Thursday, August 6, 2009

Arrested Development Documentary - Exclusive Interview !

"Cos' You're my bro, not my brother !"

Since the first trailer appeared on the internet I can't stop thinking about how will look the Arrested Development Documentary.
For me it's an incredible adventure, two fans of the show have decided to shoot a documentary about their favorite TV Show : Arrested Development.
At first they interviewed fans only, but they quickly started to interview actors of the show and some others important persons.
For two fans who've started with practically nothing it's pretty amazing don't you think ?

So few week ago I've decided to ask them if they will agree to be interviewed by me, hey I'm just a fan after all !
And it was a positive response for the interview !
I can't tell you how much I'm glad to present you my first exclusive interview, it's a great moment for me !
If you know nothing about this documentary please watch this trailer before reading the interview :



And here it comes the exclusive interview :

How did you come up with the idea for the documentary?

  • Jeff and I have been huge fans of the show since it aired on Fox the 3rd season and we often quote the show to each other. We would find ourselves re-watching episodes just to find as many new jokes as possible. In September of ‘07, Jeff’s brother invited us to go camping in Yosemite along with 12 other “friends.” Apparently our “friends” don’t really like us because we were the only ones that went. The entire we weekend we quoted Arrested lines and it was decided on that camping trip that we would make this documentary.

How was the first interviews, with whom, etc. . .

  • Our first interview was in October of 2007, a month after we decided to do the doc. It was with an excited and witty AD fan named Jacky. She is a singer and songwriter and goes by the stage name of Tacky Jacky. She was a brave soul to agree to meet at a stranger’s home where two random guys were going to interview here on a canceled tv show. Lucky for her we are two “stand-up” guys and she made it out alive. It was an amazing experience to interview our first fan. It basically set the tone for the rest of the 199 fan interviews.

How many Arrested Development fans have you interviewed?

  • We interviewed 200 fans.

Was it redundant to interview all of those fans?

  • There are definitely running themes in many of the fan interviews, but that really solidifies how much of a strong fan base this show has. We interviewed fans from California to Michigan to Virginia to Nebraska to Wee London (in Canada), and lots of other places in between to make sure that to get a diverse set of fans. Though the fan base is diverse, there are these running themes about the show such as the layers, the ability to re-watch episodes to find new things, the political and social overtones and the writing.

Who was the first Bluth member who agreed to interview?

  • Alia Shawkat, aka Maeby Fünke, was the first Bluth cast member that agreed to interview for the documentary. Her mother attended the interview with her at a local coffee shop in Hollywood. She was a fantastic interview and really set our expectations high for other cast interviews. She started the trend we hope that fans will feel like they are back in the Bluth Model Home with the cast interviews.

What was the worst moment and the best moment of the interviews?

  • Worst moment: No answer.
  • Best moment: Fans can sign up on our mailing list at www.arresteddevelopmentdoc. We have received a number of fans expressing their gratitude for us doing this documentary. It feels good that we are actually touching people, I mean, giving something to those that also sing the praises of a great piece of television history.

Have you decided how you will distribute the documentary? (DVD, Internet, etc...)

  • We have not finalized distribution at this point. We are looking at all possible avenues but want to make the decision that will provide the most exposure for Arrested Development as possible. This is an opportunity to get even more fans that will buy the DVDs, rent them or watch the episodes online. These new fans will spread the word and hopefully help the Arrested Development movie coming out in the future.

Do you have any future projects in the works about Arrested Development or anything else?

  • We have been discussing new projects to start once this one is 100% completed. There are a number of ideas that are not AD related but we still have a possible one up our pants sleeve that would be aimed at all of you “Banana Grabbers.”

Which current TV shows have Arrested Development's influence?

  • I can see a little AD influence in shows like the Office, Parks and Recreation, etc. I have heard many AD fans talk about 30 Rock having a lot of influence but have not been able to get into it.

Now quick questions about you and Arrested Development:

When did you first see AD?

  • Neil: I was hooked after I caught it randomly on Fox Sunday at the beginning of the 3rd and final season.
  • Jeff: I was also hooked on 3rd season, though I do remember random commercials over the years and thinking that it looked pretty damn funny, though to no avail. . .

Your favorite season ?

  • Neil: I think that all of the seasons have a unique flavor and provide the same level of entertainment across the board. But if I had to pick a favorite season, it would be second season. From GOB’s sexual harassment speech in “Afternoon Delight” to “Girls With Low Self Esteem” to Lucille’s forbidden romance with George Sr’s hermano, Oscar, the season is chalk full of hilarious goodness. But so are all of the other seasons so I guess I don’t have a favorite.
  • Jeff: Ditto. And this isn't a cop out, I just totally agree.

Your favorite Bluth Member ?

  • Neil: My favorite character is Lucile. You think that all she cares about is herself but there are those moments when you know that she is in it for the good of the family. She is also quick on her feet.
  • Jeff: This might sound generic, but I'm going to go with George Oscar Bluth. He REALLY makes me laugh. A lot. In fact, even as I am editing the doc, the Gob/Arnett interview still makes me laugh after the 304 times I've watched it.

Your favorite episode ?

  • Neil: Spring Breakout is my favorite episode. It really shows Lucile’s devotion to the family that she would participate in a drinking contest with George Sr’s ex-assistant and kidnapper while still in rehab. I also really enjoy how the Bluth boys collaborate to save their father from his kidnapper, Kitty.
  • Jeff: Afternoon Delight. It's awesome.

To finish this interview let see if you are real fans!

I've used one adjective to describe myself. What is it ?

  • Neil: Professional
  • Jeff: Fuck Mountain-esque

Welcome to Klimpy's! Anywhere you like! Plate or platter ?

  • Neil: I don’t understand the question and will not respond to it.
  • Jeff: I'll have the Ike and Tina tuna.

I hope you've enjoyed the reading as much I've enjoyed writing the questions.
To finish I just want to say a big Thank You to Neil Lieberman and Jeff Smith for this interview and I hope your documentary will have a huge success.
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1 comment:

  1. I just finished reading the interview here, and it was awesome! Great questions and great answers. Im very excited to see the documentary, specially because it was made by two fans.
    Oh, and im really appreciating your blog! Brings good memories from AD ^^
    Cheers!

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