PART 1 February, 16th, 2000


Vin Diesel of Pitch Black


Moderator: Vin?

Moderator: You there?

Moderator: Can you type?

VinDiesel: YES

Moderator: Hi everyone ? thanks for joining us here tonight. We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Films? PITCH BLACK, the science fiction/action movie opening February 18 -- and the star of INTO PITCH BLACK, an exclusive look at the making of the movie which coincidently enough airs on SCI FI tonight directly after the chat at 11pET. You can also catch INTO PITCH BLACK on SCI FI this Sunday, 2/20, at 8pET and 11pET as well as various times throughout the month (check your local listings

Moderator: In PITCH BLACK, Vin plays a psychopathic, escaped convict named Riddick who survives a spaceship crash only to find himself on a planet in the middle of a spectacular sunset. This is a problem because on this planet, the two suns only set at the same time every 60 years. And there are a whole lot of alien critters around who think: feeding time!

Moderator: This is a big week for Vin. His other movie ? BOILER ROOM -- is also opening on Thursday. Vin?s other movies include IRON GIANT (he was the Giant?s voice), SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and STRAYS, a 1997 Sundance Film Festival entry which Vin wrote, directed and starred in.

Moderator: Brief word about the drill -- this is a moderated chat and that means you will be sending your questions for Vin Diesel to me, Moderator, as private messages. (Just double-click on my name to go into private-messaging mode -- or type "/msg Moderator" on the command line.)

Moderator: How would you personally describe PITCH BLACK?

VinDiesel: I've been trying to descibe it for the last four weeks and I'm still not sure

VinDiesel: It's about survivors on a seemingly lifeless planet

VinDiesel: only to discover that when it gets dark they aren't alone

VinDiesel: Horrible creatures

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <InLineFirst> : Pitch Black clearly isn't a kiddy flick...it looks to be quite a thriller. I wonder, were you (or any of your co-stars) scared during the filming of the movie?

VinDiesel: There were moments that were kind of scary

VinDiesel: If nothing else where we were shooting in Australia was a place where everything was built underfround

VinDiesel: Walls excated in the rock with scratch marks painted red

VinDiesel: Very weird place

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <AonScail>: From what I've seen in the ads, a lot of scenes were shot in near- or total-darkness? How difficult was that for you as an actor?

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI at 11pET after the chat and throughout this month.

VinDiesel: I thought that probably aided us

VinDiesel: We mustered up a real fear of the dark

VinDiesel: We played off our own fears without having to use CGI in every scene

VinDiesel: We could use or imagination

VinDiesel: It was better than a blue screen or green screeen shot.

VinDiesel: This had more integrity

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <xytani> : do you like playing the bad-guy more than the hero?

Moderator: (By the way -- GA means "go ahead." Vin is not shilling for the Georgia State tourism bureau.)

VinDiesel: I like playing the bad hero.

VinDiesel: I like characters that discover their humanity on some level as they grow

VinDiesel: Riddick starts out a villian and learns how to becomerr human through the course of the journey through the film

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Lopaka>: Is vin afraid of the dark

VinDiesel: I was afraid of the dark when I would visit the country when I was a kid

VinDiesel: When we'd go camping

VinDiesel: Shadows came to life

VinDiesel: I had an acting teacher once tell me that two kinds of people can walk through the forest at night. The rational one and the one who images the worst but walks through anyway. He's the actor

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <direwolf>: How did you get your start?

Moderator:

Moderator: <Snoopy2>: Where are you from?? When did the acting bug bite you??

VinDiesel: When I was 3 years old my mother took me to the Ringling Bros circus

VinDiesel: When the lion act was over my mother found me gone

VinDiesel: I was all thew way down the stairs trying to get into the ring

VinDiesel: I told her, "I'm going to do my show."

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <MSUGirl>: Can you tell us anything about your last name? Its great!

VinDiesel: Thanks!

VinDiesel: I weas born in a gas station

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: It IS a great name...

Moderator: <Hyperspace> : how many people are marrooned with vin in PITCH BLACK? And what are their relationships?

VinDiesel: Ten people survive the crash

VinDiesel: Nine make it through the early stages

VinDiesel: There are only two traveling groups outside the prisoner-law enforcer relationship between John and Riddick

VinDiesel: A good way to find out is to visit the web site

VinDiesel: Or watch the SCIFI special

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: TOnight!

