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Moderator: We are now moderated.
Moderator: If my Pilot-DNA is working, Rockne should be able to speak.

Rockne: Fetch the Comfy Chair -- let's do it!

Moderator: Awright.

Bouncer: hello.

Moderator: Rockne, do you have any opening remarks for the assembled throng?

Rockne: Uh, the Comfy Chair remark maxes out my clever openings......

Moderator: then on with the torture:
Moderator: <slidecat> to <Moderator>: Now i heard that this 4 parter is somehow going to be concluded to the next season, thus making it like a six parter...is that true or just a vicious rumor to scare us half to death?

Rockne: Torture is our business. Yes, there's a two-hour conclusion coming next March 17.

Moderator: <Cush> to <Moderator>: Mr. O'Bannan, were the characters background stories changed? For example: On D'Argo's RittenHouse Preview card, it says that he was arrested by a General named D'Raam, who was jealous of D'Argos tactics and his mate. Was this story dropped, or will it play out somehow?

Rockne: It was a background "cover story" that we devised, so it's true, but, alas, we had to drop it from "They've Got a Secret" because of time restrains...

Moderator: <truthseekr> to <Moderator>: In looking at FARSCAPE now, how closely has the show remained true to your original creation and what has changed/evolved?

Rockne: The man-from-our-generation dropped into a far distant universe has sustained....
Rockne: And has been enhanced beyond my wildest expectations thanks to the contributions of the other writers....
Rockne: and the cast.

Moderator: <DkPhoenix> to <Moderator>: So, this is one that I think has been bugging us for a while - what is Pliot's species called? Or is that spoling Pilot's backstory?

Rockne: We've just finished filming the episode (written by Naren Shankar) where we learn a great deal about Pilot's origins. But the name of his species hasn't come up yet.

Moderator: here's one to maybe stump the creator...
Moderator: <TracicarT> to <Moderator>: I know this is nit-picky, but in the (self-serving) interest of keeping my Farscape Lexicon as accurate as possible - when D'argo referred to Moya's baby as being well over a "Sakmar", did he mean size? Weight? Or other?

Rockne: Sakmar is a weight measurement -- it's from the Premiere script (again, dropped from the final edit due to time contraints)...

Moderator: <Ooshati> to <Moderator>: Was the "hidden memory" footage not used in Human Reaction because of time constraints?

Rockne: Nope. We shot that special, knowing what we had up our sleeves for "Nerve". We writers may not be able to balance our checkbooks, but we're keeping several story threads going (but it takes all of us!)...

Moderator: <UCSBdad> to <Moderator>: What exactly did Aeryn say to the Alien "Jack Crichton" at the end of Human Reaction?

Rockne: "Can you get me Martin Milner's autograph...?".....

Moderator: (insert rimshot here)

Rockne: Obviously, neither Ricky nor I nor anyone else on the show is ready to reveal this............yet.......

Moderator: <OboeCrazy> to <Moderator>: Thanks for coming out to talk with us! My question: How far in the future do you have the "mythology" of Farscape planned out? Do you have a Babylon 5 type of plan or is it more freeform?

Rockne: Far more freeform. I'm in meetings presently with Brian and Lisa Henson in re to a Farscape feature, so I'm having to nail down certain aspects of the mythology so that we don't have a movie out sometime in the future that conflicts with the series.
Rockne: There are aspects to a two-part episode just written by David Kemper that will definitely factor into the movie idea I have in mind....

Moderator: sometime in the future?
Moderator: how soon might that future be?

Rockne: The year will have a "2" in front of it, I can promise you that....

Moderator: <tuvok> to <Moderator>: Mr. O'Bannon, this Scorpius fellow seems very interesting and an even more vicious villian. Where does he come from and who is he. He is a hybrid of some kind, correct?

Rockne: Evil Mr. Spock... yada yada yada... most of you've probably read my quote about the origins of the essentials of the character....
Rockne: ...but the specifics are that he is a half-breed (like Mr. S), half Sebacean, half Scaren....
Rockne: We'll be meeting a FULL Scaren sometime next season. Sparks will definitely fly....

