Alan Ball to Participate in Virginia Film Festival

Alan Ball will be a featured guest of the Virginia Film Festival at the University of Virginia on Sunday, November 8. At 10:30AM he’ll present an episode of True Blood, discussing it in detail with the audience. This even is free of charge, but it is recommended that attendees arrive 15-30 minutes early to get seats.

Following True Blood, Alan will present his Oscar-winning film American Beauty at 12PM. Tickets are required for this event and are $15 for adults, $12.50 for students/faculty/seniors. Tickets are available at the film festival’s website.

Charlaine Harris: “I did not kill Bill.”

Cassie White with ABC News had the opportunity to ask Charlaine Harris a few fan questions recently, and got some feisty responses. Here’s an excerpt:

Jane Blount: Why would you kill Bill? He is the most fascinating character I’ve read in years – so mysterious, cool and dark. I’d kill to hear his voice, as you describe it … and I want to finish your wonderful books without crying.

“I did not kill Bill. Alan sort of said something at PaleyFest in an interview. He said ‘Charlaine thought about killing Bill in the last book but she was talked out of it.’ That was something of a mis-statement and I certainly wish he hadn’t made it! In casual conversation I mentioned that had been one of the possible endings for Dead and Gone and that I’d thought about it and discarded it. But the truth is, and I think almost every writer does this, I’ve considered killing every character at one time or another, and some of them I follow though with. But some I decide I need to be alive.”

khansen: I read recently that you said you didn’t understand why so many fans love Eric so much? If this is true, why was he written to always be there for Sookie, give her what she needs, always tell her the truth, and be emotionally awakened by her, and happier with her than he had been in hundreds of years? He seems perfect for her. Have I read all of the books wrong?

“I’m not denying that’s one side of Eric, but he’s also a ruthless killer and I think some of my readers tend to forget that in their enthusiasm for his sexier habits.”

Read more answers to fan questions on Cassie’s The Shallow End blog, and see the full interview with Charlaine at ABC News.

“A Touch of Dead” Review

Have you read Charlaine Harris’s A Touch of Dead yet? Not sure if you should? Our friend, Billie Doux, may be able to help you out. Check out her review of the book!

I just finished A Touch of Dead: Sookie Stackhouse, the Complete Stories by Charlaine Harris. The book contains five previously published short stories set the Southern Vampire universe. My brief description and review below has minimal spoilers. (Continue reading.)

Now run out and get this book! Then, come on back here and tell us what you thought.

Win Tickets to Lisbeth Scott’s Album Release Party or Concert

Lisbeth Scott, whose beautiful voice and music appears on True Blood, has a new album coming out on November 10 entitled Hope is a Thing. This weekend sees a release party (November 7) and concert (November 8 ) at Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica, CA, for the album, and Lisbeth is offering True-Blood.net readers a chance to win tickets!

Here’s How to Enter:

• Become a fan of Lisbeth on Facebook;
• Leave a comment on her wall telling her what you think of her work on the True Blood soundtrack;
• Two (2) winners will be chosen with one winner getting a pair of tickets to the release party on November 7 and one winner getting a pair of tickets to the concert on November 8;
• Winners will be chosen at random from eligible comments;
• Please note that all transportation to either event is the responsibility of the individual winners;
• Hurry, this giveaway ends tomorrow, November 6, 2009!

Good luck!

The Examiner Interviews Nathan Barr

The Examiner’s Mark Morton recently nabbed an exclusive with Nathan Barr, True Blood’s music magician and one of our favorites in the industry. Read on as Nate reflects on his career:

Having only been in the film music composition scene for barely a decade, Nathan Barr has certainly racked up a mass of credits. With film work including Cabin Fever, the two Hostel movies, and 2001 Maniacs, he is easily among the breakout talent for the new breed of horror. Barr is also known for constantly challenging himself creatively, so between horror outings, he has frequently been seen scoring outlandish comedies for the Broken Lizard team (Club Dread, Beerfest, The Slammin’ Salmon). (Continue reading.)

TV Guide Wants to Know: “What’s Your Favorite Show of 2009?”