Moderator: Right after the chat!

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI at 11pET after the chat and throughout this month.

Moderator: <riddley>: Had you seen any of David Twohy's movies before working with him on this? What did you think, and what was he like as a director?

VinDiesel: I hadn't seen anything before I got there. I was a huge fan of the script

VinDiesel: As a director I didn't know what to expect

VinDiesel: He was great

VinDiesel: He listened to ideas

VinDiesel: He was a director with a wonderful eye and no ego

VinDiesel: He has a great understanding of how to make a sf movie

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <AonScail> : After directing your own movie, how hard is it to take direction from somone else?

VinDiesel: Good question!

VinDiesel: I think after you direct a film you become very selective about who you work with or what you work on

VinDiesel: You approach a film with an overview

VinDiesel: You want to contribute and talk about ideas

VinDiesel: As a director you knwo the process is never finished

VinDiesel: Actors don't al;ways ee that

VinDiesel: I'm completely invested in the whole process now

VinDiesel: And I like to work with other actors who feel the same way

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI at 11pET after the chat and throughout this month.

Moderator: <Hyperspace>: After directing ,writing, and of course acting which is your favorite

VinDiesel: When I'm a director I want actots who CARE about thje film, not just their role

VinDiesel: within reason

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Genma>: Do you prefer action adventure to dramatic scripts

VinDiesel: I like both of them

VinDiesel: I've been a dramatic actor for a long time

VinDiesel: But I always like Blade Runner, Mad Max, and Conan

VinDiesel: \I had gtreat fun doing Pitch Black

VinDiesel: Not that Private Ryan wasn't equally rewarding, but in a different way

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Tarna-K>: Did he have any poblems with the contacts he had to wear for the film?

VinDiesel: Yes. Lots of problems

VinDiesel: They were torture

VinDiesel: Like hubcaps from a 1960 Plymouth

Moderator: Ouch!

VinDiesel: We had problems from the first day

VinDiesel: No one ever used this type before

VinDiesel: We had to call a doctor who flew three hours just to take them out the first day

VinDiesel: All for art, they say

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Princess15> : Is it true that you worked as a bouncer before acting, and used it as an idea for a movie you wrote and directed?

VinDiesel: I started in theater when I was 7

VinDiesel: I started bouncing at 18 so I could work days

VinDiesel: I'm writing a film about a bouncer now

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Dabee> : Hey, Vin...thanks for being here....love your work...Iron Giant surprised a lot of us who expected a kiddie movie..it ended with in a way that left it open for a sequel..heard anything about that?

VinDiesel: I haven't heard anything yet, but I agree that the door was open. Adults seemed to really love the film

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <riddley>: in a chat with Claudia Black (also in Pitch Black), she said that hardest part about making the movie was trying not to look cold. was the weather really that chilly?

VinDiesel: It was TERRIBLE

VinDiesel: When you compound that with them spraying us with water -- it was demonic

VinDiesel: A flavor thjat played well for this film

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Tarna-K>: Did he suffer any injuries on Pitch Black?

Moderator: Besides frost bite and occular disturbances, we mean...

VinDiesel: When I was running from the hatchlings and jump into the pit by the crash ship I missed the mat and injured my shoulder

VinDiesel: There were plenty of scrapes and scratches, but nothing too bad

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: (For latecomers -- no, Vin is not working for the Georgia Travel Bureau. GA means "go ahead!")

Moderator: <AonScail>: Was working with special effects monsters harder or easier than you thought it would be?

VinDiesel: I expected it to be hard

VinDiesel: So I'm not sure if it was either

VinDiesel: It was pretty much what I expected

VinDiesel: A challange

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <riddley>: has Hollywood "found" Vin Diesel yet? are you being offered the kind of roles you really want to do?

VinDiesel: I don't know

VinDiesel: That's a very good question

VinDiesel: I have beenm really lucky

VinDiesel: I've been offered choice roles

VinDiesel: But I don't think it's being "found" as much as going through the grind in this town

VinDiesel: Who isn't always looking for a great role?

VinDiesel: Who doesn't worry abouyt the next one?

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Odd coincidence that PITCH BLACK and BOILER ROOM open so close in time. Do you see any connection between the characters of Chris is BOILER ROOM and Riddick in PITCH BLACK? If Chris hadn?t had this incredible talent for sales, wouldn?t he have ended up a gangster?