Moderator: <StarPaw> to <Moderator>: How did Scorpius know Crichton was an imposter?

Rockne: He has extraordinary (as in extra ordinary) sensory perceptions....

Moderator: <Lynux> to <Moderator>: Will there be more charactors aded to the show?

Rockne: Never stop moving -- that's our motto. Yes, characters will come and go. I mean, after Moya's death tomorrow night.... DOH!.....
Rockne: I think I've sent Moderator into shock......

Moderator: I think we've got a lot of changes to make to the website now... ;)

Rockne: The pickup truck that they tool around that barren moon all next year is pretty tricked out.....

Moderator: <Neurosis> to <Moderator>: When will the DVD's for the first season be released in the US? And will they contain cut scenes?

Rockne: Honestly -- no idea when they'll come out. As for cut scenes, to be honest, nothing has been cut that we ultimately didn't want cut -- so I'd be loath to insert cutting-room-floor material. Besides, there are no big jitterbug numbers or anything that we had to cut from episodes...

Moderator: <marty42> to <Moderator>: Mr. Obannon, do you think there will be any scape model kits coming out? A Moya model would be really cool to have on the mantle.

Rockne: Merchandising avalanche begins this year. I mean, after Rygel dies in tomorrow night's episode, his action figures are going be worth... DOH...

Moderator: <liloleme> to <Moderator>: While we're talking merchandise, what about DRD's? Think we'll ever get them?

Rockne: I've promised my son....

Moderator: <PhantomComputer> to <Moderator>: Have you seen the Farscape toys? When will they be coming out in the USA?

Rockne: No, haven't seen them in person -- only the art, that's also available on the toy company's website. Ultra cool (if I do say so myself)....

Moderator: <Kieriahn> to <Moderator>: We're noticing more and more written press coverage of Farscape (Starlog, Starburst, etc.)...can we look forward to TV appearances anytime soon?

Rockne: SCI FI Channel is really cooking in that regard. A big shout out to Caroline Mendoza at SFC! We'd love to get Ben, et al on the USA shows -- but it's tough to break them out of their work schedules on the series to make the pilgrimage to the states to appear!...
Rockne: Next hiatus, I'd say definitely, though....

Moderator: <PlasmaSun> to <Moderator>: What are your plans as far as Sci-Fi conventions for the year. Any planned already?

Rockne: Again, for everyone working on the show, it's pretty impossible during shooting time.

Moderator: <Rehanna> to <Moderator>: Is there anything that happened first season you weren't completely happy with how it turned out? Or anything that we took other than how it was ment?

Rockne: There was some rough going in the first few episodes....
Rockne: We started out trying to film two episodes at the same time. For example, one director directed "I, ET" and "Throne for a Loss"....
Rockne: It just became impossible for the director, cast, everybody to work on two very disparate storylines at the same time....
Rockne: By "PK Tech Girl" we went to shooting linearly....
Rockne: ...and notice how much stronger the eps got after that....

Moderator: <scifigrrl> to <Moderator>: Good evening/morning. You seem to be interested inthe interplay between human's and aliens (nee Alien Nation). Will we see more of an attempt for the characters to get to know each other on a deeper level in season 2?

Rockne: Absolutely. Get to know each other.... and in some cases, grow even closer to each other....and in other cases, grow against each other. That is, except for Chiana, of course, who dies in tomorrow night's.....

Moderator: <WarriorWoman> to <Moderator>: Dargo seemed to care much more about Aeryn's well being in "Nerve" than in other episodes. Why?

Rockne: I noticed that, too! You think it's just two warriors who've come to respect each other... or is there something potentially romantic going on....?

Moderator: <Hermione> to <Moderator>: GOD I HOPE THIS WORKS Rockne are you in Australia and how is our Farscape Family

Rockne: Nope, I'm stateside (in L.A. at the moment). Farscape Family is disfunctional, as always (a three hour phone call with David Kemper today!)...

