SteveDeKnight

[Serene]

The man is true to his word (always nice to see) and is planning on joining us here tomorrow (Sunday 5/7) at 1pm his time..

*Note that he's in L.A., so that's 1pm Pacific time (PDT) and adjust accordingly.

I'm excited!

As opposed to bombarding him with 'shipper agendas, maybe it would be nice to post some questions for him to answer.

Here's mine:

What is the process that determines which writers get to write which episodes? Do Al and Miles decide? Do you get to request specific episodes? Do they try to balance it out between all the writers?

Okay, that was more than one question.. but hopefully his answer will encompass them all.

Did I mention that I'm excited???

 

[avidreader]

The man is true to his word (always nice to see) and is planning on joining us here tomorrow (Sunday 5/7) at 1pm his time..

*Note that he's in L.A., so that's 1pm Pacific time (PDT) and adjust accordingly.

I'm excited!

As opposed to bombarding him with 'shipper agendas, maybe it would be nice to post some questions for him to answer.

Here's mine:

What is the process that determines which writers get to write which episodes? Do Al and Miles decide? Do you get to request specific episodes? Do they try to balance it out between all the writers?

Okay, that was more than one question.. but hopefully his answer will encompass them all.

Did I mention that I'm excited???

Hey that's cool Serene, I hope I'm around. At least I dont need to worry about time difference. I'll need to put my thinking cap on for a question that I want to ask.

I'm excited too.

 

[BaK]

Here are my questions for Mr De Knight:

- Does anyone at the beginning of new season know what is the last episode going to be and if yes - to what extent?

- Are there various levels of knowing all of the season story arc details for different writers, if yes why?

- What major parts had to be changed in seasons 3 and 4 when Mr Reeve and Mrs Kidder could not continue on with their roles?

- Has any person ever showed up on the set wearing a red cape?
If yes, , who?

tnx..

 

[triplet]

Me, the only things I think to ask are questions that came up about what the characters really know or how they knew it...

• Did Lionel really not remember anything that happened during Transference?
• How much did Lex remember from Onyx?
• How did Alicia learn about the red-k in Unsafe?

I've always wondered about that and we never found out...

ETA:

Oh, a couple more things...

I loved Memoria. Loved it with a passion. It was such a beautifully shot episode and in addition to revealing tons about Lex and Lionel it even hinted that Clark's parents weren't the monsters Clark thought...

• Will Clark ever get his own version of Memoria?
  
  I mean, like a flashback episode where maybe we learn why Clark has some of the fears he does?
  
  Like:
  
  
• Will we ever find out why (exactly) Clark hates heights?
• Will we ever find out why he used to have nightmares when he was a boy?
  
  
• Would Smallville ever do an AU episode where Clark maybe wasn't found by the Kents and show how things might have been different?
  
  
  He's even hinted at it recently how things might have been different for him if they hadn't (Fragile) and he had been raised in the foster care system...
  
• Has anyone considered writing how things would have been if he'd been raised by Lionel instead and Lex was his brother?

Thanks for coming by, btw...

I hope you like it 'round here so I hope you can come by from time to time...

 

[avidreader]

Well I have thought some questions over. Here goes.

1. Who is your favourite character to write and why?

2. Does Lana think that Clark is more than your average freak of the week? Sometimes she seems to realise that Clark is special and better than your average guy (i.e. Thirst, "when I bit you I felt what was in your heart") and then there are times that she seems to be totally clueless as to just who Clark Kent really is.

3. Another question about Lana. Do the writers have a clear vision on what they want to do with this character? I've always put her erratic character development down to "a typical girl of her age" but then I sometimes wonder if its because no one really knows what to do with her.

4. I would love to see a flashback story to Clark's youth. How his parents had to deal with his emerging abilities and how they taught him to control them. Just a story covering all things Clark as a kid. Any chance of seeing something like this?

And finally I just want to add that in all my 40 odd years on this planet I have never loved a TV show and its characters as much as I do Smallville. You have truly brought all of these characters home to our hearts and I love watching the story progress week by week.

Thanks for taking the time to come and speak with us here at the Hype and keep up the great work!

 

[TKodami]

Avid, Serene and BaK have basically covered the (good) questions that I had, so I'm going to try to think up a couple on the fly:

1) Have the writers ever considered doing a large ensemble scene with all (or almost all) of the characters in one place for an extended period? Are there any budgetary constraints on doing a scene like this, or have the individual arcs of each character simply kept them apart?

2) Do you have a favorite action scene and/or set piece in the series? (Clark catching the elevator has definitely become one of my favorite. )

3) Do you have a writing routine? Do you prefer to write during specific hours of the day? Are you a pencil-and-paper guy, a word-processor junkie, or both?

4) What is your most harrowing experience of writing under a deadline?

 

[AgentPat]

Hmmm, this is rather difficult. I really can't think of any questions to ask. Well, other than ones that will likely NEVER be answered in a public forum beyond some whitewash of the details. But just for poop and giggles, it started here and here.

<- was an instigator in kindergarten, too.

Aight, 'nuf-o-dat. Moving on...

