Fred Topel of
Video Store Magazine has scored a terrific interview with
Angel-meister (and
Buffy-meister) Joss Whedon. The article, "Angel Creator Joss Whedon Sees Evolution of TV Shows on DVD," can be read in its entirety right
here.
In it, Whedon speaks to the issue of the proper presentation of his shows:
While running a weekly series on a day-to-day basis, Joss Whedon doesn't have much time to get involved with DVDs. However, when DVD producers ask for something he doesn't like, he will put his foot down.
He kiboshed plans to release "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in widescreen, because it was never shot widescreen. However, for the Sept. 2 release of Angel Season Two, Whedon approved widescreen presentations.
"'Angel' is a widescreen show, starting with the second season," Whedon said. "So that is presented widescreen."
Whedon talks further, about
Angel's orgins in the shadow of
Buffy, and also about DVD extras:
...Whedon recognizes the value of additional content. Tracking the success of DVD from "Buffy's" first-season release through the latest release of "Angel," Whedon sees the demand for extra content driving producers to save more footage.
...The Season Two DVD has episode commentaries by director/co-writer Tim Minear and director Fred Kellar, but none by Whedon himself. Also included are four featurettes detailing the season's story lines, stunts, sets and monsters.
One extra feature that will have to wait for subsequent seasons of "Angel" is deleted scenes. Though there are always elements removed from episodes, Whedon cannot think of anything before the third season that would be worth showing on a DVD.
"It was in season three, with [the episode] 'Waiting in the Wings' that I shot, where it was the first time I ever pulled out a scene and said, 'Okay, I just made a DVD extra.'"
A nice interview, which you can
check out for yourself.