VinDiesel: I think that if Chris hadn't ended up in sales -- for sure. One of the draws to doing Boler after Pitch was that the characters were so differenmt at least in description

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <girrrl6>: i loved saving private ryan, how did you react when you heard stephen spielberg wrote a role esp. for you?

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI at 11pET after the chat and throughout this month.

VinDiesel: I didn't believe it.

VinDiesel: I mean why would he?

VinDiesel: After that I started believing in all those old Hollywood fairy tales about how icons were discovered at lunch counters

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <riddley> : what kind of theater have you done in the past? would you consider a stint on or off-Broadway?

Moderator:

VinDiesel: I hustled to get off-off-off-off-off Broadway in the late 70's and early 80's. I'd love to go back

VinDiesel: It would be a treat

Moderator: <Crass> : Is the absolute darkness in PITCH BLACK possible, considering there's some form of electro-magnetic energy everywhere?

Moderator: <Starkast> : Did you have any noted scientists checking out the film for accuracy and realism ?

VinDiesel: I do think that the stage demands a big break from the film business

Moderator: Two questions kind of along the same line...

VinDiesel: and I'm very busy right now

VinDiesel: Maybe in a few years

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Lemme repeat those two questions:

Moderator: <Crass> : Is the absolute darkness in PITCH BLACK possible, considering there's some form of electro-magnetic energy everywhere?

Moderator: <Starkast> : Did you have any noted scientists checking out the film for accuracy and realism ?

VinDiesel: That's David's job! Good question, but you'll have to ask him!

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <MSUGirl> : I saw your short film "Multi-Facial" and I thought it was fantastic! How much of that is based on real experience?

Moderator: Ditto with Strays...

Moderator: which I believe I caught on the IFC

VinDiesel: As a writer we draw from real experiences

VinDiesel: Those are the most important to us

VinDiesel: We're an authority on our experiences

VinDiesel: Anything that I've written at this point draws from my life or people that I know

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <AonScail> : Are there any "already done" roles that you would love to play at some point (a remake of an old movie, a Shakespeare character, etc.)?

VinDiesel: Yeah, sure

VinDiesel: Rem arks are tricky

VinDiesel: Unless you can improve on the original, why remake something

VinDiesel: Lots of risk there

VinDiesel: Now Shakespeare is always attractive

VinDiesel: Especially reset in comtemporay worlds

VinDiesel: I'd love to try that

VinDiesel: A secondary character in one of the plays and writing a film for him

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Last question for tonight -- you all need time to program your VCR's for INTO PITCH BLACK (at 11pET on SCI FI...)

Moderator: <InLineFirst> : What can we expect to see from you in the future? more acting? directing? writing? all of the above?

VinDiesel: All of the above

VinDiesel: And soon

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Specifics?

* Moderator smiles *

Moderator: Or would thqat be a jinx?

VinDiesel: The film I'm developing about a NAvy Seal who goes through a trauma after a failed black ops mission

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Vin, thank you so much for joining us here this evening... PITCH BLACK opens 2/18!

Moderator: And we'll all be on line, and Vin you are VERY cool?

Moderator: Don't you all think so everyone?

Moderator: They say: YES! Resoundingly.

Moderator: Also they say you're hot...

Moderator: and they want to know what advice you have for aspiring actors!

Moderator: ..and aspiring film makers...

VinDiesel: I'vce enjoyed this. I'd love to hear everybody's thoughts after this weekend. As for aspiring actors. Always be proaactive

Moderator: ...and --well -- aspiring screenwriters.

VinDiesel: Stay

VinDiesel: Work

VinDiesel: Even if yolu rent a theater and put on your own shows

VinDiesel: Don't wait. Work

VinDiesel: Good night everybody!

Moderator: Just so you all know, Vin WILL be returning to chat with us next week after you (and your friends) have seen the movie! 2/24 is the day -- 9pET

Moderator: He's really interested in finding out what you think about it!

Moderator: So come back then and bring yr friends.


Source


PART 2 February 24th 2000


Vin Diesel, star of Pitch Black
Moderator: We're going moderated....

pwitypixi: yippee

Moderator: Hold on.

Christina: can i ask now?

Moderator: Vin -- can you type?

VinDiesel: Yes

Moderator: Great!

VinDiesel: Can you see me?

