Well, sports fans, it's official. The movie is shot. Done. And I couldn't be happier to be through with it. No more of that exciting, vibrant set, that warm camaraderie, that creative stimulus, free donuts... Excuse me. I have something in my eye... free donuts...

Oh, there's things I'll miss. But there's definitely things I WON'T miss.
In no particular order:

1) Fillion. People who are prettier than me are not supposed to be funnier than me. I think it's a guild thing. And that whole 'gracious and professional' thing got old on day ONE, you know what I mean?

2) Cinematographer Jack Green. This guy lights stuff ALL THE TIME. Seriously, like eighty-three percent of the shots had light in them. He totally didn't get my "Just Like Radio" concept for the film.

3) The incessant meddling of the studio: where was it? We waited and waited, what, are they all too busy and important to take the time to ruin my little film? This is Hollywood, people. Learn our ways and customs while you're here. Sheesh.

Just a taste of the Hell I've been through. And being surrounded by beautiful women, and, let's face it, beautiful men, all of whom get along, work hard and play their characters with such ease and nuance it's clear they were born for the roles -- who needs that?

But no matter how much I suffer for my art, it's worth it. 'Cause come April 22nd I think we'll be bringing you an exciting film that's a powerful statement about the right to be free. Which is not as cool as my original statement about the right to tasty garlic mussels in a cilantro broth, but the freedom thing's okay too. The editing started this week, and after just a first cut I can safely say this will be the greatest film since whatever film comes out right before it. And I'm not backing down from that.

Thanks for your support. And I mean that more literally than people usually do -- Coming back from the Chicago Con and telling people there was a Serenity booth put up and run entirely by fans... you should have seen their faces. Hell, you should have seen mine. But not too close. And not before, like, 10:00 -- maybe 11:00 a.m. And maybe sort of from the side. The back-ish part of the side. You should have seen my hair.

Be well. Good things are coming.

Cilantro!

-joss.

There are so many people working together to make Serenity. The set, backstage, and basecamp are only a few places buzzing with activity to bring Joss' universe to the fans. Too numerous to mention in a mere Blog, but today, I must raise a glass in appreciation of two people without whom our production would surely crumble. None of us could be here, grinding away all day without Mary and Ernie. You won't see them operating a camera, adjusting wardrobe or creating masterful prosthetics, nor will you find them constructing massive sets or intricate props.

Instead, you will drink their coffee and juices. You'll spoon their fresh fruit onto their cereal (so many choices) and follow it with one of their pastries. You'll feast on their soups and tacos, burgers and sandwiches - all the fuel behind the machine that is Serenity is due to their diligent, loving labors. When moods sink with blood sugar levels, Mary and Ernie only smile whilst we clumsily feast on their ice cream treats. The endless Birthdays present no challenge to them with their equally endless supply of cakes and candles. You have saved me everyday, Ernie. You feed my belly and my heart, Mary.

Thank you so much. From all of us.

Nathan

Hellloooo, Browncoats!

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Chris Buchanan, right hand man to Joss (which is paradoxical because he's actually left-handed) and one of the producers of the BDM. I'm also known as "Affable Chap" on the OB. And my mom still calls me "Christopher" when I'm in trouble.

It's great to be guest hosting the official SERENITY blog whilst Dusty sorts out some personal legal issues that have arisen here on the Universal lot. I'm amazed by the extent that the Patriot Act comes into play when someone accidentally "borrows" a big star's golf cart. I also had no idea that Universal had such a secure "detention facility" as part of their studio tour. Live and learn, I guess.

The past week has been another long week of flying for the cast and crew alike on our beloved ship, SERENITY. I could describe in detail the ins and outs of the latest version of our little Firefly-class boat, but I think you'll want to wait and see the epic tour of SERENITY Joss shot on Super 35 instead. I'll just give you some impressionistic snippets from the set:

Things heard:

• "SUMMER!"
• Jurassic Park theme. Over and over and over.
• "I did not murder him"
• Nathan singing.
• Cast members muttering in Chinese.
• Ongoing political debate between certain unnamed cast members.
• A bunch of cheers as we screened our first clip of the movie.

Things seen:

• Our crew gathered around the wooden table in the galley, just like old times.
• Tight pants. (No, not just those on the Captain.)
• The beginnings of a wicked cool new saloon.
• Ice Cream.
• Blue Sun hooch.
• Stars, smoke and fire.
• An extremely buff, shirtless crew member working on the ship.
• Visitors to the set with mouths agog and the magnitude and beauty of our boat.

Every day when I go on set, it really brings home the fact that we've kept SERENITY off the scrap heap and put her back in the black where she belongs. And by "we" I mean all of you, too. Thanks again for all of your support!

As a small gesture of fan payback, we are marking the launch of official SERENITY marketing and promotional efforts with a very special panel at this weekend's Comic-Con in San Diego, CA. I wish we could simulcast the entire thing worldwide on the Internet, but we can't, so you'll have to rely on fellow Browncoats to spread the word. And, trust me; you'll want to hear it all!

