Yahoomc: Here he is -- The man
behind your favorite shows -- Chris Carter! chris_carter_live:
Ask away everyone! robandlisafalzone
asks: did the Harsh Realm script change after
seeing the Martix?
chris_carter_live: The Harsh Realm was written
before we ever knew of the Matrix.
chris_carter_live: We were surprised at some of
the similarities, particularly with the hero in
both pieces. But we realized that is a not
uncommon for the heroe's journey in these kinds
of saga tales.
megmon8
asks: Where did you come up with the idea of your
new show?
chris_carter_live: The inspiration originally
came from a series of comic books that were
brought to me.
chris_carter_live: Fox made a deal with the comic
book people. I ended up taking the title and the
area of virtual reality. Beyond that, it was
really our original idea.
Scullys_tattoo
asks: Chris, Can the true blue X-Files fans
really get into Harsh Realm? Will you keeep us
comming back for more each week? Will it fill the
void?
chris_carter_live: Yes, yes, and what void?
RachelLRobinson
asks: How, and I am sure you went through it, did
you, and do you deal with writers block?
chris_carter_live: I don't think about it with
the double barrel gun that FOX has pointed at my
head!
Mutato1121
asks: Is it hard filming Harsh Realm in Vancover
and the X-files in LA?
chris_carter_live: It's only hard on me, since I'm
the one who has to fly back and forth mostly. Buy
beyond that it's really no more difficult than it's
ever been.
catcher79
asks: Will we be seeing any more guest
appearances in Harsh Realm? I loved that you had
Lance in the premiere!
chris_carter_live: Yes, definitely, stay tuned.
crysteen20
asks: Since the X-Files show maybe ending will
any of the actors cross over in to the show Harsh
Realm?
chris_carter_live: I haven't thought about it
that far in advance. But Scully's voice has
already made an appearance in Harsh Realm. I
would love to use Chris Owen in Harsh Realm.
chris_carter_live: And someone came into my
office today and asked me what I thought about
casting Bill Davis in a part.
Dyslexic_Scana_Dully
asks: I have been a fan of yours for a long time,
Mr. Carter, and I've noticed that you seem to
have large fan-bases for every television show, I
could never imagine so many people being as
obsessed and into a show, such as The X-Files,
but here we are... like a giant cult bowing to
your power! What, in your mind, makes your shows
so incredibly different?
chris_carter_live: Stood gory telling.
mrsday99
asks: Do you ever work with Stepen King?
chris_carter_live: One of the nicest, most
generous, gentle people that I've had the
pleasure of working with. I look forward to
future collaborations in whatever form and on
whatever show.
OznArt
asks: Why is Dexter in both worlds? Are there
copies of all our pets in Harsh Realm???
chris_carter_live: Yes. Even the dog from Fraser.
Spooky_FBIAgent
asks: Chris, First of all I want to say that you've
done a great job on the X-Files, and that I'am
sure that Harsh Realm will be just as popular. I
want to ask how are you gonna feel when the X-Files
ends this season, for good?
chris_carter_live: You assume too much. And I don't
want to think about how I'm going to feel when
the show ends.
wildcatz76
asks: Who was your inspiration for the characters
in the X-Files?
chris_carter_live: The names all come from real
life characters, but the personalities were
composites. Muldar was originally written as
somebody who could have been an MTV VJ. I think
he's not quite that luckily.
Wildwings102
asks: how does it feel,to be one of the first
successful pioners in your genre? many people
have thought of Scifi as Trekie type shows, but
you have change all that!
chris_carter_live: I just set out to originally
tell as much story with as many scares as
possible. And it has turned out to be a winning
formula.
chris_carter_live: But it was simply that. It has
been very satisfying.
GoDucki
asks: did you always like science fiction?
chris_carter_live: No.
chris_carter_live: I wouldn't consider myself of
science fiction when I was a kid, but my brother
was a big fan. He was a big Star Trek fan.
chris_carter_live: And I still claim not to have
watched an entire Star Trek episode, until this
year, Gary 9 I think it was called. My staff
thinks that I am lying.