With 2009 winding down (can you believe it?!?), TVGuide.com wants to know what your favorite show of the year was. Go to their site and leave a comment; we’re guessing it will help shape their year-end list in a few weeks.

True Blood Guide, Season One: “Sparks Fly Out” with Commentary from Alan Ball

Spurned by an exasperated Sookie (Anna Paquin), Bill (Stephen Moyer) ends up winning over Adele’s (Lois Smith) church audience with his vivid recollections from the Civil War, though Andy (Chris Bauer) and Bud (William Sanderson) remain suspicious. Sam (Sam Trammell) tries to make the most of his opportunity with Sookie, though she’s clearly not ready to commit. Ignoring Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) rebuff, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) convinces Jason (Ryan Kwanten) to give vampire blood, aka “V juice,” another shot. Alone at home, Bill remembers the painful wartime incident that changed his fate forever.

Written by Alexander Woo; directed by Daniel Minahan.

ALAN BALL: I love that episode. That’s one of my favorites of the first season. I think the Bill flashback is a really key insight into who he is. It also establishes the sexual tension that exists between Sam and Sookie, and then there’s Jason’s sort of otherworldly experience. And when Bill talked about the Civil War… I love Steven’s performance. He really is a man who has a different set of manners, and a different way of acting and behaving then the contemporary characters.

Her grandmother’s death and a lot that Sookie goes through – that’s all in the books. There’s a great moment in one of the books where it’s New Year’s and all the waitresses at Merlotts are saying what their resolutions are, and Sookie says, “This year I’m not going to get beat up!” And she says it totally seriously, and everyone looks at her like, “Oh my god!” And it’s so funny and at the same time, so horrifying! That’s in the third or fourth book, and by that time she’s been beat up so many times. On the show, she’s always getting knocked around quite a lot, but Anna loves it. She loves that stuff. She’s, like, “Do I get to have a blood capsule?” She loves it. (SciFiTVZone.com)

Sparks Fly Out airs tonight in the UK on Channel 4.

Carrie Preston Enjoys “That Evening Sun”

Carrie Preston is keeping busy with a couple of projects during the True Blood hiatus. Her film, That Evening Sun, premieres Nov. 6th in New York and Nov. 20th in L.A. Carrie will do a short Q & A after the 7 p.m. showing.

Based on a short story by author William Gay, Abner Meecham (Hal Holbrook), an aging Tennessee farmer discarded to a nursing facility by his lawyer son, flees the old folks’ home and catches a ride back to his country farm to live out his days in peace. Upon his return, he discovers that his son has leased the farm to Abner’s old enemy and his white trash family. Not one to suffer fools or go down easy, Abner moves into the old tenant shack on the property and declares that he won’t leave until the farm is returned to his possession. But Lonzo Choat (Raymond McKinnon), the new tenant, has no intention to move out or give in to the old man’s demands.

This sets up a ruthless grudge match between Abner and Choat, each man right in his own eyes, each too stubborn to give an inch. Angered by his son’s betrayal, and haunted by recurring dreams of his long‐dead wife, Abner sets about his own path toward reclaiming his life. Lines are drawn, threats are made, and the simmering tension under the Southern sun erupts, inevitably, into savagery.

That Evening Sun opens in L.A. theaters on November 20th. For theater locations and to purchase tickets, go to thateveningsun.com.

Eyewitness Report from Paley Center

by Rueben

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Paley Center for Media’s Inside the Writers’ Room for the popular HBO series True Blood. As the title states the panel highlighted the work of the talented writers for this show, including Executive Producer and Creator, Alan Ball; co-Executive Producers Brian Buckner and Nancy Oliver; Producers Raelle Tucker and Alexander Woo; Script Coordinator Kate Barnow and Writer’s Assistant Elizabeth Finch.

