BlizzCon 2008: WoW Insider meets The Guild

They've been doing a lot of press lately -- they've been to ComicCon recently, they're actually hosting a panel here at BlizzCon, and lots of different community sites are sitting down to talk with Felicia and her Guild. So we wanted to try and ask them something they'd never heard before, and we think we pulled it off: the entire cast, made up of Robin Thorsen (who plays Clara), Sandeep Parikh (Zaboo), Jeff Lewis (Vork), Vincent Caso (Bladezz), and Felicia herself submitted to even our strangest questions with grace, dignity, some chipmunk-related jokes, and the kind of pull-together attitude that makes watching their adventures as a guild so much fun.
Jeff Lewis had actually just come off the main BlizzCon stage when we retreated behind a curtain for the interview -- he'd done a quick set of silly jokes in character as Vork (right after folks had come up telling their own bad jokes for the joke contest), and as we started talking, all of the cast members were congratulating him on the job he did.
Sandeep: I was freaking out.
Robin: He was freaking out more than me.
Sandeep: I couldn't even, like, watch. Yeah, I was freaking out.
Robin: Because they were booing before.
Felicia: Yeah, they were booing people.
Sandeep: And they were booing, like, bad jokes. And your whole schtick was bad jokes.
Felicia: Yeah, but he's Vork.
Robin: It was so good, you did so good.
Sandeep: Yeah, you did a great job.
Jeff: I was so nervous.
Vincent: You couldn't have done it better, man, it went perfect.
Felicia: They loved it.
Sandeep: I think if you'd gone before -- we should have gone before all that.
Felicia: Before the joke stuff? He was supposed to go right after the costume contest, but something got mixed up, and they actually moved him up, he was supposed to go at 8. But whatever. He has an interview to do, let's do that.
WoW Insider: Hi, I'm from WoW Insider. So being that I'm from WoW Insider, I have to go around and ask everyone's race and class. What do you play?
Felicia: I have a 68 and a half Warlock Gnome.
Jeff: Level 70 Night Elf Warrior.
Vincent: I have a 53 Human Rogue.
WI: Oh, we should ask, what's your spec for the Warrior, Jeff?
Jeff: It was Fury, and now it's Protection.
WI: Prot. Good call.
Sandeep: I'm a 32 and five eights. I'm a Human Warrior, and my spec is Fury.
WI: Did you get the mount yet or no?
Sandeep: Oh yeah, I did.
WI: Great. You play WoW, Robin?
Felicia: Robin doesn't play.
Robin: I don't play, sorry.
WI: Oh. Is there a reason why you haven't played yet?
Robin: No. I tried it. I would get too addicted, I think.
Felicia: She plays a lot of -- she's really good at Mario Kart. She kicks my ass.
WI: That's good. The first thing I wanted to ask is just if you ever wished you had made a show about rich and famous people rather than, you know, MMO players. Does it wear on you, meeting all the weirdos at these shows?
Felicia: No, I'd rather meet quote-unquote weirdos than rich and famous people. They're kind of boring.
Sandeep: Those people are d-bags!
Vincent: Yeah, man. D-bags.
Felicia: We do not enjoy -- the Hollywood types are not, they're fine. But I like meeting fans one on one who treat you like you're one click away rather than like "I'm skyscrapers more important than you."
WI: The series itself is very -- sorry, did you have more to say?
Felicia: (Laughs) I just don't know what that meant.
Sandeep: It's great.
WI: I think it works. The series is totally as grassroots as it gets. Do you think you could have done this with any other premise? Could you have done a show about golfers or anything else not about MMO players?
Felicia: I think so. I think if you have a passion for it, and there's a set group of people out there who do it, then making a show about that, rather than just a bunch of white people in New York who are attractive and twenty something, is a better idea.
Sandeep: I disagree. I disagree with you.
Felicia: OK.
Sandeep: I think you tapped into something that people are really passionate about, and that they're doing online specifically, and then you're doing a web show about it. I think it was like a lot of things coming together. I don't think it's easy to replicate the success of The Guild.
