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Jeff Mariotte shares an Author’s Perspective on Writing Tie-In Books and Comics

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

by Kate Blake- Admin Multipleverses.com

Last weekend at the Phoenix Comic Con I had the privilege of sitting in on an intimate discussion with author Jeff Mariotte. Jeff is well known for his work as a tie-in author and comic book author. He has written books for Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, Las Vegas, C.S.I, Criminal Minds and more tv series along with other series like Spiderman and even Superman. I asked him what it is like writing characters that are established versus working on your own original characters. He said that it is wonderful when you get the chance to work with characters you know and love.

Jeff discussed his process for working on tie-in projects. When he is starting a new series/ project he usually asks for all of the scripts that he can get his hands on and sits down and watches everything on DVD to catch up. He then works up his own series bible with all of the characters, rules and details that are critical to make sure his work will be accurate. He has worked on both original stories that fill in gaps in tv series as well as strict adaptations. He wrote “Witch Canyon” for Supernatural which had a distinctly western flair yet was very Winchesters in tone. This was an original story that fit between seasons.

Jeff is a fan of westerns and one of his all time favorites is Zorro who he has written as well. Besides working on tie in books- Jeff has a background in comic book writing. He authored a line of western comics called “Desperadoes”- a long running western/ horror series featuring Gideon Brood – ex-Texas Ranger and stock detective. Jeff and fellow Arizona author Michael Stackpole are involved in a social networking project and they have an online chain story going on. Jeff was pleased to announce that his character in his chapter ties in to his own Desperadoes comics.
You can check out the Chain Story at http://chainstory.stormwolf.com

This social networking/ online project is critical to the new direction that publishing is heading toward. Jeff was candid in his comments that he does not think that publishing will look anything like it does today in 6 years. Editors and writers are getting cut from publishing houses and more people are having to find other ways to get their messages out there. Jeff himself has taken a desk job again as a technical editor in a corporate environment. He believes we will always have printed and bound books- but many types of writing will go to electronic mediums. As a bookstore owner he knows this is already changing how people buy things. Jeff is co-owner of the Mysterious Galaxy bookstore in San Diego. Head to http://www.mystgalaxy.com/ for info on what they have going on at the store and where it is- I love visiting great bookstores when I can. So few are left. The successful ones are ones that people go to for more than just books- they go for advice, the opportunity to meet authors at signings and more.

Jeff had some advice for people who want to write and get published. It is pretty simple- but holds true. You must write often to write well. That is it.

When it comes to writing and working on a defined project there are definite challenges. Input from studios is variable. When Jeff worked on the Las Vegas books he actually wrote a book that tied into the series filling the 6 month gap after the famous cliff hanger which ended a season with the Montecito hotel blowing up. The actions of the characters from the book were then referenced during the next season – which is totally cool. Las Vegas was a victim of the writers strike and when it ended with a huge cliffhanger- that was supposed to be a mid-season cliffhanger not a series finale -fans were peeved. Jeff has been asked over and over about the possibility of a book to finish off the series in print.

The Las Vegas people were great to work with and very co-operative. Jeff’s work with movie tie-in novels has been a bit more challenging. He wrote the novelization of the film Boogeyman ( Eric Kripke’s movie) and was initially given a script which he worked with and had the book pretty well done. He submitted his work to the studio who went oops- they had not sent him the revised script. Six weeks of work had to be pretty much scrapped and redone. He did keep some of the original things from the original script which explained things better in the book which pleased the writing team. Apparently the original script was pretty decent- unlike the stripped down product that ended up on film. If this sounds familiar- you now understand where Eric Kripke’s inspiration for the Supernatural episode Hollywood Babylon came from.

If you are a Terminator fan you probably remember the news that there would be a 4 issue Terminator comics release to coincide with Terminator Salvation. Somehow only one issue was released. Why? Jeff shared that story too giving a very interesting insight behind the scenes of the Hollywood marketing machine. Jeff was contracted to write the 4 issues and was given part of the script. It was very hush hush as the studio did not want spoilers being leaked. He worked on the story layouts and had the first three issues pretty much done and a possible fourth one based upon how he thought it would end. The studio loved the first one , approved it and printed it. They liked the second one had it ready to go and then got cold feet. Over the entire project. And never finished the comics they had advertised and announced they were releasing! As we know the movie did not perform as expected at the box office and the Terminator franchise is actually up for sale. But now you know why there is only one Terminator Salvation comic and only the first chapter was ever released.

Jeff’s latest project is a departure somewhat from exploding robots and ghosts. He is working on a really cool non-fiction real crime book for CBS. It is a book about the real life cases that inspire the stories you see on Criminal Minds. Jeff got to find out more details than he wanted to about some of the creepiest criminals of our times. His book should be a good one if you are a true crime fan .

