Xena & Hercules Articles Archive

Joshing Around

Xena, Joxer and a tribe of frolicking Amazons; sounds like the perfect group of people to work with... especially if, like the director of Kindred Spirits, you get to be the one in charge of all the action.

Kindred Spirits is Josh's ninth outing as director for Xena: Warrior Princess, and there seem to be one or two challenges to this particular episode - especially when it rains in the middle of shooting a morning of exterior scenes. "It has a shorter shooting schedule," says Becker of the episode, "so we have to move faster than usual. Generally you do six to seven pages a day; we're more in the eight to nine pages a day realm. We got our script very late, so that made it a little bit more difficult for everybody"

However, Becker is quick to insist that it's not a problem. "It's going well," he says during a short break in filming. "That's because I'm working with a good crew and a cast of professionals, who know how to do Xena episodes at these late dates."

Things are probably also going well because Becker clearly enjoys his work, especially those times when he gets to have a laugh. "You've got the more serious episodes, then the more comic ones... and [Kindred Spirits] is leaning towards the comic. Any time Joxer's in it, you can be sure it's going to have comedy!"

The director's eyes light up at this point, and it's more than obvious what his preference is for episode genre. He likes the comedies "very much; any of the humorous ones, which they have a tendency to bring me in for." Again, Becker refers to one particular source of fun for him on set. "Generally I'm on the same ones as Ted Raimi [Joxer], and working with Ted always means great amusement for me."

Having become quite familiar with Xena and other Pacific Renaissance series over the years, Becker has a definite opinion on what have been the success factors for all these hit shows. His immediate answer as to the success of Xena? "Lucy and Renee are so terrific - they're such a great team!

"Renaissance has done a really good job of finding Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst first for Hercules, then Lucy and Renee, and now again on Jack Of All Trades with Angie and Bruce. They're really strong duos; I think that's what it comes down to."

After a short pause, Becker admits that there are obvious practical reasons too. A US-based production company shooting in New Zealand, says Becker, "will get more for its money down here. You can end up with a show that's more expensive-looking in its own way, because you're getting twice the bang for your buck! That's the reality of things - its SO cents on the American dollar right now."

Fluctuating exchange rates aside, Becker also points out that a big part of the success is the visually stunning beauty of the natural locations. "It looks good - it's a beautiful area and that's part of shooting in New Zealand." Becker knows what he's talking about - in his own words, he's been "goofing around in the business" for over 20 years - and it doesn't sound like he's ready to go into retirement any time soon.

"My first feature was almost 20 years ago," he remembers, "I've been around so long my films are on re-release...

Barker, Kate. "Joshing Around." Official Xena Magazine. Issue #8 July 2000: pp 14-15.