Buffy as a radio drama?

[tkts]

Anybody else think Buffy might work really well as a radio drama? (If you've never heard a well-done radio drama, I recommend the Star Wars radio adaptations, which are among the better modern examples of the medium.)

In some ways, I think it might actually work better than the comic books. Radio is a very intimate medium, good for making emotional connections with an audience. The only caveat I'd attach to it is that it probably wouldn't work without Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon and Anthony Stewart Head -- at the very least -- reprising their roles.

It'd never happen, but I bet it could be good. And if there's any TV person who could pull it off, the guy responsible for "Hush," "The Body" and "Once More With Feeling" would be the one to do it.

[Darth Rosie]

I love audio dramas. Many years ago, the James Bond movies were published on audio tape, and I have nearly all of them. Whenever I could not sleep, I would listen to one of these tapes. So I couldn't agree more: Buffy would be perfect for the radio, not the least because language is its greatest strength. As to the stars reprising their roles: A girl can dream. Karma for the lovely idea!

[buffyfan21]

Anyone here ever listen to the audio drama, Buffy: Between the Lines? It doesn't involve the original cast, of course, but the BTL cast does a really wonderful job impersonating the characters. Most of them sound pretty close to the actual actors. You can really tell that a lot of hard work and effort goes into putting this together, and it's people from all over the world who participate. BTL has completed two seasons so far. Season 1 focuses on "unseen" events between seasons 2 and 3, after Buffy kills Angel and leaves Sunnydale. The second season takes place between seasons 5 and 6, focusing on how the scoobies deal with life after Buffy has died. As you may have figured out by now, that's why it's entitled Buffy: Between The Lines because it deals with the unseen events taking place between the televised seasons. If I recall, each season consists of about 12-14 episodes. They stick pretty close to canon, often referencing things from previous seasons which makes it really fun to listen to. When listening I feel almost as if I am watching a "lost" episode of the show, and the use of sound effects really helps the listener to visualize the action as it is happening. You can tell that these guys are huge Buffy fans and that this really is a labor of love for all of them. As a hardcore Buffy fan myself, this is something that I really appreciate and value in others.

Sadly, as I mentioned before there have not been any new episodes of Buffy BTL in quite a while. But the good news is, they have since moved on to producing Angel: Between The Lines. It is fairly new its conception; they have only completed a few episodes so far; those equally as good as the Buffy ones I might add. There has also been talk of doing a Firefly: Between the Lines as well. It has been rumored that it is currently in the works, but I don't think anything has come out for it yet. As you can no doubt see, these guys are huge Whedon fans!

If you're interested in listening to Buffy and Angel Between the Lines, you can download the episodes on Itunes or through their perspective websites. If you haven't already, I would highly recommend checking it out. I am usually very skeptical when it comes to fan made efforts, because in my mind nothing can ever compare to the original work. So imagine my surprise when I found myself really enjoying listening to these. They put so much work into it; writing scripts, finding people to voice the parts, etc, how could you not love it? It's not Whedon and it's not the original cast, but the writing and dialogue come pretty close, in my opinion. If Joss knew about it, I think he would be proud of the work this group of people have put together and what they have accomplished.

So, if you're jonesing for a new Buffy fix, this is the next best thing (and probably as close as we are ever gonna get outside the comic medium). So go on, give it a listen, I'd love to hear what you guys think of it; if you enjoy it as much as I have. And wow, why do I feel like this entire post has been one giant endorsement for BTL studios? lol. I'm sure they would appreciate it.

[drusillacakes]

^^ I've also heard good things about Buffy: Between The Lines. I am a fan of podcasts in general although I am quite picky and the only one that I really love is The Watchercast.

(I'm gonna download BTL though on your advice. I'll let you know how I like it.)

And yes, tkts, I think Buffy would make an excellent radio drama, although I'm not sure how they would pull of an episode like "Hush."

[midwesternwatcher]

Between the Lines Studios is apparently switching to Twilight. We're losing them. We haven't shown them enough love.

Go to

www.strangelyliteral.com/

and download episode 93, you'll hear Tabz talk about it. It's distressing what she has to say. She says we're getting bored and we're moving on to other shows. Maybe she's right, but I'm not.

Is there any chance of keeping them in the fold? I don't know. At any rate, they do deserve heartfelt thanks for all they've done for us.

[midwesternwatcher]

I started a thread on the fanfic board about BBTL. I'm not sure which is the best place to put this.

If you listen to BBTL, you'll like most of the voices. Nick Edwards as Spike, for instance, is perfect. We don't have to get too attached to the original actors.

[buffyfan21]

Apr 26, 2010 18:54:28 GMT -5 midwesternwatcher said:

Between the Lines Studios is apparently switching to Twilight. We're losing them. We haven't shown them enough love.

Go to

www.strangelyliteral.com/

and download episode 93, you'll hear Tabz talk about it. It's distressing what she has to say. She says we're getting bored and we're moving on to other shows. Maybe she's right, but I'm not.

