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Lost Producers Say Seasons Five and Six Will Be Rewarding

BuzzSugar — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:43:26 PDT

I'd expected the Lost panel here at Comic-Con to be as intense, fan-wise, as the Heroes one was, and there were certainly lots of fans in the audience, but the whole vibe of the thing was a little different - totally playful and fun. Executive producers/writers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse sat onstage fielding questions from the audience and giving out gifts to each person who asked a question. The gifts were chosen based on what the topic was that the fan was asking about, so for example, a young man who looked a lot like Hurley was awarded a large tub of Dharma-issued ranch dressing. The producers also claimed that Dharma was sponsoring the panel here at Comic-Con.

They also chose a few of the people who took the tests at the Dharma recruitment booths on the exhibit floor to come onstage and then leave with a Dharma recruitment guy, Hans von Egan. They gave one of these chosen people a camera with which to "secretly" capture what went on when Egan took the group to a booth where they were shown a scratchy Dharma video of Marvin Candle who revealed that his real name is Pierre Cheng. In the video (which Cheng said was filmed 30 years ago), there was a screaming baby in the background until Cheng instructed someone to take the baby away. He implored the viewer to "complete the research." He said the Dharma Initiative "must be reconstituted" and he mentioned Einstein's field equations.

His most clear message was this: "Time is not just of the essence, it is the essence." In typical Lost form, the person running the camera eventually said that making the video was pointless, and the footage cut out as Cheng protested that they should keep taping.

So, there was that. From all the fan questions, we got a few more tidbits, though nothing too juicy. There was also no real footage to show, of course, since they haven't started shooting yet. Still, it was so much fun to be in a room full of Lost nerds who got every reference and insider joke. To see some of the little things we learned from the panel,

The producers said Jin would still be on the show in some form, with Carlton Cuse adding, "Death is a relative term, really."
Cuse's favorite episode so far has been "The Constant." (I then wanted someone to ask the men who their constants are, but nobody did.) Both producers say the last season, season four, was their favorite season of them all, and promised that in seasons five and six the show would just keep getting better and better. "You guys never lost faith in the show," Damon Lindelof remarked. "You will be rewarded for hanging on all the way to the end of season six."
In addition to flashbacks and flash-forwards, they're going to do something "completely different, to mix it up."
Though they said they wanted to avoid using the word "flashbacks," they promised that we will see Rousseau's story.
Vincent the dog will be in season five.
Cuse, in particular, expressed his continued interest in the Kate-Jack-Sawyer love triangle, and said we'll see more about the triangle in the coming seasons.
They acknowledged that it's pretty silly that Daniel Faraday still hasn't taken off his skinny tie, but now it's kinda become a thing. They even gave out one of the ties that the actor wore on the show as a gift for someone who asked a question about Faraday.
Lindelof promised: "When season five starts, you're not going to know when or where you are." They are going to play (even more) with different places and periods of time.
One woman asked how old Richard Alpert really is, and how many toes he has. The producers just said "very old" and that we'll "see him barefoot in the very near future - and that's pun intended, 'near future.'"

Cryptic as always, but pretty fun, too.

5 Tips For Staying Optimistic During the Postgrad Transition

Laura Marie Given — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:28:25 PDT

The shift from college to real life can be a tough one, but if you're able to maintain a positive outlook, it can also be a fun, exciting time. Hoping to amp up your optimism and get ahead? You'll thrive during the postgrad transition by following these mood-boosting tips:

Connect With Fellow Grads
After four years of roommates, cafeterias, and constant companions, the postgrad life can feel like an awfully lonely road. Feeling a little lost? Look for someone who truly understands what you're going through and reach out to friends who can offer an empathetic ear.

Build a Professional Network
Finding a job can definitely be stressful, so make the task easier on yourself by establishing a strong network of young professionals. The more people you know, the more likely you are to have a valuable, job-securing connection. Begin by reaching out via LinkedIn or Facebook, then send an email to friends and parents who may be able to help. Every little effort will make you feel productive and just a bit more self-assured.

