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| Bridget Baiss |
*** TheCrowTV sets mode: +m
<TheCrowTV> ok we're gonna start the chat real quickly
<bridget> I am glad to hear that
<TheCrowTV> to send in your question use without quotes
"/msg TheCrowTV your question here"
<TheCrowTV> this question comes in from MDove: In your
research for the book, did you inquire as to whether anything
was still being done in regards to the investigation of Brandon
Lee's death. Is the family statisfied with the conclusion of
the investigation ?
<Bridget> Yes. The family settled a civil suit for an
undisclosed amount with Pressman Films.
<Bridget> Whether they were satisfied is impossible to
say. I think the settlement was sizeable.
<Bridget> But Brandon's life had no price.
<TheCrowTV> very true
<TheCrowTV> Keith: Just a quick question i'm from england
and was wondering if your book would be on sale in the united
kingdom ?
<Bridget> Keith, yes it is already on sale in the U.K.
<Bridget> It is always available on amazon.com
<TheCrowTV> Scout was wondering had you contacted Eliza
for the book at all or was she one of those who just didn't want
to be found ?
<Bridget> She was aware of me writing the book, but is
trying her best to put this behind her. She really isn't able
to re-visit that chapter in her life.
<Bridget> She lives in L.A. and is trying to start her
life again.
<TheCrowTV> What is she currently doing for her profession
?
<Bridget> She took a few years off after Brandon was killed.
She did work for film companies but doesn't anymore.
<TheCrowTV> From Luis. I haven't finished the whole book
but, after you Bridget finished writing the book did you believe
Brandon died because of the "LEE curse"?
<Bridget> I think I explained in the book a logical chain
of events that led to Brandon's death, but it is hard to fathom
that it was a one in a million chance that the bullet would have
ended up in the gun and killed Brandon so quickly.
<Bridget> As far as the "curse," it is hard not
to see the parallel's between his father's death and his. I
often felt there was some element of the unexplained in Brandon's
death. I can't say I believe in the curse, but I can't say I
don't, either.
<TheCrowTV> From CrowFinder : Did the energy you had to
expend as well as your findings about the heartwrenching and
tragic events of Brandon's death take a toll of any kind on you?
<Bridget> I was deeply moved by the stories recounted by
the people I interviewed. Yes, it took a physical and psychological
toll on me.
<Bridget> It was hard to sometimes block out the deep pain
and trauma of Brandon's death described to me over and over.
<Bridget> I didn't know him, but I began to feel as though
I did somehow at least through the eyes of those who did.
<Bridget> It is hard as a journalist not to become involved
in a project that you spend eight months solid on.
<TheCrowTV> Another question from CrowFinder: Are you a
fan of James O'Barr's work? Have you ever read James O'Barr's
graphic novel, The Crow?
<Bridget> One of the first things I did when I started
the book was read James O'Barr's graphic novel. It was a very
important part of my research and, after interviewing James,
I grew to respect him as well as his work.
<Bridget> James is a fantastic and gifted artist.
<Bridget> The emotion of The Crow jumps off the pages and,
I think, was translated very well in the movie.
<Bridget> James' work gave me inspiration and a deeper
interest in the origin of the film.
<TheCrowTV> LLCruize - Do you know, or have a suspicion
of who it was that left you the threatening voice mail when you
returned home from North Carolina?
<Bridget> I have my suspicions, but I can't be sure.
<Bridget> I think it was someone who had a personal involvement
with the film, but not on any substantial level -- someone in
the background who still has some unresolved issues. Or, it was
somebody who wanted some attention by calling me.
<Bridget> It worked. They are in the book, but who knows
who they are, except them. I hope they are happy.
<TheCrowTV> From Marc :When Brandon was killed there was
a lot of talk in the British press about him seeing "the
dragon" 2 days before the accident did ,in the course of
your research hear or find out anything about this mysterious
apparition that has haunted the lee family,or do you think it
was purely a hollywood/media stunt ???
<Bridget> First of all, in all my research, I never heard
that Brandon saw the dragon two days before he was killed.
<Bridget> To my knowledge, he never saw that film, if that
is what you mean. But, if you mean the demon the dragon, I think
everyone I interviewed expressed how busy he was shooting the
movie those last few days. Many mentioned his thoughts were
happily on his wedding two weeks later.
<Bridget> The Dragon in the film about Bruce Lee's life
was partially Hollywood hype, but I believe Linda Lee brought
annecdotes about Bruce's life to the producers of the film.
The image of the dragon was one I believe used by Bruce.
<TheCrowTV> From Jimmy: What was the biggest challenge
in writing the book ? What was your most memorable experience
in writing it?
<Bridget> There were many memorable experiences. Like
-- visiting Wilmington, N.C., where the movie was shot and visiting
places the cast and Brandon would hang out.
<Bridget> The most memorable experience may have been the
stories the cast and crew told me, especially the dreams and
nightmares and experiences they had right after Brandon died.
<Bridget> The challenge was trying to get people to open
up to me about making the movie. No one had spoken to the press.
I came along five years later and maybe people were ready to
talk and many wanted to get the truth out about the making of
this difficult and groundbreaking film.
<Bridget> It was also hard to convince people that my desire
was to write an honest book about the making of the movie and
not a sensational expose of Brandon's death. It was hard to
gain people's trust, but I did.
<Bridget> And once I gained the trust of Brandon's friends,
others followed.