Moderator: Hi everyone ? thanks for joining us here tonight. We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Films? PITCH BLACK, the science fiction/action movie that opened last week -- and the star of INTO PITCH BLACK, an exclusive look at the making of the movie, airing on SCI FI at various times throughout the month (check your local listings.)

Moderator: Vin?s other movies include BOILER ROOM, IRON GIANT (he was the Giant?s voice), SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and STRAYS, a 1997 Sundance Film Festival entry which Vin wrote, directed and starred in.

Moderator: Brief word about the drill -- this is a moderated chat and that means you will be sending your questions for Vin Diesel to me, Moderator, as private messages. (Just double-click on my name to go into private-messaging mode -- or type "/msg Moderator" on the command line.)

Moderator: And

Moderator: Vin has a request for you!!!!

Moderator: Please start out by telling Vin WHY you loved Pitch Black, what caught yr imagination about it and THEN ask yr question, 'kay?

Moderator: Oh -- and tell us where you're logging in from!

Moderator: First question:

Moderator: <silver-kitten> to <Moderator>: Hi Vin! I know it's probably a bit soon to ask, but is there a possibility of a sequal or maybe a prequal to Pitch Black?

VinDiesel: Absolutely. We're talking about that now...

VinDiesel: If I have anything to do with it you better believe we'll see something

VinDiesel: But it's because of the fantastic response that this is a possibility. You've made this a hit. It's your movie.

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <qdb>: I loved Pitch Black! Hi, what movie did you enjoy acting in the most? Richmond,VA

VinDiesel: Pitch Black, for sure

VinDiesel: Because that was a film that made me feel like

VinDiesel: I was empowered by the quality of Mad Max-like character

VinDiesel: How many cool characters like that come along

VinDiesel: I got to be a hero and at the same time approach the character with some dramatic truth

VinDiesel: The script had so many possibilities

VinDiesel: And I think we succeeded in pulling it off

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Lauren> : I AM LOGGING IN FROM NY AND I LOVED PITCH BLACK BECAUSE I WAS ALWAYS TERRIFIED OF THE DARKA DN SINCE I OVERCAME MY FEAR I NOW AM OBSESSED WITH HORROR MOVIES I LOVED THE EFFECTS AND THE ENDING AND ARE U MARRIED

VinDiesel: I am single

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator:

Moderator: <AonScail>: I liked the way that Riddick was *not* your stereotypical hero-character. What was it that made you say to yourself "I *have* to play this part"?

VinDiesel: Good question

VinDiesel: The very fact that he was so atypical

VinDiesel: Flawed heros are always so interesting

VinDiesel: They have a multidimensional aspect that makes them a treat

VinDiesel: We could all identify with being prejudged

VinDiesel: This character proves that even the least of us are capable of being heros

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <smushybutt> : Hi Vin, Pitch Black was great! The scene where you pop you shoulder out to free yourself, how much was fx and how much was really you? By the way, you have an incredibly sexy voice.

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI throughout this month.

VinDiesel: I'd say it was an 80/20 split in my favor

VinDiesel: The fact that my hands were in 'cuffs made fx necessary for some of it

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Ooshati> : Loved ethnic mix in PB! From Tacoma, WA. Was there a difference between doing a voice for Iron Giant and live-acting Riddick?

VinDiesel: Well, yes. Sure.

VinDiesel: There's a big difference

VinDiesel: The character in Giant -- all that you have available to you is yuuour voice

VinDiesel: That's liberating and restrictive at the same time

VinDiesel: pitching emotion is a real test

VinDiesel: Giant was a fun process

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <silver-kitten> : I'm from New Orleans...I loved Pitch Black because of the whole premise of the movie, and especially becuase of the character of Riddick. You don't realise how complex he is for a bit, but then near the end, you see that there's definitely more than an animalistic killer there. And a question: Will you be appearing on any talk shows, perhaps?

VinDiesel: Yeah

VinDiesel: I'll be on Leno

VinDiesel: Not sure of the dates yet.

Moderator: Checkj yr local listings everyone!

Moderator: <Blue2>: Hi Vin.I loved Pitch Black.Riddick seemed very misunderstood but relegated to the "role" that was appointed to him.I have a lengthy question. I Just recently read an interview you had given for the movie"Strays" and you had mentioned you had many strong female influences. My question or questions are,who were they and do they influence you still? If I misquoted please feel free to correct me.=-)

VinDiesel: And thanks for the kind words. I like feedback. We work for you

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Dabee>: Hey, Vin...we have been batting this around in chats...did Riddick really want the pilot to go with him because he had come to care for her, or was it more because he wanted her to turn her back on the others again? Kind of a power thing? He seemed very intrigued when he first heard that she was going to jettison them to save herself....Northern Calif.

