Watchers - Contact Us and FAQ

A virtual series/season is patterned after a television show featuring already established characters and appears only on the internet. A VS usually includes artwork (and in our series, sounds) that helps tell the story, but not always. Watchers is not a 'real' television show. We're just a group of crazy Buffy fans that got together to form a spin-off and keep the Buffyverse and the franchise alive. [Top]

Where can a see WaTchers? What time and station?

Again, Watchers isn't a real television show. It's only glorified fan fiction that can only be found at this site. But thanks for thinking it's real. It's a nice ego boost for all of us who put the hours in each week to make it possible. [Top]

I’m having trouble hearing and seeing things. Why?

AOL, Foxfire and other users might experience some errors. Sorry, but I.E. works best. [Top]

What format of writing do you use?

We write in prose (story) form but also include script direction such as ‘fade out’, ‘cut to’ etc. to help the readers ‘see’ what’s happening. All character dialogue however is written in story form and some of those character lines that have sound will feature a link that readers can click and hear. [Top]

There are no character thoughts in the stories – why not?

Because much like Buffy you couldn’t hear inside a character’s mind (with the exception of ‘Earshot’ but that WAS the entire point of that episode<G>). If the ‘viewers’ know what everyone is thinking it doesn’t make for suspenseful storytelling. However, there’s nothing that says viewers can’t pick up on the dialogue, body language or mannerisms of the characters. Good rule of thumb – if you want to know what a character is thinking then read each story closely. In fact our fans came up with a phrase - EHM - based on the advice of CN that 'everything has meaning'. So actions or words that might not seem that important can have a much greater meaning in other episodes. If nothing else Watchers did strive to show continuality in the episodes. [Top]

Where’s the ‘previously on Watchers’ at the beginning of each episode?

To play ‘catch up’ please read our BACK STORY page to see the important stuff you might have missed. You can also check out the entire episodes broken down by seasons. These links are located on several pages. [Top]

What’s the story break down?

The same as an episode – a teaser and four acts. Approximately 2-5 pages of the teaser and 10-20 pages per act to total on average 45 pages per ‘episode’ but for eps loaded with action they can be as large as 100+ pages. [Top]

How many screencaps per episode?

At least 3-5 per act which averaged 25 per episode, give or take. As the seasons progressed we had more and more though. [Top]

How about sound bytes?

We used various bits of lesser-known character dialogue. Then we either used it as/is or we manipulated it so two characters speak at the same time. These dialogue bits are included into every script. We tried to have at least 3 sound bytes per episode. [Top]

Who wrote the episodes?

CN Winters had a hand in every episode so the story stay concurrent with each other but various writers worked on a host of scripts. Each writer is credited each week in the episode cover art along with all information regarding the story. [Top]

How does one ‘direct’ an episode?

CN Winters did most of the direction of the episodes by advising the writers and editing the material to fit the storyline to the season plans. [Top]

Is it true season five is the last season?

Isn't five enough? <G> Really, we wanted to go out on top rather than wither away, so year five was our finale season with 123 episodes total 'in the can', which in 'real T.V.' actually equals five and a half seasons. If fan interest persists we will probably do an occasional 'TV-Movie'. [Top]

Who are the regular characters?

Willow, Rowena, Faith, Kennedy. As for Buffy, Giles, slayers and others they have smaller roles but are still present. However, the focus of the series is watchers, hence the name, but we do try to mix it up each week, giving each character a 'spotlight' episode or story arc. [Top]

Why Cleveland?

It’s been mentioned in two episodes of Buffy (‘The Wish’ and ‘Chosen’) that Cleveland sits on a Hellmouth. It’s interesting to note that in real life Cleveland has a bit of a bizarre history over the years, so do a little research if you get the chance. It's rather fascinating actually. [Top]

Is there some kind of headquarters or home base they're using?

Thanks to Willow and her hacking skills she and Giles began a New Council using the Old Council's funds. Cleveland, the world headquarters, owns two large buildings next to each other. One is the watchers headquarters (HQ), which is three stories tall. On the HQ top level is their meeting rooms, Watcher classrooms (where new watchers are trained), computer equipment and a library. On the second floor is the living space for the council members hierarchy (Willow and Co.) and on the lower/ground level are two main areas - one where Willow works her ‘old age-y’ Wiccan magic and another where she does her new age-y (i.e. computers) magic. The New Council has a second building next door, which is an academy of sorts. It houses all the incoming Slayers and Watchers much like an Army barracks with large training areas for the Slayers. [Top]

Can anyone be a Watcher?

Much like Slayers, Watchers also have a destiny or a calling to perform their duties in the fight against evil and are chosen much like Slayers. With the overrun of slayers coming in the council has been forced to take on people who already have a knowledge of Hellmouth activity yet are extremely talented in intellectual matters although they might not be chosen. Dawn Summers was the first person admitted to the Watchers Academy because of her skill of languages. Although she appears to have no mystical connection to Watcherhood, Giles spent years being the surrogate father of her and her sister, Buffy. Giles biological daughter Elizabeth (Liz), however, is a chosen watcher. [Top]

So what's so special about chosen Watchers?

All Watchers have a high level of intellect and intuition. Some, who are considered chosen, are skilled at certain tasks that go above and beyond that of ‘normal’ people. Giles is a keen researcher – remembering information for years after consuming it and calling it up when it’s needed. If he doesn’t know the information immediately he usually knows where to find it or where he read it. With Willow she's gifted in the area of magic and with computer knowledge that surpasses many in the field. Rowena has an extensive knowledge in demonology and Dawn has advance skill when reading and deciphering languages both dead and current. Watchers can also have other special skills such as fencing, hand-to-hand and other physical skills too – not all watchers have all skills but they do seem advanced in certain areas and disciplines. As for Buffy as Watchers Division Head in season three and beyond, she was picked because of her experience in the field and the need to merge both branches (Watchers and Slayers) closer together, much like how she and Giles worked together as a team. [Top]

There's not much of Buffy? What gives?

Watchers was designed as a Spin-Off of Buffy and not a season eight and beyond. That means that Buffy was not featured heavily in most episodes. Again, Buffy was never the focus of the show. But should you need more of a 'Buffy fix' there are LOTS of Buffy VS's out there - some of which are located on our LINKS page. So check 'em out too! [Top]

Can I leave feedback?

Yes, by all means leave feedback! This is important. If you enjoy the series let us know. Reason being, a great deal of time and effort from many people goes into bringing episodes to you each week so be sure to leave a note of thanks in any of our mediums – our FORUM, E-GROUP or FEEDBACK area. [Top]

What if I don’t like an episode?

You’re free to complain as well – just be tactful and polite. In other words, no name calling, no smart ass posts, no flaming. We feel the best storytelling are stories that make people react - negative or positive. You don’t have to always love us. You just always need to be respectful if you have a gripe because, like you, we’re just fans. We do this for fun and not to pay a mansion mortgage out in Beverly Hills. So hurtful, unconstructive comments on your part just shows a lack of class and intelligence. You'll find that most of our fans are observant and articulate people. That means if you want to fit in too always think twice before you hit ‘send’. <G> [Top]

I still have questions. Now what?

Visit the top of this page to see who handled various duties and address your questions to them. For example, questions concerning graphic work should go to our Art Director, Robert Kidman or questions about sounds to CSR. If all else fails, and you’re not sure who to email, then contact CN Winters at cnwinters71@yahoo.com. [Top]