Subscribe
Previous Post
Tomorrow night, Supernatural pays homage to the horror movies of the 30′s when Sam and Dean investigate a shapeshifter with a love for classic Universal monsters! It’s an all black & white episode filled with thrills, chills and a whole lot of laughs.
I got the scoop on how the whole thing came together from Supernatural executive producer, and director of Monster Movie, Robert Singer.
“We had a great time doing it,” says Singer. “[But the trick was] keeping it modern, while paying respect to James Whale and the way those guys shot those great black & white movies.”
In order to capture the look and particularly the tone of the era, Singer and crew had to make a few adjustments in their normal routine.
“The lighting is a little different that Serge did. We tried to emulate as much as we could that old 30′s movie horror lighting, which is very deep shadows and hot spots and people walking out of blackness into harsh lights and things like that.”
Singer also found that he had to vary his usual shooting style.
“My personal preference for close-ups is to shoot them with long lenses and throw the background out of focus. We didn’t do that very much. We were in the mid-range with lenses that were used in the 30′s and 40′s – like a 27-65 (for all you would be DP’s) would be the longest. That was odd for me to get used to.”
Singer also kept the simplicity of the early horror movies in mind when he staged the scenes, avoiding intricate camera moves, which are a staple on Supernatural, and sometimes by intentionally going with a low-tech solution.
“We have a thing with the Wolf Man and it’s a couple who are making out in a car on lover’s lane. Before I got [to the studio in Vancouver] they were looking for locations to do that scene and I said, let’s not have a real location like anyone would have nowadays. Let’s create our own lover’s lane on stage, have a backdrop with a moon on it, put the ground fog in and all that stuff they used to do. Let’s go for it. The result of that is you watch it and you get a smile because the reality of it is the reality of a 30′s movie.”
But still, Singer had to be careful not to let the spoofing take over the story.
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA
“I didn’t feel we ever got shticky. One thing about doing this is the boys can’t comment on what’s going on with a wink. The comedy from their point of view, the reaction, is very subtle, it’s got a wink in its eye but it’s never over the top. If Sam and Dean are accepting this then the audience will, too. I think my meter was in the right place.”
Singer’s “meter” was definitely in the right place when he directed last year’s laugh-a-minute episode, “Bad Day at Black Rock.” Though Jared Padalecki has said he feels more comfortable with the dramatic scenes than the comedic ones, you wouldn’t know it by his performance in this classic episode.
“If [Jared] had his druthers, the emotional stuff feels more in his wheelhouse, [but] he’s really, really, really, good at the physical comedy,” says director Singer. “He did stuff in “Bad Day at Black Rock” that had me cracking up. I’d sit at the monitor and watch it and he did some pratfalls that were fantastic and when he did the thing with the gum stuck to his shoe. . . I think he’s selling himself short.”
And the other half of the team?
“Jensen, he has facial stuff and eye rolls and long takes that are classic. Jensen is particularly fantastic at that, he can do Jack Benny takes with the best of them.”
Now that the show is in its fourth season, with the writers writing to each of the boy’s strengths, it’s easy to hit the ground running, says Singer.
MIXED BAG OF TRICKS
“They get it right away. We have a ten-minute talk before shooting and off we go.”
Which is probably the norm on shows such as CSI or Two and a Half Men where the tone and style is set from day one. Not so on Supernatural.
“The good thing about our show, because we’re doing a little movie every week, you shoot it in the way that’s appropriate to the text. Some shows are more languid and very long lensy and moody and other shows have more action and that’s a lot of cuts and handheld stuff. Comedy is wider, generally – you do more 2 and 3 shots, a lot of reaction shots.
“I’ve been lucky on this show that I’ve run the gamut in the ones that I’ve done and it’s nice to have those change-ups. You don’t feel like you’re getting into a rut because they’re all so different.”
And different is the perfect word for this week’s episode. Singer claims it’s the most fun he’s ever had directing the series but still, he’s not sure that the younger members of the audience will ‘get it.’