Moderator: Vin --

Moderator: You're in private message mode.

Moderator: Can you swtich back?

VinDiesel: At that point he literally hopes to rescue them

Moderator: Meanwhile:

Moderator: <VinDiesel> to <Moderator>: Riddick throughout the film is struggling

VinDiesel: But when it starts raining his survival instinct takes over

Moderator: <VinDiesel> to <Moderator>: It's hard to become really human

VinDiesel: He's thinking -- there's no point in going back

VinDiesel: The odds have turned against them

Moderator: (Piece it together -- it's a puzzle!)

VinDiesel: It's her conviction that at first fascinates him, then allows him to embrace the price of life and sacrifice

VinDiesel: That's why he goes back

VinDiesel: His character changes then and there.

VinDiesel: It has less to do with what he wants her to do, and more to do with the facts

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI throughout this month.

Moderator: <Screamer>: I love how the bad guy is actually the hero, and how you never really know who will survive and who wont. If you could change anything about the movie, what would it be, if anything

VinDiesel: Hmmm

VinDiesel: That's interesting

VinDiesel: If I could change one thing I'd probably would have let Riddick execute all the creatures at the end of the film using the skiff

VinDiesel: I wanted him to rotate the skiff like a motorcycle will donut

VinDiesel: He could torch all the creatrures in the arc that way

VinDiesel: But we were limited by money

VinDiesel: The film was done for 25 million, not 100 million

VinDiesel: The sequel will have lots more money behind it

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <JUBILEE>: I thought Pitch Black was a really great movie. It was really original and the special effects were really good. I'm logging in form ny in the bronx . I as well as many other people would like to know exactly what ethnic back ground are you?

VinDiesel: I used to ask my mother and she'd say "everything"

VinDiesel: That's a poetic way for saying there are no exacts in that department,

VinDiesel: Which works well with playing so maqny different characters

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <RiDDiCk>: Hey Vin, I'm from Hawaii, and Pitch Black is one of my favoirite all time, I was just wondering, Do You Work Out A Lot?

VinDiesel: Well, I've worked out for years.

VinDiesel: For a long time it was my only sense of gratification

VinDiesel: For this film I actually didn't work out

VinDiesel: I did yoga to center myself and Riddick

VinDiesel: The reality is that the set was so darned cold

VinDiesel: I was freezing and tense through the whole movie

VinDiesel: I probably got a workout everyday form that

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Corazon> : Hola Vin, logged in from Lincoln, Nebraska, I was intrigued by the transformation Riddick made (from animal instinct to the gradual show of his humanity...all the while keeping the "carnal" flavor)... if there are going to be sequels, Where would you like Riddick to go (story/personality wise)? How would you like to see him evolve?

VinDiesel: Good question

VinDiesel: You should sit in on the story meetings

VinDiesel: It'll probably be a surprise

VinDiesel: Riddick in a sense did "die" on the planet

VinDiesel: But the character can grow into anything

VinDiesel: The prequel comic book is more descriptive of thje world you may see in a sequel

VinDiesel: There may be be more "johns" that come after Riddick . It'll be exciting

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <patient-storm>: Hello Vin! Loved the move like I told a friend it was candy for the eyes -especially you, can you tell us of any up coming films to look for you in? panama city florid

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI throughout this month.

VinDiesel: I did a film taht is called KnockAROUND GUY THAT WILL COME OUT THIS FALL

VinDiesel: It's an actors piece. Not action

VinDiesel: That film comes out in that Fall. It's directed by Brian Coppleman and David Levine

VinDiesel: That's a fun film

VinDiesel: It's produced by the Pulp Fiction crew

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Two questions together...

Moderator: <muaddib>: Vin, I've heard that you have experience in many areas of the movie industry. What role (i.e. director, actor. etc.) do you feel is the most rewarding?

Moderator: <technochick>: I'm from Tulsa OK, & i want to know what you like better, acting or directing?

