SiP and Echo and TV
Steven Sears announced at the Xena con this weekend that he and I are working together to bring SiP to television… and he’s right! That was our coming out announcement. I’ve known Steven for years… well, we met when I did the SiP-Xena issue (#16). As Steven was the producer of that series, he emailed me after the issue came out and told me they’d read it and enjoyed it. Since I was a big Xena fan, I was thrilled to hear this, and more than a little relieved. Over the years we kept in touch, but making the SiP book series left me no time to develop anything else. Now the series is finished, Steven and I have decided it’s time to get serious about this.
This is a long and arduous process that can easily die in the first stage if we don’t find a studio exec who “gets it”. If we do, then we might be able to make a pilot. If we make a pilot, there’s a 99% chance a new batch of network eyes won’t “get” that either, or any of a thousand other problems could occur to spoil and kill the project. It’s just a frikkin lottery ticket in that town and the odds are about the same— that’s why I’ve avoided letting myself get sucked into the black hole that is Hollywood spec projects. But if it’s going to happen in my lifetime, Steven is the man I believe can make it happen and, if the series sticks, the only producer I can envision working alongside every day for years to come. Plus, I think we’d have fun together on this. And we’re talking about live action here, not animation. Would you rather see a cartoon Tambi or a blonde Lucy Lawless play the real Tambi beating the shit out of a huge guy “I’m the tooth fairy. Give me one.” Now that’s the stuff dreams are made of.
And, did I mention that Echo IS my new favorite series? I’m making every issue like an episode of my new favorite TV series. I’m doing this for my own enjoyment, but it also seems to appear that way to other people who have previewed the book. Phones are ringing at the studio from people interested in Echo and the first issue doesn’t come out for another month. Plus, Robyn already has 3 foreign language licenses for Echo, sight unseen. If I wasn’t so happy with the book I’d start getting nervous. But I’m near the end of issue two now and I love the characters and the story possibilities are mind-boggling. I’m on cloud nine.
Don’t forget… ah, you forgot already, didn’t you?… that Shocker Toys is making a Katchoo version of their fun little 6″ toys. She is part of their Indie Spotlight series that includes Scud, Kabuki, The Maxx (I think Katchoo and Julie would have gotten along), and Shadowhawk. I believe Katchoo might make her debut at the Toy Fair in NYC in Feb. Anyway, let’s keep an eye on this, should be a fun addition to our desktops. For more info go to http://www.shockertoys.com/products.php#is
I’ve been trying to preorder Echo all weekend but when I click on the image it links me to your blog???? Let me know if I’m doing something wrong.
Please try it now. It should link you to the SiPstore where you can pre-order the issue.
I have ordered my 2. One for me and one for my gf. I talked with my Local comic store about ordering the Shocker toys when you anouced it before. looks like I need to remind them again just to be sure
Sip on TV, would it be live action or animated?
Live action.
How WOULD you feel about an animated version?
Nice! That would be so cool. Good luck finding a Tambi though. Cant wait!
The link seems to be working fine now. I just ordered 4 copies without a hitch.
Congratulations on the announcement of the new TV series . I sincerely hope this will take the series in lucrative and rewarding direction. At the very least, it will continue to promote readership of a book that deserves a much larger audience.
This is really awesome!!!
Do you have any actors and actresses in mind?
What about a movie…?
When I tried to preorder Echo I still ended up at the Blog? I testedtrying to buy a print and it worked fine. Unfortunately I want Echo not a print.
SIP on TV? Live action? I’ll buy that lottery ticket–gimme two!
“How WOULD you feel about an animated version?”
I can’t imagine it. I’ve never met any animation directors who want to take it on, and talk about a massive undertaking involving hundreds of people… wow.
My gf preordered ECHO for me tonight. I can’t wait. It will be a nice surprise in the mail when it comes in.
SiP Live Action… Really looking forward to it and I hope the studio keep it somewhat faithful to the books if it gets made. At the very least the execs would probably like the fight scenes. The bonus is that we will get to finally hear SiP music on TV! Ooh official TV soundtrack etc.
ohmigod ohmigod I SO want this tv series to come true!!!
I’ll start thinking about casting choices for the characters, hehehe!
One of my favorite past times is to sit around and cast a SiP-live action production in my head! But sometimes I start drooling, so I have to stop.
SiP on TV … Bitchen! … heh heh… I think I just dated myself. Oh well. There are people who do it, and people who lie about it.
>
Well, you mentioned Lucy Lawless… I love her. But if not, if you want someone a little younger… how about Kristanna Lokken? She’s tough.
