21:13:33 - Opening Log

Awards Moderator: Welcome all!!

Awards Moderator: Everyone, I 'd like to introduce Billy Bob Thornton

BILLY BOB THORNTON: It's my first time behind a computer ...

*?Ben©: Hi Billy

*Macnutª: Hello Billy

Joyous©: Hi Billy

Awards Moderator: How has your transformation from a well-respected actor to a national household word changed your life ?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Well, I don't have any time now. I used to have a lot more free time. I can't spend as much time with the little ones…(Smiles) But then again I have worked for this my whole life.

Awards Moderator: How do you unwind amidst the chaos of your new fame?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: I unwind by playing with the kids at night and I love to listen to music....I have a huge CD collection. I actually feel most comfortable in a record store.

Awards Moderator: How did your come to cast John Ritter and Dwight Yoakum in "Sling Blade?"

BILLY BOB THORNTON: I was always aware of John's talent and it was one of the goals of this film to cast him.

Awards Moderator: Excellent; they were both great.

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Dwight is such a performer...I saw him in a cable film a year earlier and knew that anyone who can write songs that deep was just perfect for this film.

Awards Moderator: Cool

Awards Moderator: How did you as an actor develop your character's gutteral voice and nervous tics?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: A lot of it came from working in a nursing home...I got the tics and movements from working with elderly folks. They do a lot of that.

Awards Moderator: Were you a social worker?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Oh, no, I was a janitor. A janitor and a painter.

Awards Moderator: Are you an artist? Do you paint also?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: No, I was just painting the walls.....I could barely write my name....hehee...I like coloring books though.

Kack'Nor: lol

Awards Moderator: What would be your advice for young actors and directors?

BILLY BOB THORNTON: My main advice for young actors and writers is......never let anyone discourage you. Besides, what's the alternative? To not try?

*?Ben©: hehe

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Create your own stuff......don't wait for others to give it to you.

Awards Moderator: Excellent, well thanks so much for stopping by, Mr. Thornton.

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Thank you!

WGA Awards Moderator: We now have Shelley Fabares and Mike Farrell here ready to chat!

Notabot.TGS: Hello, Shelley and Mike!

*?Ben©: Hi Shelley

Joyous©: Hello

Shelley Fabares: Hello !!!!

Edª: Hi, Mike Farrell

Shelley Fabares: Any questions??

Awards Moderator: So Shelley, are you enjoying the awards show so far?

Shelley Fabares: So far all we have had is a great dinner, but we are seeing a lot of wonderful and a lot of good friends and so far the evening's been great!!

Awards Moderator: What's new with your career?

Bug Light Beer: Shelley what did you star in....sorry I'm a little out of touch...

Shelley Fabares: Recently, aside from the TV series "Coach"

Randi©: :love that show

Shelley Fabares: I did a movie last summer with Gerald MacRaney.

Joyous©: Any new projects in the works?

Shelley Fabares: Nothing that I know of right now. We just completed "Coach" and so I'm taking a little time off right now .... which is just another way of saying I am currently unemployed.

Kiowah: Shelley............just curious..........can you see us (this crazy group here?)

Shelley Fabares: One more question then Mike will be on.
Edª: :you're not alone Shelley

MandyHill®©: Love Shelley Fabares! Watch "Coach" every night

Shelley Fabares: hahaa ! Thank you all, that is very nice!! Thank you very much!

Arctic Frost Shelly, how is the atmosphere there?

Shelley Fabares: It is rather excited.

Arctic Frost I'll bet:) I'd die to be there.

Shelley Fabares: People seem happy to be here and looking forward to what is usually an interesting and quite wonderful event.

Awards Moderator: Thanks, Shelley.

Shelley Fabares: Thank you!

Arctic Frost )applause

Awards Moderator: Next we have Mike Farrell.

Lynne: Hi Mike

Mike Farrell: Hello!

Randi©: Hi Mike!

Arctic Frost Welcome Mike!!

Awards Moderator: Mike, you are an actor, writer and director. What are you currently focusing on right now?

Mike Farrell: I am finishing a picture I produced and starred in for USA cable, which will air June 11.

?athenaªÆ: cool Mike

Jeanne®: cool

Mike Farrell: And then will be beginning pre-production on a feature at Universal.

Bug Light Beer: What are you famous for?

Awards Moderator: Well have you seen M*A*S*H*, Bug?

Randi©: hahahah

*?Ben©: M*A*S*H*, of course

Jeanne®: haha

Mike Farrell: HAHA

Bug Light Beer: ohh sorry.....heheh

Edª: What was the feeling when the last M*A*S*H was finished?

Mike Farrell: Great sadness ….