Yahoomc: What kind of genres were you into?
chris_carter_live: I don't know if I was a genre
person per se. I just loved good movies and good
television. I loved Mannix when I was a kid, I
watched every episode of GIlligan's Island.
chris_carter_live: Alfred Hitchcock Presents,
Night Gallery and Kolchak The Night Stalker.
berthafanation
asks: Are there any other areas you are
interested in exploring other than Science
Fiction. I think that your talent could take you
in many directions?
chris_carter_live: Yes. I want to do a romantic
period piece.
jnimbus
asks: Were you a huge comic book fan as a kid, Mr.
Carter?
chris_carter_live: I was a comic book fan, but
like most things when I was a kid, I wasn't
obsessive about any particular thing.
moogie_76
asks: How much do fans' responses to the show
influence its outcome?
chris_carter_live: I have to say very little
directly.
chris_carter_live: But indirectly, I think we pay
very careful attention and are wounded terribly
by criticism, particularly good criticism.
chris_carter_live: We're overly sensitive writer-producers
here.
chris_carter_live: Just teasing.
filmgirl99
asks: As a smart redhead I wish to thank you for
the charcter of Scully
chris_carter_live: I'm very interested in smart
redheads and their opinions.
Dawn_311
asks: I read in an article that you feel Harsh
Realm could explore different scenarios. So far,
I can't imagine it taking place outside the
"battlefield" -type arena. How do you
plan on expanding the story??
chris_carter_live: Harsh Realm is really like
imagine colonial America if it were developed and
looked like America circa 1995.
chris_carter_live: So the United States becomes
the playing field, if you will, and not all of it
has been destroyed.
xphreak42
asks: One thing that I think really distinguishes
your shows is the excellent casting. How do you
know when you have found the right person for a
role?
chris_carter_live: It's one of those magic parts
of the process where someone comes in and
understands the plight or problem of the
character and is able to sort of step inside of
that character's clothes. And hears the rhythms
the writers had imagined.
chris_carter_live: Sometimes it's finding that
perfect fit,.
chris_carter_live: Other times you find an actor
that can suggest a way the character can be
rewritten. So sometimes it works one way
sometimes the other.
r_michnik
asks: were gillian and david your original
choices
chris_carter_live: Both David and Gillian were my
original choices for the show.
chris_carter_live: There is a somewhat little
known fact that David had accepted the part, but
shortly before we were to film, he declined it.
chris_carter_live: And was only reluctantly
talked back into doing the role of Muldar.
Czarina_TrustsNo1
asks: Chris...how many cups of coffee do you go
through in a week? LoL
chris_carter_live: Far too many.
chris_carter_live: I wish Starbuck
chris_carter_live: was a public company so I
could invest in it!
outlaw_torn721
asks: Are you an avid gamer? What Games do you
play?
chris_carter_live: I am not. I wish I had time to
be. Any chance I have when I see someone else
playing a game, I sit down and usually marvel at
the thought, artistry and ingenuity that goes
into the games.
chris_carter_live: And I love the music to Zelda.
lauracap_2000
asks: Will there be mythology and stand-alone
type Harsh Realm episodes?
chris_carter_live: Yes, the plan is to create a
mythology that is the backbone of the show. But
that there will be stand alone episodes that
create the bulk of the stories that make up the
season.
xphreak42
asks: Do you feel that making TV shows is harder
than making movies?
chris_carter_live: Making movies is a very
difficult, tedious and time consuming process.
chris_carter_live: Dedicated to putting roughly
120 minutes of film on the screen.
chris_carter_live: A television season which
takes roughly the same amount of time as it does
to make a movie, the same amount of energy goes
into putting 22 hours of programming on the
screen.
chris_carter_live: The difficulties are in
maintaining your stamina and each week re-inventing
and revitalizing the original movie that began
the TV series.
kbillick
asks: How long do you work on an idea before it
finds its way to being a full blown project? (on
the average)
chris_carter_live: Sometimes it's right at the
deadline of the amount of time, maybe a week
before the script is written and two weeks before
it is filmed.
chris_carter_live: But generally we have
something in the works for several months before
it is developed into a shootable script.