Moderator: <grf> to <Moderator>: Nerve looked great, and very expensive. Have you had to cut corners on other shows to meet your budget?
Moderator: <Moya02> to <Moderator>: Being one of the BIGGEST Moya fans there EVER was...and is...what episode is Moya gunna have her baby?? or...is that not allowed??

Rockne: Like any TV series, there's give and take between episodes -- and we're no exception. But we're still the biggest cable series investment going, so expect some pretty terrific stuff next year (a look at Pilot's home world, for example...)

Moderator: <PhantomComputer> to <Moderator>: Is Farscape being shown in other countries beside the US? In that case, is a slightly different version filmed for that country? (In the past, they used to call that the "European" version.)

Rockne: Boil some water -- it's gonna happen awful soon....

Moderator: <Ooshati> to <Moderator>: Is Durka coming back?

Rockne: In England (doing extremely well), Canada, some Nordic countries... I recently had to write a Voice Description sheet for the German and Polish dubs, so I assume it'll be airing there soon, as well...
Rockne: Re Durka: love the character, love the actor. Plus... Chiana definitely has some unfinished business (and some unanswered questions) with our Mr. Durka...
Rockne: Whew! Have I caught up...?!

Moderator: Yes you have...thanks.

Rockne: Ben wanted to tweak the way he spoke to "fit in" better among the PKs. Speaking of James Bond, I especially liked when Scopius introduced himself and Crichton said, "But of course you are..."

Moderator: <JTMarechal> to <Moderator>: What part did you play in casting "Farscape"? And if it was in part, your choice, what was it about the particular actors that made you say, "Yes! That's -----"?

Rockne: I'd never run a tv series before, but I have directed. So I treated the casting process just as I would if I were going to direct it as a movie....
Rockne: In every case, it was simply a matter of, "That's the one!" I especially remember being in a rehearsal hall in Sydney, with a number of potential D'Argos and Zhaans...
Rockne: We mixed and matched pairings....
Rockne: And as soon as Virginia and Anthony paired up, I turned tothe Aussie Producer, Matt Carroll, with a big dopey grin on my face and said, "If we had a 35mm camera here, we could start shooting the series!"....

Moderator: <StarPaw> to <Moderator>: Have you gotten into trouble with StarBurst candy Co. for using the term, "Starburst", or are they paying you?

Rockne: Haven't heard a word out of them....
Rockne: Besides, can we help it if Leviathans call the process "StarBurst"?? My guess is it predates the candy by several millennia...

Moderator: <RazurWynd> to <Moderator>: any special guests of particular fame or reknown gonna show up ?

Rockne: For the time being, we're trying to keep up the very good luck we've had with casting high-quality Aussie actors in guest roles...
Rockne: To be honest, I'd love it if we never had familiar "billboard" casting on the show. I like the mystique of unfamiliar (at least to USA audience) faces. Denise Richards, though, I'd make an exception....

Moderator: <Ooshati> to <Moderator>: Will baby Moya be big enough for a crew? If so, will Aeryn pilot it?

Rockne: Patience, Young Skywalker, patience... All your questions will be answered in the next three weeks....

Moderator: <JTMarechal> to <Moderator>: If you had everything you needed (time, budget, etc.) what kind of "Farscape" episode would you like to see happen?

Rockne: How about until 7:30?

Moderator: 10:30 my time is fine....how 'bout it gang?
Moderator: They all approve. Onward then.
Moderator: <JTMarechal> to <Moderator>: If you had everything you needed (time, budget, etc.) what kind of "Farscape" episode would you like to see happen?

Rockne: Unlimited time, budget? I'd love to visit a world rich with Hynerians... see Rygel among his people....

Moderator: <RazurWynd> to <Moderator>: which character is your personal favorite? or do you have one?

Rockne: I think I've mentioned before that I'd have to single out Crichton, since he's my (and all the writers') opportunity to be heroic, say the witty, wacky stuff we'd like to think we'd say if we were in the situations he is....

Moderator: <StarPaw> to <Moderator>: How important is Pilot to you?