Learn From the Experts
Feeling defeated and uninspired? Do a bit of research to find local lectures related to your field. Attend panels, join job-related groups, and read as much as possible about the industry you hope to join. Taking a few (or several) steps in the right direction will reinvigorate your professional passions and kick-start your enthusiasm.

Remember to Look Forward
It's only natural to get nostalgic every once in a while, but don't let yourself long for the glory days too often. Instead, map out your dream life. Decide where you want to be in five, 10, 15 years, then create an inspiration board to keep your eyes on the prize.

Take Steps Toward Your Goal
It's easy to say what you want, but real happiness comes from acting on that desire. Fantasize about your future as an event planner? Throw parties to showcase your talent, start a blog to build a following, and reach out to experts to find a mentor you respect. Gaining credibility is sure to strengthen your confidence, so you'll be back on the optimistic path in no time.

The bottom line: Transitions aren't easy, so it's important to cut yourself some slack as you move through the gray area. Tuck away the scrapbooks for another time, and for now, just remember to stay connected, put yourself out there, and focus on the bright future that lies ahead of you.

An Expert’s Tips on Transforming Cheap Threads

LearnVest — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:15:37 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

You’re one of a kind, and you want to dress accordingly. But, all too often, it’s a lose-lose situation: Either you wear the same dress that thousands of other women also bought at the Gap, or you shell out a lot more money for special designer pieces, a bank-breaking habit. No go.

The solution: Save money by buying cheap threads off the rack, and then make easy, small modifications that will set you apart from the girl standing next to you in line at the register.

No need to fret if you didn’t exactly get an A in Home Ec. A good tailor should be able to make any of these small tweaks for way less than the cost of a more expensive piece. Prices can vary by tailor and the intricacy of the work, so shop around to find the best quote or ask for referrals from friends and family.

Here are three basic (and inexpensive) tweaks that can make that Forever 21 dress or Gap tank top all your own:

1. Cut & Crop

Clothing companies can’t offer skirts and dresses at many different lengths for different people because it costs too much to develop that many separate patterns. So, sometimes the trend can get lost in translation depending on your body type. This spring, trends call for long maxi skirts, short printed skirts, asymmetrical hems on blouses, and capri-length denim. Make alterations depending on what is most flattering to your body type–try shortening longer hem lines, getting the front panels of your skirts trimmed off a couple of inches, or altering a pair of skinny jeans to fall just above the ankles. That way, you’ll retain the original print, structure, and style of the trend, but the piece will be more tailored to you and your figure.

Shorten sleeves: $20
Hem a skirt or dress: $15
Take in the waist of a dress (no lining): $30

For more tips on transforming cheap threads, read on.

5 Reasons to Watch Falling Skies This Summer

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 05:15:22 PDT

I sat in on the Falling Skies panel yesterday at WonderCon, and although I walked in not knowing much of anything about the Steven Spielberg-backed project on TNT, I walked out pretty excited to tune in when it debuts on June 19. After hearing what writers Melinda Hsu, Mark Verheiden, and star Drew Roy had to say about the series, and seeing a few sneak peeks, I came up with five reasons you should tune in this Summer. Check them out below!

The cast - Not only does the cast consist of ER alum Noah Wyle (who's been gone from the small screen for far too long in my opinion), but also stars Moon Bloodgood (Journeyman and Terminator Salvation), and up-and-comer Drew Roy (Secretariat), who is pretty easy on the eyes as a mashup between Joseph Gordon Levitt, Jake Gyllenhaal, and John Connor.
The story - From what I could tell from the clips, sci-fi addicts Melinda Hsu and Mark Verheiden are poised to do the genre justice. Falling Skies takes place six months after a worldwide alien invasion, where children are being rounded up and controlled with biomechanical harnesses. No one knows what they're being used for. There is a resistance movement, and the whole story feels a lot like one of my recent faves, The Walking Dead, except with, you know, aliens.