“It was the third one we shot, but I think that there was some part of it that scared the network. They thought it was early to be doing such an off-the-wall episode; they wanted to get a run at more traditional stuff before we launched this on the public and maybe they were right. I hope it’s well received. A lot of our audience is young, whether they’ll get the jokes, we’ll find out from the blogs. I hope they do and if they don’t, maybe they’ll say, ‘hey, what’s that all about’ and they’ll go rent some of those movies.”
Supernatural’s Monster Movie premieres tomorrow, Thursday, October 16 at 9:00 on The CW.
But wait!
I couldn’t let Bob go without asking him about that one little fact that’s been bugging me since the season premiere. When Dean and Bobby showed up at Sam’s motel room and Kristy answered the door, was she Kristy, or was she already Ruby on the inside?
Says Singer, “You’re not supposed to know that it’s Ruby but she was [Ruby] at that moment in time. She was playing a part because she didn’t want Dean to know. The answer to how Ruby became Genevieve is coming up.”
And last but not least, he takes on my favorite question.
Captain Kirk vs. Captain Jack Sparrow?
“That’s a question? (laugh) Personally, I’m a Captain Jack Sparrow fan more than Captain Kirk. I was not a great Star Trek devotee. In retrospect, I find it so utterly campy that it’s fun but I don’t think it was meant to be at the time. But Jack Sparrow is one of the great characterizations.”
Photo: Sergei Bachlakov/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Katie, dear, you’re not really comparing a KISS to actual sex, now are you?? Because given the choice between being kissed against my will and something else against my will… I think I’ll take the kiss! Yes, Sam & Dean have mistreated the meatsuits quite often and we’re not here to argue the moral pros & cons of that… let’s leave that to the message boards. And I am also not going to take a one-line quote from Jared, taken out of context, as gospel truth. What I WILL argue is that a sexual relationship with human-Kristy if not a problem, but with “Ruby” is tantamount to rape, any way you cut it.
This article is great in that it allowed us to hear from an excellent director and producer, whom I admire very much. His confirmation that it was actually Ruby in the hotel room tells us nothing more than that. It is everything ELSE added together that makes us suspect of a sexual relationship: seeing Ruby in underwear in 4.01, the things Meg told Sam in 4.02, the implication made by the demon at the start of 4.04…. add all THAT to Jared’s comment and the conclusion is Sam+Ruby+sex=eww!
There is a huge difference between taking a character down a dark path, and making that character unreedemable due to those actions. Kripke & Co are way too smart to put a dark cloud such as this on an otherwise phenomenal season so far.
Honestly, I think this is all just one big publicity stunt along the lines of the dreaded “love interests”. Nothing gets the forums “buzz”ing faster than mentioning a LI on SN. Fine, it worked, everyone is buzzing. Now it’s time to come clean about it, remove this dark cloud, and get back to enjoying this fantastic season.
Michele–
The point is, at least to me, we have physically SEEN Dean do that to demon-possessed women, whether he was “forced” to do it by Lust (and no, I’m not arguing that he was) or the Crossroads Demon (he actually initiated the second kiss when he brought Sam back, so that would make him the so-called “aggressor” to a possessed body) and all we have here is the merest HINT that Sam might’ve. And I do say hint, because how many times have Jared and Jensen both said they *don’t* know what’s coming up, they only get like, one script in advance because of their schedules? So I imagine anything Jared said, he’s doing exactly what we are, GOING ON ASSUMPTIONS, because he doesn’t know that much more than we do. However, we have the Head Man On Campus here, telling us that “She was playing a part because she didn’t want Dean to know.” So, let me get this straight–she was PLAYING THE PART OF SAM’S GIRLFRIEND/X-NIGHT-STAND SO DEAN WOULDN’T KNOW SAM WAS WORKING WITH RUBY. I don’t know, knowing the way Dean’s mind works, I’d say it was pretty frickin’ successful, seeing as how he didn’t even have a clue until Castiel the Deus Ex Machina showed up and TOLD HIM. Since we’re taking Castiel’s word as the absolute gospel here, let me point out that Castiel didn’t mention Sam and Ruby getting nasty between the sheets. Just that they were working together and going down a dark path. So everybody kinda needs to get their panties out of a twist.