The night opened with a look back at Season 2 and all the memorable moments from the season. Moderator Alynda Wheat, writer for Entertainment Weekly, then took the stage and began the introductions of the panelist. Once everyone was settled in, Ms. Wheat asked Mr. Ball a very crucial question: “Will Snopp Dogg be playing a part in the series next season?” This question, of course, garnered laughs from the audience with Mr. Ball explaining that he planned to “protect the integrity of the series” and would not be casting the well-known rapper. He further explained that he is not a fan of stunt casting; and while no big names have expressed interest in appearing in the show next season, he would not be averse to it (although it would be to their benefit to actually be able to act).

After his series Six Feet Under finished its run, Mr. Ball wanted to do something fun – and that is precisely what True Blood has afforded him. He was quoted as stating, “it’s too much fun to do this and get paid for it,” which was well received by those in the panel room. He was asked at a later point what made him develop the show for TV and he explained he read one of Charlaine Harris’ books and couldn’t put it down, read several more then took it to HBO. He did state that once the fifth episode (the flashback to Bill’s Civil War days and his turning) was completed, he felt they had finally “hit their stride”.

Ms. Wheat acknowledged that the writing team seemed to be female-heavy and wondered if Mr. Ball had gone seeking that to which he stated it wasn’t intentional, as he is “very instinctive,” going with staff based on their own original work – not spec scripts – in order to get a sense of their voices; their gender did not play into any decisions.

Mr. Buckner and Mr. Woo then answered the query about the provocative nature of the storylines, joking “there’s almost nothing we can’t do or haven’t done” – and Mr. Woo couldn’t “envision (True Blood) anywhere (else) but on cable”. There was, however, at least one storyline that was scrapped due to its controversial nature. The flashback scene of Bill and his maker in the 1920’s was written much harsher than what was seen by the viewers. Mr. Ball believed the original depiction was more of rape then murder than was needed.

It was explained that Ms. Tucker is the only staff member who has genre experience whereas most of the staff has comedy in their background. This came into play for Mr. Buckner as his first draft script was too funny and had to be changed to fit the context of the show. After all the “cast plays everything so straight, it’s funnier than comedy”. They simply let the cast go with the lines and it turns out funny (even if not always intentional).

The subject matter then veered on to fan reactions and their experiences at this July’s Comic Con. Ms. Tucker joked she “grew up with hippies” so the event wasn’t scary for her. Mr. Ball interjected that he “wasn’t afraid,” but did state you “have to be careful what you say at Comic Con.”

When asked which characters the writers like writing for Mr. Ball was diplomatic saying, “he loves all of them, but really enjoys writing for Lafayette and Jason”; Ms. Tucker stated Jessica and Hoyt; Mr. Buckner said Eric and Ms. Oliver stated Godric.

Some things to look forward to when True Blood returns next summer include:

* Eric appearing without most of his clothes in the first episode
* Learning where Bill is and what (or who) took him
* A return visit by Queen Sophie (Evan Rachel Wood)
* There will not be a wedding although one character will want a wedding
* The possibility of the Newlins making a return visit
* A “boat-load” of characters to be featured, including more on Pam and Nan
* Learning more about what Sookie really is
* No marginalizing of Bill (unlike that reflected in the books
* The possibility of flashbacks between Eric and Godric
* There will not be a return visit by Mary Ann as she is DEAD

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary discoveries about life behind the scenes is that Mr. Ball allows the writer of each script to serve as on-set producer. This means they are involved in every aspect of the episode, including the prep, the casting, the post and everything in between. Mr. Woo further explained this is very rare as most show-runners (like what Mr. Ball is for True Blood) do not afford their staff this opportunity.

True Blood will return to HBO in June of 2010.

Reminder: Vote True Blood for People’s Choice Award

There’s still time left before November 10th to vote for True Blood for the People’s Choice Awards nominee. As we posted a couple of weeks ago, you can vote for True Blood in multiple categories including Favorite TV Drama. Visit People’s Choice Awards Nominee Selections and vote now and ensure True Blood  makes the cut to be a nominee! The top five nominees in each category will be revealed at the People’s Choice Awards annual press conference on November 10, 2009. Only those announced on November 10th have the chance to win a People’s Choice Award on January 6th, 2010.

Let’s go to work, fans!

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