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Anonymous writes...
How would I get involved in writing for an animated series? Or any TV series for that meatter.
Greg responds...
First and foremost, you write. Then write some more. Then do a little writing. Read a lot. Write some more. Read some more. Read a lot. Write a lot. Study story structure. Study great literature. Study myth and legends. Joseph Campbell. Listen to how people talk. How they really talk. Learn your craft. Get a kick-ass education. Write. Read. Write.
Get copies of animation (or other television) scripts. Learn the format.
Write spec scripts for shows that you like. Try to use those specs to get an agent. Then your agent can use those specs to get you work. Write more specs. If you can't get an agent, send the specs to production companies that you admire. Don't send a Batman spec to Warner Bros or a Gargoyles to Disney. Legally, they can't risk reading those. But you can send Batman to Disney and Gargoyles to Warners. (I know it sounds weird. There's a real good reason for this, but it's a whole other question, so for now just trust me.) Actually, you shouldn't be writing a Gargoyles spec at all, since that show isn't producing new episodes now. You don't want your spec to come off as yesterday's news. Keep reading. Keep writing. Try writing a pilot script and a short bible for an original series. Try using those to get an agent or work (any work, you need credits on your resume.) Oh, yeah.
PROOFREAD. PROOFREAD. PROOFREAD. Read your own work aloud, you catch more mistakes that way. Read. Write. Write some more. Get used to a lot of rejection. A LOT OF REJECTION.
That's the best advice I can give you except this: writing for television is an extremely difficult career to break into, let alone succeed at; so if you don't really have a PASSION for it, then do something else. You'll need that passion to see you through a lot of dark times. If you can be happy doing anything else, then do that other thing. Otherwise, good luck.
Anonymous writes...
Hi. Wow, this is nifty. But, anyway, here are my questions. 1: How is Sevarius (or Servarius) really spelled? 2: Xanatos is a Greek name, but does it come from Thanatos, the name of the Greek god of death? 3: I just love those names. I discovered on accident that Dracon means snake in Greek, which was neat, and very appropriate. Makes the quote 'honor of a Dracon' even more oxymoronic. Or was the quote 'word of a Dracon'? Oh, well. But on to the question: What does the name Sevarius (or Servarius) mean, or where did it come from? Sevarius sounds Latin, but it's all Greek to me. (Ooh, bad joke. Sorry!) 4: Hmm. Well, I could ask another question, but hmm.. what? Oops, that wasn't the question. But wait, that gives me an idea. Here it is: what question (or questions) would you most like to be asked, and who would ask them? :-) Not very creative of me, I know, but I hope you have fun with that one.I guess that's all. Thanks for taking the
time to answer these questions. And thanks for Gargoyles.
Gargoyles has been a work of art, a real gift to the world. It's inspired many people. I hope someday you can continue it. Good luck!
Greg responds...
1. Sevarius.
2. Yes.
3. Michael Reaves came up with the name "Sevarius". I don't know if it had a meaning to him. Initially, I wasn't sure if I liked the sound of the name. It sounded cliched to me at first, though I was at a loss to explain why. Later, it seemed perfect for the character. I was wrong on that one, so I'm glad I deferred to Michael.
4. Uh.... Sorry. I can't think of anything that hasn't been asked. But I'm sure you guys'll come up with something.
Anonymous writes...
O.k.#1 I was just wondering, if you were going to have more episodes on Elisa and Goliath's relationship? They don't seem to be doing anything lately.#2 Are the recordings (for voices) more fun, or more like work?
Tha's all my questions for now. Thanks!
Greg responds...
1. I've answered this. The short answer is yes. For a longer answer look at the archives for this page.
2. They were (usually) a tremendous amount of fun. The most fun part of the job, frankly. You get to be there as actors bring your characters to life with their voices. I sat second chair to our fantastic voice director Jamie Thomason, so I got to pretend I was helping. Plus most of our actors were a complete joy to work with. Particularly our regulars: Keith, Jeff, Bill, Thom, Ed, Brigitte, Salli, Frank, Marina and Jonathan. Laura San Giacomo, Peter Scolari, Sheena Easton, Jim Cummings, Morgan Shepard, Kath Soucie and John Rhys-Davies were also great fun people to work with and talk to. (Actually, I'm nervous about leaving people out. Most everyone was great.) Anyway, yeah, it was a lot of fun. It WAS also work. Some sessions lasted for hours and could be grueling. But mostly it was a hoot.
