That's an odd juxtaposition of names and titles. I must explain. I'm a big fan of James Burke, creator of the Connections series of TV shows that were aired on the Learning Channel and on PBS (here in the 'States). Wonderful stuff with references like Burke leading us down a garden path to eventually describe how Napoleon was important to the development of the modern computer.
Unfortunately, I can offer no such profundities. However, I do love film and I noticed a few small connections of my own between Luc Besson, probably my favorite director, and the television show of the moment, "24".
"24" is now in its third season and the first two weren't bad for pulp fiction (the subject of another essay on another day). The third season seems to be lagging a bit but that is neither here nor there.
Let's go back to the beginning. French film director Luc Besson grew up travelling the world and scuba-diving. Inspired by the experience, he wrote the first drafts of a couple of films which would later bring him great acclaim: Le Grand Bleu (1988) and Le cinquième élément (1997). The Big Blue was a critical success and led to the necessary funding and support to do La Femme Nikita (1990).
This did pretty well over here in the States—it didn't hurt that Anne Parillaud had that elfin sort of appeal. Besson would go on to write and direct both Léon (released as The Professional here in the 'States) and The Fifth Element. While writing and directing the Fifth Element, he wrote a TV adaptation (actually just the Nikita character) of his 1990 movie. This became the great TV series, La Femme Nikita, which ran for four years on USA.
Michael Loceff and Joel Surnow who had been script writers on Nikita then became script writers for "24".
To which I attribute a lot of the good quality of the first couple of seasons of "24". La Femme Nikita (the TV series) was a real departure for television with (for an action drama) a real depth of character and dramatic tension that is the hallmark of the best of the shows of the TV genre. The fact that the cast stayed remarkably stable and also utilized largely unknown actors seemed to allow them a freedom to evolve the show and still remain true to original concept.
What I want to know is how did Michael Loceff go from being an obscure college professor to a Hollywood screenwriter of such obvious talent?
Posted by artandscience at March 10, 2004 07:02 AMI am a huge fan of 24, and the 2nd season of 24 has audio commentary on the 5p.m.-6p.m. with Joel Surnow and Penny Johnson Jerald. There is a scene in that when the guy that was walking up to the character Nina Myers, and whispers something in her ear. Joel Surnow said that there was a coupon in the DVD box that you can send $20, and he will be happy to tell what the guy said. Well for some reason I lost the coupon. I was wondering if I can get another coupon, or just give $20, to find out what he said. If you email me, I will appreciate a response. Thanks.
Posted by: at March 18, 2004 10:56 PM