<Bridget> But the biggest thrill for me as a first time
author was seeing the hard copy of the book and holding it.
<TheCrowTV> Do you plan to follow-up your novel, The Crow:
The Story Behind The Film with any other Crow related works?
<bridget> I hope to do a second edition and some updates
in a paperback version soon, but I feel I have covered the first
film and the other films don't interest me as subjects.
<bridget> The phenomenon of The Crow character interests
me -- the dark and heroic angel image, but I don't think it is
a book. At least not yet. The Crow does have a life of its
own.
<TheCrowTV> These questions comes in from CrowFinder: What
are your plans in regard to future literary endeavors? Is there
any particular genre that is most intriguing to you as far as
writing is concerned?
<bridget> I will continue to write nonfiction. The truth
is often, to me, stranger and more appealing than fiction. There
is no genre in particular that interests me. I simply like a
good story and those can be in any genre from film to politics.
<bridget> Right now I am interested in the pheonomenon
of technology and its future.
<TheCrowTV> From Scout: I know from reading your introduction
that Proyas and such were not very keen to see this book being
written was that a complete suprise when you encountered "conflict
of interest"?
<bridget> Alex Proyas is notoriously reclusive, especially
from the press, so I wasn't surprised, but I did have long discussions
with his partner Andrew about working out a way we could come
together and discuss Alex's brilliant film.
<TheCrowTV> Scout : What kind of reaction did you receive
when you requested interviews from those who knew Brandon the
best like Jeff Imada and such were they hostile or were they
very cool with it?
<bridget> Basically, they were hesitant because they felt
they wouldn't be able to control the story. They asked if I
would consider writing the book with them, but alas, I had already
written much of the book and frankly, I wanted to tell the story
without bias and I felt that would have not been possible if
I collaborated with them.
<bridget> Jeff Imada is a tremendously kind man and was
always very supportive of me and the book. Of course, I did
have to speak with him many times and meet him in person to gain
his trust.
<bridget> But I did, and he was very instrumental in persuading
other people that I was going to write an honest book and not
an expose.
<bridget> After all Jeff told me some very personal and
difficult tales about him and Brandon.
<bridget> By the way, Jeff Imada is still a tremendously
successful stunt coordinator in Hollywood.
<TheCrowTV> last call for questions
<TheCrowTV> CrowFinder has yet another Question: Who is
the most memorable person that you interviewed for the book?
<bridget> They were all memorable in one way or another.
They were all very different and sometimes unusual people, but
most were very gifted.
<bridget> I think Jeff Most, who is the creative producer
and fuel behind The Crow films and TV series, was so passionate
about the idea still and is a very charismatic and energetic
producer.
<bridget> The Crow was Jeff's big break as it was for many
of the cast and crew.
<TheCrowTV> Speaking of Jeff Most,, CrowFans.com will have
a chat with Jeff Most in Spring 2001.
<bridget> Certainly still in print as an ongoing series
of comics.
<bridget> Great!
<bridget> I will ask Jeff those questions which I forgot
the first time around. Though, I spent probably 10 hours interviewing
him.
<bridget> He is very articulate.
<TheCrowTV> DeeEhmSss, where do you see the Crow five years
from now?
<bridget> The future of The Crow could be film, even in
five years, if they find the right actor, but Brandon's are tough
shoes to fill.
<TheCrowTV> Altashine: How well is her book doing?
<TheCrowTV> Altashine: As hard as it was, would she do
it all over again?
<bridget> Yes. As hard as it was, it was the most challenging
and fulfilling project I have ever done.
<bridget> It will be hard to find a subject as rich and
as fascinating as the making of the movie The Crow.
<bridget> My main goal was to write a true and accurate
account of the making of Brandon's last film and one that reflected
the atmosphere on the set.
<bridget> Any last questions?
<TheCrowTV> Actually you didn't answer one
<TheCrowTV> How well is your book doing ?
<TheCrowTV> Then I have one final question.
<bridget> The reviews are excellent and it is selling well,
but distribution in the U.S. hasn't reached all the big chains
yet.
<TheCrowTV> yeah I know Waldenbooks, and Hastings doesn't
have it yet
<bridget> I was in Paris recently and was surprised to
see it in several book stores in Paris.
<TheCrowTV> the only place in Spokane that has it is Hot
Topic
<bridget> The book is available on amazon.com and doing
quite well.
<bridget> I have been getting a lot of mail in my Crow
book e-mail at hotmail.com.
<bridget> This is an issue with my publisher unfortunately,
who is in England. What was your last question?
<TheCrowTV> The last question comes from Deb. Why wasnt
more detail given to Brandons cause of death (ie loss of blood)?
<bridget> I thought I described it in sufficient detail
using some medical terms when appropriate, but any more detail
I found unnecessary. I described where he was shot and all the
medical attempts to save his life.
<TheCrowTV> The Crow: The Story Behind The Film Official
website is located at
http://www.crowthemakingof.com/
<bridget> Please write me on my e-mail if you have any
further inquiries.
<TheCrowTV> Well before I open the flood gates for this
room, I want to thank Bridget for doing this chat for us, and
you the fans for sending in the intelligent questions
<bridget> Okay, thanks everybody. I hope you all enjoy/enjoyed
the book.
<TheCrowTV> there will be a log of this chat available
late tonight/early tomorrow on http://chat.crowfans.com/
<bridget> Cheers, Bridget
*** TheCrowTV sets mode: -m
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