In the lead-up to Shadowhunters Season 3B (which airs beginning February 25th), director Matt Hastings has taken to Twitter to answer some fan questions. There’s some teasers for future episodes, some comments on the cast, plus insights on the show and fandom. Below are some highlights from the tweetfest. Be prepared; there is a lot to digest here!
If anyone from the #Shadowhunters #shadowfamily has any questions about how we made the show I’d be delighted to respond. #fansfirst
— Matt Hastings (@mattdirector) January 4, 2019
Here is a synopsis of the January 4th Q&A:
Q: “How are Magnus’ ‘magic movements’ choreographed?” @cbwentworth
A: “That’s all @HarryShumJr. I’d show him the direction his magic was going and he’d conjure up something awesome for all the movements.”
Q: “Tease us something about the Malec training scene?” @buhunter9
A: “Loved shooting this scene. It’s sexy.”
Q: “Does the sandalwood shampoo bottle make a triumphant return in 3B?” @MagnusShampoo
A: “Haha. Nope.”
Q: “What’s Malec’s wedding song???” @EmoMagnusBane
A: “Respectfully cannot answer. It’s amazing tho.”
Q: “What can we expect from Maia’s journey this season?” @buhunter9
A: “There are a number of massive moments for Maia that impact her journey deeply. You’ll see her evolve and grow as a result.”
Q: “Will someone #SaveShadowhunters?” @Betoo_Styles
A: “If the ratings are fantastic, that would be the best evidence for the powers that be to do something.”
Q: “How long is an average day of filming? Does it change if you have to go to locations?” @rschaef9
A: “Average day is 12 hours regardless of location. We tried not to do overtime unless there was a technical or weather mishap.”
Q: “Tease something about the Clary and Jonathan reunion.” @buhunter9
A: “SNOW.”
Q: “Who would you say fluffs up their lines the most and is the first to crack?” @emmeboo79
A: “Depends on the day. They’re ALL pretty funny. So it varies. Dom & Matt both like to have fun, but if it’s a serious scene, they’re focused.”
Q: “Are we going to see more kickass fight scenes this season?” @buhunter9
A: “Tons. My favorite that we shot kicks off 3B.”
Q: “Is there any scene you directed that you are the most excited for us to watch?” @buhunter9
A: “Honestly all of 3×01/3×02 which we shot together. Also 3×20.” [NOTE: likely Matt means 3×11/3×12.]
Q: “How many seasons would you have shot if you had the opportunity?” @sh_wanderlust
A: “I would have loved to see the show continue for 100 episodes.”
Q: “Will the Malec relationship change in 3B? Will they be even closer?” @SalehaDidy
A: “What doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger.”
Q: “How do you decide what to keep and what goes? Of all the deleted materials released, it must be a hard decision. Anything cut you later regretted?” @Herondale_Ducks
A: “Totally. When you have a 42-minute running time, sometimes goodness has to hit the floor. We did our very best to deliver the best for you.”
Q: “Did you ever change details of scenes because of any feedback the actors had about their characters?” @justamundane
A: “Some details, sure. We had the privilege of working with very smart and intuitive actors who often had great thoughts to improve it.”
Q: “Was it difficult to film Harry with cats since he’s allergic?” @mellifluous_12
A: “Not really. He was a good sport.”
Q: “Team evil in one word?” @angelhannah123
A: “Epic.”
Q: “I‘m interested in the process of making an episode. What are the main steps and their order? Script, table read, and so on. And how much time is there for one episode? Is there a budget per episode? I‘m ok with keywords.” @FisTins
A: “Pitch. Outline. Script. Prep. Table read. Shoot. Edit. Post. Delivery.”
Q: “Question about Lorenzo Rey’s character development. What brought him into ‘life’ and (if it’s okay to ask) will we see more of him and Magnus cross paths in 3B?” @EmoMagnusBane
A: “@toddzer1 [Todd Slavkin] & @DSwim [Darren Swimmer] brought him to life on the page and I reached out to the incomparable @JMunozActor [Javier Munoz] who thankfully agreed to come play!”
Q: “Who are the unsung heroes of the Shadowhunters crew? The ones that most people forget but save your life on set?” @EvieMasters
A: “The AD team. The carpenters. The painters. The location managers. The caterers. The transport folks. The camera department. The grips/LX.”
Q: “How does the cast make themselves cry when there’s a scene where they have to cry? Any tricks? Or is it easy for them?” @xheavenlyclace
A: “Actors truly ‘live’ the scene they’re in. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but when the writing is right, it works naturally and beautifully.”
Q: “Was Alec’s stumbling in the Malec first-time scene on purpose or [by] accident?” @safeshadows
A: “I believe it was all natural :).”
Q: “Will Magnus and Simon have any scenes together this season?” @Magical__Magnus
A: “Yes. I believe they’re in scenes together.”
Q: “Will Alec give gifts to Magnus?” @Max_Maks_Art
A: “Depends on your definition of ‘gifts’!”
