July 30, 2009
Weitz felt “at odds with the studio”
Time Magazine’s Lev Grossman had the chance to speak to Chris Weitz briefly last week at Comic Con and asked him about the experience of picking up a film franchise from the second film, with an established readership and fanbase. The director again praised Summit Entertainment, the producers of Twilight and its sequel New Moon, and compared their dedication to New Line’s: “With Golden Compass I felt that by being faithful to the book I was working at odds with the studio.” Read more. Thanks again to Haku for the tip. Discussion continues here.
July 27, 2009
Chris Weitz describes work with New Line: a terrible experience
As many members of fandom are well aware, Comic Con 2009 has just passed. Golden Compass director Chris Weitz participated in Summit Entertainment’s Thursday panel to promote Twilight sequel New Moon. While answering questions regarding his new work, Weitz referenced his work on the film adaptation of the Golden Compass and confirmed what many fans have believed, “The last film that I made was recut by the studio, and my experience with it ended being quite a terrible one.” (Source: Cinema Blend)
The director described his work with Summit Entertainment as rejuvenating, in comparison to his previous work with New Line, and remarked, “I now remember how much fun it can be to make a film.” (Source: Ropes of Silicon) However, it was not a complete loss, as the director found the process to be a rather instructive for him with regards to the use of CGI. (Source: Time) Thanks to Haku from our French community partner Cittàgazze for pointing this out to us. The discussion continues here.
The director described his work with Summit Entertainment as rejuvenating, in comparison to his previous work with New Line, and remarked, “I now remember how much fun it can be to make a film.” (Source: Ropes of Silicon) However, it was not a complete loss, as the director found the process to be a rather instructive for him with regards to the use of CGI. (Source: Time) Thanks to Haku from our French community partner Cittàgazze for pointing this out to us. The discussion continues here.
July 22, 2009
Pullman to lecture at Open University
Philip Pullman will be able to direct the discussion personally this October when he lectures at Open University. Having already spoken to a number of reporters on the vetting scheme, the children’s author will have the floor to himself 21 October:
“The trouble is that they never give you enough time or enough space to go into the subject properly. So on 21 October I’m going to give a lecture to the Open University, which will be put online, in which I’m going to examine the whole area. It seems to me that there are several issues in conflict here, and it’s worth exploring them in full.” Read more.
July 16, 2009
Pullman defends school visits
Earlier today, Philip Pullman spoke to Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2 about his decision to longer make school visits in the wake of new rules that require guest writers and illustrators to register with the national Independent Safeguarding Authority, effective in the next school year. He spoke out against the underlying assumption that any visitor entering a school intends to do harm, and insisted upon the safety of children under existing protocols for guest speakers. Vine also spoke to former child protection officer Rebecca Andrews who defended the vetting scheme.
You can listen to the interview again on BBC’s iPlayer. The broadcast expires in seven days (on 23rd July). Vine does not discuss the matter until later in the program, so if you’re only interested in hearing about the new scheme, skip to 1:42:20. Thanks to Jason and Chris for letting us know. Discussion continues on our forum.
July 13, 2009
Pullman refuses to be vetted
The Guardian’s Alison Flood reports: Alongside other prominent children’s authors, Philip Pullman has condemned new rules that will require guest writers to register themselves with the Independent Safeguarding Authority in order to visit schools. The author compared the vetting scheme with the notorious legislation which banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools throughout the 1990s. “It seems to be fueled by the same combination of prurience, sexual fear and cold political calculation.” In protest, Pullman will no longer be making school visits, also acknowledging that other authors dependent on income generated from schools visits would be unable to make such a statement. “It’d be a great shame for me but I’m not going to under these circumstances.” Read more. Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the news tip.