Hey! How come my quote didn’t come in (above)? It was the thing about “Good luck finding someone to play Tambi.” Okay, now read the above again, insert that above the “Lucy Lawless” reference. Carry on.
they took the pic of the Katchoo figure down for some reason
Live action sounds AWESOME, but I’m really, REALLY excited about… SIP toys!!! Holy crap, that’s GREAT! I’ve got the two mini-busts and the Katchoo in the tub statue (couldn’t afford the big Katchoo statue, but still trying to find a way to get it). People always ask about them and let me tell you, I NEVER tire of singing the praises of SIP. I’ve gotten six people to buy the pocketbooks. My girlfriend bought all of the pocketbooks even though I have every issue. She cried pretty hard at the last issue. The last page really got her… me too. Anyway, back on subject, I love action figures and I love SIP. Please, do everything you can to make this happen!
Also, about casting, how about Minnie Driver as Francine? She might be too old, but she’s a great actress and physically pretty close.
Live 4 love,
Richie.
“Would you rather see a cartoon Tambi or a blonde Lucy Lawless play the real Tambi beating the shit out of a huge guy”
Well, if it was animated by Studio Sunrise with Youko Soumi doing Tambi’s voice… then it would be a tough choice, but I’d probably still prefer Lucy Lawless.
“I can’t imagine it. I’ve never met any animation directors who want to take it on, and talk about a massive undertaking involving hundreds of people… wow.”
I can’t believe there hasn’t been an animation director wanting to do it. If it hasn’t been done by the time I get in the industry, I’ll definitely be up for it.
The Live-Action is also going to be very awesome and I am beside myself with excitement.
Ashley*~
Oh Terry!!! That’s just frikkin AWESOME!! Lucy Lawless the “librarian” uttering that classic line… “LOOK it UP!.” whilst in handcuffs…. my oh my!! I hope all goes well!!
Doing happy happy dance
I write for an online entertainment magazine that covers most general arts stuff including movies, TV, comics/anime´/OGN, and I’d like to request a review copy of ECHO #1, if I may.
If you could respond to my e-mail account, I’d be happy to give you more details.
Thank you, kindly.
Boy oh boy!!!
Can we get Renee O’Connor to play someone too???
SiP live action ?? Outstanding, Terry ! Lucy Lawless as Darcy Parker (you have to admit, she really embraced the Dark Xena episodes!)…it has possibilities!
Just ordered 2 copies of ECHO #1 through the website (one for me and one for my son. He may not have been on the groundfloor for SiP but he caught up real fast and doesn’t want to miss any of ECHO).
Great news all the way around, Terry and SiP crew!
i voted for reneee to’connor that’s one hot ,hot lady who act
*stiff-upper-lip brit turns into US cheer leader!* LOL
Tambi, Tambi, Tambi!!
Katchoo, Katchoo, Katchoo!!!
Francine, Francine, Francine!!!
(Please wear that stripy top Francine)
I would love to see a tv series or even an animated version! *thumbs up*
Let’s hope there will be a tv series of Echo too!
Thanks for the info Terry, have a good weekend
The thing is, XENA would make a GREAT Francine, not Tambi. Xena is actually very sweet, – I could see one of the WWF women playing Tambi…like Victoria Champion (what, with all that knuckle cracking and all)…does she act? I don’t care, I’ll be watching either way!!!! yipeeeeeee
SiP on TV?!?! Awsome, would really love to see that.. heck i’d preorder the whole thing before it was filmed.
Having Lucy in it would be awsome. Me and my gf were actually cheering for the idea and now you say it might be possible. We also wondered who would be great playing who… it’s gonna be really hard to find the cast. Our ponderings were… for Katina – Ellen Page maybe, Francine – me.. just kidding..that’s as far as we got! *ggls*
Well, we’ll keep our fingers crossed and look forward to it!!
Good Luck Terry!
Your biggest Croatian Fans!!
My librarian friend turned me onto SiP pocketbooks and while I love her for getting me into the series, I hate her, cause thats more books that I now need to buy!!!! But a live action TV series……………. *eyes sparkle at the thought* eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!!!!!!!!!
and i’ve been looking through blogs for awhile and i’ve heard rumors about the actress who plays Piper Halliwell from Charmed being Katina, but I don’t think she tiny enough. Though Ellen might be…. And like they said, good luck finding the Bambi/Tambi actress(es), and its gonna be SO hard to find a decent Francine…. I mean, you don’t see many 6ft tall shapely women running around…. And PLEASE please don’t cast some little twig model to be Francine (unless she’s gonna be gaining 60-70lbs.)
Thank you for your site
I made on photoshop backgrounds for myspace or youtube and ect..
my backgrounds:http://tinyurl.com/5cy5cq
have a great day and thank you again!
renee o’connor should be in it. she is so strong and sexy and sge can act circle around most other so called action stars,renee rocks…..
I am a hardcore anime fan, like to watch any kind of anime. Found your site on google, keep up the good work.