Felicia: I thought he meant just like could you make a show about chipmunks. Raising. About raising chipmunks. And I think you can. But I don't know how many people would watch it.
Sandeep: But there aren't ten million people online doing chipmunk raising.
Felicia: Definitely different. Definitely different.
WI: If only there was an MMO with chipmunk raising. If only.
Sandeep: I'm actually a level 52 chipmunk raiser.
WI: Oh are you? Already? You're only 30 in WoW, but you're up to 50 raising chipmunks.
Sandeep: I'm big time, yeah.
Felicia: He likes that chipmunk leveling.
WI: I wanted to run around and get your favorite moments of the series so far. This is probably one of those questions you get asked all the time. How many interviews have you guys done today?
Vincent: A million.
WI: Really? A million?
Jeff: Around there.
Felicia: We haven't actually had that question yet.
WI: Cool, so let's go around. What's your favorite moment so far?
Robin: Umm, I think it's... what's my favorite moment?
WI: Should we come back to you?
Robin: Sure, I'll pass right now.
Sandeep: Mine was squeezing Codex's face and pooing. Having to go poo.
Vincent: Boss battle. Totally.
Jeff: I think the first time they meet. It's such an awkward, a socially awkward kind of moment.
WI: When they met up at Cheesybeards?
Jeff: Yeah. It's already tough meeting new people, but then we're all like socially awkward. The characters are socially awkward.
Felicia: I would have to say that's my favorite moment, too. Just because it's 30 seconds of silence, and most people would never put that on the air anywhere.
WI: So what's happening in season 2?
Robin: A lot of crazy antics.
Sandeep: But we can't reveal any spoilers.
Robin: Yeah we don't want to reveal any spoilers.
Jeff: I'd say that a lot of characters interact with each other that haven't yet.
Sandeep: Yeah, a lot of different characters interact with each other.
Vincent: We actually end up killing off about half the cast.
Felicia: Yeah. We had to squib a lot of people in my backyard last weekend, so...
Jeff: The new show is called "It's All Coming Up Vork."
WI: Oh, I can't wait to see it, that'll be great.
Felicia: Wow, that is a disturbing image.
WI: Is there anything you want to answer that you haven't been asked yet? Anything you want to be asked?
Sandeep: What's my cup size?
WI: Sure. What is your cup size?
Sandeep: Extra large!
Felicia: I would say that supporting web video is important. It's a grassroots show, and people don't appreciate, if you're not in the film business, you don't understand how many people it takes to make one episode. I would say that making that episode itself takes like 20 people. But then making the show a success is like every single viewer who links it. So really, it's a show for the fans. And I love that. And I want to keep that. Even if we get funding.
WI: Cool. Thanks very much, keep up the great work.
Like The Guild? We do, too! We've got all the episodes of the first season: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. And don't forget to check out our interview with Felicia Day, The Guild's appearance on Mahalo Daily, their visit to Blizzard, and The Guild's gag reel. Filed under: Events, Fan stuff, WoW Insider Business, Virtual selves, Interviews, BlizzCon






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jarsyl Oct 11th 2008 11:03AM
I don't know why everyone is so freaked about "the guild".
sure, their videos are nice and stuff but that aren't all that über and I can't understand why they are getting so much attention. they brought out 10 episodes over a very long time (each of which isn't really all that long) and season 2 has been announced for how long now?
btw, I like Shepiwot more ^^
vlad Oct 11th 2008 1:08PM
I guess its nice your meeting pseudo celebrities mike but posting the "pre-interview" chit chat between the cast that was NOT directed toward you for your use in the interview is a pretty hack move and fails journalism 101 in my opinion.
seriously, whats said before and after an interview is pretty commonly known to be off the record. you crossed the line a bit there.
hell you don't see real interviews starting with...
"Frank walks into the room, he just came from a limo so he smells of leather and whiskey...
Frank: where can i put my coat?
Franks assistant: here I'll take for you.
Frank: thanks, so where am i sitting?
Producer: Hello Mr Sinatra its a real honor to meet you, Im really a big fan of your work.
