Tuesday, January 08, 2008
24addict interviews Tara Dilullo Bennett, Author
Whahey check it, my first ever real and proper interview :) Seriously, I've never done one of these before and it probably shows but hey! I'm just this chick, ya know? It's pretty damn cool if you ask me.
Speaking of pretty damn cool, Tara Dilullo Bennett is also in my Damn Cool Club. Not only is she the author of the Official Companion books for each season of '24,' she's also a huge Buffy fan. I know, that has nothing to do with this site and it should be all 24 all the time around here but there is just something nifty about running into other Buffy fans on the intertubes. And hey, Buffy is the reason she's writing these fantastic 24 Companion books:
"Yes, I am a HUGE Buffy fan too. She actually started my writing career as I got my first print feature in the Buffy Mag a few years ago! It was with Camden Toy who was one of the Gentlemen and the Ubervamp. My office has the musical poster and two Angel puppets surrounding me so it's ALWAYS nice to connect with a Buffy fan :)"
Now I don't feel so silly for having the vampire Angel puppet myself. :)
Ok enough yapping from me. On with the interview. Enjoy!
-----
24addict: Were you a fan of 24 before you began writing these books?
Tara: Yes, I was a fan from the first season, but I wasn't religious about watching every season after, missing a few episodes here and there. So going back to watch every season from start to finish has just deepened my appreciation and love of the show.
24addict: How did you become involved in writing the Companion books for 24?
Tara: I've written for Titan Publishing, who create the licensed magazines for many shows, like Buffy/Angel, Charmed, Lost, Smallville, etc.., for the past few years. One of my editors let me know that he would be launching the '24 Magazine' and he brought me on-board to write for him. Through that connection, I heard the book division was also going to launch '24 Companion Guides' so I pitched them on having me write the series. Luckily, they took me up on the proposal and now two years and four books later...the rest is history.
24addict: I see on Amazon that the 6th Companion book will be out soon. Now that you've done several of these, does it become easier to put them together?
Tara: Actually, the Season Six Companion Guide was by far, the hardest book to put together for a lot of reasons. I turned in the Season Five Companion in early June and immediately had to get to work on the next book for Season Six so that was a bit exhausting. On the '24' side, we all know that they had a tough year with Season Six critically and creatively. So for the first time, I knew I would have to really ask some tough questions and dredge up some difficult topics with the writers and producers, which is exciting and fascinating but also very challenging. Last but not least, the creative team had a terrible time re-booting Season Seven which meant they delayed the start of production three times during the summer of 2007. My book for Season Six was due at the end of August 2007, but the crisis and delays with the seventh season meant I had to scramble to get my follow-up interviews.
The entire '24' team was so wonderful and made time for me when they weren't crunched but it was really tough wrangling all the writers when they weren't working on the new season, finding the cast while they were still on holiday and then coordinating all the materials and photographs from all the various crew that contributed. Usually, I would just make set visits so everything I need is under one roof, but that wasn't the case. Plus, my publisher really wanted to get the Season Six book out for the debut of Season Seven in January 2008, so it was an exhausting race to the finish. All in all, I didn't get the book turned in until October, but we still made our publishing deadline! The unfortunate addendum to the story is that the writers strike has indefinitely delayed the start of Season Seven anyway so....c'est la vie!
24addict: How did you decide on the format for the book? Specifically, each hour's breakdown is great - how did you decide what to include for each recap?
Tara: We talked about the format from the beginning, with the '24 Companion Guide: Season 1 & 2.' We knew we needed an episode run down, but we knew it had to be a lighter version as a literal minute-by-minute guide, with all the story details could literally BE the entire book. We decided a brisk overview would give the reader a nice refresher of the episode and what happened in that hour. The Behind the Scenes section is the place we really felt the books would shine. For every episode, someone from '24' talks about a key element piece of the creative puzzle. From writers to cast to crew, all aspects of the production are covered in the words of the people that make the show and gives real insight into the challenges of that particular hour. Otherwise, the Research Intel is a spin-off from the Fox website, with all new material researched by me. Lastly, the Additional Intel is all trivia from the '24' team that provides some fun details about the show.
For the Season Five and Six Companion Guides, we broke format because each book only covers one season unlike the first two installments. I had a lot of input on the extended sections. With all of the incredible access I've been given to the show, I had hours and hours of interview material that I knew would be able to give fans an even more exhaustive look at the series. We were able to add feature interviews with key actors, like Greg Itzin and Jean Smart. All of the Emmy winners got a chance to shine in their own words and we honored the fallen in the Memoriam section.
24addict: Do you watch the show when it airs and take notes or do you get any of your material ahead of time?
Tara: I watch the show when it airs to see the final cut. Because the production crew is anywhere from five months to six weeks ahead of what we see on TV (depending on the time of year), I travel to LA several times a season to do set visits for interviews for both the books and the magazine. When I am there I always get spoiled! I know far in advance of the public what is coming, seeing the filming and reading the shooting scripts while I am there. On the positive, it helps me ask questions that I know the audience will want answered but it does take away some of my fun watching. On the other hand, I do really enjoy seeing what shots they ultimately selected and how it all turns out though!
