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Post by gibbsfandan on Feb 20, 2007 2:06:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the links. I'm very interested, and will check 'em out right away. (Well, tomorrow for the YouTube interview, since at the moment I'm stuck on a dial-up.)
As to how much creative input RB has now, I wish I knew. You probably recall from the interview that he consults when asked, so personally, I hope they're asking him a lot. But we all know how it can go with some issues becoming territorial (and of course I have no idea if that's a factor), so I guess it's best for me to keep my big mouth shut about this matter.
This is great:
RB: Since it was brought up on one of the forums, I’d like to address the issue of depictions of torture as a dramatic device in drama series, especially depictions that leave the impression that torture is an effective way of getting quick information or actionable intelligence. ...My (extensive though not exhaustive) research tells me that torture rarely if ever produces reliable information.
The torture advocates always proffer the same unlikely scenario to justify a torture-permitted policy – that we suddenly have 24 hours to find and defuse a terrorist nuke. Though not impossible, that scenario is likely only if either the combined intelligence-gathering and anti-terrorist apparatus of the known world has inexplicably been asleep for six months preceding or that Jerry Bruckheimer has seized control of the time-space continuum.
[pardon me while I take a couple of minutes to lmao]
I'm really glad that Balcer addressed that issue, using his specialized knowledge and his insight to get at the heart of a very serious matter.
— Wow, this is turning out to be a fantastic interview, and much longer than expected (excellent, excellent). A lot of food for thought on a number of different issues. I'll finish reading it and giving whatever other comments I have tomorrow.
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Post by Techguy on Apr 16, 2007 23:25:34 GMT -5
Courtesy of www.thereelvincentdonofrio.com as reported in the Sun-Sentinel (Florida), this news about Sleuthfest:Linda Fairstein and writer-producer René Balcer (Law & Order) will speak at Sleuthfest, April 19-22 at the Miami Beach Resort & Spa, 4833 Collins Ave. Sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America, the annual conference will feature panels by dozens of authors, agents and editors. To register, visit mwa-florida.org/sleuthfest.htm or e-mail sleuthfest2007@mchsi.com.
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mimi
Detective
Posts: 231
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Post by mimi on Jun 29, 2007 8:29:12 GMT -5
I completely forgot I had this!
While cleaning my office desk I found a MP3 CD I ordered from the 2005 SPAA Conference, where René Balcer was a guest speaker. It's an 1 hour interview. If someone wants a copy PM me.
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Post by Techguy on Oct 24, 2007 0:23:45 GMT -5
Courtesy of http://www.thereelvincentdonofrio.com:
Rene Balcer will be on NPR's Talk of the Nation tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday the 24th) at 3:30 to talk about the library project, the threatened WGA strike and L & O.
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vdovault
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 70
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Post by vdovault on Oct 24, 2007 17:17:17 GMT -5
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Post by DonnaJo on Oct 24, 2007 19:05:32 GMT -5
Thanks, VDO Vault.
It's always such a pleasure to listen to Rene Balcer. He is so articulate, informed & intelligent. It's obvious he's all for the WGA & who can blame him? I like that he spoke at length about the Frances Goren Library Project - I hope it gets more people to donate.
I wonder if any of the cast of CI, particularly D'Onofrio, are contributing?
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Post by ragincajun on Dec 14, 2007 12:45:00 GMT -5
linkI copied this From TheVaults post from the USA Board, Its a radio interview with Rene Balcer. Its about the strike. Besides LOCI, we both watch Dexter, lol.
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mimi
Detective
Posts: 231
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Post by mimi on Feb 17, 2008 22:11:51 GMT -5
A very belated birthday wish to René Balcer (February 9th) who's writing brought me back to the Mothership.
Your biggest quality Mr Balcer is your capacity to tie things up; most importantly storywise, then on the visual side and you even throw supplementary elements to satisfy the intellectual nerd that sleeps in me, without taking anything away from the casual viewer. Your ability to make an episode complete in every aspect is a rare quality in tv land.
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Post by Patcat on Mar 31, 2008 12:33:52 GMT -5
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vdofan1
Silver Shield Investigator
Made ya look....
Posts: 178
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Post by vdofan1 on Mar 31, 2008 17:49:56 GMT -5
Perfect! ;D It should make a very interesting L&O episode.
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Post by annabelleleigh on Aug 26, 2008 14:40:36 GMT -5
For board members who are also Mothership fans:
The 19th season of Law & Order -- the iconic TV crime drama of all time -- began production earlier this month.