Wanderer2298
asks: When is the tentative start date for the
production of the next movie and about how long
do you think it will take to make the movie
judging on the time it took for the production of
the last one
chris_carter_live: It's a question that I can't
answer right now. I just hope that we have twice
as much prep as we had last time, but I can't
tell you when the movie will be made or when it
will be in the theaters.
ZombCat
asks: Are there plans to introduce Frank Black to
Mulder and Scully? Is Millennium dead as a series
or otherwise?
chris_carter_live: Frank Black will appear in the
X Files this season in a very special episode.
chris_carter_live: Is Millenium dead? Not if you
live on the Internet. Someone is actually
creating 22 stories this season that are I guess
going to be the 4th season of Millenium.
weyoun2k
asks: Mr. Carter, there are quite a few fans of
Millennium still out there on the web. Have you
heard anything about our virtual fourth season?
chris_carter_live: I haven't checked it out. But
I'm very curious to see how the characters are
treated and in what direction the fans take the
show so that I can nitpick them!
lmsmlucy
asks: Do you ever read what other people write
about you or the X-Files on the internet? If so
what was the most interesting or funny thing that
you read?
chris_carter_live: I am not a cross dresser!
yowsah1
asks: Have you ever considered spiining off the
Lone Gunmen into their own, perhaps comedically
themed, series?
chris_carter_live: We considered it. And are
continuing to consider it seriously.
josechungfan
asks: When Gillian left for maternity leave, why
did you write in Scully being abducted instead of
just at her mothers? Would the abduction arc even
exists if Gillian hadn't needed a few days off?
chris_carter_live: As soon as we learned Gillian
was pregnant we anticipated her departure and her
inability to work for some time.
chris_carter_live: So the abduction came from the
fact of her pregnancy, but we never anticipated
exactly how it would play such an important part
in the mythology.
Dyslexic_Scana_Dully
asks: Many X-Files fans may argue that the move
to LA has affected the show... Do you agree, and
if you do, In what ways has it affected the show?
Good, bad, or not at all?
chris_carter_live: I don't believe it's effected
it in any negative way. The show still looks
terrific I think. We have different resources in
Los Angeles.
chris_carter_live: So we are working with new
locations and geography which is a good thing.
chris_carter_live: The only thing missing is all
that free atmosphere.
OlenskaL
asks: Good evening, Mr. Carter. My Q. is: Do you
think that the current trend of "horror"
films can be derived from the XF's popularity?
chris_carter_live: Well horror and science
fiction came long before the X Files. But I think
that the quality of the X FIles has at least for
television raised the bar for both of those
genres.
jack25522552
asks: From a writer's stand point what is the
toughest thing about developing a character?
chris_carter_live: The toughest thing is always
coming up with someone who is original but not in
a way that is unfamiliar.
catcher79
asks: Why did you have to kill off Pendrell?!!!!
(As you can tell, I am an avid Pendrell fan.) Do
you think we could be seeing Brendan Beiser any
time on Harsh Realm? (crossing fingers hopefully)
chris_carter_live: Yes, he will be on Harsh Realm.
chris_carter_live: I am flattered.
choochoochild
asks: How do you keep track of it all?? It drives
me crazy just thinking about it!!
chris_carter_live: It drives us crazy too!
felkor_2000
asks: How did you come across Mark Snow? His
music adds so much atmosphere to both "Harsh
Realm" and "The X-Files"!
chris_carter_live: Mark Snow was introduced to me
by Bob Goodwin who was the executive producer on
X Files through its first five seasons.
chris_carter_live: I thought Mark had a very good
take on what I wanted, and was open to what I
wanted. And then added things that I didn't know
I wanted.
ns_literski
asks: Why were the bee-domes at the end of the
movie dropped in the series? Will that aspect of
the story reappear?
chris_carter_live: Possibly, but I think people
are tired of bees now.
