The new and improved Robson Arms website is up.
And not a moment too soon!
What wonders await you? How 'bout special "webisodes", podcasts, behind the scenes stuff, and character blogs and such.
Also: E-Talk watch! Show-runner Susin Nielsen interviewed last night.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part IV: Be Careful what you wish for.
John Doyle's review of the first three episodes of RAII in the Globe and Mail today.
It was thrilling to be singled out again. Although Mr. Doyle, whose opinion I greatly respect, wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about my work this time... "what happens is just slapstick."
Damn... It the "just" that kills me. I thought it was Totally Slapstick!
Seriously though. I think that most writers, for all our bluster and complaints about people meddling with our stuff, are our own toughest critics. And there's nothing (good or bad) that someone else is gonna say that hasn't crossed my mind already. You do your best, learn from your experience and hope for the best. I can promise you this: I honestly think there's gonna be laugh out loud moments in it... and there are gonna be some really sweet moments too... Alisen and Fred (that's right I'm name-dropping the "A"-bomb and the "F"-bomb*) are kickasso in this episode and if there are any shortcomings in the ep. I'll be happy to take responsibility for them because I'm still laughing at my own joke a year later... Ah writers: Our arms never tire patting our own backs, nor our voices hoarsen singing our own praises.
Of course, that'll have to wait until next week. Tomorrow night, that's Saturday folks, 9pm, it's Episode One: Ordinary Assholes guest starring Leslie Nielsen. I'll go on the record right now that he gonna get a Gemini nomination for his performance.
See what you've done, John, I'm getting all feisty! I'm even more excited to hear what people think.
It was thrilling to be singled out again. Although Mr. Doyle, whose opinion I greatly respect, wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about my work this time... "what happens is just slapstick."
Damn... It the "just" that kills me. I thought it was Totally Slapstick!
Seriously though. I think that most writers, for all our bluster and complaints about people meddling with our stuff, are our own toughest critics. And there's nothing (good or bad) that someone else is gonna say that hasn't crossed my mind already. You do your best, learn from your experience and hope for the best. I can promise you this: I honestly think there's gonna be laugh out loud moments in it... and there are gonna be some really sweet moments too... Alisen and Fred (that's right I'm name-dropping the "A"-bomb and the "F"-bomb*) are kickasso in this episode and if there are any shortcomings in the ep. I'll be happy to take responsibility for them because I'm still laughing at my own joke a year later... Ah writers: Our arms never tire patting our own backs, nor our voices hoarsen singing our own praises.
Of course, that'll have to wait until next week. Tomorrow night, that's Saturday folks, 9pm, it's Episode One: Ordinary Assholes guest starring Leslie Nielsen. I'll go on the record right now that he gonna get a Gemini nomination for his performance.
See what you've done, John, I'm getting all feisty! I'm even more excited to hear what people think.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part III: Two more sleeps
From Diane's TV, eh? website (the website if you want to know about what canadian shows are on, or going on air): articles from Vancouver papers and tabloids.
But so far, nothing more than a couple of spots on CTV and the Comedy network-- is Vicki Gabereau still on? Is there someplace I haven't been looking?
Some good posts on Dix's and Denis' blogs about the truth about writing for television. Basically: you write and it's everybody else's job to mess with it. And the kicker... your stuff is better for it. Amen.
But so far, nothing more than a couple of spots on CTV and the Comedy network-- is Vicki Gabereau still on? Is there someplace I haven't been looking?
Some good posts on Dix's and Denis' blogs about the truth about writing for television. Basically: you write and it's everybody else's job to mess with it. And the kicker... your stuff is better for it. Amen.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part III: Doing my bit
Well at least CBC is doing something to give Robson Arms some publicity. Matt Rainnie interviewed me today for CBC Radio's Mainstreet program here on PEI. It'll air this afternoon around 4:40pm Atlantic time.
In other RAMW news: somebody saw a commercial on CSI the other night... and American Idol! Ratio to Corner Gas spots holds around 30:1. The forum on the CTV website has picked up. But the new Robson Arms site still isn't up yet.