*?Ben©: :ya I cried

Edª: I miss it alot

MandyHill®©: me too

Awards Moderator: What sort of stories are you drawn to, Mike?

Mike Farrell: I am drawn to good stories. Stories.....whether comedy or drama, that are moving and life-affirming.

Awards Moderator: Last question, from Jeanne

Jeanne®: hmm.. who was your fave costar??

Mike Farrell: There is no way to answer that.

Awards Moderator: A tough one huh?

Kack'Nor.TGS: :without irritating SOMEONE

Mike Farrell: Except that I married one of them!!!!

HANGING OUT WITH CAMERON CROWE

Awards Moderator: Everyone, I'd like to introduce Cameron Crowe, writer and director of "Jerry Maguire."

Notabot.TGS: hello, Cameron.

?Feu: ... waving to Cameron ...

Notabot.TGS: Welcome to the Palace

CAMERON CROWE: Hello.

Awards Moderator: Cameron, how were you led to Rene Zellweiger?

CAMERON CROWE: She had instant chemistry with Tom Cruise the second she entered the room and the only question was whether that would translate to the screen. It most certainly did, in a big way!

Awards Moderator: Did the studio folks want you to cast a "name" actress instead?

CAMERON CROWE: I think they were just hopeful it would all work out. They saw within the first week that it was all working out… and they felt a wave of happiness…Not that their feelings really mattered that much anyway (Laughs).

Arctic Frost Hahahaha

Awards Moderator: Do you write with specific actors in mind?

CAMERON CROWE: It is always the character first, then a quest to find actors who believe in the characters as much as I do. Tom and all the actors really loved their characters and it shows. I feel very good about that.

Awards Moderator: What's the difference between your life during "Singles" and your life during "Jerry Maguire?"

CAMERON CROWE: "Singles"... I was working in Seattle, which is where I live, so it was a smaller and homier experience. "Jerry Maguire" is more of a big city movie. I adapted to L.A. but I prefer Seattle much more.

Awards Moderator: What sort of stories do you like best?

CAMERON CROWE: I love stories that creep up on you and let you forget that you are watching a movie or video. They have a feeling that carries you away like you have been somewhere, outside of your home or the theater.

Lynne: So chemistry is an important part of getting what you write to the screen, and if you know who you want to play the part.

Awards Moderator: So personal stories, then.

CAMERON CROWE: Personal stuff is always best....I like to feel that someone is a little bit embarrassed about what they have written.

Lynne: How do you know how long something has to be ?

CAMERON CROWE: When you watch it for the first time, you get a real feeling.

Arctic Frost Do you find the characters evolve with the actors, and if they do, do they change much?

CAMERON CROWE: They always change and that is part of the adventure. Things get more serious ... or they get funnier. It is all part of the ride that the actor takes you on.

Arctic Frost Oh how neat, and terrifying:)

CAMERON CROWE: Yes.

Awards Moderator: I heard that you and Tom Cruise went to ask Billy Wilder to be in the film. How was it spending time with Wilder?

CAMERON CROWE: He is my absolute hero! The good news is I was in the room with Tom Cruise and Billy Wilder. The bad news is I don't know if Wilder ever really looked at me. I realized after a few minutes that Billy Wilder was not going to act in my movie, but was looking to probably sign Tom Cruise for his next film.

Awards Moderator: )Guffaw

Awards Moderator: Who are some of your other heroes?

CAMERON CROWE: James Brooks, who produced "Jerry Maguire"....Woody Allen.....

Awards Moderator: And some heroes outside of the film industry?

CAMERON CROWE: My parents really were very supportive .... my mom was a teacher who always took me to R-rated movies. She said they were much closer to real life and that the actors don't make those words up, a writer wrote them.

Joyous©: Is Tom [Cruise] easy to work with? As nice off-screen as on?

CAMERON CROWE: It's the best experience you could ever have directing an actor.

Awards Moderator: Okay, last question from Toni.

Toni: Did you ever dream that the phrase"show me the money" would take off the way it has?

CAMERON CROWE: Wildest dreams would be too optimistic a phrase. I am still in shock. I hope they realize that "show me the money" is really....show me respect and love.....along with the money. [Chuckles] But.....whatever. I am flattered.

Awards Moderator: Great, thanks so much for stopping by Cameron. Good luck with the Oscars.
Northern Lights: )APPLAUSE

CAMERON CROWE: Thank you!!!!

Joyous©: thanks

Arctic Frost )applause

*?Ben©: take care

Arctic Frost Thank you!!

Lynne: Good Luck!!! and many more excellent projects!

CAMERON CROWE: Thanks to you!!!! This was great fun.

Arctic Frost Come back and see us sometime:) Wow, that was great

WGA Awards Moderator: That was wonderful!!!