leinad_ca
asks: Last Seasons X-files finale: Was the scene
of Scully walking down the hospital hall (to
Albert Hostiens room) shot on video? If not, why
does it look different?
chris_carter_live: I believe that scene was a
surveillance scene, and if that's the one you are
talking about, it would have been on video.
sat964
asks: Did you expect viewers to hate Diana so
much?
chris_carter_live: We hoped that they would.
chris_carter_live: Which is unfortunate because
we like Mimi Rogers so much.
oddra67
asks: Is there any truth to the rumor that George
Clooney is going to appear in an XFiles Ep?
chris_carter_live: That's an obscure rumour. I
haven't even heard it!
gmautz59
asks: Chris, were you influanced by David Lynchs
tv series Twin Peaks, and if so did you like
Davids Ducovitys small roll as an FBI agent in
episodes that he was in
chris_carter_live: I loved Twin Peaks, but like
most people, those first eight episodes were the
most important to me.
chris_carter_live: And I get nervous seeing David
in a dress.
UberKate1013
asks: Has the real FBI been receptive to the show
(XF) or are they indiffernet?
chris_carter_live: They are unofficially fans.
And they think that the X Files has been very
good promotionally for the FBI.
cathleenr13
asks: Do you plan to explain the mysterious hold
Krychek has on Skinner?
chris_carter_live: Yes. It's been somewhat
explained, but there is more to come.
prometheus8
asks: It seems that acknowledging the existence
of aliens has limited where the X-files can go.
Can you comment?
chris_carter_live: Now what we have to determine
through the characters and the show is what the
aliens are up to and when they might be up to it.
chris_carter_live: Actually it's just a natural
evolution of that story line.
ciila
asks: Did you see the Blair Witch Project? What's
your opinion about it?
chris_carter_live: I haven't seen it yet.
Unfortunately. But I have many opinions.
tigger324
asks: what happens if someone dies in the real
world, do they also perish in Harsh Realm?
chris_carter_live: If you die in the real world
your character is alive in Harsh Realm but can
never assume your consciousness.
outlaw_torn721
asks: What software do you use for the special
effects in harsh realm?
chris_carter_live: I have no idea. It is done
under the very capable authority of Mat Beck.
chris_carter_live: Who does his work away from
our main offices here.
chris_carter_live: And keeps his trade secrets to
himself.
rishi81_1999
asks: why have u limited yourself to America in
Harsh Realm?
chris_carter_live: It's only the first season.
chris_carter_live: But we plan to do Harsh Realm
downunder for season three.
OlenskaL
asks: Is there a subject you haven't treated yet
on an episode that you'd like to explore?
Yahoomc: Assuming that's an X-Files question
chris_carter_live: I'm assuming that is an X
Files question. The show really could go on
indefinitely. There are so many stories left to
tell.
chris_carter_live: But we have certainly mined
all the obvious subjects, and robbed all the
obvious banks.
orville_third
asks: My first question is: What books have
influenced your work on the X-Files? (Robert
Anton Wilson's for example.)
chris_carter_live: Definitely Robert Anton Wilson.
Colin Wilson for that matter.
chris_carter_live: But the number of books is too
great to list. But many of them are science books
rather than science fiction.
chris_carter_live: That Ann Simon, the science
researcher on the X Files, has just written a
book called The Science of the X Files. In
bookstores. And I think it is a terrific addition
to the show.
Agent_DesiLu
asks: Do you ever read Fan Fiction?
chris_carter_live: I have read fan fiction but I
don't regularly.
chris_carter_live: I've never liften an idea from
the internet, but my favorite tend to be the more
lurid subjects. Or I should say the more lurid
tales.
lemon_head_2000
asks: How far ahead did you plan the story arc of
the X-Files?
chris_carter_live: If you look at the first two
episodes, the pilot episode and Deep Throat, and
then look at the Erlenmeyer Flask, you really see
the basis of the larger mythology.
brendan2003
asks: PLEASE! I NEED SPOLIERS!!! Can you give any?
chris_carter_live: Muldar and Scully have a very
nice New Year's Eve.
hyperscly
asks: Are you in LA or in Vancouver right now
doing this live chat? Or are you in some obscure
place being held hostage by the gods of Yahoo
forcing you to answer questions from rabid fans
that you don't know. . .
chris_carter_live: Stark naked.