Anonymous writes...
Greg, I have greatly enjoyed your work on Gargoyles. Have you worked on other shows or books in the past, and do you have anything in the works for the future.
Greg responds...
The future is hazy. I'll consult Puck later (not that he can be trusted).
As to the past, I've worked on a number of animation projects, most of them as a development executive. These include (in no particular order) Gummi Bears, Duck Tales, Winnie the Pooh, TaleSpin, Rescue Rangers, Duck Tales the Movie, A Goofy Movie, Mighty Ducks, Bonkers, Goof Troop, Darkwing Duck, Aladdin (series), Little Mermaid (series), JEM, Timon & Pumbaa, Schnookums & Meat,
Raw Toonage, Marsupilami, Quack Pack, etc. Some of these I had a lot to do with, others I had almost nothing to do with.
I also worked for DC Comics for some time. The main thing I did was CAPTAIN ATOM. But I worked as a writer or assistant editor on DC Challenge, Tales of the Teen Titans, Justice League of America, Justice League, Justice League International, All Star Squadron, Infinity Inc, Young All Stars, Titans Spotlight, Silverblade, Watchmen, Secret Origins, Millenium, Who's Who, etc.
Anonymous writes...
Hi.#1-WHAT IS BROOKLYN'S MATE? #2-Will Xantos ever go back on his word to betray the gargoyles? Now for the last one. #3-Will Lex ever meet a female gargoyle?
Greg responds...
1. Katana.
2. Xanatos and Goliath will never be totally in synch, but Xanatos no longer desires to be at odds with the gargoyles. That doesn't mean that occasionally they won't wind up at odds.
3. Meet? Sure.
Anonymous writes...
I know I said I wouldn't ask any more until this batch was answered, but I have one last question; who exactly was MacDuff? He was in the credits of "City of Stone," but I never heard his name spoken in the show. So who was he?
Greg responds...
Macduff was Duncan's lieutenant in 1040. He was knocked out by Demona, allowing Macbeth to go one-on-one with Duncan.
Anonymous writes...
Oh, almost forgot, one more question: Where in New York is the Xanatos Enterprises building meant to be located? I've been searching my tapes for a full shot of the city skyline including this building, but I can't find one....
Greg responds...
It's on Central Park South. At least it is in my Manhatten.
Anonymous writes...
I have always wondered why Disney never promoted Gargoyles all that much?
You said it never did that well but I hardly saw anything to promote the show. I just happened to see it one day and was immediately hooked. Any guess as to why Disney seemed to distance themselves from Gargoyles?
Greg responds...
The question you should ask yourself is whether ANY of Disney's animated series from that era of the Disney Afternoon received MORE promotion.
Personally, I don't think so. Other producers complained that they didn't get as much of a push as Gargoyles did.
Now you could argue that Disney didn't promote any of their shows enough.
But keep in mind that promotion costs a LOT of money. It just wasn't money they felt like spending at the time.
Anonymous writes...
Was Elisa's metamorphosis in THE MIRROR just a one-time idea, or something you'd panned on doing more on?
Greg responds...
A one time deal. Elisa's humanity and Goliath's gargoylity make up one of the series prime dynamics. Any permanent alteration of that would have been a betrayal.
Anonymous writes...
1. Hi, Greg. I want to be a animator when I grow up and I was wondering if you have any tips for me ? 2. Will Brooklyn EVER HAVE A MATE ?!
Greg responds...
1. Uh, draw a lot? Seriously, I'm not an artist or animator, so I'm not the guy to ask. But I guess you could try to get into to an art school which has an animation department and a history of industry recruitment.
2. Yes. In my mind, at least.
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