Mundie Moms

Monday, February 2, 2015

TMI TV Series, My Thoughts On Getting It Right


Hi Shadowhunters! Today I wanted to take a moment and talk about the TMI TV series. I know there's been a lot of concern lately over the making of the TV series. There are currently a lot of rumors flying around about the series, and many fans have wondered what's going on with the series, what role Cassandra Clare has in all of it, and when we'll see our favorite Shadowhutners on our TV screens. Here's the thing, there is not much news I've been able to find, but I wanted to share my thoughts on a few things. 

In a perfect world, Cassandra Clare would have full control over how the TV series would be made, she would write the script, cast the characters, and make sure that every little detail from Shadowhunter world would be portrayed perfectly. We don't live in a perfect world. Cassandra Clare has NO SAY on The Mortal Instruments TV series, just like she didn't have a say on The Mortal Instruments movie. That means, absolutely zero say. As in, she does not have any sway on who is cast, how the script is written, how it will be produced nor does she have any say on how they will make the TV series, and what from the book will be portrayed correctly. Quite frankly, if I was Cassandra Clare, I'd rocking back and forth in the fetal position from all the worry and stress of how my book series would be created for TV. I could not handle the not knowing. 

Movie studios, and those who create T.V. series based on books  don't owe anything to the author or the fans. Meaning, they do not have to contact the author about any part of the story. or keep them informed on what's going on. Often times they don't. Nor do they have to worry about making fans happy. I know, that really does sound so stupid to say, right?! I mean, why would you want to make a popular book or book series, and turn it into a movie or TV series and not want to get it right. Personally, I don't see the risk in deviating from the story, and having the wrath of a world wide, highly devoted fandom after you. After all, the fans are the ones who will make the movie or TV series a success or a flop. 

As fans, we know the importance of making sure those who want to bring a book to life, whether it be on the big screen or the TV screen, and just how crucial it is for the studios to GET IT RIGHT. Obviously there will be minor changes, as you can't take a 500+ page book and fit it into the time allotted to make a movie, or the scheduled time of a TV series. However, no studio can take a beloved series, with thousands of devoted fans, and create something totally different from the book, and except success. I think The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie is an example of that. 

When asked by fans what she knows about the T.V. series, Cassandra Clare has told fans numerous times, she knows as much as we know when it comes to the TV series. Which, means none of us knows anything except for the rumors that are flying around. I read an article this morning posted by Fangirlish, which outlines some of the rumors that fans online have been discussing aka freaking out about. Let's be honest, these rumors would destroy the storyline. Some of the rumors include: 
  • Aging up the characters - Why? This book was written for TEENS, with TEENAGE characters for a reason. You change that, you're going to lose character creditably and much of your fan base. 
  • The Shadowhunters are more like a division of the CIA, yeah, don't laugh, this is serious. *shakes head*
  • Instead of NYC, the story will be set in Los Angeles. Um, wait for Cassie's next Shaowhunter series, it's set in LA. 
  • The show will be sexed up and darker. Yep, I have all sorts of issues with this. As fans know Cassie didn't over do any sex in this series. There was a reason for that. Why change that? If they're going for sexed up, you've got the wrong fandom.
  • Simon gets a new girlfriend. Excuse me, what?! That is the stupidest rumor I've heard. That will drastically change the dynamics of this story if they cut out Simon & Izzy's relationship. 
I'm really hoping these are just rumors. If these rumors are true, the T.V. series is already doomed to be a flop before it's even started filming. Sorry I'm a little moody in this post. Actually I'm not sorry, because I'm passionate about this series, and what Cassandra Clare has created. I'm really getting tired of studios screwing up perfectly good series/books. Don't take a beloved story, and screw it up, especially when there is nothing wrong with it to begin with. 

I would hope that, based on what was screwed up in the movie, those looking at making The Mortal Instruments series, would use at that as an example of how to not make a TV series. The success on the TV series will largely be on how accurately they bring the series that Cassandra Clare wrote, to life. Not re-writing the series, and changing crucial details, moments, characters and scenes to gain a new audience. You can successful gain a new audience while still remaining faithful to the story that the author already wrote. 

As a fan, I want to see what I loved about the book series, come to life in the T.V. series. I want characters who are true to the book characters. I want script writing that encompasses what Cassie's writing has; the witty lines, the tense moments, the sweet moments, and everything in between. I want to swoon, laugh, cry, hold my breathe and cheer at all the moments I did in the book, while watching it on T.V. I want to watch a T.V. series and feel like it's successfully captured all the things that I loved about the Shadowhunter world, and The Mortal Instruments book series. I really think that this can been achieved if those who are making this series are as passionate to the story as the fans are, and want to get it done right. 



2 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard any of those rumours (I'm a bit out of the loop) until I read this post but now I'm worried. All of those sound like really bad ideas :/ Hopefully they will manage to not destroy what we all love...

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  2. Yea completely change the movie from how the book is written and what do you have? A bad movie that doesn't make money and lots of pissed off fans. Take a page from all the other movies based off books that were highly successful.

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