Frank: oh thanks, thats very kind of you.
Larry King: Hi Frank good to meet you.
Frank: Here there Larry, nice to finally get to meet you too.
Producer: Here Mr Sinatra, have a seat in this chair, can i get you anything to drink.
Frank: yes water please
Franks assistant: ok we have about 7 minutes before we have to leave.
Producer: Someone get mr Sinatra some water please, ok lets get started.
Director: alright, lighting is good sound is up. lets roll tape.
Larry: check check, sound good?
Sound engineer: yea, your golden Mr King.
Larry: ....... (interview begins)"
Birdfall Oct 12th 2008 3:10PM
Vlad -- It's nice to see how they are together outside an interview. A little "bonus." If you don't like it, I'm sure there are other interviews you can read instead.
Samba-man Oct 11th 2008 11:13AM
Sorry, it seems a bit boring reading a whole text with the interview.. didnt you guys got any videos and cool stuff with the guild? :)
It would be nice to be able to watch the "actual" interview :)
SkullztriKah Oct 11th 2008 12:44PM
Not even 70?
Now thats pathetic.
They wont even have a rating,that must be like, 0 I guess?
A 0000 arena rating wow they suck.
Bunch of casuals hahaha.
I would be able to beat them all in a rated match just by myself lol.
Serahvin Oct 11th 2008 12:56PM
And I bet you'll never be able to get your own show (let alone a successful one).
Birdfall Oct 12th 2008 3:07PM
*odd look* They're actors. Are you actually dissing people who PLAY hardcore gamers for not BEING hardcore gamers? That's... wow.
Schtix Oct 11th 2008 1:53PM
Damn if this isn't bad feedback, you evil bastards.
I enjoy the show and enjoyed this interview. Looking forward to season two. >:D
Skoteinos Oct 11th 2008 7:21PM
I have to say I enjoyed the interview as well and if you have watched any of the episodes and seen these people do what they do so well, even in text you can imagine just how they are saying every single word. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think that as long as you asked them if you could post what they said pre-interview then it's fine and I found it a welcome addition to the rest.
As for their levels, I think Felicia has said in the past she doesn't play as much anymore because she found herself playing WoW instead of going to auditions. I think it was awesome of them to give us their real levels and characters instead of just rattling off "Level 70 so and so". They may be (omg) "casual gamers" but they have a pretty firm finger on the pulse of gaming culture or the show wouldn't be such a success. Level /= Experience. I just wish there was more of the interview to read.
Samba-man Oct 12th 2008 7:10AM
Damn, so many bad comments here!
People are getting mistaken about "blogging" and journalism for some reason, i never got that.
No, i am not a big fan of Mike Schramm either (specially his constantly interrupting guest in the WoW Insider show) But hey, he is a blogger, and did a interview and is trying to provide the experience of Blizzcon for those who could not attend to (like myself).
For that, I appreciate, and sorry for calling the interview boring. Personally I dont like to read a wall of interview, but hey, there it a good experience and you can actually picture some of the events during the interview by reading the text.
Did you guys get the chance to take photos with The Guild cast? That would be really cool.
Alveredus Oct 12th 2008 9:03AM
You wanna talk about a "casual"?
They may only be in their 60s (they DO lead pretty busy lives -- consider that actors can sometimes work 18+ hour days and that a day of auditions is often a full day in traffic)... But I (who have a 70) never even knew about or watched "The Guild" until "Dr. Horrible" came out.
Which is more embarrassing: Not getting to a made up number in a silly game or not seeing a show about said silly game until NPH does a laundromat musical written by Joss Whedon.
Can you imagine if everything was clocked by its probability in relation to someone doing a musical set in a laundromat?
Hm. I'll shut up now.
Good interview.
Randy Oct 12th 2008 8:52PM
I would say I love the show....and it is kind of a big deal to do what they have done with NO sponsors other than donations from fans. Felicia refuses to take sponsorship money when the condition of doing so is giving up her rights to the show. And Mike...you did not have the whole cast there without Amy Okuda....come on...that was sloppy