Q: “Looking forward to 3B. Tease one thing about #Clace.” @angelhannah123
A: “Love is a battlefield.”
Q: “Which Clace scene was the most difficult to shoot?” @xheavenlyclace
A: “The scene where Jace rescues Clary from execution in the forest. We were ahead of schedule and decided to shoot in magic hour. It worked!”
Q: “How did you come up with Magnus’ wardrobe? His clothes are amazing and they only got better with each new season.” @AnYoungGirl
A: “Our costume designer is a visionary. She sketches, builds, and creates his looks with her team influenced by all that we know about Magnus.”
Q: “I really love Jace’s bedroom set. Is there anything in there that was added for a reason?” @xalwaysJacex
A: “Details on his desk that tied to his character. Even the smallest detail was purposely built to support each character in their hero set.”
Q: “What was it like working with Shadowhunters cast?” @princess_yeya
A: “Best experience I’ve had in my career. Not one bad apple.”
Q: “How it is working with Kat?” @xfreakingfray
A: “She’s like my second daughter. Love her to pieces. Respect her deeply as an artist and human.”
Q: “Describe Malec in 3B in three words.”
A: “Explosion of heart.”
Q: “Will there be a scene that deals with Alec’s mental health?” @KatiLorincz
A: “Perhaps not mental ‘health,’ but rather mental ‘strife’? Yes.”
Q: “Describe 3B in three words.” @ianftpaulx
A: “Best. Episodes. Yet.”
Q: “I love all the relationships on the show and I’m really curious how you bring them to life, so…is there any kissing practice happening before shooting? Because all those scenes are so unique and special. It’s never the same.” @Kathi_Blackrose
A: “We save the actual kissing for when the cameras roll so it feels fresh and the chemistry pops.”
Q: “What was it like to work with the one and only Luke Baines?” @angelhannah123
A: “He’s one of a kind. Smart. Hilarious. Intense. Would work with @LukeBaines again in a second.”
Q: “How would you describe Jace in 3B?” @xheavenlyclace
A: “Broken.”
Q: “I’m curious about the swords. Were they handmade especially for the show and each character or only modified? Are they, like, real swords?” @domsreign
A: “Yup. Real ones and also ‘stunt’ swords or ‘fakes.’ Designed as part of the reboot in Season 2.”
Q: “Have you ever snuck your own kids into a scene or two?” @Herondale_Ducks
A: “Ha! We talked about my son being ‘little Jace’ for a bit. He DID appear as #BabyKlaus in #TheOriginals. My boy is in a flashback scene. Season 2. (I think?!)”
Q: “How did you guys shoot the drowning in the lake stuff with Kat and Dom in 2×16/2×17?” @princessafray02
A: “Tank work combined with practical locations.”
Q: “How would you describe Morgenstern siblings in three words ?” @LylyAngelClace
A: “Locked for life.”
Q: “How much do you love the crew over at @folksvfx? The collaboration of what you envision to making it real.”
A: “They. Are. My. Family! Love them and their passion as filmmakers and artists. Hope to have something cooking with them soon!”
Q: “Favourite line from the show?” @Ndburt
A: “I’m here now, son.”
Q: “How long was the whole process of writing an episode, from filming to having it ready to air?” @xhollie_sealeyx
A: “The writers’ room opens months before the production. We typically have four scripts ready to shoot when cameras roll. Shoot was eight days.”
Q: “How long does it normally take to build and design a set?” @xhollie_sealeyx
A: “Sets can be designed quickly and built in a matter of days. It’s the details that take the time – dressing. Paint. Lighting.”
Q: “One word to describe the relation between Jace and Jonathan?” @zoechtfr
A: “Catastrophic.”
Q: “I was always curious about music… So many beautiful songs out there… How do you choose what to put in a specific scene?” @BookishMarina
A: “We worked with our music supervisor and also @samiamhollander [Sam Hollander] wrote/produced some epic original songs for us.”
Q: “How do you and all the creatives keep us on our toes every week? Seriously, there are so many plot twists in this show.” @princessafray021
A: “Amazing writers. Period.”
Q: “What the most intense part of filming this season (middle part or the ending?)” @CDNSpacegal
A: “Intense-wise, for 3×20, we had simultaneous units running to capture all the action. We’d cut one unit and run to the next and say action!”
Q: “What can you tell us about #Clace?” @ArmidaAnahi
A: “The struggle will be epic. Promise.”
Q: “How do you make the songs for Simon/@arosende on the show?” @irwinnielourson
A: “Those are all created/produced by my homie @samiamhollander.”
Q: “Are there artists who do concept arts for the set designs/props/stuff like that?” @NoewatchesTV
A: “Yes. Many talented folks from pre-concept art to storyboard artists.”
Q: “Is there a time jump between 3×10 and 3×11?” @sh_wanderlust
A: “Short, but not major.”
