Hey Robert, I'm towards the end of transcribing the episode (for my own purposes, and if people want correct quotes), and I'm using the wonderful technology of closed captions.  I noticed in several areas (specifically the Harry Voice Over spots), that the actual dialog and the captions are COMPLETELY different.  Was the dialog changed after the caption agency went through?  And when it comes time for a DVD release, are the subtitles going to be correct?

We did make some last minute VO changes, which probably were done too late for the CC folks.  Which versions did you like better?   

Robert, the only real complaint I had with the show was with the audio--some of the dialogue was difficult to hear over the other noises. I thought this was a local problem, but it seems that many others had the same difficulty. Is this something you can check on?

I'll look into it.  We mixed the dialogue pretty high over the other stuff.  The poor sound editor was frowning with my constant "words louder, music softer."  The mix sounded pretty damn good both in person and on transfer (and on SPACE here in TO).  I'll check and see what's what.

Are we going to see more of the smart mouthed, stubborn, going my way Dresden in the series, or is the show going to rely on the trademark Dresden plot twist?

Uh, both?  They're not mutally exclusive, right?

My question is this, I was just curious why the decision was made to make the show stand alone stories rather than arc based stories? I ask this only because it seems that the landscape of tv has changed a lot and the more arc based storytelling has gained considerable popularity. Shows like Lost, Grey's Anatomy, 24, and Battlestar Galactica are all arc based shows and all very successfull. I was curious why it was decided to take a property that has that already built in and then remove that aspect in favor of stand alone episodes?

We always wanted the TV show to feel more like "The Rockford Files" or "Spencer for Hire," traditional episodic detective shows with some long term story telling, but strong individual epsiodes that can stand on their own.

1. Is Justin actually supposed to be Harry's Uncle in this series?

Yes, he's the brother of Harry's mother.

2. Is Harry's bad reputation going to be build up slowly with the High Council?

No, he's pretty much in the toilet already when the show begins.  I suppose things could get better.  Or worse.

3. Justin looks like a real wizard. 

Does he?  I don't see a hat [pointy, mode 1, mod 3, stars optional].  No robes.  He looks like a well dressed businessman with a cane to me.

Are all the scenes with Justin in "Birds of a Feather" flashbacks?

Nope.  He's outside the church watching the Doom Box go off.

Only one real question:

Will Harry be doing more magic in later episodes?  As a poster on another thread put it, the first ep needed more "earth-shattering ka-boom"

Yep, more, but never as much as in the books.  Creatively, the TV show will be less magic heavy than the books, a little closer to our world.  So Murphy is just a detective, there's no SI department that knows about and investigates supernatural cases.  Dresden works magic more reluctantly, and it costs him more physically.  Magic is hard. 

That's not to say we don't have some pretty big magical moments coming up, just don't expect any buildings to blow up this season.  Unless they do.

5) Bear in mind he may choose to be obtuse or outright not answer a question. He has a show to protect.

I may also be snarky.  I have a high quotient of snark.  I only make one promise.  I promise never to say "Don't make me hunt you down and bitch-slap you" to anyone who posts questions for me or comments about my work on the internet. At least, not again.*













* Okay, there was that one time.  And I didn't mean it.  And it all worked out.