Wait a minute, Katie. Sorry to butt in, but you do realize that Lust was one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and once she touched Dean, he had no CHOICE other than to kiss her, possessed body or not, and in case you aren’t paying attention to the show, Crossroads Demons generally seal the deal with a kiss.
I don’t understand your point there, but I do agree with you wholeheartedly on the fan-fiction issues of Dean & Castiel, however, this is not livejournal, and this article is about an actual episode, not fanfic. Well, technically, it’s not even about an episode, it’s about Singer’s brilliant directorial skills, which I think we all forgot in our haste to follow our delightful tendencies to jump down each others’ throats.
You’re right, it is just a show, and we all have different opinions, but if you’re going to argue a point with someone, a little bit of research is a good idea.
So, Mousita, I am assuming you have been equally offended all this time by the way Dean has forced himself on possessed women – you know, kissing two crossroads demons and the possessed girl, Lust, in Magnificent Seven. You would think he would have recognized that there were human girls inside them and acted accordingly, right? Right. Seriously, this is a television show. And Dean has killed humans who were possessed, Dean has kissed humans who were possessed, and furthermore – I better not see ANYONE who writes Dean/Castiel slash complain about Sam raping Ruby, because technically Dean would be raping Castiel’s body, then, too.
To persons like Rain and Serena… are you people serious?? How utterly sad if your are. While I respect all fans to express their opinion, I feel very disappointed that there are some out there participating in such cruel division. I’m a Deangirl and I adore Jensen for his talent and for the person that he is. And although I have no doubt that he could carry a show by himself, that show will no longer be Supernatural. I watch SN for BOTH Sam and Dean and that works only due to the inceredible chemistry between Jared & Jensen. There is no Dean without Sam. There is no SN without Jensen and Jared.
As for the Sam/Kristy/Ruby issue: I have absolutely no problem with Sam turning to some female companionship in those awful 4 months. Just because he may have been getting a little sex doesn’t mean he was grieving any less or that he stopped thinking of ways to save his brother. I’m perfectly OK with Sam meeting a regular, home-town waitress (which is what the sides described Kristy to be — unless it was a smokescreen since so much in the initial sides had misinformation). If Kristy was just a human girl who took a liking to him and WILLINGLY participated in relations… great! More power to them… as long as Kristy was human and able to consent of her own free will.
Perhaps Ruby took advantage of this relationship by possessing Kristy. Perhaps Kristy was injured and Ruby is the only thing keeping the body alive. Perhaps it’s really Lilith pretending to be Ruby possessing Kristy. Either way, the second that Kristy became Ruby, and lost control of her body and the ability to consent, any further sex became rape. And no amount of creative storytelling can brush that under the table. Kripke & Co went to great trouble to establish that the human inside is aware of what is happening but unable to control their body (Meg in Devils Trap, Sam in BUBS)… and now there’s hints that all that will be destroyed? including Sam’s basic character built over these past 3 years? I truly hope that Show never goes there in terms of the Winchesters. This is too serious an issue to treat lightly.
‘I don’t have anything to say to that other than, no, he couldn’t, because DEAN couldn’t. There is no Dean without Sam. And though some might argue that Sam can function without Dean, the point of this show is that they CANNOT function well without each other.
Let’s not make this another childish Jared vs. Jensen thing, please. It’s ignorant’
I totally agree with about this point . Dean without Sammy doesn’t walk straight as Sammy without Dean walk straight either . He proved it during this summer alone . The show is about two brothers , not only Dean !
If I’m more a Dean’s girl , I appreciate Sam a lot . And I want to see him as much as I want to see Dean . It’s their relationship that makes the show so great . It’s sad to see that some fans are going to take a side , when there’s none !
Jared & Jensen surely don’t think like this . And for Ruby & Sammy , well , we do not know everything , keep an open mind , when everything will be revealed you’ll make up your mind . I decided not to have a definite opinion on the subject .
@ Serena.
I read that, and picked it apart, and spent a bit irritated with Jared’s comment, as well. And now I’m thinking that it was taken out of context, or Jared was being his usual self, and just talking without really thinking, and meant no harm with his comment.