In other RAMW news: somebody saw a commercial on CSI the other night... and American Idol! Ratio to Corner Gas spots holds around 30:1. The forum on the CTV website has picked up. But the new Robson Arms site still isn't up yet.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part II
CTV has upgraded RA from "Before and Beyond" to "Prime Time" on their website. They've also added "See the trailer" and "On Broadband: Watch Season One" video links to the Programs homepage. Google has also sent me another article link from... Playback.
Eight days 'til opening night.
Sigh.
Eight days 'til opening night.
Sigh.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007
A new promo has been reported airing on CTV, and PlayBack has posted this article.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Robson Arms Season I Available Online
For those of you who missed the first season, you can watch it online, chez CTV's website.
For those of you who, like me, use a Mac, you might have trouble... or (if you're using a pre-Universal operating system with (shudder) Window Media Player, you might do just fine.
For those of you who, like me, use a Mac, you might have trouble... or (if you're using a pre-Universal operating system with (shudder) Window Media Player, you might do just fine.
Monday, January 29, 2007
What the Lofty Archons at CTV Know...
I am a lowly, grateful writer.
I am thrilled to be part of what I think will be a pretty darned entertaining show, Robson Arms. And hey, guess what? It'll start airing in a couple weeks on CTV. The show is a half-hour comedy/drama aimed at maturer audiences. It's got some adult themes, but the language is grown-up but not unlike the first season not HBO grown-up, and it stars some of the funniest, most talented actors working in Canada today.
It's got a lot going for it.
And did I mention it was airing, Feburary 10th on CTV?
Feburary 10th, that's, let's see... oh...uh... ahem... a Saturday night. Hmn.
Well, okay, there's lots of folk who stay home Saturday night. And it's not like there's anything else --- what? Hockey Night in Canada... rightrightright. Still though. It's not like CTV just threw it up there. There are people, important, well-dressed people who get big bucks carefully working out the exact right time for a show to be scheduled. They've got stats and formulae that'd make a lowly writer's head spin... I assume.
I mean, they're not going to just toss it out there and see what happens, right? There's a huge marketing department behind this. Maybe not Little Mosque big, which due to its subject matter got all kinds of publicity that you can't pay for--not a lot of canadian pilots highlighted on CNN-- still... CTV is the big leagues. Okay?
I guess what I'm saying is, don't worry, it won't be just a couple of "coming soon" spots on the tele and one of the writers chatting it up on his blog is what I'm saying.
So please let me know everytime you read/hear/see anything about the show between now and Feb 10th.
Because everybody really wants the show to do well... right?
I am thrilled to be part of what I think will be a pretty darned entertaining show, Robson Arms. And hey, guess what? It'll start airing in a couple weeks on CTV. The show is a half-hour comedy/drama aimed at maturer audiences. It's got some adult themes, but the language is grown-up but not unlike the first season not HBO grown-up, and it stars some of the funniest, most talented actors working in Canada today.
It's got a lot going for it.
And did I mention it was airing, Feburary 10th on CTV?
Feburary 10th, that's, let's see... oh...uh... ahem... a Saturday night. Hmn.
Well, okay, there's lots of folk who stay home Saturday night. And it's not like there's anything else --- what? Hockey Night in Canada... rightrightright. Still though. It's not like CTV just threw it up there. There are people, important, well-dressed people who get big bucks carefully working out the exact right time for a show to be scheduled. They've got stats and formulae that'd make a lowly writer's head spin... I assume.
I mean, they're not going to just toss it out there and see what happens, right? There's a huge marketing department behind this. Maybe not Little Mosque big, which due to its subject matter got all kinds of publicity that you can't pay for--not a lot of canadian pilots highlighted on CNN-- still... CTV is the big leagues. Okay?
I guess what I'm saying is, don't worry, it won't be just a couple of "coming soon" spots on the tele and one of the writers chatting it up on his blog is what I'm saying.
So please let me know everytime you read/hear/see anything about the show between now and Feb 10th.
Because everybody really wants the show to do well... right?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Robson Arms Season II Starts...
CTV just announced Robson Arms Season II will start airing Feb 10, 2007.
Stay tuned for updates for times etc. The CTV RA page hasn't been updated to include the info and our old website is still online... so it looks like the news is fresh.