24addict: Who's been the most fun to interview? Do you have any stories to tell about the interviews you've gotten to do?
Tara: Honestly, I have had a lot of fun talking to everyone. No jerks in the bunch, which is rare. I think Carlo Rota is the most fun and silly with his answers, as he rolled me around the CTU set on a gaffer cart - lol. But I love chatting hardcore with Howard Gordon about writing and crafting the show. I also love chatting with the crew, who welcome me with big hugs and always have great stories. I am really blessed to have had the opportunity to talk film with James Cromwell and listen to Greg Itzin explain his craft. Xander Berkeley and his wife Sarah Clarke were awesome. There are so many and I am glad to have spoken to them all!
24addict: Do you have a favourite character?
Tara: I love Jack, of course. He's such a tragic character and it's the small moments with him that really break my heart, like when he cradles the lifeless Teri or reacts to shooting Curtis. But I also love the side characters like The Logans and Agent Pierce.
--Editor's note - WOOHOO another Aaron fan :)
24addict: What about a favourite storyline from any season?
Tara: As far as Jack, I really loved the first year and how it all led to such a tragic ending. It was pure Greek tragedy and it was amazing. As for other characters, I think The Logan domestic storyline in season five was amazing. The way Greg and Jean just tore up the screen as this embittered and disappointed couple was breathtaking to watch.
24addict: What do you think of the various controversies the show stirs up (ie. all the torture, or the Muslims = Terrorists thing)
Tara: I think it's interesting how the media likes to latch into the show and make controversy. First and foremost, it's a TV thriller made to entertain. But its subject-matter is deadly serious so the blurring of the lines is quite fascinating at times. I love the way the writers take stereotypes, like Muslim extremism, and then show it in a different light like with the Araz family or the exploration of Assad in season six.
They often turn expectations on their head, which makes people think and talk about how it applies to real life and that's when entertainment is elevated. Is the show perfect? No. Sometimes they intend to go deeper but the nature of the show precludes them from really doing service to a controversial storyline, but that's the nature of the beast and I think as a fan of '24' you have to know that going into it.
-------
That's all the questions I had for the lovely Tara Dilullo Bennett. I'd like to thank her and Titan Books for their time and for letting me do this. It was fun!
Speaking of pretty damn cool, Tara Dilullo Bennett is also in my Damn Cool Club. Not only is she the author of the Official Companion books for each season of '24,' she's also a huge Buffy fan. I know, that has nothing to do with this site and it should be all 24 all the time around here but there is just something nifty about running into other Buffy fans on the intertubes. And hey, Buffy is the reason she's writing these fantastic 24 Companion books: "Yes, I am a HUGE Buffy fan too. She actually started my writing career as I got my first print feature in the Buffy Mag a few years ago! It was with Camden Toy who was one of the Gentlemen and the Ubervamp. My office has the musical poster and two Angel puppets surrounding me so it's ALWAYS nice to connect with a Buffy fan :)"
Now I don't feel so silly for having the vampire Angel puppet myself. :)
Ok enough yapping from me. On with the interview. Enjoy!
-----
24addict: Were you a fan of 24 before you began writing these books?
Tara: Yes, I was a fan from the first season, but I wasn't religious about watching every season after, missing a few episodes here and there. So going back to watch every season from start to finish has just deepened my appreciation and love of the show.
24addict: How did you become involved in writing the Companion books for 24?
Tara: I've written for Titan Publishing, who create the licensed magazines for many shows, like Buffy/Angel, Charmed, Lost, Smallville, etc.., for the past few years. One of my editors let me know that he would be launching the '24 Magazine' and he brought me on-board to write for him. Through that connection, I heard the book division was also going to launch '24 Companion Guides' so I pitched them on having me write the series. Luckily, they took me up on the proposal and now two years and four books later...the rest is history.
24addict: I see on Amazon that the 6th Companion book will be out soon. Now that you've done several of these, does it become easier to put them together?
Tara: Actually, the Season Six Companion Guide was by far, the hardest book to put together for a lot of reasons. I turned in the Season Five Companion in early June and immediately had to get to work on the next book for Season Six so that was a bit exhausting. On the '24' side, we all know that they had a tough year with Season Six critically and creatively. So for the first time, I knew I would have to really ask some tough questions and dredge up some difficult topics with the writers and producers, which is exciting and fascinating but also very challenging. Last but not least, the creative team had a terrible time re-booting Season Seven which meant they delayed the start of production three times during the summer of 2007. My book for Season Six was due at the end of August 2007, but the crisis and delays with the seventh season meant I had to scramble to get my follow-up interviews.
