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Post by blucougar57 on May 31, 2005 16:42:53 GMT -5
Many thanks to Ms SenGupta for her time in answering all those questions. And thanks to the administrators for putting it together! That was a truly amazing and eye-opening interview!
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Post by Prancer on May 31, 2005 22:40:15 GMT -5
This certainly was a great treat ! Thanks to all who were involved to make it happen.
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Post by LOCIfan on May 31, 2005 23:05:15 GMT -5
I have now had a chance to go back and read Ms. SenGupta's interview responses at a more liesurely pace, and have a bunch of reactions to it. Not sure if it would be better to start a new thread based on insights gained from the interview or not (will leave it to the mods to decide).
To start with, I have to say that one of the things that strikes me most about both Goren and the series itself is how much of a collaboration both the character and series really are.
Ms. SenGupta's articulate and detailed (more detailed than anything I've ever read about how this or any other television series goes from the idea to script to episode) description of the process is truly fascinating.
One of the things that strikes me most profoundly is the relationship between the character of Goren and Rene Balcer and those writers who had a hand in creating him at the earliest stages of the series. Obviously, a great deal of thought went/goes into creating and maintaining Goren as a distinct individual. Someone who has a whole lifetime of experiences that impact who he is, how he acts, what makes him tick, how he perceives and carries out his duties as a detective. And what we viewers see each week is a combination of the thought that the creators/writers of the character envision and what Mr. D'Onofrio brings to the character.
It's very fascinating. And I can't help but believe that the thoroughness with which these writers have envisioned the character can't do anything but help a wonderful actor such as D'Onofrio to inhabit the character of Goren. It must be very gratifying for an actor of D'Onofrio's caliber to have such a deep and layered character to sink his teeth into each and every week.
Another thing that strikes me is the way Ms. SenGupta responded to the questions about whether or not all the writers would write for both Logan and Goren, or if they'd be divided up. She said, "As far as I know, all the writers will write for both Logan and Goren. At least I hope so. I’d be sad if “Shibboleth” was my last dance with Goren."
I think that sentiment is so lovingly phrased. It suggests to me that she has a real interest in the character, as one of the people who was instrumental in defining Goren's character at a point at which the part hadn't even been cast yet.
What she writes about Goren standing up on the pew to indicate a photograph of the corpse reiterates this point. (Especially since it's my understanding that as many as ten of the episodes from the first season were written before D'Onofrio had been cast.) She says:
"In the script, Goren has some dialogue telling the CSU photographer that he wants a shot of the corpse from directly above. In the stage directions, I wrote “Goren demonstrates, balancing on the high back of a pew. His acrobatics elicit a few raised eyebrows, which he ignores.” The part where Goren uses the CSU photographer’s head to steady himself was all Vincent. There was no story purpose for Goren to insist on an overhead photograph. The purpose of it was to emphasize his quirky style of concentration and the fact that he’s aware his tactics are sometimes viewed as strange but doesn’t care.
Those are the words of a loving creator of a character. It all makes me realize what a collaboration Goren is, and also how difficult it must be for a writer to kind of release that creation to an actor.
I've got a couple questions:
Have the responses to this interview impacted your perception of Goren as a character and creation of someone in addition to Mr. D'Onofrio?
If so, how?
(I'm sure I'll have other comments to this interview as the content of it seeps into my brain, which is why I wonder if maybe this might belong in a separate thread.)
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Post by goreneames on Jun 1, 2005 0:01:41 GMT -5
LOCIfan,
some of my thoughts about this interview coincide with yours. But others might be seen as far afield from the interview. So maybe you're right that there should be a separate thread for thoughts generated by the SenGupta interview...
I agree with you that this interview has made me really stop and think of Goren as a collaborative creation. A character that a writer would feel bad about leaving. That gave me a new perspective. One I need to think on...
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Post by LOCIfan on Jun 1, 2005 0:26:04 GMT -5
Specifically, METELLA,
What issues were you correct on, and which on were you DEAD WRONG on?
And, do Ms. SenGupta's responses impact your impressions of Goren?
I'd be very interested to know!!
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Post by LOCIfan on Jun 1, 2005 0:30:13 GMT -5
OBSERVER,
I'd also be interested in your perspective on the Goren character in light of Ms. SenGupta's responses. Especially considering the fact that Goren's hypervigilance is, as you've suggested, something that was written into the character from the beginning.
Also, on the other hand, I think I recall you being one of those who believed Mr. D'Onofrio may have entirely ad-libbed the climb onto theIn the script, Goren has some dialogue telling the CSU photographer that he wants a shot of the corpse from directly above. Now it seems that wasn't ad-libbed. Does that change your view of Goren as a character or as a collaboration? I'm curious to know your thoughts.
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Post by gorenrocks on Jun 1, 2005 0:34:16 GMT -5
My own feeling is that my impression of Goren, as a character, HAS changed. But I'm a bit reluctant to sully this board with anyting as crass as a discourse or potential disagreement...
Maybe a separate thread would be in order.