See the rest of the list after the break.

The Community Cast Talks Pulp Fiction, Josh Holloway, and Season Three Hopes

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:31:00 PDT

Joel McHale and his Community costars were out in Beverly Hills last night for their PaleyFest panel. The cast recently finished wrapping their Pulp Fiction-themed episode and Gillian Jacobs told us that while she dons Uma Thurman's famous black wig, she sadly didn't get to parody the movie's classic dance scene. Gillian and the rest of the actors also gave us a few hints about the upcoming, two-part season closer. Lost star Josh Holloway pays a special visit to Greendale Community College in the finale and apparently everyone was enamored with the sexy actor. Daniel Pudi had high hopes to catch Josh using Sawyer-esque nicknames on set and Yvette Nicole Brown was distracted by his dimples. Joel even joked that their characters might share a kiss! The Hangover 2's Ken Jeong revealed that the highly anticipated sequel is "funnier" and "raunchier" than the first one, saying, "We upped the ante." Check out today's PopSugar Rush to watch all our interviews with Joel, Gillian, Ken, and more.

New CBS Thriller Person of Interest Draws Comparisons to Batman and Lost

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:48:04 PDT

Person of Interest, CBS's new thriller starring Michael Emerson and Jim Caviezel, presented its TCA panel in a unique way: via satellite from New York, since they were busy at work shooting the series. We still got to hear from cast members Emerson, Caviezel, and Taraji P. Henson as well as executive producer and writer Jonathan Nolan (yes, Christopher's brother) about their tense drama. In it, Emerson plays an inventor of a machine that can predict when someone is about to be the victim of a crime, and Caviezel is the former CIA agent with a dark past who's recruited to help use it. They discussed their characters and why the show isn't so sci-fi after all while fielding questions about similarities to the Batman films (which Nolan co-wrote) and Emerson's Lost legacy.

Though Michael Emerson will always be Ben Linus for some of us, the former Lost star is keen to move on, but he acknowledges that he may not be able to completely. "Part of me wants to leave behind everything I've ever done before," but he only knows "one way to rattle around scenes." Still, he seemed excited about his new character Finch on Person of Interest, describing him as a "shadowy tech billionaire" who has had some kind of transformative experience. Though Finch has dedicated himself to a justice mission, a physical handicap prevents him from intervening, which is why he needs to team up with someone who can - enter Caviezel's character.
Caviezel famously played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. When it was brought up, the actor deadpanned that the film was "a little bit more controversial than I thought it would be." After he professed that he just keeps "movin' on," he talked about his mysterious character on Person of Interest. Though he's tough, Caviezel says he's "deep down, a guy who is searching for purpose." As to why Caviezel was desired for the series, Nolan said that he had seen the actor years earlier in The Thin Red Line and called his performance unbelievable. When Nolan heard Caviezel might be interested, Nolan was "amazed and thrilled" to work with him.
The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises screenwriter Nolan could see similarities between Batman's world and Person of Interest because of the surveillance system in the first film. He said that he's fascinated by the idea of a "surveillance state," because of the question of "what happens when you start harnessing all that information." To Nolan, that makes his show "not science fiction" but "science fact."

Find out what else the Person of Interest cast talked about, just

Henson talked about why she was attracted to doing the show. It came down to the showrunners. Jonathan Nolan called her and said he wanted to write for her, which made it "a no-brainer" for her. Plus, there was the matter of Abrams's involvement. "JJ Abrams? You can't go wrong with that." As for her character, "caring police officer" Carter, Henson said "she is the heart" of the show.
Emerson talked about the extraordinary opportunity he was given on Lost, saying that it was supposed to be just another guest spot. The Emmy-winning actor said, "Every character actor has a dream that they become indispensable overnight and are asked to stay. . . . that's what happened on Lost." When asked how his life has changed post Lost, he admitted that "it's harder to hide."