If anything, it’s the interviewer over there I have the problem with, not Jared.
And there are many ways that the Ruby/Sam thing could have gone down, IF it went down at all. She and Sam could have met, had a fling, and THEN Ruby could have come along and possessed her. Maybe she (the host) was hurt, or dying, and Ruby possessed her, prolonging her life, just because that’s Ruby’s sick sense of humor at play.
But I absolutely don’t think that Jared would be so complacent or flippant with his replies if he’d really thought about it.
Cutting all ties with Jared or the character of Sam over a few unsubstantiated rumors is a bit over the top, though, isn’t it? Give it a chance, see what happens. They haven’t let us down, yet, and after three excellent seasons, I think you’re being a bit hasty with your condemnation.
As for your comment here:
“I think as the first few episodes of this season have proved, Jensen can carry the show virtually by himself without any problem.”
I don’t have anything to say to that other than, no, he couldn’t, because DEAN couldn’t. There is no Dean without Sam. And though some might argue that Sam can function without Dean, the point of this show is that they CANNOT function well without each other.
Let’s not make this another childish Jared vs. Jensen thing, please. It’s ignorant.
Thank you for a good interview.
I like old film in monochrome.
I think this episode looks great.
Ruby wouldn’t have possessed a willing body.
If Sam has sex with Ruby?
Woman to whom demon possesses it. It is a tragedy for her.
It will not be sex with the agreeing partner.
It would be tantamount to rape.
Not only that, but the body could be dead.
It would be tantamount to necrophilia.
That’s not something our Sammy would do.
“Sam would never have sex with a demon-possessed person,”
Really? Because according to today’s TV Guide interview with JARED, he’s under the assumption that Sam and Ruby “are lovers.” And he laughs about it. Apparently it’s no big deal to him.
I honestly used to like Sam and Jared, but after all of the whining by the Jared fans this season, I’m done. Jared can stay or he can go. Whatever. I think as the first few episodes of this season have proved, Jensen can carry the show virtually by himself without any problem. And if the Sam/Jared fans just want to complain about everything anyway, maybe that would be best for everyone.
1210 days ago
[...] Director Robert Singer talks with me about how it all came together. [...]
Rain– Shut up. Or, if you prefer, shut up, PLEASE. Yes, I’m one of the ones who was most upset by that omission, but for the love of little green apples, DON’T START IT UP AGAIN. It’s relatively quiet and calm at this point, with people focusing on the good points of the upcoming episode, and the good things that Singer said about both our boys. Please, please, please do not piddle in everybody’s cornflakes by starting this very same crap up again.
Katie, you’re right about Kripke fatal error.
And I think it’s not only because of the split in fandom, but also for Jared, for his career and persona.
To be put aside like that, not being in the episode and yet there are so many good reviews of the episode. How do you think Jared feels?
The point is, why Kripke did that?
There was no reason to let just Dean go back in time. They could have gone both and then separate. And there was absolutely no reason for Jared to appear just a few seconds in the episode.
In All Hell Break Loose Part 1, Jared had most of the scenes and the story was about Sam, but Dean appeared for more than a few seconds.
Kripke knows very well what he’s doing, why do you think he did that for in the beginning? He knew very well what would happen, how Jared would feel and how the fans would react.
He wants to prove that the show is all about Dean and can go on easily without Jared.
He should let Jared go, let him be free so he can make movies and go on with his career where he can be appreciated for real and not being forced to face deangirls on a daily basis.
But no, Kripke wants to keep Jared in his little show because deep down inside he knows it’s just smoke and mirrors and the truth is that outside the online bubble, nobody thinks Ackles is the best and the show can’t go on with both brothers in it.
You really think Jared wants evil Sam? He just keeps hoping to be a little more popular with the fans, not always being criticized and left out.
Of course this comment will never see the light of the day, because everytime someone says something negative about the show, Dean or Kripke the comment is deleted.
Someone from Supernatural talking about Jared?
Hell is freezing over. I thought everyone was too Ackles obsessed to remember there are two leading actors in this show.