Q: “Why did y’all go so far away from the books?” @jessjohnson804
A: “Excellent question. When you make a TV show, it’s different. Different format. Different obligations to the storyline. We embraced a lot.”
Todd Slavkin, showrunner of Shadowhunters, has shared a few stills from season 3B. We compiled them into a gif for your viewing to help get you in the mood while you read these tweets.
Hello friends! I’m on a scout bus today and have time to answer more questions if you’re interested. Inching closer to #3B! #Shadowhunters
— Matt Hastings (@mattdirector) January 18, 2019
Here is a synopsis of the January 18th Q&A:
Q: “The fight sequences on Shadowhunters are pretty amazing. Amanda Row recently tweeted about your magic touch in directing in these scenes, so I’d like to know what’s on your checklist for a great fight sequence? And do we have some good ones coming up in 3B?” @cbwentworth
A: “Paying attention to the emotional beats within the scene. The story of the fight. Then storyboarding and creating something visually cool.”
Q: “Will there be more shirtless Magnus?” @AlexandersStele
A: “Yup.”
Q: “I know you’ve said this a lot, but I kinda need reassurance. If we get another network to save the show, would it be possible after the two eps y’all filmed to ‘wrap it up’ to continue with the story? Would it still make sense or nah?” @alecsblockrune
A: “Anything is possible story-wise. It’s up to the folks who own the show to either do more episodes or perhaps a movie.”
Q: “From 1-10, how happy do you think Clace fans are going to be with the 3×22 finale?” @marineherondale
A: “11.”
Q: ‘Will Izzy’s prior addiction be addressed when she gets together with Simon?” @AlexandersStele
A: “Always an undercurrent.”
Q: “Please tell me we get a Malec cuddle scene. They deserve hugs from each other.” @magnusbqne
A: “Yes to affection!”
Q: “Please remind us that Magnus and Alec will have quiet moments to themselves in 3B…times where they aren’t fighting evil or dealing with a crisis. As we inch closer to the finale, I find that my heart aches at the thought of not getting to see so much of their story on my screen.” @BrittLeighJack
A: “The show is only partially about the missions and action. The true heart of the show lies in the people and their honest interaction.”
Q: “Best thing about working with Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood?” @angelhannah123
A: “There are tons of reasons I love working with them. They’re committed. Professional. Kind. Talented. And FUN.”
Q: “Favourite Clary moment in 3B?”
A: “Breaking this down to single moments is difficult. Everyone goes through significant upheaval. So compelling.”
Q: “One word to describe Prague.”
A: “Dangerous.”
Q: “Will there be another Malec funny-interaction episode like 3×02? Because among all the angst (which we love), some comedy moments are truly appreciated.” @myramerida
A: “There’s fun for sure.”
Q: “Can we expect to see a Malec forehead kiss or…?” @banesrune
A: “Lots of Malec. A true emotional rollercoaster.”
Q: “Can you say literally anything about Malec?” @malecpml
A: “For #Malec fans, 3B will be so satisfying.”
Q: “What is Jace’s reaction when he reunites with Clary?” @angelhannah123
A: “Relieved. Guilt-ridden. Emotional.”
Q: “Which character will the drama be more intense?” @Paty_mockingjay
A: “As we move through 3B together, the stakes increase exponentially. Clearly, Jace is feeling devastated and by extension, everyone is as well.”
Q: “Will we see a crying and emotional Jonathan?” @KristinaK8486
A: “Any well-drawn characters go through a wide range of emotions and Luke Baines delivers.”
Q: “What’s a good Maia episode in 3B?” @abbynormal63
A: “There’s so much Maia goodness, it’s difficult to pick. I know that sounds lame, but it’s true.”
Q: “Will we get training/fight sequence pairing we haven’t seen yet?” @Herondale_Ducks
A: “Yes.”
Q: “How is Clary’s bond with Jonathan affecting her? Is he totally controlling her or is she on her own free will?” @marineherondale
A: “Complicated. Clary is torn.”
Q: “Describe the relation between Jonathan & Clary with three words?” @kmcnxmara
A: “Just one: Complicated.”
Q: “Favorite Jace scene or episode that you’re most looking forward to?” @malinlovesSHx
A: “I loved how 3×11 turned out. So many folks worked so hard to help launch the season.”
Q: “Is there a chance we could see Izzy and Maia bonding?” @IconicNephilim
A: “Totally.”
Q: “Any badass Alec scenes to look forward to?” @multtisttan
A: “Tons.”
Q: “If we end up with #SaveShadowhunters on another network will you still direct it?” @Tammy39066722
A: “It would be my complete honor.”
Q: “What’s your favorite Clace scene that has already aired?” @L_Herondale24
A: “I loved what Dominic Sherwood and Katherine McNamara did on the bank of the lake after she killed her father. She risked everything for love.”
Shadowhunters returns to Freeform on February 25, 2019. It is also available to stream on Hulu and Netflix internationally.