For those of you in the San Diego area this weekend, Joss wanted to make sure you had the pertinent details of his appearance at Comic-Con this coming Sunday with the entire cast of the show:

What: Joss Whedon/SERENITY panel
When: Sunday July 25th, 1-2pm
Where: Room 20
Who: Joss, Nathan, Gina, Adam, Summer, Jewel, Ron, Alan, Sean, Morena

We will also be screening the first footage from SERENITY shown anywhere! The panel will be followed by a signing session in room 28DE, where there will be give-aways for those of you interested. (Like you're not interested!)

I'll be there, too, with our editor, Lisa Lassek, and our visual effects wizard, Loni Peristere and our respective posses. Stop by and say "hi."

Best,
Buchanan

PS: Good news for Dusty, Nathan just sent over a stack of signed photos to the "tour" department. Apparently, they trade just like currency in parts of Universal City. Fingers crossed, DB will be back soon.

"Note to self. Find out who this Dusty Bottoms is and destroy him, have him eaten and then kill him!"

-- Joss Whedon

Good Blog to you,

It appears that in just the few short weeks of my clandestine activities I've made some powerful enemies. First off, an apology by way of omission of error. The Chappy sighting was not exactly correct. Don't ask me, but somehow I accidentally mixed up Louis Gossett Jr. with Barbara Streisand, what can I say. We've all done it. But I can assure you this time I'm 100% right, Babs is in the hizz-ouse! Now, I know what you're thinking. Who are the geniuses responsible for this little piece of casting brilliance? I thought the same thing. But what I didn't take into account is the 'Whedon factor'. Joss is the master at blending genres. If you don't think that Barbara Streisand bludgeoning Mal with a compressor coil, stepping over his bloody corpse and bursting into "You don't bring me flowers," all within the first ten minutes of the movie, will be believable AND further the plot, urine for a treat.

Now, besides the costs involved in assassinating Kathy Griffin, I don't know much. But I do know you're here for an update. So hold on to your bags and boards, 'cause here's the skinny. Chiwetel Ejiofor started work last week in the role of The Operative, the movie's antagonist. I got to watch his first scene, he nailed every take and the crew was blown away. The man's an acting machine. I tell you this, Chiwetel's gonna change how we think about getting' hit in the face with a pie.

The Cast and Crew have finished their location work and now call Universal Studios home. The production occupies four huge sound stages on the lot; three of which are in constant flux with various Sci Fi sets being raised, shot, and broken down. The fourth stage is exclusively home to... you guessed it, Serenity. The rebuilt Firefly class cargo ship is gorgeous. The same, yet different. Everything you loved about the original remains, yet with more detail, richer textures and colors. Walking through the new ship has proven cathartic for many of the cast and crew returning from the series. It took a year, but Joss got his ship back.

This is Dusty Bottoms saying, "Beat it, geek."

P.S. - Here are a couple of photos courtesy of Adam Baldwin.

Dusty Bottoms here with your first official report from the set of SERENITY. Think of me as your man inside, your Dabney Coleman if you will. Yup, the man with the plan, the inside scoop, the in's, the out's, the what have you's. That's all I can say about myself for now. For if you knew my true identity... Well, I'd probably just have to get a larger inbox.

Anyway, as you probably already know from Capt. Tightpants' blog, principal photography began a little over two weeks ago and they've been shooting out on location making with the false science. But what you don't know, and I'm happy to report, is the rampage Mr. Whedon is on. Yes indeed, I got to sneak a peek of some of the footage and it looks amazing. They have this full-size mobile movie theatre for screening dailies and I tell you this, seeing our crew up on the big screen is freegin' awesome! Big Damn Heroes.

The past two weeks have been like something out of Enemy Mine. No wait... Beastmaster. I'm just kidding. Or am I? Could the random reference have anything to do with a Louis Gossett Jr. sighting? Perhaps Book is reunited with his long lost brother? Maybe Mr. Junior hijacks the crew of Serenity and heads to the center of the galaxy in a search for God. Eh? Eh?

But enough spoiler action - for now. Recently they completed filming a sequence out in the desert and it was gorramn exciting I tell ya. Do you remember the Mule/ATV from the series? (Prominently displayed in which three eps?) What if that Mule was addicted to steroids and had been eating nothing but egg whites, bulking up on Creatine and working out six days a week? Now imagine it wasn't an ATV at all, but more of, say... a HOVER CRAFT! You should see this thing flying past you with our gang in the cockpit. Whooooosh!

As for the cast - the gang is so jazzed up just being back together; and to make a movie no less. They are making awesome with the acting. If Nathan Fillion was any more charming he could turn a straight man gay. I'm just sayin' is all. And just thinking about Morena and Jewel could turn a gay woman, well, even gayer. Oye! Here's a question: If Niska was holding the girls hostage in his space-torture-plex-thingy and you could only save one, who would it be? You pervert.

Now for the juicy details only your inside man, Dusty, could bring you. Hold on to your hats! (No, not the one's from "Safe".) Unfortunately, last Monday's shoot did not go without incident. At lunchtime the catering truck served prime rib with garlic-mashed potatoes and some sort of mixed green salad with goat cheese, pecans and strawberries. But even more shocking than the lack of a vegan alternative, was the discovery made by one of our cast members. Trying to conceal a secret sham, this unnamed star wandered around back of the chow truck to sneak a side of ketchup for his salad. It was there that he witnessed the caterers secretly using Mrs. Dash instead of salt. Nooooooooooo!

This is Dusty Bottoms saying, "Beat it, geek."