You can read Jeff Mariotte’s blog on Amazon and check out his extensive library of work. Remember to buy your copies new to support your favorite author!
Jeff Mariotte: Books, Biography, Blog

Jeff’s Site is http://jeffmariotte.com
Jeff’s Blog on Typepad

Pre-order Now : Criminal Minds: The Real-Life Criminals Who Inspired the Hit TV Show

Wizard World All – Star Sci Fi Line up this summer in Chicago

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Chicago Wizard World

Laura Vandervoort to Headline Wizard World Chicago

July 19,20,21,22

Donald Stephens Convention Center ( Rosemont)
Convention center is right by Chicago’s O’Hare airport. You should be able to get a free shuttle to the convention from your hotel- check when you make your reservations if flying in. Again- try to book a hotel/ air package to get the best deal if flying in. This is a tough time for flying into Chicago- summer storms can cause havoc on flight schedules so plan to arrive early so you don’t miss anything! If driving in- there are plenty of moderately priced hotels in the area you should be able to stay at for reasonable prices. Be prepared to pay parking at the convention center.

http://www.wizardworld.com/home-ch.html

This year’s convention bumps up against Comic Con in San Diego so they managed to get a lot of big stars who will be going to both. If you can’t make it to San Diego and live in the mid-west- try to make it to Wizard World!


Scheduled Guests:

Laura Vandervoort- Smallville and V
Linda Hamilton- Terminator films plus Beauty and the Beast
Julia Jones- Twilight, Jonah Hex
John Schneider- Smallville
Adam West- Batman
William Shatner- Star Trek
James Marsters- Buffy, Smallville, Caprica
Clare Kramer- Buffy
Richard Roundtree- SHAFT!
Kristanna Lokken- Terminator 3, Painkiller Jane
Lou Ferrigno- Hulk
Paul McGillion ( SGA)
Natalija Nogulich- Star Trek
Julie Newmar- Batman


Battlestar Galactica’s Final Five Cylons-

Kate Vernon, Michael Trucco, Aaron Douglas,Rekha Sharma and Michael Hogan

Eliza Dushku and Charisma Carpenter rank in the top 20 Sexiest Sci Fi Women of all time

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

I have to admit it- I did not watch Buffy and never understood the appeal of the show. I have been watching Angel though and really like Charisma – she is naturally funny and very entertaining. I like Eliza and was peeved when Fox axed Tru Calling and now seems to be shorting Dollhouse- but I know that the formidable Ms. Dushku will land on her feet- and probably come up shooting!

Here are the videos with Eliza Dushku at #20 and Charisma Carpenter at #19 on the TVG Sexiest Sci Fi Women of all Time list.

Before he was Booth- David Boreanaz was Angel

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Whether you are new to the Whedonverse or an old hand- here is some fun for summer! TheWB.com has episodes of Angel online for you to stream and view.  The player is light and crisp- unlike many of the network sites which are darn near impossible to get to play if you have a wireless connection, TheWB.com plays smoothly and on multiple platforms at that. All summer we will be highlighting the programming available to you to stream online to get you through the summer without new tv.

Here are some fun promo photos from season 1 of Angel- see anyone you recognize? Thanks to TheWB.com for these!


angel-21

On the set of Angel with Joss Whedon

Season 1 is running right now on the site- you can jump right in even if you never watched Buffy. This week’s episodes are episodes 1x 18- 1x 21.

Watch this clip- Buffy and Angel argue about Faith ( Eliza Dushku) and punishing her with a severe cuddling…..You get the bonus of seeing Echo and Booth in one here…

Need more Angel and Buffy? Head to our TV & Movie Forums for HQ promo photos from both shows.

Buy the complete series on DVD on Amazon HERE.

Angel actor Andy Hallet dead at 33 from heart failure

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

FROM E! Online:

Andy Hallett, who starred as Lorne (“the Host”) on the TV series Angel, died of heart failure last night at age 33, according to his longtime agent and friend Pat Brady. The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after a five-year battle with heart disease, with his father Dave Hallett by his side.

Hallett, from the Cape Cod village of Osterville, Mass., appeared on more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, between 2000 and 2004. The accomplished actor was also a musician and sang two songs (“Lady Marmalade” and “It’s Not Easy Being Green”) on the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack, released in 2005.

The actor’s character on Angel was Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan, or Lorne for short. Hallett’s Lorne was a friendly demon, who, when not assisting Angel and his team in the investigation of various and sundry underworld mysteries, served as the host and headliner at a demon bar.

Back in 2001, Hallett told our own Jen Godwin that despite constant flirtation with David Boreanaz‘ character Angel, and the occasional sly Elton John reference, “We don’t really know if he’s gay. I don’t really know. It’s funny, because sometimes he’s right in Angel’s face, and that’s when I feel it the most. And viewers would probably think, hmm, what’s going on here? This guy’s pretty curvy.”

Hallett has spent his post-Angel years working on his music career, playing shows around the country. He had been admitted to the hospital three or four times in the past few years for his heart condition, according to Pat.

Another Angel castmember, Glenn Quinn, who played Doyle in season one, passed away in 2002.

A private funeral service will be held for family and close friends in Cape Cod, most likely over this weekend.

Pay your final respects to the actor in the comments below.

NOTE from your admin: Hallet’s heart disease stemmed from an infected tooth after a trip to the dentist back when Angel was ending. It is very important that you do not let infections in your teeth and jaw go untreated as cardio complications are not uncommon. Anyone who has had previous heart disease/ surgery or complications really should be on anti-biotics before having any dental work done to prevent infection that can be deadly.

Andy- your fans and all of the Whedonverse will miss you !

Any of you in US- you can see episodes of Angel online on TheWB.com and on TNT’s website as well