Zap2it.com

Sun, Mar 11, 2001 02:07 PM PDT
by Brill Bundy
Zap2it, TV News

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Between the trips to the stage by fans wanting to personally hand star Jessica Alba flowers, letters and handmade-with-love collages, several members of FOX’s "Dark Angel" cast, and one of the show’s creators, were able to answer questions at the Museum of Television and Radio’s 18th Annual William S. Paley Festival.

Co-creator Charles "Chick" Eglee met James Cameron back in the ‘70s when they were both working for B-movie maestro Roger Corman, although it took them over 20 years to collaborate on a project together.

"We use to go drink together and chase girls," said Eglee. "Years later I said, ‘You never told me you were a genius.’"

Scheduled to be on the panel, Cameron was a no-show, reportedly in India working on his next film.

He was present in spirit, with several people in the audience (including a man claiming to be Edward Furlong’s stand-in from ‘T2 3D’) getting up to share their personal experiences with the legendary volatile and perfectionist director.

For her part, Alba said that once she was cast, "Jim put my butt through about a year of training because I wasn’t ‘genetically engineered’ enough."

Michael Weatherly, who plays Logan Cale, found out about the project after a housesitter left the script in his apartment. Valerie Rae Miller was the third person cast as Original Cindy. The first two actresses backed out after deciding that they didn’t want to be identified with a lesbian character.

"The second one is now telling people she gave it up because she got another part," said Miller. "She didn’t think it through and now she realizes it’s a cool part so ha, ha, ha."

While Cameron is the big name behind the project, Eglee said that Cameron is not involved in the day-to-day aspects of the show. Rather, they go to him for his objectivity, editing skills and ability to see the story in four to five episode arcs.

Trying to be a cutting-edge show isn’t always easy -- especially on network television. Standards and Practices is always there with questions and suggestions.

"We’ve found an understanding," said Eglee. "By the time they figure out what half this stuff means, the episode is already shot."

"They don’t get the slang at all," added Alba.