VinDiesel: There are rewards to all of it

VinDiesel: I don't know that I could say one is better than another

VinDiesel: I've been an actor for a long time. Since I was 7

VinDiesel: However, directing is challanging, and rewarding, and you can make a statement and tell a story from beginning to end

VinDiesel: It's something that I want to do alot more of

VinDiesel: I'll probably act in more projects in the near future, then direct in more in the future

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <VINisHOT>: YOU ARE THE HOTTEST MAN ALIVE! IS VIN DIESEL YOUR REAL NAME?

VinDiesel: I was born in a gas station... ha ha

VinDiesel: Thanks for the compliment!

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <aharding>: Tucson,AZ Vin, PB ruled! I like the anti-hero idea, it is rarely done correctly, and you of course nailed it, man. My Q; you've had a chance to work in Australia. And it sounded like it was a bit of a pain to you with the weather and all. but an amazing amt. of SF movies are being shot there. Do you see it as a possible new SF film mecca and would you go through another shoot there again?

VinDiesel: I would gladly work again down under.

VinDiesel: The crews there are so talented

VinDiesel: I plan on going back and shooting there again

VinDiesel: Thanks

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <gatsby>: From NY (Long Island) Haven't seen Pitch Black yet. My question is where do you get your inspiration to write scripts like Multi Facial and Strays. Also where can I get a copy of them.

Moderator: <Bunny-Girl>: Hi Vin! :) I'm from New Orleans and I went to see the movie because I wanted to see the X-Men trailer--- of course, I'm glad I saw it now... I'm a HUGE fan of yours now! Anyway...Where those of us that are starting "Vin Diesel movie" collections get a copy of Multi-Facial.

VinDiesel: Well, I hope we're not spoiling the movie here for you

VinDiesel: You can get copies of Multi-Facial at Virgin Megastore of from Amazon

VinDiesel: If nothjing works

VinDiesel: ask for short series # 5

VinDiesel: They have footage of me working on Iron Giant on the DVD

VinDiesel: Strays will be available later this

VinDiesel: year

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <MssNay>: Vin...PB was quite remarkable....how did you get the part of Riddick?

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI throughout this month.

VinDiesel: Well, my producing partner George Zack actually read PB first

VinDiesel: I was in the middle of writing a film about being a bouncer for Ted Fields because he liked Strays

VinDiesel: So as I was writing doorman PB came up

VinDiesel: I had to test many times

VinDiesel: The studio was looking for a bankable actor, not me

VinDiesel: I scared them

VinDiesel: Thanks to all of you and the success of our opening -- and those of you who keep going back -- you proved the studio wrong

VinDiesel: It was a rough campaign to get the part

VinDiesel: Both David and Ted really fought for me

Moderator: We?re talking to Vin Diesel, the star of USA Film? PITCH BLACK. Gotta question for Vin? Please send it to me, Moderator, as a private message and we?ll make sure it gets asked. To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" (without the quotes) on the command line. And don?t forget to catch INTO PITCH BLACK, a SCI FI exclusive companion special, airing on SCI FI throughout this month.

VinDiesel: I'm amazed by the reception. And I'm very grateful

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <FemmeFatale> : is your website www.vin-diesel.com going to be up next week?

VinDiesel: Good...Good...Good... I mist have the most aware audience in the world

VinDiesel: You're all so invested

VinDiesel: Yes!

VinDiesel: I'm working as we speak to have it up next week.

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <pwitypixi>: I loved how the character developed throughout the movie and yet remained so badass. What are some of the pressures of writing, producing and acting in your own films?

VinDiesel: The budget was the hands down pressure

VinDiesel: It's hard to make a money for NO MONey

VinDiesel: Multi-Facial cost me 3000 dollars. John Salle and I raised 47000 doing telemarketing to make Strays

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <nikkyD> : how does your family and friends handle your success? and does the female attention bother you or them? from the ever great kansas city mo

VinDiesel: No love the attention.

VinDiesel: People are responding to the work, not to me

VinDiesel: That's why I do it

VinDiesel: My family is thrilled

VinDiesel: As are my friends

VinDiesel: All the years have finally added up top something

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <AonScail> : Like several others here, I'm a fan of "Farscape", which features your "Pitch Black" co-star Claudia Black. Do you have any interesting stories to tell us about her? ;-)

VinDiesel: About Claudia

VinDiesel: Well, she was wonderful to work with

VinDiesel: She's so talented

VinDiesel: We played pool quite a bit together

VinDiesel: She's a hustler

VinDiesel: The only thing there was to do in Australia was play pool

VinDiesel: I played more than at any point in my life!