The entire '24' team was so wonderful and made time for me when they weren't crunched but it was really tough wrangling all the writers when they weren't working on the new season, finding the cast while they were still on holiday and then coordinating all the materials and photographs from all the various crew that contributed. Usually, I would just make set visits so everything I need is under one roof, but that wasn't the case. Plus, my publisher really wanted to get the Season Six book out for the debut of Season Seven in January 2008, so it was an exhausting race to the finish. All in all, I didn't get the book turned in until October, but we still made our publishing deadline! The unfortunate addendum to the story is that the writers strike has indefinitely delayed the start of Season Seven anyway so....c'est la vie!
24addict: How did you decide on the format for the book? Specifically, each hour's breakdown is great - how did you decide what to include for each recap?
Tara: We talked about the format from the beginning, with the '24 Companion Guide: Season 1 & 2.' We knew we needed an episode run down, but we knew it had to be a lighter version as a literal minute-by-minute guide, with all the story details could literally BE the entire book. We decided a brisk overview would give the reader a nice refresher of the episode and what happened in that hour. The Behind the Scenes section is the place we really felt the books would shine. For every episode, someone from '24' talks about a key element piece of the creative puzzle. From writers to cast to crew, all aspects of the production are covered in the words of the people that make the show and gives real insight into the challenges of that particular hour. Otherwise, the Research Intel is a spin-off from the Fox website, with all new material researched by me. Lastly, the Additional Intel is all trivia from the '24' team that provides some fun details about the show.
For the Season Five and Six Companion Guides, we broke format because each book only covers one season unlike the first two installments. I had a lot of input on the extended sections. With all of the incredible access I've been given to the show, I had hours and hours of interview material that I knew would be able to give fans an even more exhaustive look at the series. We were able to add feature interviews with key actors, like Greg Itzin and Jean Smart. All of the Emmy winners got a chance to shine in their own words and we honored the fallen in the Memoriam section.
24addict: Do you watch the show when it airs and take notes or do you get any of your material ahead of time?
Tara: I watch the show when it airs to see the final cut. Because the production crew is anywhere from five months to six weeks ahead of what we see on TV (depending on the time of year), I travel to LA several times a season to do set visits for interviews for both the books and the magazine. When I am there I always get spoiled! I know far in advance of the public what is coming, seeing the filming and reading the shooting scripts while I am there. On the positive, it helps me ask questions that I know the audience will want answered but it does take away some of my fun watching. On the other hand, I do really enjoy seeing what shots they ultimately selected and how it all turns out though!
24addict: Who's been the most fun to interview? Do you have any stories to tell about the interviews you've gotten to do?
Tara: Honestly, I have had a lot of fun talking to everyone. No jerks in the bunch, which is rare. I think Carlo Rota is the most fun and silly with his answers, as he rolled me around the CTU set on a gaffer cart - lol. But I love chatting hardcore with Howard Gordon about writing and crafting the show. I also love chatting with the crew, who welcome me with big hugs and always have great stories. I am really blessed to have had the opportunity to talk film with James Cromwell and listen to Greg Itzin explain his craft. Xander Berkeley and his wife Sarah Clarke were awesome. There are so many and I am glad to have spoken to them all!
24addict: Do you have a favourite character?
Tara: I love Jack, of course. He's such a tragic character and it's the small moments with him that really break my heart, like when he cradles the lifeless Teri or reacts to shooting Curtis. But I also love the side characters like The Logans and Agent Pierce.
--Editor's note - WOOHOO another Aaron fan :)
24addict: What about a favourite storyline from any season?
Tara: As far as Jack, I really loved the first year and how it all led to such a tragic ending. It was pure Greek tragedy and it was amazing. As for other characters, I think The Logan domestic storyline in season five was amazing. The way Greg and Jean just tore up the screen as this embittered and disappointed couple was breathtaking to watch.
24addict: What do you think of the various controversies the show stirs up (ie. all the torture, or the Muslims = Terrorists thing)
Tara: I think it's interesting how the media likes to latch into the show and make controversy. First and foremost, it's a TV thriller made to entertain. But its subject-matter is deadly serious so the blurring of the lines is quite fascinating at times. I love the way the writers take stereotypes, like Muslim extremism, and then show it in a different light like with the Araz family or the exploration of Assad in season six.
They often turn expectations on their head, which makes people think and talk about how it applies to real life and that's when entertainment is elevated. Is the show perfect? No. Sometimes they intend to go deeper but the nature of the show precludes them from really doing service to a controversial storyline, but that's the nature of the beast and I think as a fan of '24' you have to know that going into it.
-------
That's all the questions I had for the lovely Tara Dilullo Bennett. I'd like to thank her and Titan Books for their time and for letting me do this. It was fun!
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4 Comments:
Hey,
Great job on the interview! Also wanted to say on the netscape, del.ici.us, etc. stuff...the link for digg actually takes you to del.ici.us. Just wanted to let you know.
Thanks Charlie! All fixed now :)
Wow, it was a cool interview! :)
Great for being your first real one.
Congrats, looks like you come across a lot of interessting stuff, I mean, when you're a hardcore fan of the show, this must be big. :D
Excellent Interview, Melia! I love to read interviews with people who work for the show, no matter what kind. Awesome she's also a Buffy fan, how awesome is that?
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