I look forward to your many comments in the days and weeks to come. I'm surprised at how nervous I'm feeling.
Stay tuned for updates for times etc. The CTV RA page hasn't been updated to include the info and our old website is still online... so it looks like the news is fresh.
I look forward to your many comments in the days and weeks to come. I'm surprised at how nervous I'm feeling.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: For Your Consideration
No. (except for Catherine O'Hara terrifying performance... so awesome, so sexy, so ugly)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Little Mosque on the Prairie
Come back in one more week, okay?... But honestly, it's looking like "No."
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Kick-ass Credit Sequences
My pal daves just sent me a link to what I believe should be a new category at the Oscars... or at the Golden Globes at the very least!
Best Opening Credit Sequence.
The first opening credit sequence I ever remember was for one of the Pink Panther movies. It might not have held up well, but at the time it was like having a little cartoon before the feature.
Laboratory101's list has a quite a few of my favorites... including what I agree is one of the best ever: Seven. What're some of yours?
Best Opening Credit Sequence.
The first opening credit sequence I ever remember was for one of the Pink Panther movies. It might not have held up well, but at the time it was like having a little cartoon before the feature.
Laboratory101's list has a quite a few of my favorites... including what I agree is one of the best ever: Seven. What're some of yours?
Friday, December 29, 2006
Dave's Yes/No Movie Review Xmas 2006 Extravaganza!: Eragon, The Good Sheperd, Marie Anoinette, Babel
Eragon: No.
Good Sheperd: No.
Marie Anoinette: No. (if you like dresses and stuff) Yes.
Babel: Yes. (if you want to feel good about the holidays) No... but Yes anyway.
Good Sheperd: No.
Marie Anoinette: No. (if you like dresses and stuff) Yes.
Babel: Yes. (if you want to feel good about the holidays) No... but Yes anyway.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sergio Leone's latest Movie Quiz
Rob brought my attention to the new movie quiz from Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule
Here's my answers.
1)What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The original When a Stranger Calls.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Quentin Tarrintino's Kill Bill. I swear it's all about making movies.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
M.
7) Describe the first time you ever recognized yourself in a movie.
Johnny Whitaker in The Mystery of Dracula's Castle.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Being There or Harold and Maude... honestly I can't pick.
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
Stars Wars, followed by 2001.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
Magic Shadows (gross)... how about Cinema Cinema! (complete with Exclamation point!)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Are you serious? Not even close: Humphrey Bogart.
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
I'm with Rob MacDonald: The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
No.
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
I'm so obvious: Pulp Fiction
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Naomi Watts.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Reality Bites.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best Credit sequence. Saul Bass for lifetime achievement and this year... the guy/gal that did the Casino Royale's credits.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
I can't remember the Fourth Man, so I'll go with Starship Troopers as the greatest ironic film of all time.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form?
Make money.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Geez, my heart says Ustinov but my head says Albert Finney.
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I like how Warner Brothers allows it's logo to be messed with to reflect the tone of the movie before anyone else... but I also love the Marvel logo.
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Easy Riders Raging Bulls? I dunno.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Hmmmm. Lemme think about this. "Twist ending" is very specific for me. Some people say:Psycho. But that's not a twist ending for me. The Sixth Sense is the most obvious one.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Farenheit 451.
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Claire Danes.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
John Hurt (and Marlee Matlin) at the Victoria Playhouse on PEI.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
There as a guy in junior high that made movies and my sister helped out on it. It was about a multi-coloured tire travelling around.
Here's my answers.
1)What was the last movie you saw, either in a theater or on DVD, and why?
Munich. It was on DVD and I just wanted to see it again. Speilberg has this reputation for being so commercial but geez, he can make amazing shots, not just technical but artistic. Great stuff.
2) Name the cinematographer whose work you most look forward to seeing, and an example of one of his/her finest achievements.
I'm embarrassed to say I'm not aware of many cinematographers other than the obvious ones, and I don't think most of them are still alive...
Joe Don Baker.
4) Name a moment from a movie that made you gasp (in horror, surprise, revelation…)
The original When a Stranger Calls.
5) Your favorite movie about the movies.