Lemme first say, I'm really quite happy with what's been done on the show so far. I have nitpicks here and there, but I understand the show is under certain constraints from various places and they simply don't have the latitude to just go sick.

That said, I have three "TINY" requests...

1. Please, for the love of everything Superman, get him OFF the ground, STAT!!! Ya folla? [/Robert Shaw]
2. More hints about the suit, its origin, design, and Clark's decision to wear something that for all intents and purposes, is really kind of .... silly. LOL SV is "grounded" in a very real word, albeit with superhuman characters. Why would the Clark we know choose to wear something like that - in public? I'm looking forward to seeing how SV tackles this very important aspect of Supes' origins. Oh, and btw, a note to wardrobe: Regarding SV's version of the costume, "K.I.S.S."
3. And finally, no cop-outs for the show finale. None of this "we'll only see a streak" or "shirt rip" BS. All the way baby. Full deal. I want to see SV's Superman in all his glory, thankyaverymuch!!!

Other than that, I'm good. Rock on! You guys are AWESOME! There's a reason why this is true...

 

[Serene]

^Love that graphic, Pat.

Wasn't there some statistic about how SV is one of the top Tivo'd shows on TV?

 

[Brainiac 8]

Might as well mention a few of the questions I had.

Mr DeKight:

First off, I love the show! One of the best on tv.

1) Do the writer's have a plan set out that is going to explain Jor-El and why he has acted the way he has in the past seasons. It's just really hard to see this Jor-El being the one that Clark grows to trust from the comics. Do they have a plan set out to explain this?

2) I know that you have to work on an SFX budget per episode, but it seems we don't see Clark effectively use his powers as much as he used to. What do you think of this, and is this a concern at all to the writer's or producers?

3) Speaking of powers...when are we going to get to see his Super-Breath and for the love of god FLIGHT. Clark knows he has that ability in him, but we don't get to see him wonder about it or try it out any. Are we going to get to see any of these two?

4) With as powerful as Milton Fine is and the fact that he gains a new ability every time we see him, why didn't he just off Lionel instead of trying to get Clark to?

5) Will we ever get to see Lana learn of Clark's abilities? It would really help her to see how unfairly she has treated Clark throughout these last two seasons.

6) Are there any other Superman Villains you would like to introduce in Smallville, and who are they?

More to follow as I think of them....

 

[Serene]

I should mention that SD said he'd only be here for maybe an hour or so... LOL..

I suppose we could tie him to a chair or something though... Hmm..

 

[Brainiac 8]

I should mention that SD said he'd only be here for maybe an hour or so... LOL..

I suppose we could tie him to a chair or something though... Hmm..

hehe, resistance is futile, you must be assimilated.

 

[Steve DeKnight]

Hola, Super Hero Hypers! Thanks for spending a little time with yours truly on this fine Sunday afternoon. I see the questions have already started, so I'm going to jump in early and see how many of these I can answer before I have to split around 2pm. If I don't get to your question, don't take it personally. My wee fingers only type so fast.

And for future questions and some nifty Smallville insider scoops, join me over at MySpace. Become a Disciple of DeKnight, and help me get more friends than Brian K. Vaughn. The man haunts me with his popularity. Here's the link, stop by and say hello:

http://www.myspace.com/stevendeknight

Okay, enough shameless plugging. Now on to some questions. Let's start with Serene, who was kind enough to invite me to come play in your sandbox. Thanks, Serene!




What is the process that determines which writers get to write which episodes? Do Al and Miles decide? Do you get to request specific episodes? Do they try to balance it out between all the writers?

DEKNIGHT: Luck of the draw. With the exception of big event episodes like the premier, ep. 100, and the finale, we usually don't know what the specifics of the story are when we're up on deck. Sometimes you get Silver K paranoid Clark, sometimes you get an exploding baby. You never know.

Yes, Al and Miles decide who's writing which ep.

Nope, you don't get to request anything. Hmm... Maybe I should try that next year...

Balance it out? Yes and no. The junior writers usually get one or two eps a year, the higher ups more. I actually wrote or rewrote 10 episodes this year, six credited, four un (and no, I'll never tell which ones I helped ruin -- uh, I mean rewrite!).



[/quote]

 

[Serene]

<--We'll just pretend that's the Talon sign.

 

[Steve DeKnight]

Questions from BaK

Here are my questions for Mr De Knight:

- Does anyone at the beginning of new season know what is the last episode going to be and if yes - to what extent?

DEKNIGHT: We usually have a vague idea where we're headed, but all that may change depending on what we decide to do during the course of the season.

- Are there various levels of knowing all of the season story arc details for different writers, if yes why?

DEKNIGHT: Yes. Some writers have been there since Season II, and some have just joined us last year. Those who have beeen there longer remember the specifics of the arcs a lot better than the newbies.

- What major parts had to be changed in seasons 3 and 4 when Mr Reeve and Mrs Kidder could not continue on with their roles?

DEKNIGHT: I don't think anything major changed.

- Has any person ever showed up on the set wearing a red cape?
If yes, , who?

