|
|
Kennard entered the world in style, Ilona came screaming and kicking, Quace was kind of a part of me (Love the character lots), Mercury formed from the ashes of DATA from Star Trek next gen, but we wanted to take the character much further. Mata Hari was a sleek sexy computer, with elements from HAL 9000 and Holly (Red Dwarf). To be honest Mata Hari was a spy - a very sexy spy and we wanted her to be involved and really shine. Abelard Kennard, well the smoking man from The X-Files is a good basic template for him, but that would be telling, let's say he really is that X factor.
We needed someone to that could bring everyone together and make them bond so Juno was created from the failed romance between Kennard and Ilona. Juno is quite a remarkable character and people will love her to pieces. Makian is Michael Sheard, and Michael is Makian. If a actor was ever born to play the part, he was. Makian is not evil, but depends on the point of view of the viewer. We want the viewers and fans to make their own Judgment, it will make a lot of good reading what people think of him on the newsgroups.
And finally Channing, the replacement to Kennard. She really has a chip on her shoulder, and never can come out from Kennard's shadow and this drives her harder and harder. It also makes her ruthless, and cold... maybe we'll see something happen with her... maybe not.
Our second question comes from 'Mr Flybble': "What part do you think the fans play in the success, or otherwise, of any new science fiction project, such as the forthcoming First Frontier?"
Andrew Dymond: Fans are always what we say is the "core". A lot of TV programmes forget that without the core element, your program starts to slip away. But, after the last couple of years some fans can become too involved and that becomes damaging. So you are always treading a fine wire and as we all know "You cannot make everyone happy". At the end of day, I learnt the best lesson of all, keep the majority of the core happy and try and make peace with the few who just want to drag you down.
I admit, LightWorX has never been a massive production company but over the years we have grown, slowly making headway and now after all these years it is paying off. The world of fans supported us, and all I can say is "Thank you". But, First Frontier is more than another science fiction TV program, it's about people. It is a Human Drama based in a fast paced environment, created to make the characters appeal to not just fans, but a whole new audience.
So the question, "Are Fans important?" the answer is Yes, but enjoy the show for what it is. Don't look and pull it apart cause you have met the people who make it, I made a lot of mistakes since I started making FF and most I regret, but I can't change it.
One evening in Cardiff a great man said to me over a pizza - "Andrew, we all make mistakes and sometimes they cost dearly, but if you can learn from it maybe you'll become a better man, a better person to everyone. You will succeed as I have faith in you. No matter what, I will still be here for you to chat with" Jeff Evans said that to me early in 2000 before he passed away, Jeff loved FF, he supported the project and so yes, Jeff was a fan to me to begin with, but he turned out to be a friend who meant a lot more to me than I really realized, before it was too late. He always had the knack to say something for everything, we may have not spoken every week or month but when we did, it was like long lost friends.
Another Fan was a small young boy, who was teased at School and his Mum told me that he still loved FF and that I went out of my way to chat with him and he told his friends at school, they laughed and teased him. BUT, he believed in FF and more especially in me, he knew it would happen.
So sometimes, when I meet the investors I wish they could see through the eyes of a great man and a young boy who really saw what FF is about and the people, not just me who gave up their time and support over the last 4 years to a project that either could go or fail.
I would personally like to thank Jim Mortimore, Mark Strickson, Claudia Christian, Michael Sheard, Chris Harnwell, Simon Lewis (actor), Simon Lewis (model maker), John Carrigan, Anne Carrigan, Simon Hall, Corinne Britton, Sue Witheridge, Mike Collins, Ken Coles, SFX Magazine and all the fans for still supporting over the last years.
And lastly comes a question from long time FF follower, good old 'Hazmat': "I was wondering, now that the First Frontier is on the go, is could you tell us a little bit about the First Frontier Universe. I remember from one of your early online chats that you gave a hint that the ships run more on some kind of Black Magic more than on traditional science and it's a little gem that has always stuck in my mind as it's such an interesting idea, so please any beans you can spill towards this end would be gladly received."
Andrew Dymond: Well Haz, First Frontier has a lot of technology that will make you go "WOW", and maybe you'll like it, then again, maybe not. Without giving too much away, FF is really a lot of different things from today and projected into the future. We have cut, altered and changed it to suit our environment. It really is hard to explain, until we make it and then you see and go "righhhhttt --- Cooool!"
Well I think that's it with my heart to heart with the fans of FF for the moment... On behalf of everyone here at LightWorX, thank you all. And maybe one day we'll raise a glass and "wet the baby" as Michael Sheard would say.
Until then, be happy, be sane and just enjoy it for what it is.