Quentin Tarrintino's Kill Bill. I swear it's all about making movies.
6) Your Favorite Fritz Lang movie.
M.
7) Describe the first time you ever recognized yourself in a movie.
Johnny Whitaker in The Mystery of Dracula's Castle.
8) Carole Bouquet or Angela Molina?
No idea.
9) Name a movie that redeems the notion of nostalgia as something more than a bankable commodity.
I'm not sure exactly what the question means but I'll say Last Picture Show.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2 count? If so, I'll go with that. If not, I'm drawing a blank. I will not say OJ Simpson.
11) Favorite Hal Ashby movie.
Being There or Harold and Maude... honestly I can't pick.
12) Name the first double feature you’d program for opening night of your own revival theater.
Stars Wars, followed by 2001.
13) What’s the name of your revival theater?
Magic Shadows (gross)... how about Cinema Cinema! (complete with Exclamation point!)
14) Humphrey Bogart or Elliot Gould?
Are you serious? Not even close: Humphrey Bogart.
15) Favorite Robert Stevenson movie.
The Love Bug
16) Describe your favorite moment in a movie that is memorable because of its use of sound.
I'm with Rob MacDonald: The animal sounds in Raging Bull when Jake LaMotta is boxing.
17) Pink Flamingoes-- yes or no?
No.
18) Your favorite movie soundtrack score.
I'm so obvious: Pulp Fiction
19) Fay Wray or Naomi Watts?
Naomi Watts.
20) Is there a movie that would make you question the judgment and/or taste of a film critic, blogger or friend if you found out they were an advocate of it?
Reality Bites.
21) Pick a new category for the Oscars and its first deserving winner.
Best Credit sequence. Saul Bass for lifetime achievement and this year... the guy/gal that did the Casino Royale's credits.
22) Favorite Paul Verhoeven movie.
I can't remember the Fourth Man, so I'll go with Starship Troopers as the greatest ironic film of all time.
23) What is it that you think movies do better than any other art form?
Make money.
24) Peter Ustinov or Albert Finney?
Geez, my heart says Ustinov but my head says Albert Finney.
25) Favorite movie studio logo, as it appears before a theatrical feature.
I like how Warner Brothers allows it's logo to be messed with to reflect the tone of the movie before anyone else... but I also love the Marvel logo.
26) Name the single most important book about the movies for you personally.
Easy Riders Raging Bulls? I dunno.
27) Name the movie that features the best twist ending. (Please note the use of any “spoilers” in your answer.)
Hmmmm. Lemme think about this. "Twist ending" is very specific for me. Some people say:Psycho. But that's not a twist ending for me. The Sixth Sense is the most obvious one.
28) Favorite Francois Truffaut movie.
Farenheit 451.
29) Olivia Hussey or Claire Danes?
Claire Danes.
30) Your most memorable celebrity encounter.
John Hurt (and Marlee Matlin) at the Victoria Playhouse on PEI.
31) When did you first realize that films were directed?
There as a guy in junior high that made movies and my sister helped out on it. It was about a multi-coloured tire travelling around.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Liberal Leadership Convention
After failing to get my live coverage of the convention from CBC and CTV online, where do I turn?
CPAC!
Exciting stuff.
CPAC!
Exciting stuff.
Friday, December 01, 2006
BattleStar Galactica's Writers' Room
My pal daves sent me this link to an article about the Battlestar Galatica writers' room. This is stuff is deep fried gold, baby.
Now, I knew about the Ron Moore's blog, David Eick's video blog, and episode commentary podcasts for the series but I never came across the mother lode...
Four hours inside the season two writers' room in a couple parts... right here --you'll find it about two thirds the way down the page.
If you've ever wondered what the heck happens inside a writers' room every one is different but this'll give you a good idea.
Enjoy, you crazy emeffers.
Now, I knew about the Ron Moore's blog, David Eick's video blog, and episode commentary podcasts for the series but I never came across the mother lode...
Four hours inside the season two writers' room in a couple parts... right here --you'll find it about two thirds the way down the page.
If you've ever wondered what the heck happens inside a writers' room every one is different but this'll give you a good idea.
Enjoy, you crazy emeffers.
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