In brief, I maintaing the utmost respect for Mr. D'Onofrio, but have a newfound understanding of his "Thank You" ad to Rene Balcer in VARIETY, and also have a newfound respect for the writers.
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Post by Criminal Mastermind on Jun 1, 2005 6:02:07 GMT -5
You're all welcome to start as many threads about the subjects raised in the interview as you like. Take them to general CI discussion.
Gorenrocks, please don't censor yourself out of fear that others will disagree. The posters here live for a good arguement, but do manage to remain both civil and respectful. To quote another poster, we argue a lot, but never quarrel.
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Post by NicoleMarie on Jun 1, 2005 9:45:20 GMT -5
Thank you Ms. SenGupta for your responses and for taking the time to do this. I very much appreciate it.
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Post by Marina1511 on Jun 5, 2005 5:41:55 GMT -5
THANKS!!
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Post by domenicaflor on Jun 5, 2005 9:40:29 GMT -5
Thank you again, Ms. SenGupta, for taking the time to answer the group's questions. I'll add specific comments on answers to the other thread indicated, but I would just like to add that I hope that Ms. SenGupta and the other writers enjoy this board for what it is - an intelligent and vibrant board that is not afraid to "dig in" to the episodes and debate the issues raised therein. While some posters may think one episode is the best thing since sliced bread, and others may find the same episode as boring as sliced bread, one thing we can agree on: the creative, collaborative approach shown by Rene Balcer and all his team is to be commended and supported. (To continue the metaphor, you all make one hell of a tasty sandwich! LOL) I would hope that any writers, actors, or production staff who read this board understand not to be hurt by our comments here. Bottom line: If the show were not as good - the fans would vote with their feet (their keyboards) and we would not be here today. Thanks again to all the admins for taking their time to arrange a great interview. As a fan, I can only hope that perhaps other writers and staff from CI might consider visiting us in the future and sharing a few words with us as well. D.
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Post by LOCIfan on Jun 5, 2005 10:37:54 GMT -5
Well said, Dom! I got the impression that Ms. SenGupta understands the nature of this board, and respects it. One of the things I love about this site is that it's not just about bashing or raving about an episode, but includes a discussion about WHY we enjoyed it or didn't. But I can certainly see her point that it might be "rough" (as she put it) to read blunt criticism of an episode she worked hard to create, whether on this board or others, even knowing that the posters have no intention of insulting her or the rest of the creative team. That seems like a totally natural reaction, and I liked it that she was so candid about her feelings. There was an article in The New York Times many years ago about several different writers (successful, famous ones...) who'd been so affected by negative reviews or responses that they were unable to write for quite a long time afterward. One of the playwrights didn't write a new play for SEVEN YEARS! None of the writers believed that anyone was out to cripple them as writers or that the reviewers weren't entitled to their opinions, etc... and all of them struggled with how irrational and frustrating it was that they should be so deeply affected by the opinions of others (in some cases just ONE reviewer's opinion). It was very interesting, and provided such insight into the artistic process and temperment. It also highlighted the fragility of that process. If Ms. SenGupta recognizes she has a tendency to be hurt by comments online, she's probably wise not to frequent the boards as a self-protective measure. If she found herself unable to write new episodes because of online criticism, we'd ALL suffer!!!
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Post by Sirenna on Jun 12, 2005 17:17:12 GMT -5
Thank you so much, Ms SenGupta, for taking the time to answer all our questions. I've learnt so much today!
Great appreciation and thanks to our awesome moderators for organizing this for us!
I echo Dom's thinking that wouldn't it be nice to hear from other cast and crew associated with the show...
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Post by Sirenna on Jul 17, 2005 20:55:30 GMT -5
I always planned to get back to this discussion when I had more time to do it justice. It was a terrific interview.
To answer your earlier question, Locifan, no this has hasn't changed my overall perception of Goren. I always thought he needed to be a well-rounded guy to be successful and by successful I mean a hotshot Detective First, Major Case. What has changed is my perception of the effect of and the level of trauma he experienced in his early childhood.
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MelTex
Detective
"I want a Jonny 7 all-in-one gun..."
Posts: 336
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Post by MelTex on Sept 9, 2005 11:59:27 GMT -5
Just read this interview...because I am beyond behind on all my LOCI news. I've been outta the loop for months now...sheesh, I just found out last week who Logan's partner was! Anyway, I found Mrs. SenGupta's interview very interesting, especially her insight on being a Television series writer. I love getting the view of those who actually do the work, I've always been interested in script and show writing. I thought the questions were insightful and detailed, and certainly asked some things I'd never have thought of. The little details about Goren and Eames - their character "bibles"- really brought a grin to my face. Great stuff! The little things I always wonder about, but we may never get to see worked into an episode. Some of her answers on the collaboration between writers, and the "locking-in" of the script, the little ad-libbing - I found a little surprising. I'd have thought there might be more, with letting Mr. D'Onofrio "do his thing" with this character quirks. Great job on this to the interviewer and interviewed! Thanks to Patcat for pointing this article out!
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