Media: Katie in Tomb Raider Anniversary Documentary

In December 2006 I was contacted by Mike Schmitt at Eidos Interactive about a very exciting opportunity. This had to be the hardest secret I've ever had to keep - not telling fans for nearly 6 months that I was going to be a part of something huge - the next Tomb Raider game.

Brief Intro

For an overview of the documentary, please download the official press release for the documentary here.

Eidos Interactive hired Turner Broadcasting to do a cool documentary to be released with Tomb Raider Anniversary. They wanted to interview a couple of fans to be included with the piece.

I was contacted by Eidos in November of '06 telling me about this exciting project. They told me I was first to come to mind and wanted to know if I would be interested.

Please note: Originally the documentary was supposed to be packaged and released with all the games world-wide, but was only available in the UK and Australia (collector's edition). Big bummer, I know. You can watch the documentary on this website here.

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The Process

I was thrilled when I was asked! I agreed immediately and was then contacted by Turner and had to answer the following questions:

How has Lara and/or Tomb Raider changed your life?
What makes you the world's biggest Lara fan?
What's a typical day like for you (as it pertains to TR)?
Describe any items, such as things around the house, wardrobe, etc. That would make a story on you visually compelling for videotape.
Please send any TR-related photos.

After several weeks it was determined that they were going to interview me. I was so excited! So the date was set: December 2nd, 2006.

After the filming took place, Turner Broadcasting spent months working on the documentary. The main Producer kept in contact with me to give me updates along the way. A lot of time was spent sending the rough cuts to Eidos for their approval, input, comments, etc.

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Filming

On December 2nd, Turner flew up from Atlanta, Georgia to my house in Ontario, Canada. The crew consisted of the Producer (who was one of the friendliest people I have met!), a camera man, and audio man.

We started filming in my basement, which I like to refer to as the 'formal' interview. They asked me a dozen questions about how I started playing Tomb Raider, what I loved about it, what I thought of Lara, my website, stories, and more.

During the taping I had to talk to the Producer, and it was a lot of fun. I think I was more anxious than nervous when we were doing it! It was a great opportunity to talk about my all-time favourite hobby.

After the filming downstairs, we moved up to my bedroom. This time I had to talk to the camera instead of the Producer. I showcased all of my Tomb Raider goodies including my montage that I won, things from Core Design that I was given, Tomb Raider action figures, books, etc.

I also read a little bit of my latest story Premonitions and worked away on my website. Afterwards they interviewed my mom briefly and then did some "B-Role" with my parents.

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Photos

Here are a couple photos from the filming. Click on them to see the larger version. Enjoy!

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Video Screenshots

I've taken some screenshots from my part of the Documentary. Click on the thumbnails below to view. Interested in seeing what I look like now? Check out my About Katie's Stories in my Fan Club.

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Watch Online

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Fan's Comments

I have been receiving wonderful letters from fans about the documentary. Thank you for your lovely compliments! Here are some below:

Rick Cole: "Hi there Katie - I'd like to just start off by saying it's great to see such an accomplished fiction writer getting the credit she deserves for her work! Kudos to you for that!"

David Edwards: "Hi Katie, i just purchased the Tomb Raider AE that was released today, watched the documentary and thought i'd pop over to read one of your stories, I've read the first one and very well writen. I'm writing this just to congradulate you, in a small way you've been imortalized in the Tomb Raider world, something to be very proud of :)"

Richard Stapp: "Just watched your video interview on Game Tap. It was nice to put a live person with the email. With all your new fans that this will generate you will need a staff. Looks like it may get crowded at home. All the best for your hobby/career."

For more comments, please visit the Fan Praise section of my Fan Club.

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