Thank You, Katie

Maybe you can't write about a demon walking the Earth without being a little devilish yourself.  Mike Mignola has a dark side.  There are times he takes more than a little delight in the torturing... okay, let's say teasing of the defenseless... okay, let's say me.

I gave Mike a copy of the movie early in the week with instructions to watch it a couple of times before we did our commentary.  I wanted him to get over any shock and be able to say some nice things on the DVD.  That was all he needed, "I think it would be more interesting if I watch it for the first time as we're recording. 'Couldn't you get them to draw this crap any better than that?'  See?  That would be a unique commentary."  I agreed it would be, especially with my sobbing and wailing in the background.  I knew Mike was kidding, then I hesitated and he caught the sent of fear over the phone.  That's when he really laid it on.  But then I heard something subtle in his voice change and I knew he was considering it.

He's right, you know.  It would be a unique commentary to get his first reaction.  Of course, it's a crappy way to watch a movie, with two other people constantly talking to you.  The next day I got word he was going to wait until the last possible moment to watch it so his reaction was fresh.  I was fine with that.  Except for the part where I'm sweating out the week wondering if the creator of Hellboy will like how I interpreted his character.

Enter my savior, Katie Mignola.  The next day Mike came home from "the office" (he's doing preproduction on HB2 up here in the valley) and found Katie and her cousin watching the movie.  They were loving it.  He sat down and watched the last half.  He didn't hate it!  He didn't bolt out of the room!  In fact he actually was saying good things about it!!  Whew.

So today we did the commentary.  Yeah, today.  Friday the 13th.  We were well into it when I realized that Mike never went back to watch the first half of the movie.  He was commenting on it as he was watching it the first time.  Have seen enough of it to feel comfortable, he went ahead and did his experiment.  Sorry, no extra excitement.  I heard no grunting with displeasure, no swearing, no "What in the hell were you thinking of?"  It went well and I managed to stay out of the fetal position.

The commentary is Mike, me and Phil Weinstein the other director.  We seemed to stay on topic, everyone added something.  We've all been interviewed plenty for the DVD extras so I tried to talk about different subjects.  One of the ideas I had for the official website was to record more commentaries that you can download and watch with the DVD.  A discussion of the music score would definitely be interesting and I'll have to see if the rest of the crew is up for it.  If I can find them.

Meanwhile, more footage of Blood and Iron has come in.  I'm going to hold off talking about it until after the premiere of Sword of Storms.  I have to keep you guys focused!  Meanwhile, Mike will be on the Wordballoon podcast and I'll be on Fanboy Radio late in the month.  And Comic Geek Speak may be talking to me as early as next week.  Yes, I will be make you sick of hearing me and the only way to shut me up will be to watch the movie. --Tad

Comments

[Kirk]

I don't generally listen to commentaries unless I'm really into the movie and want the extra immersion that it offers. I believe this will be one of those times.

Congrats on Mike not giving the movie the dry wretch! I am glad he had good things to say and I know this was one of the last phases you were worried about. It appears the only hurtle left is the public reaction in a couple weeks.

Smooth sailing, I say.

[Jack]

lol, glad it worked out Tad,I cant wait to watch the movie a few times then listen to the commentary.

[hb]

yeah this commntary will definetely be one worth hearing. Mostly because its shorter than a full length movie ( listening to two people talking for two hours is somewhat boring for msyelf )and will probably provide some intersting info on the transition from comic to cartoon.
But since what you have mentioned so far is interviews witht the actors and commentaries...is there to be any making of? Was there filming during production? that would be awesome...staying tuned.
-hb