Photo courtesy of CBS

The Cast of The Playboy Club Talks Bunny Costumes, Female Empowerment, and How They're Different From Mad Men

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:20:48 PDT

NBC took front and center at the Summer TCAs on Monday, with The Playboy Club as the first new series to step into the spotlight. The cast, which includes Amber Heard, Eddie Cibrian, and Jenna Dewan, joined showrunners to discuss their upcoming drama about a Playboy Club in Chicago in the 1960s. The panel fielded a lot of questions about objectifying women (they promise that it's "empowering"), explained why the show isn't particularly racy, and addressed those inevitable comparisons to Mad Men. Here are highlights:

It's hard to ignore all the fishnets and cleavage, but the cast pounded home the theme that the show is really about female empowerment. Heard, who plays the central character Maureen in the pilot, said, "Maureen by no means relies on any character, male or female, as you'll see throughout her journey, and it's empowering. This is about choice, ultimately. It was a different generation, there were different opportunities and different expectations for women. . . . It's chauvinistic to deny a woman her sexuality. If they are making the choice, then they're not being exploited."
Her costar Jenna Dewan echoed this sentiment, saying, "Once we started doing research, we realized how independent these women were at a time when jobs for women were limited. These women had a big choice and there's freedom in that. And I think you'll feel that freedom in the show."
The showrunners were pretty straightforward when asked how the show will be distinguishable from Mad Men. They said the comparison ends with the 60s setting, and also cited the musical numbers as a major difference between the two series.

To see what the cast had to say about their costumes and Eddie Cibrian's new character, just

Speaking of music, the entire panel was very excited about the numbers that we'll be seeing on the show; apparently we can expect to see a number in almost every episode. Tony winner Laura Benati will be taking the stage most often, but the rest of the cast will get a chance to show off their pipes too. As for what icons will be sampled, the showrunners promised Sammy Davis Jr., Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Frank Sinatra.
The ladies got candid discussing what it's like to squeeze into those costumes. Dewan quipped, "It is tight, constricting, there's not a lot of [room for] drinking water." Heard was more transfixed with her experience, saying "You can't be in the suit for more than few seconds without feeling like you're part of the show. You're transported back to this time, to this moment in history. It's special because these costumes are just as specific as the club is, just as fantastic and imaginative. They exist nowhere else."
I was a bit surprised by how toned-down the pilot was, but apparently it's not an accident. The showrunners assured us that there's a big difference between the Playboy clubs and Playboy magazine. Bunnies aren't playmates or centerfolds, and the show favors "music" and "energy" over anything "racy" or "exploitative." That said, star Jennifer Lewis added, "The sex will be there, as it is everywhere in every show."
Hugh Hefner narrates the pilot, but that won't be the case for the rest of the season. He'll have a presence, but won't serve as the narrator.
Most of the panel's focus was on the ladies, but Eddie Cibrian did get a chance to add his two cents about prepping for his role as the dashing Nick Dalton. He said, "I looked at a lot of photos from that time, I read some books around that time and got a sense of what it felt like through a visual aspect of what these people felt in the early '60s. It was definitely a time of social revolution. It was about getting lost in a world. We're trying to invite people who've never been inside of this fantasy world, at a time politicians entertainers and mobsters all rubbed shoulders. From a nostalgia stand point, it's kinda cool for people to sit back and get lost in this world."

View 15 Photos ›

Photo courtesy of NBC

The True Blood Cast Reveals Season 4 Spoilers and More to the Comic-Con Crowd

Shannon Vestal — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:01:58 PDT

True Blood hit the stage at Comic-Con, and lots of the cast showed up, including Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Rutina Wesley, Kevin Alejandro, Nelsan Ellis, Kristin Bauer, and Deborah Ann Woll, as well as creator Alan Ball. After letting us see some hot footage from the rest of season four (Eric and Sookie making out!), they dished on what we can expect on the show, and they answered tons of burning questions about the current storylines.

