NB : Which part of the documentary are you the most proud of? RM : As opposed to just one part I’m most proud of the structure and the flow that comes from the way the pieces transition. I didn’t want it to be chronological, but yet I wanted it to tell the story of Douglas’ life. I think it works. NB : Why did you choose Neil Gaiman as the narrator of this documentary? How did he feel about your project? RM : The choice of Neil as the narrator was Joel’s idea and I have to say it was a brilliant, inspired choice. When Neil was approached about the project he thought it was a great idea and offered any assistance we needed, but he didn’t want to be interviewed. I don’t think he was opposed to the idea of speaking to us on camera I just don’t think he felt he could add anything that we weren’t already getting from other people. He allowed me to draw from "DON’T PANIC!" which was invaluable and when Joel approached him to narrate the piece he readily agreed. He did a polish on the script to get it more in his vernacular and correct a few inaccuracies and the voice-over session was quick and easy. If he ever wanted a second profession he could do narration for a living. DOUGLAS ADAMS NB : How much did you know about Douglas before? What did you learn about him? RM : All I really knew about Douglas was Hitchhikers’. I had read it in college and really loved it. What did I learn about him? Everything else you see in the film… and more. I did read all his books before starting the project. NB : What do you like the most about Douglas? RM : His fascination with the world and the way things work. I think that’s something that we have in common. I also admire the person he was. In my opinion he was a man of character, compassion, integrity and conviction. This is rare in today’s world. NB : Which is your favorite douglas' book? Why? RM : I suppose Hitchhikers’ or Last Chance to See. Why? Hitchhikers’ was like nothing I had ever read before so I guess it stayed with me. NB : What do you think Douglas would have done if he had survived? Would he have written other books? Make music, movies, get involved again in the endangered species? Go back to radio? Making more conferences for techno geeks? What subjects did he seem more interested at in the end of his life? I can't stop thinking that a new Douglas Adams was arising. RM : This is really an unanswerable question. One thing I do know. His mind seemed to have worked in a weird and wonderful way. It went in a hundred different directions at a million miles per hour and somehow connected everything together. Who knows what he would have accomplished, but I’m sure it would have been extraordinary. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS NB : You made more than 30 interviews. Which are your best memories? RM : I liked hearing about the process of writing and creating. As a writer myself that was very interesting. Did I have a favorite? No. There is something from each interview that I loved and most of those moments are in the film. There are few that were left on the cutting room floor… maybe you’ll get to see those on the DVD (if that ever happens). NB : You interviewed a lot of douglas' friends and members of his family less than one year after his death. Which was their main feeling about him? Sadness, frustration, void, love, happy memories,... RM : Sadness? Only at the loss. Frustration? No, not really, unless, again, at the loss (see Berkeley Breathed’s interview bites. Void? Yes, huge. Love? This was most definitely the overriding feeling in every single interview. Douglas seemed to be capable of immense love and he wasn’t afraid to show and share it. Happy memories? I hope you can hear that in the voices and see it on the faces of his friends and family in the film.

RETURN I CONTINUE ?

Accueil / Homepage

Actualités I Le Guide I Le guide en Français I Série radio en Français

Extras I Douglas Adams I Mises à jour I Liens I Contact