The red box will turn green when you’ve voted. Click a star rating right under the “Vote” button. Click “Add to Favorites” at the bottom of the voting block.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a comment. Say you voted for Grey Squad.

More exciting news!

It's been a week and a half in the fandom with double-Joss at the Paley on the Dr Horrible and Dollhouse panels, and as the reports come in I'll post about them. In the meantime @Tabz has posted her report over at Joss'd and it's full of lovely details and brilliant pictures from @danregal. And - did you know Felicia Day persuaded Nathan Fillion to join Twitter after the Dr Horrible panel? Yes, it's really him!

And not least...

I'm still working on finding an agent and publisher for my novel. This is a lengthy process. To keep me going I've been working on alternative ways to promote the book and I'll be making an announcement about that over the weekend. I think you'll like it. I hope you do!

Countdown to Buffy Reunion at Paley

You lucky few
No, I'm not going to be at the Buffy Reunion on Thursday, either. Didn't get a ticket, couldn't have arranged flights/childcare/vast sums of money in time. I did get excited, thinking that there was going to be a live feed of the event, but these hopes were soon dashed. There might be a DVD at some stage, but even this is not certain. However, let's not be too bitter. The fact that so many of the cast and even Joss (bow down!) himself is going to be there is cause for celebration even if we can't witness it ourselves first-hand. Let's imagine the positivity that will be flowing and claim a little for ourselves. And while you're in the mood, why not send in a question suggestion (say that very fast three times!) for the panel at the Paley website. We might never know whether our questions were asked but I'm already inventing great one-liners to mine....I only wish I had Joss' Journal for now - but, of course, he hasn't written it down yet and my contact won't get access to it until Joss does his next archive. We'll just have to wait to hear how Joss is preparing himself, I guess.

Star Wait-ing no more!
And it has finally arrived! In a wonderful piece of cosmic confluence Star Wait has arrived just as we finished watching BSG series 2. Battlestar Galactica has been on heavy duty DVD action over the past few nights (I've got the sleep deprivation to prove it) so Star Wait will cleanse the palate before starting back on Dr Who series 1. Hopefully, if the matches can hold my blood-shot eyes open long enough, I will be watching this tonight. So, the answer is out there, and could soon be mine!

Battlestar Galactica Fantastica
Yeah well, you try making something of the BSG title..I've enjoyed seasons 1 & 2 and now I've got to get the cash for 3. It would be rude not to. There is so much going on and there are levels of meaning for all persuasions so I would recommend anyone giving BSG a go. I've heard from some sources that season 3 isn't as good, but I'd rather find out for myself. Yes, it's true that I only got the DVDs 'cos I had read that Joss really liked the series which makes me some sort of sheep-type consumer-monkey, but I'm not apologising. As reported on Whedonesque today, Joss actually wanted to direct the BSG season finale but work commitments made it unlikely. Work commitments? Pah! He should try herding several kids on Spring Break while working, blogging, and watching BSG DVDs....And don't worry I'm not going to put any spoilers up for anything - I'm so behind that I don't expect anyone to know anything about anything. I wouldn't even tell anyone that Angel is, in fact, a vampire for fear of ruining it for a new viewer....

Dollhouse updates
Dollverse has some good snippets of what's going on, Dollhouse-wise. With production apparently set for April 23rd and Kelly Manners now joining the crew, we can be pretty sure that Joss is not letting Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog interfere with Dollhouse. Which is good news, everyone.

Joss Journal Jan 08
The days are so short they merge into one. I'll be glad when I can actually get out and see the sun. I might actually turn to dust by then, but I'm willing to take the chance. I'm not even sure what date it is - everything is by the deadline. 2 days until the final score is due, 6 until my head explodes etc. But it's all good. Might have to up the sleep quotient to 6 today....

Latest news on Joss and Nathan

Happy birthday dear Alan....
It's Alan Tudyk's birthday today so lots of birthday best on it's way to him. Maybe Joss will reward his unending plugging of a Serenity sequel with some special news. Or maybe just cake. Yes, probably just cake.

Does Joss ever sleep?
That's something not addressed in his journals so far, but I reckon that if he does sleep it can only be for five mins per night, and even then his brain is hooked up to a thought-processor so that he can still churn out killer dialogue and fantastic plots unabated. His minions must have been on overtime for the last few months because quite apart from the X-men, Buffy, Angel and Firefly comics Joss has been working on a musical! No wonder he said in his Journal (see previous editions) that he had been spending time on his guitar...! Add that to the Dollhouse work he has now started up again after the strike and that's one busy bunny.

Dr Whatsit's thingummy who-now?
The musical has the catchy title of 'Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog' and stars Neil Patrick Harris as Doctor Horrible. I'm a big fan of Mr Harris (loved Starship Troopers) and he has some experience of playing doctors (he'll always be Dougie Howser to me...). It also stars NATHAN FILLION (sorry, the caps lock must got have stuck on there) as a superhero Captain Hammer. It is going to be Internet-based, it's a Joss-family collaboration project, is filming now and will be out soon. How great is that?! Plus, Cap'n Tightpants is going to be back in action - let's hope that he has to sport a suitably snug-fitting-spandex-type superhero costume. Ah, yeah!

Paley BTVS Reunion to be streamed online
And just to prove Whedonesque is a truly a great source of everything Joss-related to cap a wonderful news day the upcoming Buffy Reunion is going to be streamed live. I've sent my questions to the panel so don't miss your opportunity to ask the Buffy crew a question. The lineup is amazing and to anyone who has a ticket - you are lucky indeed.

Joss' Journal - Jan 02nd 2008
"Dear Diary, Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy. Today we were kidnapped by hillfolk, never to be seen again. It was the best day ever!"

Can't say fairer than that. Substitute 'minion' for 'sister', 'pompous' for 'creative', 'adoring fans' for 'hillfolk' and that's about it. Gonna sleep now.