|
|
|
Breaking Bad was produced and created by Vince Gillian. It's an American TV drama series airing on Showcase/Foxtel. It tells the story of a struggling high-school level Chemistry teacher named Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston). He receives a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer as the series opens. This causes him to turn to crime. He begins to produce and sell methamphetamine with one of his former students by the name of Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul). His goal is to secure his family's financial future while he can still do something about it.
This series premiered January 20th of 2008 in the U.S. and Canada. It aired on the AMC cable channel. It is a Sony Pictures Television production.
Originally the network placed an order for 9 episodes to cover the first season (pilot included). However, the strike of the Writers Guild of America in 2007 to 2008 limited their production to just 7 episodes.
The series is shot with 35mm film and the cost of production was estimated at around $3 million USD an episode. That is higher than average for most basic cable programs.
Vince Gilligan indicated his intentions were to conclude the series by the fifth season. Early in August of 2011 there were negotiations on a deal between AMC and Sony regarding this fifth season being the final one. The deal included 6 to 8 episodes instead of the original 13 in order to cut costs. The was declined by the producers. Sony then took their case to other cable networks to see about maybe picking the show up if some kind of deal was not reached. Then on August 14th of 2011 there was a deal made where AMC was able to renew the series for 16 final episodes.
The Cast
(1). Bryan Cranston plays Walter White. He is a chemistry teacher recently diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He decides to go criminal and sell meth to financially secure his family's future. He assumes an alias and goes by the name of 'Heisenberg' for dealing meth. Soon he finds himself becoming quite notorious for his shady dealings.
Cranston said he really enjoyed playing this part and loved comedy but he really felt like the should focus on something else. He says he believes any drama worth its salt should have some sprinkling of comedy within it. Walter White (the character) is totally unaware he is funny sometimes, but from an actor's perspective, Cranston states he recognized certain moments of comedic opportunities.
(2). Anna Gunn plays Skyler White. Before his diagnosis Walter's wife (now pregnant with a second child) becomes more and more suspicious about his behavior.
Anna Gunn sees Skyler as being someone well-grounded, driven, smart, and tough. She envisions Skyler's writing career that has somewhat stalled as being her hugest dream. She states that she believes that deep down this character has an intense yearning to become an artist who is productive and creative.
(3). Aaron Paul plays Jesse Pinkman. He was a former student of Walter's and is currently dealing drugs. He partners up with Walter to make some high-quality meth.
Aaron Paul sees Jesse as being a funny kid, a kind of a lost soul. Paul compares this character's relationship with his partner-in-crime Walt as being like The Odd Couple.
| |