The funniest discussion to come out of the panel was over the outfit Eric's been wearing since he lost his memory, particularly, where it came from. Skarsgard surmised that the clothes are probably not Jason's, but might be something of Hoyt's that he once left behind. "It's a mystery of the season," Skarsgard joked. Ball also teased that it was "a really dorky outfit" but one that Skarsgard can wear "and still be insanely hot."
Regarding Jason's recent ritual werepanther raping scenes, Kwanten said that being strapped down and only able to use his face to act was a nice challenge for him as an actor. As creepy as the scenes were, Kwanten joked that Jason actually may have "enjoyed being called ghost daddy."

To find out more of what the True Blood cast talked about at Comic-Con, like what's up with Arlene's baby and what's next for Jason and Jessica, just

Deborah Ann Woll addressed the question of what will happen between Jason and Jessica now that Jason has tasted her blood. Woll commented that she's more interested in "what happens when the V wears off" and how the feelings continue from then on. Like love feelings? Sounds good to me.
On the revelation of Bill's incestuous relationship with Portia, Moyer laughed that Bill should have gone to the local library. "Maybe it wasn't open at night," he cracked. He assured the audience that they will see each other again, "but Bill has bigger fish to fry."
Bauer talked about her recent corpse-face experience on the show and the hours in makeup it took to achieve. Here's the gross part: when she reached into her face to tear off the dead skin, there was a mixture of tapioca pudding and coffee grinds inside. "We worked really hard to make you squeamish," she added.
Will we find out what's going on with Arlene's baby? Ball says yes, "we will find out, and it's something really creepy."
On whether we'll see how Eric turned Pam into a vampire, Ball gave a definitive answer: No. Luckily, he said we'll "definitely see it in season five."

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone Talk Spider-Man, Ass Scratching, and Inappropriate Touching at Comic-Con

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:01:31 PDT

Your new Spidey, Andrew Garfield, had a big day promoting his movie at Comic-Con. Before the panel where fans were treated to some footage from The Amazing Spider-Man, he sat down for a press conference along with director Marc Webb and costar Emma Stone. Garfield showed off a self-deprecating sense of humor that was incredibly charming, and though he referred to himself as a "skinny spider monkey," costar Emma Stone effusively sang his praises. They also showed off a friendly banter that gives me high hopes for their onscreen chemistry as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Check out the highlights:

On how he found out he got the role:
Andrew Garfield: "These guys organized a pretty terrifying rouse. I was in Cancun at a press junket for The Social Network, and I was waiting to hear about whether or not I'd be able to fulfill a childhood dream, and at the end of a press day of talking about The Social Network, Amy Pascal's assistant got me and he said 'Hey, Amy wants to have a word with you in the suite.' So I walked in and there was a flip camera all set up and the person who answered the door was Marc Webb, and I was like 'This is going to be a turning point in my life.' They gave me a really special thing to tell my grandkids. I was confused because I was being treated like Elvis but I look like a skinny little spider monkey."

On why he loved the Spider-Man comics:
AG: "I love the idea of a skinny teenage kid beating the crap out of huge kids. That's always been a dream of mine."

On the romantic side of the movie:
Marc Webb: "I'm having so much fun putting together the scenes with Andrew and Emma. There's so much tenderness, and that's one of the reasons why I love Spider-Man, is this important romance."

On seeing Andrew as Spider-Man for the first time:
Emma Stone: "I walked in, and he was in the full Spider-Man suit . . ."
AG: ". . . scratching my ass."
ES: "Yeah, which was great. . . I went in and I needed to stand next to him, and I think I really inappropriately started touching him, and he was like 'Stop touching me.' It was pretty incredible because you couldn't see his face, it was just Spider-Man in there."

