Tim Minear

Q & A with Tim Minear: March 2004

Posted on March 12, 2004

1. Why should people watch Wonderfalls? Give us your best sales pitch. One paragraph. Go.

I think it’s good. Also, it adds up to something. Look, I’ve, um, seen them all. The story arc of it really starts heating up around episode 6. So do stick with us for the first 13 episodes. If for no other reason, when you see the twenty miracles that Caroline Dhavernas’ face performs in the last shot of episode 13, you will be glad you stayed.

And don’t fret about network plug-pulling. I have trod this road before and I’ve cleared the way of minefields for you. I can promise that if we only ever get to 13, it’ll be worth it and you won’t feel cheated.

2. What character from a now-defunct show (not one of yours) would you most like to write?

Jim Rockford.

3. What TV show (still not yours) do you think you could make an interesting movie from?

Prime Suspect. But I’d need Helen Mirren.

4. If you had to choose between writing and directing forever, which would you pick, and why?

Don’t make me choose. But it’d be writing, I suspect. One doesn’t have to shower for days. Though I strictly enjoy directing more, ‘cause the writing is done.

5. What performer(s) that you’ve not had the opportunity to work with yet would you most like to employ in your television and film efforts?

Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor.

6. What source material would you like the chance to adapt if given free rein? And how would you adapt it: television or a feature?

“The White Mountains,” also known as “The Tripods.” As a feature.

7. Without naming names, can you relate a funny anecdote about the most problematic/pain-in-the-ass actor or actress you’ve had to deal with?

Not without naming names. Also, I’ve been really lucky with cast. Really, REALLY lucky.

8. In your opinion, which of the Mutant Enemy performers you’ve worked with is the hottest?

Julie Benz, Christian Kane, Numfar.

9. Do you see anything short of an actual televised death and the attendant network-collapsing legal consequences as capable of stopping the current trend toward reality programming?

It devours you from your bottom.

10. How do you intend to get across the book’s complex politics in what is such a visual medium? I know this isn’t Kropotkin: The Movie, but is there room for anything more than "Authority bad. Manuel Good?"

I take it this refers to “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.” Less moon, more mistress. Actually, it remains to be seen. But my aim to write an adaptation OF THAT book. Which means doing my best to keep the nifty ideas in tact.

11. What do you intend to do with regards to the female characters in the movie, given Heinlein’s unfortunate characterizations in most of his novels? Less moon, more... oh. Um. Wyoming is a tough, smart woman. I suspect that will come to the fore a bit.

12. How long before you pull a Fury and we get to see you in front of the camera?

Probably never.

13. You’ve admitted to being a procrastinator when it comes time to write. What’s your favorite method of avoidance?

Surfing the internet for faint praise of past glory. Or answering Q and As.

14. Of everything you’ve written and/or directed, is there one moment that stands out as your favorite? Something you look at and think, "Wow. That was really good."

In “Darla” at the end when she is begging Angel to turn her back. It was the first scene I directed with Julie and David together and it remains my favorite.

15. Since we’ve sadly been told time issues won’t allow you to write another Angel script, how would you end the series if given a $10 million budget for the final episode?

I’d make him human. Then have him trip and break his neck.