Rockne: Very important. That's why his death tomorrow night is such a horrible shock.....
Rockne: Actually, I find Pilot and his role vis a vis Moya is fascinating....
Rockne: ....and that's why we're singling him in at least one episode next year, featuring him in much the same way that we might have a storyline that features Aeryn, Zhaan, D'Argo, etc.

Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Rockne: can you give hints about non-humanoid characters we will see in future episodes? And love the large size of Pilot and smallness of Rygel.

Rockne: The Creature Shop is extremely proud, and rightfully so, of the variety and complexity of the animatronic creatures in season one....
Rockne: ....and they're all working their fingers and imaginations to the whitemeat trying to outdo themselves in season two....
Rockne: Re Rygel/Pilot's relative sizes: Brian wanted Pilot to be as big as possible, and I wanted Rygel as small as possible (please, Freudians, keep your comments to yourselves...)

Moderator: <valleyofstags> to <Moderator>: We have seen the Nebari destroy a Sebaceon ship with little effort. They seem quite formidable. We have also inherited a Nebari crew member. Will we be seeing more of them?

Rockne: Any race who can so casually destroy a full Peacekeeper carrier can't be kept off stage for very long. Nebari will return. Be afraid, be very afraid...

Moderator: <MadMaxx-> to <Moderator>: Will we ever get to see dargo's homewold/his past more indepth?

Rockne: His past, definitely. Homeworlds, as has been discussed in previous chats, is a very difficult proposition (the makeup requirements, set construction, etc. make it very expensive). But, remember, D'Argo's sole desire in life is to reunite with his son.

Moderator: <PlasmaSun> to <Moderator>: If some Scapers came to Australia on vacation, could we be extras or see the sets? Is there a Moya tour :)

Rockne: Sorry, no contingency for visitors. Of course, the MOYA EXPERIENCE ride is pretty cool.... :-)

Moderator: <riddley> to <Moderator>: If Sci FI Channel forced you to cast William Shatner in an upcoming Farscape episode, what kind of role would you write for him?

Rockne: Oh, uh, oh -- man, that was weird. That question made me think I was on SeaQuest again for a moment........

Moderator: <baby-moya> to <Moderator>: Will Rygel have a love interest in the new season? He is the male of his spieces, correct?

Rockne: Actually, I'm surprised everyone hasn't picked up how nice D'ARGO has been to Rygel lately.......
Rockne: In re to a Rygel love interest -- that's exactly the sort of element that we writers want to bring to the show. We want Rygel to be as full-blooded and three dimensional as possible. So love is definitely a possiblitity...

Moderator: <McKinsit> to <Moderator>: "Nerve" seemed to have a darker, grainy look to it. Was this intentional to add to the gritty, claustrophobic feel of the episode?

Rockne: Definitely intentional -- the work of the fantastic director of the ep, Rowan Wood. In my opinion, it's arguably our most "Australian"-influenced episode (the look, the costuming, the design of the Aurora Chair room, etc.). Really very distinctive from other USA tv, even other USA series shot in Oz or New Zealand. Rowan and the crew really kicked a**...

Moderator: <Solo600> to <Moderator>: Mr. O'Bannon, congrats on another fine series. I served aboard SQ as a Stuntman. Question, do you have a regular staff of writers or do you take submissions?

Rockne: A truly stellar (ouch!) writing staff, headed by Exec Producer David Kemper (David is definitely the glue that keeps the gears of this show together! You may quote me on that!)....
Rockne: In re submissions: we're not set up for freelance submission right at the moment. Perhaps, and hopefully, someday. (Having a spec script "discovered" by the producers of a series is how I got started)....

Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Rockne: in the Premiere, Crais sentenced Aeryn to death for hanging out with Crichton; in Nerve, Chiana flirted freely with PKs. Why the difference?

Rockne: Aeryn was alone with escaped prisoners, and dared to defend the "alien" who killed his (Crais's) brother....
Rockne: Chiana is a server who gives "good... value".... nothing wrong with that, in the eyes of Peacekeepers....

