Posted by Redmanmarketing at spider-wg062.proxy.aol.com on May 30, 2000 at 17:29:19:
In Reply to: Good Lord, you're relentless posted by Kevin on May 30, 2000 at 15:20:44:
: : It must also be said that ViewAskew is easily the coziest I've ever seen a film-production studio get to the audience (God bless the internet, huh?)...
: I blame myself. The moment I first signed onto the internet (in Red Bank's 'Internet Cafe' and saw the Ming Chen 'Clerks' page (after someone suggested I take a gander at the growing number of 'Clerks' pages on the 'net), I fell in love. I was dumbstruck by the notion of instant feedback from people who watch our flicks (as opposed to the occasional post-screening Q&A interaction, or simply running into someone who knew what I did at a comic book show). I contacted Ming and asked him if he wanted to build a View Askew website. Happily, he said yes, and off we went - me writing, Mingster designing. I've said it before - he's the deejay, and I'm the rapper.
: The product of our cyber loins never ceases to astonish me. I love this place; I love the community it creates, fosters, then turns over yearly. And most of all, I love that instant feedback that first enticed me into this Web of intrigue.
: : Now, I know that each member of TeamAskew is perfectly capable of holding their own when fielding personal-enquiries from the fan-base, but I was wondering if the personal-involvement that the fans perceive ever wriggles under the skins of the filmmakers?
: Not this filmmaker. And once you turn people onto the give-and-take of the ViewAskewniverse, it's very infectious (witness Affleck.com).
: : I remember a thread involving the whole, "Is Jay Gay?"-thing.
: : Vincent came back with an understandable, "...none of your fuckin' business..." type deal.
: : Of course, I think enough fans now differentiate between Jay and Jason Mewes. . .and this post probably had more to do with Rufus' revelation to Jay "...you're thinking about guys!"
: : The creative team must've known that was going to raise questions. Jokey as the films are, there is the fan element that takes plot-revelations and runs with them.
: No - that was a new one for me. I never thought anyone in their right mind would assume (or wonder if) Jason Mewes is gay, based on the stuff we've said about Jay in the movies and the comics. It's akin to wondering whether I've ever swung through a mall on a rope and burst through a changing room wall, or whether there's a Poop-man running around in strip clubs.
: : Then again, maybe folks DO have a hard time differentiating between Jay-&-Jason and Bob-&-Kevin. Since the crew is so open about what goes into the production of these works, it's almost impossible to keep the reality of the film within the film-cans...
: I disagree. Largely, folks can keep the two seperate. The rare exceptions don't represent the majority.
: : Even as the Askewniverse shambles merrily into that good night, will the creative team maintain connections to the audience like this board?
: Just because we're ending the run of interconnected flicks, it doesn't mean that I no longer have an interest in sharing what it is we do or reading folks' reaction to it. I'm a fan of pulling back the curtain for anyone who gives a shit; that won't change just because Jay and Silent Bob aren't going to be in the films anymore.
: : What sort of personal questions are just flat-out off-color?
: If you've watched the boards for the last few years, I think it's easy to discern. The amazing thing is when you erase a post or ban someone, and people cry censorship, demanding free speech, as if this board is a right. It's akin to being invited into my home and then shitting in the kitchen sink. Any future invitation is then rescinded and the sink is washed clean.
: : Anyone with TeamAskew ever consider writing a discreet non-fictional account of the rise-&-maturity of those guys who made "clerks?"
: I've promised myself I wouldn't even dream of writing a "How It All Went Down'-type tome until (and if) I've been doing this for ten years or more.
Kevin, I wanted you to know that just reading your posts are tremendous entertainment at times. Your response on the issue of Jay being gay shows that you are a very quick witted individual. Dude, you da MAN! I also LOVE the Ejay Auction section....TWO thumbs up! If you decide to start selling replicas of the 'Buddy Christ' medallions out right, sign me up! Redman