Is there any chance of keeping them in the fold? I don't know. At any rate, they do deserve heartfelt thanks for all they've done for us.

Haha. I listen to strangely literal as well. I think this was simply an April Fool's joke and not meant to be taken seriously. If you look at the release date of the episode it was April 1st. lol. I don't think Tabz would EVER give up on the Whedonverse!

Apr 26, 2010 19:00:50 GMT -5 midwesternwatcher said:

If you listen to BBTL, you'll like most of the voices. Nick Edwards as Spike, for instance, is perfect. We don't have to get too attached to the original actors.

Yes. Nick Edwards does a wonderful job as Spike. Also Chris O'Connor as Xander. He sounds almost EXACTLY like Nicholas Brendon. Those are the best, in my opinion.

[athenamuze]

Hey all! I'm one of the producers of BBtL and ABtL. Saw this pop up and figured I'd clear some things up.
thanks so much for the endorsements, it's always great to hear. I do want to clairify that season 1 of BBtL is actually set between S5 & 6 and our S2 is between 2&3. We have reasons we did it that way, but it doesn't matter much why.
Also we are in the midst of ABtL, more will be coming. We are also in the scriptwriting phase of FBtL. We have plans for many other shows as well.
We likely won't do any more Buffy, because we like to stay as canon as possible and we don't feel like there ae any other places right for another season. We MAY reconsider after S8 is complete, but we've got some time.

We are NOT switching to Twilight, that was an April Fools joke (we love doing those, we've done a ton!).

Also if you like podcasts, we have several other Whedon-based shows you should check out. I too am an avid listener, but I've been really disapointed in the Watchercast lately. They now get basic facts From the series wrong, are often completely spoiling non-Whedon shows (Being Human) when many of us don't even have access to them, and their production has deteriorated. There are MUCH better shows out there. I still listen (although I'm the only one left of my friends), but I often get frustrated with them. Regardless, there are plenty of other episode reviews of Buffy out there to pick from. BtL Studios doesn't have any, we focus on other things. Strangely Literal is Whedonverse fanfic & Upside Down and Halfway to Happyland is more of a meta discussion on all aspects of the Buffyverse. We also have Jossd, sort of like a news and feature show covering all things Whedon.
I hope this clears some thing up, and please feel free to contact us or ask questions here, we're always around.

[buffyfan21]

Apr 27, 2010 7:26:34 GMT -5 athenamuze said:

I do want to clairify that season 1 of BBtL is actually set between S5 & 6 and our S2 is between 2&3.

Oops. My apologies for getting the order of the seasons mixed up.

[drusillacakes]

Apr 27, 2010 7:26:34 GMT -5 athenamuze said:

I too am an avid listener, but I've been really disapointed in the Watchercast lately. They now get basic facts From the series wrong, are often completely spoiling non-Whedon shows (Being Human) when many of us don't even have access to them, and their production has deteriorated.

Agreed. There was a long and and understandable hiatus with the new baby and everything, but yes, the quality wasn't as good in their first podcast back. I still subscribe though. (Their S2 Halloween podcast was epic, and I'll continue to listen.)

[TheDancingSlayer]

I downloaded season 2 eps of Buffy Between the Lines, It's really good! The person who plays xander does a great job.
I highly recommend it!

[Tea - Total]

I love Buffy between the lines, sitting done with a cuppa and listening too the interesting facts that i never knew.
I think the radio drama would work. I am a creative person so i like to imagine stuff in my mind, like imagine the fight scenes with the big bads..

And plus its nice to recommend the blind,so blind people wont miss out of the excellent experience which is BUFFSTER!!!.

[buffyfan21]

Glad to hear that others enjoy BBTL as much as I do. It has been a while since I've listened to the seasons, but it's great stuff! I think a season set between seasons 7 and 8 would be awesome!

Has anyone caught any of the Angel BTL yet? Good stuff!

[Eric]

I've never listened to BBTL, but I might have to based on everyone's recommendations.

[-'Goldilocks]

Could someone post a link to where I could either download or listen to season 1 of Buffy BTL? Thanks

[buffyfan21]

Apr 28, 2010 16:01:54 GMT -5 -'Goldilocks said:

Could someone post a link to where I could either download or listen to season 1 of Buffy BTL? Thanks

Here ya go

www.buffybetweenthelines.com/category/episode/season-1/

[TheDancingSlayer]

I'm downloading season 1 now. Absolutely loving how slow my internet is running at the moment

[Tea - Total]

^^^ Same my computer is pain in the ass!.
Radio drama would be awsome,it be nice for a whole concept for the blind with season 8.
So their wont miss out.

[alex_krycek]

sounds like i should check it out.

[-'Goldilocks]

Here ya go

www.buffybetweenthelines.com/category/episode/season-1/

Thanks