VinDiesel: Claudia is and should bhe a writer

VinDiesel: She's incredibly talented

VinDiesel: She wrote me a birthday card that touched me so much I still have it on my desk

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <ladyluck> : Hey Vin, my galfriends and I here at Davis, Cali love PB and voted you as one of most cutest guy in Hollywood. After starting the new millennium with two hit movies, PB and Boiler Room, what projects are you intrested in doing for the next coming years? ;)

VinDiesel: Hmmm...I'd like to continue doing projects that I'm passionate about

VinDiesel: That's more important than the money

VinDiesel: I've been broke.

VinDiesel: I can live without money

VinDiesel: But a great project is so fulfilling...That's what I',m shooting

VinDiesel: For

VinDiesel: You and your freinds are too kind

VinDiesel: Comments like that make anybody's day!

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Rhian>: I love movies that play on primal fear as well as SF. Imagination and fear. Question: which classical role would you like to play and what director would you love to work with?

VinDiesel: Which classical role...

VinDiesel: I'd love to do Julius Caesar

VinDiesel: There isn't a better role than Marc Anthony

VinDiesel: That would be incredible

VinDiesel: And I'd love to work with any great director

VinDiesel: There are so many good ones

VinDiesel: That's a very good question

VinDiesel: I'm really thinking about the classics in the future

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <AonScail>: People are already quoting lines from "Pitch Black" (especially *your* lines) on the Net. What was your favorite line in the movie?

VinDiesel: Gosh...my own personal favotite

VinDiesel: I've been asked that before

VinDiesel: My answer was lame

VinDiesel: Three days later I though of the right answer

VinDiesel: I loved all Riccick's line ...But

Moderator: The suspense!

Moderator: Vin, we're DYING here -- tell us! Please!

VinDiesel: definitely the line that Jack says "RIDDICK WAIT" was the best. It reminded me so much of Shane and the boy calling out the name at the end. Only Riddick came back. Also of course "Don't you cry for John. Don't you dare."

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: <Bobcat>: Hi Vin, logged in from Madison, Wisconsin...I know you've been both director and star of several of your own movies. Is it hard to look objectively at your performance, or are you especially tough on youself?

VinDiesel: Yes, I'm very tough on myself. It's hard for me to even watch myself unless I have an audience around me so I can watch them

VinDiesel: This weekend I'll probably sneak into a theater to watch an audience watch Pitch Black.

VinDiesel: That's fun

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: I'm being barraged with suggestions about just WHICH theater you should sneak into, Vin!

Moderator: Last question:

Moderator: we want a preview of the DVD:

Moderator: <grf>: Hi, loved your performance in Pitch Black. Did you film any scenes that didn't make it into the movie? What did we miss?

VinDiesel: Good question

VinDiesel: There are a few scenes that didn't make it in

VinDiesel: Right now you have me stumped

VinDiesel: I can't remember which ones

VinDiesel: I'm so sorry

VinDiesel: When you do a film with cgi so much changes

VinDiesel: so very seldom do directors cut scenes that have FX

VinDiesel: So we didn't lose much

VinDiesel: Maybe some different edits

VinDiesel: Or budget didn't let us overshoot

VinDiesel: GA

Moderator: Vin, thanks so much for coming back tonight. I wish I could email you ALL the questions -- they were great and we didn't get close to asking all 1000 of them!

Moderator: Thanks again!

VinDiesel: I really want to thank everybody so much for supporting Pitch Black

VinDiesel: And if you do happen to see me in a theater sitting behind you

VinDiesel: Try to forget that I'm there and enjoy the film

Moderator: Thanks to all of you for logging on to SCI FI tonight. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to submit all your questions to Vin!

VinDiesel: I dopn't want to ruin the experience for you

VinDiesel: And vist me at www.vin-diesel.com next week

Moderator: Vin, you just received -- 3, 4, 5 marriage proposals by the way....

VinDiesel: Hopefully I'll have a link for Multi-Facial

Moderator: And another ten coming in...

VinDiesel: Thanks so much

Moderator: They want a love scene in the next Vin Diesel movie, they say!

VinDiesel: Good night!

Moderator: Thanks everyone.

Moderator: Again, I know a lot of you submitted questions that did not get asked --

Moderator: We're sorry we weren't able to submit all your questions but then Viun would never have time to film another movie.

Source for Part 2

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