DEKNIGHT: I have no idea. But when I was directing, there was a guy in a gorilla suit. No kidding.



tnx..

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Deknight Lives!

Welcome to the Hype sir!

 

[Serene]

LOL...just an FYI..

You can hit the "Quote" box in the lower right hand corner of any post and the whole post will come up within a quote box.

THen just type your responses below that. Preview helps.

 

[Steve DeKnight]

QUESTIONS FROM TRIPLET:

Me, the only things I think to ask are questions that came up about what the characters really know or how they knew it...

• Did Lionel really not remember anything that happened during Transference?

DEKNIGHT: Not a thing.

• How much did Lex remember from Onyx?

DEKNIGHT: Nothing that I know of.

• How did Alicia learn about the red-k in Unsafe?

DEKNIGHT: At one point in an early script she had an explanation about that. To be honest, I don't don't recall what it was or why it got cut.

I've always wondered about that and we never found out...

ETA:

Oh, a couple more things...

I loved Memoria. Loved it with a passion. It was such a beautifully shot episode and in addition to revealing tons about Lex and Lionel it even hinted that Clark's parents weren't the monsters Clark thought...

• Will Clark ever get his own version of Memoria?
  
  I mean, like a flashback episode where maybe we learn why Clark has some of the fears he does?

DEKNIGHT: Sounds cool. Hope I get to write it.

Like:

• Will we ever find out why (exactly) Clark hates heights?
• Will we ever find out why he used to have nightmares when he was a boy?
• Would Smallville ever do an AU episode where Clark maybe wasn't found by the Kents and show how things might have been different?

DEKNIGHT: Don't know, don't know, maybe. We have talked about doing a What If epsiode where Lionel was the one to find baby Clark, and raised him as Lex's brother. Clark bad, Lex good. Sweet!







I hope you like it 'round here so I hope you can come by from time to time...

 

[TKodami]

Steven DeKnight is here!! [/fangirl squeal of glee]


I check out your MySpace page every couple of days. Your answers to the Mercy questions were hilarious and enlightening. Thank you so much for taking time to answer the fans. We luv you for it. I'll miss ya when you crawl back into that hole that is real life & script-writing (I spent 14 hours the other day writing a measly 4 pages for my thesis--I know how bad of a time-impact writing can be). Mercy was a blast and I look forward to your season six eps.



EDIT: Can't...spell...good...no more.

 

[avidreader]

Hey glad you could join us. Rene got the coffee brewing.

 

[triplet]

...maybe. We have talked about doing a What If epsiode where Lionel was the one to find baby Clark, and raised him as Lex's brother. Clark bad, Lex good. Sweet!

That would be sweet!

I would love to see that episode, I hope you get to write it!




I would also love to see a flashback/Memoria type episode for Clark...

 

[smsvmos]

(1)Mr. Deknight Is Clark Kent ever goin to dawn the suit in Smallville?

(2)What do u think of Superman Returns?

(3) Has the new movie effected the writing and story of Smallville?

 

[Steve DeKnight]

QUESTIONS FROM AVIDREADER:

Well I have thought some questions over. Here goes.

1. Who is your favourite character to write and why?

DEKNIGHT: Ask me again when the series is over. But I will say that MB is a real hoot...

2. Does Lana think that Clark is more than your average freak of the week? Sometimes she seems to realise that Clark is special and better than your average guy (i.e. Thirst, "when I bit you I felt what was in your heart") and then there are times that she seems to be totally clueless as to just who Clark Kent really is.

DEKNIGHT: I think she knows he's special, but just how special is a mystery. To me at least.l

3. Another question about Lana. Do the writers have a clear vision on what they want to do with this character? I've always put her erratic character development down to "a typical girl of her age" but then I sometimes wonder if its because no one really knows what to do with her.

DEKNIGHT: It's part teen erratic, finding yourself stuff, and part trying on different outfits to see what fits the best. In my opinion, anyway, which in no way reflects the opinions of Al, Miles, Warner Bros., or the WB.

4. I would love to see a flashback story to Clark's youth. How his parents had to deal with his emerging abilities and how they taught him to control them. Just a story covering all things Clark as a kid. Any chance of seeing something like this?

DEKNIGHT: Anything's possible. Might be a good JK flashback episode.

And finally I just want to add that in all my 40 odd years on this planet I have never loved a TV show and its characters as much as I do Smallville. You have truly brought all of these characters home to our hearts and I love watching the story progress week by week.

DEKNIGHT: Thanks! It's fans like you that keep us going.

 

[Serene]

Hey glad you could join us. Rene got the coffee brewing.

Coffee nothing.. Teh bar is open!

 

[TKodami]

QUESTIONS FROM TRIPLET:
DEKNIGHT: Don't know, don't know, maybe. We have talked about doing a What If epsiode where Lionel was the one to find baby Clark, and raised him as Lex's brother. Clark bad, Lex good. Sweet!

That would be beautiful beyond words. A chance to see Lionel as the MB again, more Lionel-Clark interaction, Bad!Clark...I'm so there.

 

[triplet]

Coffee nothing.. Teh bar is open!

Have one on me...