OfficeTally

Sorry for the late post — I got behind because of the Talking Head Contest …

• Movie news: check out Jenna Fischer in her film, ‘Walk Hard.’
  Short Trailer | Long Trailer (Jenna) | Photos | Entertainment Weekly article
• Movie news: here’s an Entertainment Weekly article about the film ‘Leatherheads,’ co-starring John Krasinski.
• Movie news: check out a photo and article about Rainn Wilson in his film, ‘The Rocker.’
• Movie news: John Krasinski’s film, ‘A New Wave,’ premieres at Central Connecticut State University on August 23. Admission is free! More info at Fitter Happier Films.
• Award news: Variety analyzes the Emmy Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy races.
• Baby news: congratulations to Michael Schur and his wife, Jennifer — they’re expecting their first child in February!
• Article: Vanity Fair lists Rashida Jones’ favorite stuff.
• Fan scripts: I’ve been informed there is a new script posted at Unofficial Office Scripts and Reviews.

Tipsters: Andy, Nicole, Nick, Ileana, Unshun, Jessica

In this third and final part of my chat with The Office’s Michael Schur, we discuss gift exchanges, the origin of Dwight’s cousin, Mose, and eating on the set.

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In Part Two of my conversation with The Office’s Michael Schur, we talk about character development and what it’s like to work with the other writers.

Things get a little out of hand.

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Michael Schur is one of the veteran writers and co-producers of The Office. He’s written or co-written classic episodes from all three seasons, including The Alliance, Office Olympics, Christmas Party, Valentine’s Day, Branch Closing, Traveling Salesmen, The Return, The Negotiation, and The Job. He also played Dwight’s cousin Mose in the episode ‘Initiation.’

I recently had a series of conversations with Michael about Season 4 scripts, the writing process in general, how he really feels about his fellow writers, and other behind-the-scenes stuff. Enjoy! (I certainly did.)

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The Office writing staff has won TWO 2007 Writers Guild awards!

• COMEDY SERIES: The Office, Written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky
• EPISODIC COMEDY - any length - one airing time: Casino Night (The Office), Written by Steve Carell

Woo-hoo! Congratulations to everybody!

Read a complete list of winners here.

From Variety:

Steve Carell won a second trophy for “The Office” in top comedy episode for writing the “Casino Night” segment … Upon accepting his award, Carell evoked a big laugh by saying tongue-in-cheek, “The other writers did not help me, so I celebrate me.”

Tipster: _bales

The Office has received three nominations for the 2007 Writers Guild Awards:

• COMEDY SERIES. The Office, written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky
• EPISODIC COMEDY, any length, one airing time. Casino Night (The Office), written by Steve Carell
• EPISODIC COMEDY, any length, one airing time. The Coup (The Office), written by Paul Lieberstein

Read the full list of nominees here.

The awards will be presented on February 11 in Los Angeles.

Congratulations to Steve, Paul, and the rest of the writing staff!

IGN has a fantastically meaty interview with webisode writers Michael Schur and Paul Lieberstein (”Toby”).

An excerpt:

Schur says that they shot the webisodes “in two days, and it was basically like we focused on the accountants and whoever else wasn’t shooting in the episode that was being shot at the same time. We would pull them in and we would schedule their scenes around the larger shooting schedule. Basically, the idea was, like Paul said, to do 10 little vignettes and basically [have] one focus on the accountants — and then give one side-character the kind of like starring role for each individual episode, as a way to just sort of involve as many people as we could.”

Besides talking about the webisodes, the article also details The Office’s writing process in general, something I have always found fascinating.

There’s even a little plot point revealed about Season 3!

Read the full article here.

Thanks to OT reader DS for pointing me to this article!

Congratulations to The Office for being nominated for the following Emmys:

• Outstanding Comedy Series: The Office
• Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series: Steve Carell
• Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series: Michael Schur, Christmas Party
• Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series:
  - Dean Holland, Booze Cruise
  - David Rogers, Christmas Party

Sorry, no nominations in the Supporting Actor/Actress categories … :(

For more information

• Read the complete list of nominations here. (Thanks, Jenny!)
• Watch video of the nomination announcements here.

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