Moderator: <Ricks8> to <Moderator>: Will we be seeing more of the Council? Now that Crais is a refugee, Scorpious is in the picture, and new PKs are always popping up...I'm having trouble seeing who's the alpha male with them...and what exactly is there job?

Rockne: In re Crais vs Scorpius.... keep watching the next three episodes. The best is yet to come. And, yes, we'll be filling in the background colors re the Peacekeeper hierarchy as the series progresses....

Moderator: <ceallaig> to <Moderator>: I've asked this of each writer who has come to visit with us, and still have gotten no answer: Will we EVER find out anything about John's mother? Or did the man spring full grown from his father's forehead?

Rockne: He had no mother...... Oh, wait, that was Anakin Skywalker, and he had no father....
Rockne: We've left a lot of background info on all of the characters to the future in the (I hope, realistic) drive to stay alive and one step ahead of the PKs...
Rockne: As next season blasts into view, and future seasons (and books, and films, and My Weekly Reader comics) develop, I'm anxious to explore all the pasts of our characters...

Moderator: <SunAeryn> to <Moderator>: Mr. O'Bannon, we know that Ms. Black can sing, will the EVER be an eps that we'll get to hear her sing?

Rockne: My "Venti" Latte is down a "Tall"... so 10 more minutes sounds about right....

Moderator: We have about ten minutes left for the chat. Please send any questions you have to the Moderator with /msg Moderator or simply double-click on the Moderator's name in the list of names on the right side of their screen.

Rockne: TV series always exploit, I mean utilize, the varied talents of their casts... so watch for it...

Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Rockne: One theme of the show seems to be "You can be more" Do you agree, and would you cite other important ideas?

Rockne: "You can be more" is definitely one (I just did a polish on an episode, where that theme reprised again). "You have to be your own kind of hero... and it's rarely what you expect" is another important theme. In other words, always be ready to be heroic, to do the right thing, because it may not come at you the way you expect it to...
Rockne: There's a very important theme announced in Ep 22 that my wife has adopted for our kids (the sentiment was written by David Kemper).

Moderator: <scrid> to <Moderator>: Do you have a definative story where each of the characters is going? Or are you letting them choose their journey?

Rockne: We have signposts flung waaaaay out there, but the characters are free in the course of individual episodes to veer off onto any interesting tangents (but, always with that signpost as an ultimate destination).

Moderator: <JTMarechal> to <Moderator>: Who came up with "Fetch the Comfy Chair"?

Rockne: One of the things I've tried to move the writers toward is to put the quirky references that we say to each other in the writing room into the scripts....
Rockne: If we say it to each other and it makes us laugh, then John Crichton should say it....
Rockne: So often writers talk to each other and make irreverent comments, then write tried-and-true dialogue...
Rockne: On Farscape, we have the chance to put what we say to each other into the mouth of our lead character....
Rockne: The great thing is, Ben is just like the writers, and adds a lot of his own wry asides....

Moderator: <riddley> to <Moderator>: Last week, Richard Manning told us about Froonium. Do you have a froonium-like writing trick of your own?

Rockne: I find I name characters after writers/filmmakers whom I admire....
Rockne: Crichton, obviously. In SeaQuest, there were crewmembers name Hitchcock and Ford....

Moderator: Last and final question for Mr. O'Bannon...
Moderator: <scifigrrl> to <Moderator>: Do you have in mind other story arcs that we may see inthe future?

Rockne: Yes....
Rockne: ...Production on Season Two is well underway... there are discussions re a Farscape movie... a book series is forthcoming...
Rockne: Thanks to the passionate support of all of you, the series really seems to be taking off as I could only dream it would. Many thanks to all of you for your continued support. We're doing our frelling best not to let you down!

Moderator: Thank you Mr. O'Bannon for joing us tonight. Do you have any final words for our chatters tonight?

Rockne: Beware the chair.... Thanks all!

Moderator: Thank you all for coming to tonight's chat. I will make the the room unmoderated now