And to the someone that said this in the comments:
“I’m tired of this pointless character coming between the boys.”
That’s right, but surely is not Ruby. What about that old boring angel? Or Kripke?
Kripke with his Dean mania and his obsession to keep the brothers separated and make them hate each other. And make the fans hate each other and fight.
This show will never be good again.
It’s not a competition, fangirls, calm your hormones.
Personally, I love Genevieve, and think she’s growing into Ruby. Fans need to take into account that Ruby is a character who has (presumably) just crawled back out of hell, again, after being sent back by Lilith. If you’re expecting the same wise-cracking bitch on wheels that Ruby was last season, you’re not paying attention to the show. Same thing with Sam and Dean. The characters have gone through Hell, several of them quite literally, and it’s naive to assume that we’ll be seeing the same responses and behavior we saw last season.
As for ‘In the Beginning’, I thought it was a brilliant episode, and I’m a bigger fan of Jared’s than I am of Jensen’s. It didn’t bother me at all that Sam wasn’t in it much, because it didn’t call for his character to be there physically. Anyone paying attention, though, could sense Sam’s presence in practically every scene.
Like I said, it’s not a competition, and the only reason that even comes to mind is because the fangirls go insane if either one of the boys gets more screen time than the other, or if one is nominated for something and the other isn’t.
Relax and enjoy the show for once. And for god’s sake, stop bringing up “rape”. Do you actually WATCH this show? Sam would never have sex with a demon-possessed person, just like Dean would never choose anyone, angel or god or his own father, over his brother. What show are you people watching?
That has to be one of the coolest interviews I’ve read! I have never seen a 30′s monster flick before but hopefully I will get some of those jokes he’s telling us about. If I don’t, well, there’s always the good old Internet for that!
As for Ruby…. darn was I ever so right! I seriously cannot wait to see what’s Ruby 2.0′s version of things and how she became who she is… there’s a reason for everything in Supernatural… we just need to be patient for the updates (and hey, as long as I don’t have to wait 3 season for an answer like the “I’m sorry” from Mary gig I’ll be alright!)
Awesome interview once again! And yay for Capt’n Jack Sparrow!!! :D
I find that Jared improved himself in the comic scenes throughout the seasons of SN . Now he is totally awesome , I love the way he rolls his eyes and look up in the bar scene . It’s nice to have seen him becoming more and more good . He should be more confident . Jensen is as usual great , he’s so damn funny . Call the bartender wench ‘giggles’
For In The Beginning , I like Sammy a lot but I do not see how it would have worked with him in the past . I do not mind an episode with only Sammy if that helps the storyline .
Oh ! I miss Cas ^_^
Always great to hear from Bob Singer. He is one of the great driving forces of Supernatural. I love that Supernatural spreads their wings and tries different approaches and a black and white homage to the great horror films seems to perfectly fit with their creative endeavors.
His praise of his actors is totally warranted. While Jensen is known for his great facial expressions and how he can relay so much without a word, Jared is amazing in his own right. Jared is totally accomplished with the physical comedy. BDABR brilliantly showed how great a comic actor he is.
Supernatural just keeps getting better and better. B.J.
I love hearing from Mr. Singer, as he is the one who does more input on the characterizations: Kripke was about the horror and some story telling, but Robert was the one who does the indepth characters I think. And that’s coming from them. So nice to hear someone of his stature compliment the boys, especially Jared, who oftimes gets left out.
And to add…really great interview. And I loved Jared in BDaBR. His comedic skills are wonderful. Jensen as always just brings it and I can’t wait until tomorrow. Love the boys in suits.
I missed seeing Sam in the episode but I don’t really feel that he would have fit in nor would cutting between past and present worked. I am of the opinion that the story has to flow the way it needs…not the way we fans want it to go…nor even the way the writers sometimes want it to go. Would it have been nice for Sam to see a younger version of mom and dad? Yes, but it wouldn’t have gone with the storyline. As for some fans getting freaked out, that is their problem and if they let the lack of airtime for one character in one episode affect how they enjoy the rest of the season/s then are they really even interested in the show itself?