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Cindy here
We have a phone interview with Malcolm Harris , President of Manga Graphix. Malcolm has agreed to talk to us (Witch Girls Fan World) about the Witch Girls movie, comic and more. For those who don't know Malcolm is the man behind Witch Girls. He's also a game Designer. former college football player and in his own words master of Texas Bar-b-cue.
WGFW: So how is Dallas today?
Malcolm: It's Partly cloudy. Although it is Texas and that can change
in the next two seconds.
WGFW: You talk really fast
Malcolm: I think fast
WGFW: I noticed that from the pre interview discussion. You seem to be
very well rounded. (Malcolm explained to me string theory and its application
to magic in the world of witch girls)
Malcolm: Well I'm round? But that's from love of food.
WGFW: So tell us about Witch Girls? Where did it come from?
Malcolm: You know me and my friends were talking about how I find "witchy"
women. Saturday. Witch Girls is just like a tribute to those Witchy women
from my past and present mixed with a love of the classic TV show Bewitched.
And a love of writing
WGFW: So would you say it predates Harry Potter?
Malcolm: Actually Witch Girls and Harry Potter are contemporaries I think.
WGFW: I'm sure people see the similarities between Witch Girls and Harry
Potter on the surface. Does that bother you?
Malcolm: Yeah sometimes. But then I also think people who read the Witch
Girls immediately see its nothing like Potter.
WGFW: Disney has W.I.T.C.H. and. Fox the Winks Club. All are shows that
obviously stole from Witch Girls. How do you feel about that?
Malcolm: It could be a coincidence or not. In any case if they did rip
me off on purpose I hope a big rock falls on them (laughter).
WGFW: I agree with that. Speaking of likes and dislikes of Witch Girls
do you ever have problems with people saying Witch Girls is Satanic or glorifies
magic?"
Malcolm: You know I get more protest from so call modern witches than
right wing Christians. Wiccans think the stories paint witches in a bad light.
I say DUDE it's a Comic book!
But on the other hand I get Wiccans who love Witch Girls and Christians who
love Witch Girls. For right wingers who feel like that all I have to say its
make believe and saying God can't tell make believe from real life is belittling
the awesomeness of God, you morons.
WGFW: I like your Candor
Malcolm: I'm from Texas, I tell it how it is.
WGFW: Who's your favorite character in Witch Girls?
Malcolm: I don't have a favorite, I like them all they are like my kids. But
back to a discussion Saturday with a friend I have to say I'm really sympathetic
towards Donny. Because he suffers not because he deserves it but because he's
the mortal stuck in the middle.
WGFW: Donny is a great character. Do you draw characters from your past,
friends or family?
Malcolm: Not all the time. Donny is my Darren (from Bewitched). Millie
is a bit of my Mom and Grandmother. Ms. Foster is my friend and co-worker
Emily Foster. There is some of me in both Harlan and Deacon Black. But most
of my characters just come from past character studies, people watching and
what not.
WGFW: Ms. Foster is one of my favorite witches. She's very quirky.
Malcolm: Just like the real Emily. Both are quirky and full of Voodoo.
WGFW (laughter)
WGFW: And that brings me to another question. How does your friends and
family feel about you writing comics and working on a movie?
Malcolm: My parents are still trying to grasp the film idea. My siblings
want cameos in the movie and love the comics. My girlfriend, she's my Muse.
When I'm stuck I just talk to her and she recharges my imagination.
WGFW: That's sweet. So back on track what can you tell us about the movie?
Malcolm: Nothing (laughter). Ok ask your questions but I have to warn
you some of them I can't answer.
WGFW: What characters will be in the movie?
Malcolm: Janette, Annabelle, Claudia, Denora, Harlan, Deacon Black, Donny,
Kamesh (pause) Pru, Ally, Nephra, Miako ..Can I stop now?
WGFW: So basically most of the characters will be in the movie?
Malcolm: Most. Though the size of the roles vary
WGFW: Who's the main character?
Malcolm: Janette, it's her story. On second thought Annabelle..no wait
Helena. Ok, truthfully I can say Denora is..no she's more supporting…
WGFW: You're not going to say are you?
Malcolm: Its very much an assemble film. With Janette being the viewers
eyes into the world of witches.
WGFW: Will we see Coventry in Movie.
Malcolm: Yes the world's foremost school for Witches in this or any other
dimension will be in the movie.
WGFW: Speaking of locations: You are filming in Texas a place not known
for beautiful Victorian estates or mystical islands. What about Texas makes
it a great place to film?
Malcolm: Texas is a lot like New Zealand or Canada. Its cheap to film
there and it has just about every environment you think of.
WGFW: What roll will special effects play in the film. Will there be a
lot of Witch Girls zappage?
Malcolm: Zappage? It freaks me out hearing people say words I wrote. Yes,
there are dozens of effects shots in the film.
WGFW: When will the movie be coming out
Malcolm: Around Halloween 2006. The official Title will be "Witch
Girls Tales"
WGFW: You wrote the screen play. Where there any particular screenwriter
or writer that you try to "channel" while writing screenplays or
the comics?
Malcolm: I think my style is unique. But I do have writers that inspire
me. Screenplay wise its Joss Wheadon and Tim Burton. Comics my mentor and
friend Paul Dini and the great Marv Wolfman among others.
WGFW: You have a job most people would love to have. So what do you do
for fun?
Malcolm: I chat on the computer , play City of heroes , Read, Gaming,
Cooking, I'm a hard core geek, but in a good way.
WGFW: Thank you Mr. Harris, I'm sorry for calling so late.
Malcolm: No Problem I can watch the Oscars aftermath.
WGFW: Last questions, What movies are you looking forward to seeing this
year?
Malcolm: The geek movies; Sin City, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Serenity,
Fantastic Four, Batman Begins and The Lion The Witch and Wardrobe.
WGFW: Ok this is really the last question, The movie you are least looking
forward to seeing this year?
Malcolm: Bewitched. The script was crap and no amount of good acting can
save it. What the heck were they thinking? Crack kills people!
Well that was Malcolm Harris . Winny and I would like to think him for taking
time out to talk to us and for being so frank and funny. The official withch
girls website can be found here