To see what Andrew had to say about meeting Tobey Maguire, plus Emma's thoughts on playing a superhero, just

On seeing Emma in full costume:
AG: "Emma's natural hair color is blond, but I had never seen her as a blonde so that was interesting I guess. [To Emma] It suits you, I think, and so does the red."

On which superhero she'd like to play on the big screen:
ES: "I don't know if I could be a superhero to be honest with you. I'd love to say yes, there is 12 I can say, but I don't know if I'm your girl if you're looking for a superhero."

On signing on for the role:
ES: "For me, it was Andrew. I think Marc [Webb] is amazing and I think that the producers are amazing and the script was so interesting, and as you've heard it's a different story, but it's Andrew, because my character's experience is everything with Peter, and it's her first love, and he teaches her so much and they teach each other so much, and it just made sense once I read with him and once I met him."

On interacting with Tobey Maguire:
AG: "I love Tobey Maguire's interpretation of the character. It's one of the things that reminded me of how much this character means to me, and when I watched that first Spidey film I lost my mind and I watched it twice in a row when I first saw it. And I had the wonderful fortune of meeting him after we finished shooting. I didn't seek him out, but he sent me a very very nice email once it was announced, giving me his blessing and it meant the world to me because I respect him so much as an actor."

Friday Comic-Con Must Sees

GeekSugar — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:21:03 PDT

2011 Comic-Con is in full swing! If you're struggling with which panels to see and which to skip, we've got a rundown on some of the most interesting, engaging, and highly anticipated panels and discussions right here. Check our our must-see list for Friday, then tell us what you're most excited to see at the convention in the comments below!

The Captains, 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Start your Friday off right with a dose of William Shatner as he presents an exclusive preview to his new documentary, in which he travels the globe to interview all actors who have played Starfleet captains on screens big and small. Plus, it's moderated by Kevin Smith. Location: Room 6BCF
The Walking Dead, 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - The cast of the hit AMC show take the stage to talk about what's next for the show's survivors in season two airing this Fall. Also joining them is the executive producers and makeup artist, which could give you some interesting insights to how the show all comes together. Location: Ballroom 20
Raven, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Literary fans can get a sneak preview of Raven, a thriller in which Edgar Allen Poe joins forces with a detective to hunt down a serial killer, during this presentation. Stars include John Cusack and Luke Evans. Location: Hall H
Legendary Pictures: Preproduction Preview, 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Stars cram the stage during this panel, which shows off some upcoming films on the studios production slate, including Pacific Rim, Seventh Son, Paradise Lost, and Mass Effect. Stars on hand to discuss the films and introduce sneak peeks include Jeff Bridges, Bradley Cooper, and Guillermo del Toro. Location: Room 6BCF
3D Comics Panel, 1 p.m. - 2p.m. - Get a free pair of 3D glasses during this 3D presentation of the history of 3D comics - from invention in 1953 and beyond. 3D enthusiasts, mark your calendars! Location: Room 4
Underworld: The Awakening and Attack the Block, 1:30 p.m - 2:30 p.m. - Kate Beckinsale, Len Wiseman, and Michael Ealy take the stage during this panel to discuss the film franchise's leap to 3D filming, and take Q&A from the audience. Partnering up with Underworld is Attack the Block, a film about a group of inner city kids battling aliens from outer space. It's not your typical alien invasion story, since these kids actually fight back! Location: Hall H
Writing Seminar With Marv Wolfman and Neo Edmund, 2 p.m - 3 p.m. - You're going to Comic-Con because you love story, right? So if you're an aspiring comic or screenwriter yourself, this back-to-basics session will help you master the building blocks of story - from learning the "three-act structure" to character development and creating tension. A Q&A portion with panelists Marv Wolfman (God of War) and Neo Edmund (Windy Hollows Solitary) will also be included. Location: Room 30CDE

See the rest of our must-see list from day two after the break!