Cameras are already rolling in Manhattan; casting calls have been posted; and bi-coastal showrunner Rene Balcer is currently creating and/or collaborating on new stories and script re-drafts. In the latter group are episodes tentatively titled "Challenged" and "Zero."
One of them plays wryly with the issue of living in New York "without leaving a carbon footprint." Given the titles can you guess which one?
NBC (too busy promoting "Chuck" and "America's Got Talent") has yet to announce a Law & Order season premiere date.
AL
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Post by annabelleleigh on Oct 6, 2008 19:29:59 GMT -5
CI creator, mothership showrunner, and indefatigable WGA activist Rene Balcer has attached his name to a new cause. See below. Boldfaces mine. AL ------------------------------ Open Letter: Hollywood Heavy Hitters Send Direct Message To Tyler PerryBy Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com October 6, 2008 Excerpt: "While film and TV mogul Tyler Perry partied with a who's who of Black star power at the opening of his Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta this weekend, the Writers Guild Association sent an open letter to the creator of the infamous Madea character and the letter was signed by some of the most prominent show runners in Hollywood. BV Buzz reported on Friday that the gospel playwright had come under fire for unfair labor practices and the WGA filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming that Perry had four writers from 'House of Payne' (Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell) unlawfully fired because they wanted the union involved in their contract negotiations with Perry's company. Despite the shocking news about Perry terminating writers after refusing to pay minimum industry rates, health care, pension and residuals making headlines at the start of the weekend, the man behind 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' and 'Why Did I Get Married' hosted the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Will Smith and Patti LaBelle at his new studio complex... ...While Perry celebrated his rags to riches story during the two-day complex opening, the WGA issued their open letter and the likes of Shonda Rhimes ('Grey's Anatomy'/'Private Practice'), Marc Cherry ('Desperate Housewives'), Tina Fey ('30 Rock'), Steve Peterman ('Hannah Montana'), Rene Balcer ('Law & Order'/'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'), Warren Hutcherson ('Everybody Hates Chris'/'The Bernie Mac Show') and 66 other show runners united to speak out against his actions. Below you'll find the reprinted letter in its entirety. ***** Dear Tyler Perry, This season, scripted television programming will consist of about 150 shows employing 1,200 writers. Of that universe, 149 shows and 1,193 writers will produce shows covered by the Writers Guild's Minimum Basic Agreement. The MBA guarantees minimum compensation, residuals, health coverage, and pension in addition to other benefits. The big exception? Tyler Perry's 'House of Payne" and the seven writers who, collectively, played a key role in producing over 100 episodes of one of television's most successful sitcoms. Right now, these seven writers are in a struggle with you, the producer of 'House of Payne,' to extend Guild coverage to the show. This past Monday, after months of negotiations with the Guild, four of the writers were abruptly and illegally fired because of their efforts to secure the same minimums and benefits as their peers. We all know that producing television is a tough and uncertain business. But some things are simply not acceptable. We have a simple ask – reinstate the writers and make a fair deal with WGA." For the full article and the complete list of letter signers (which includes Walon Green, new showrunner for the G/E episodes), click on www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/10/06/open-letter-hollywood-heavy-hitters-send-direct-message-to-tyle/
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Post by DonnaJo on Oct 7, 2008 12:42:48 GMT -5
Bravo to Rene Balcer, Walon Green, Tina Fey & the many other show runners for devising & sending this letter out to what sounds to be a selfish, egotistical hypocritical person in Tyler Perry.
For the record, I can't stand his show. It's too over the top & just isn't all that funny. I hope this information gets out to his fans. Maybe he'll be shamed into doing the right thing.
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Post by deathroe on Oct 7, 2008 16:25:19 GMT -5
That's too bad about Perry, if it's true. Many of my students are not from privileged backgrounds and respect his work.
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Post by Techguy on Oct 30, 2008 16:33:28 GMT -5
From Media Relations:Concordia University will award two honorary doctorates (Doctor of Laws) during fall convocation ceremonies on November 17, 2008. The recipients are René Balcer, the executive producer of the Law & Order series and the Hon. Hilary M. Weston, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario...
At the afternoon ceremony at 3 p.m. for the Faculty of Arts and Science, René Balcer will be awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his success as a television producer and writer. Balcer is an alumnus of Concordia University where he was awarded a BA in Communication Arts, Magna Cum Laude, in 1978. He is the executive producer of the Law & Order series for which he won an Emmy award in 1997. He also created Law & Order Criminal Intent which is now in its eighth season...
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