Outryder
asks: Is there any particular ration you try to
achieve between continuing conspiracy shows and
non-related investigation shows for the x-files?
chris_carter_live: There is a balance, but it is
the non-related shows that outnumber the
mythology shows three to one.
Ottid123
asks: In the X-Files: Are there any secrets you
wish you hadn't told to the audience yet?
chris_carter_live: No, we're very happy with how
little we've told them, even though in some cases
they think we've told them more than we should.
Yahoomc: Getting back to Harsh Realm...
T_E_L_E_C_A_S_T
asks: pleese answer if it is OK for a 5th grade
person to watch your new show. My mom knows you
and won't let me watch unless you say it is OK.
can I watch it tonight?
chris_carter_live: Tell your mom it's a free
country. To leave the room and give you the
remote control.
cainer_14
asks: Are you a fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
For a suggestion, maybe a crossover episode?!
chris_carter_live: I've watched Buffy, but I'm
too busy to be a fan.
chris_carter_live: I have never even considered a
crossover. Nor do I think they've considered a
crossover either.
pohlner
asks: Are you into Star Wars? Have you ever
talked with George Lucas?
chris_carter_live: I am into Star Wars but I've
never had the pleasure of talking to George Lucas.
renyuan_wong
asks: What is the biggest challenge that you face
in making the X-files
chris_carter_live: Keeping it fresh and new each
week.
chris_carter_live: Through the talents of
unrelenting competitiveness of the writing staff.
Ultimus_Terra_Maximus
asks: What happens if a living person dies in
Harsh Realm? Do they go back to the Real World
just as they were?
chris_carter_live: No. Your brain is destroyed
and you are left comatose in the real world.
Dawn_311
asks: Are all the episodes of Harsh Realm filmed
already? Or do you continue to film throughout
the season?
chris_carter_live: We are only finishing right
now episode three.
chris_carter_live: So we are right smack up
against our deadlines and air dates.
nyctos
asks: Do you find any parallels between the
Prisoner and Harsh Realm?
chris_carter_live: Yes, I think there are
parallels.
chris_carter_live: BUt I think this show benefits
from the use of a technology which has now become
familiar to everyone who owns a computer.
britney_duchovny
asks: Do you think all the UFO and
extraterrestrial stuff is real? Or are you a none
-beleiver?
chris_carter_live: I'm a sceptic.
crysteen20
asks: You have such a creative mind, how do you
sleep at night?
chris_carter_live: I don't.
wooly1960
asks: Some people have compared you to the late
Rod Sterling...Do you agree with that comparison?
chris_carter_live: I have no idea. He and I both
created shows about the unknown.
chris_carter_live: But he distinguished himself
beyond that show with works like Requiem for a
Heavyweight. So I have a long way to go to ever
be compared.
Angel_Babe254
asks: everyone in this room think's scully should
kill diana
chris_carter_live: So much for limiting violence
on TV!
jazzmynp
asks: What's the scarriest thing is in your
fridge?
chris_carter_live: The emptiness.
felkor_2000
asks: Have you ever been told you had to "tone
down" an episode because it was too graphic?
chris_carter_live: Every week.
outlaw_torn721
asks: Are thier aliens in Harsh realm?
chris_carter_live: There may be.
lauraanddan
asks: Has there been, or will there be an X-files
on bigfoot?
chris_carter_live: Big Foot was referenced but
there has never been an actual Bigfoot episode.
carneo
asks: do you got plans to make cartoons?
chris_carter_live: We've considered it and talked
about it, but we have no plans.
chris_carter_live: BUt I think a Saturday morning
X Files cartoon would be fun.
chris_carter_live: Thanks for indulging me and
watch Harsh Realm!
Yahoomc: Thanks for joining us Chris!
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