Question: I've heard that, because the film was shot in sequential order, some of the actors were unaware who the spy is until the last three days of filming. When they were offered their roles, wouldn't they have received a copy of the script to read in advance to learn their lines?
Cubs Fan
7th Jan 2022
Stalag 17 (1953)
26th Jan 2015
Covert Affairs (2010)
Question: As a term of endearment, Eyal always calls Annie "neshama." I'm assuming it's Hebrew, but what does it mean?
Chosen answer: It is Hebrew. It means "soul" but is used as a term of endearment as in you're a part of me, "Neshama shellee" means "my soul".
12th Nov 2013
Evita (1996)
Question: Since it was replaced by "The Art of the Possible" in between the release of the concept album and the premiere on the West End, I've never heard the original version of "The Lady's Got Potential." Is it as rock and roll as the version in the film is?
Chosen answer: I did a little research for you. The Original London cast recording from 1976 is available on iTunes with the song "The Lady's Got Potential" intact. In the minute and a half sample iTunes allows, the song sounds pretty similar - both just as "rock and roll." However, the lyrics and instrumentals do have differences. Look it up using the key words "Evita London cast" and you should locate it. Give it a listen!
8th Nov 2013
Homeland (2011)
Question: As his wife, why does Jessica address Brody by his last name instead of his first name?
Chosen answer: Everyone else calls him Brody or Sgt. Brody, and it probably became habit to her.
Can't get the source but I read that even the Producer responded to that. Stating that it was common practise for a military wife living in a military complex as everybody refers to their husband by their last name.
23rd Aug 2011
Beast Wars: Transformers (1996)
Question: The Maximals and Predacons use the terms "cycle" and "mega-cycle" as units of time. What would those units be to a human?
Chosen answer: A cycle is equivalent to approximately 1.5 minutes. A megacycle is about 2.6 hours. http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cycle.
25th Jun 2011
The Great Escape (1963)
Question: When Roger is explaining the escape plan, he says that Tom will run under the vorlager, the cooler, and the wire. The cooler and the wire are obvious, but what's the vorlager?
Chosen answer: Vorlage is German for "forward position," so this likely refers to either the main gate, or a machine gun nest.
21st Mar 2011
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
Question: Why do characters refer to Langston as "Dr. Ray" instead of "Dr. Langston"?
Chosen answer: The CSI team is very close-knit and use each others first name all the time. Calling him Dr. Ray is their way of including him in the closeness of the team and still giving him the respect of his title.
31st Oct 2010
JAG (1995)
Question: In the episodes where Harm flies F-14s, what does it mean when pilots are told to "call the ball"?
Chosen answer: When landing on an aircraft carrier, a pilot "calls the ball" by confirming to the landing signal officer (LSO) that they have the carrier, and more specifically its landing guidance systems in sight. Carriers use a Fresnel lens system which is a light only visible at a certain angle, so if a pilot sees the "ball" they are at the correct altitude and glide slope for landing.
1st Feb 2010
Lost (2004)
Question: Something I read on Wikipedia made me wonder: were all six seasons planned out together in advance, or did each season develop naturally as it progressed?
Chosen answer: While there has been a certain amount of development as the series has gone along, the creators have repeatedly stated that the basic mythology and major plot points for the show's intended run were put in place from the beginning.
27th Sep 2009
Angel (1999)
5th Jul 2009
Charmed (1998)
Question: In the opening credits, Holly Combs is credited with "and Holly Marie Combs as 'Piper'". Why was she credited with her character's name, when none of the other three lead actresses were?
Chosen answer: Her agent/manager negotiated a special billing as part of her contract. It distinguishes her from the rest of the cast, probably when she became a producer on the show.
Answer: She became a producer.
Incorrect. Her billing changed in season 4 but she didn't become a producer until season 5.
2nd Apr 2009
General questions
How does one "direct" an animated film?
Chosen answer: In the same way as you direct a normal film. The director is responsible for taking the script and turning into a visual depiction of the story being told - they determine the artistic and dramatic elements of the piece, giving the world depicted in the script a visual and audible form. In a live action film, they'll be working with lighting people, cameramen and so forth to ensure that the look of the scene matches their vision. With an animated film, they're doing the same thing, but are working with the animators instead. The basic principle is no different.
20th Mar 2009
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
Question: I haven't seen the series finale, but what did Mulder do to make him a wanted FBI fugitive?
Chosen answer: Fox Mulder is accused of murdering Knowle Rohrer and is found guilty. Mulder is sent to prison and escapes with the help of Scully.
20th Mar 2009
Angel (1999)
Question: From her incarceration in "Sanctuary" to her break out in "Salvage", how long was Faith in prison, in terms of days, weeks, etc.?
Chosen answer: The exact length of time can't be determined with any precision, but, as each season in the Buffyverse is intended to represent about a year in real time, it seems likely that she was imprisoned for about two and a half years.
27th Feb 2009
Insomnia (2002)
Question: Throughout the film, there are segues which feature blood seeping through what looks like some kind of fabric. Does that represent anything, and if so, what?
Chosen answer: It represents Al Pacino's character planting evidence on men he knew were guilty. He was planting the victim's blood on their clothes so the evidence would be stronger against them.
In addition, there is a repeated scene where someone (Dormer) is wiping something on or off a fabric.
26th Feb 2009
The Dark Knight (2008)
Question: I know this is bound to be a major point of debate (and I don't mean to imply it's the only reason he did), but with the recent Oscar ceremony, would Heath Ledger still have won if he hadn't died?
Chosen answer: While there is no real way to know the true answer to your question, in my opinion yes he would. Other actors have been nominated posthumously in the past but not won.
2nd Feb 2009
Taken (2008)
Question: Was Kim wanting to follow a U2 tour a decision made because both the band and Liam Neeson are Irish?
Chosen answer: Bit of a tenous link that to be honest, I just put it down to her and Amanda liking the band and wanted to go on the European tour to see them.
17th Jan 2009
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)
Question: Was Valerie Malone introduced this season to balance out Brenda's departure?
Chosen answer: Yes, she was.
15th Jan 2009
Bachelor Party (1984)
2nd Jan 2009
Conviction (2006)
Question: In the episode "Indebted", who played the IAB detective who questions Nick? He looks incredibly familiar, but without a name, I can't figure out where I know him.
Chosen answer: "Nick Potter" is played by Jordan Bridges who has done extensive work on television, the details of which can be found at imdb.com, the internet movie database which includes work on television shows as well.
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Answer: The cast would have received copies of the script but with parts of the last scene omitted. They would be given the missing pages during the last days of the shoot, in which time they learn their lines, rehearse, then film the ending. Considering the time involved in filming a movie, actors do not necessarily memorize the entire script beforehand, but do so as each scene is shot. Also, it's questionable as to whether or not any of the cast did not know the ending as the movie was based on the Broadway play.
raywest ★