Vlad's most recent post (in the WB ODERS FILMING OF NEW DS PILOT) about Jason Shaw's casting as Joe Haskell got me to thinking. Haven't we had enough of the comely heroine, dressed in the flowing nightie, holding the lit candelabra type of ad campaigns to promote DS? Why not go for something bolder, sexier? And when you've got someone like Jason Shaw as one of your stars, why not use his, er, attributes to their greatest advantage? Right?[click on the "Quote from: Mysterious Benefactor on April 07, 2004, 02:56:50 am" link]
So, I present to you one of the possible ads the WB might want to consider using to promote DS:
There were several attractive young men in that cast. I'm pleased to hear that the director did not neglect some of the obvious opportunities that, um, arose (?).
Did everybody have to leave their cellphones in a basket at that showing? I've heard some hilarious stories about the security overkill at some of these events.
Did they complete the missing special effects for the Fest screening, or were some of the fx still missing from the pilot?
I just don't understand the WB's position that the pilot was "unsalvageable". Clearly they must have hated Alec Newman as Barnabas. I thought he could have pulled it off.
Brown was terrible as Elizabeth but perhaps the script instructed her to act in that air-head manner.
MB I am a bit surprised by your statement that the WB approved of Alec's performance as Barnabas. Logic would dictate that if an entire filmed pilot is deemed "unsalvageable", that the main character is largely to blame.
Additionally, Rod Labbe reported in the "What Happened" to the WB pilot article, that the WB "disliked Newman's Barnabas". I would have to assume he obtained that information from JP but of course I do not know that.
QuoteDid everybody have to leave their cellphones in a basket at that showing? I've heard some hilarious stories about the security overkill at some of these events.No, they weren't that bad - just the usual Fest announcement that there was no photo taking or videotaping allowed. (Though, of course, that never stops some people. ::))
Don't forget the security guard walking around all of us
Yeah, that's pretty much my feelings too... It presented instances of opinion as fact, which isn't particularly helpful or necessary. It's all very well summing up with "make up your own mind", but preceding that with a bullet-point list of personal bugbears pretty much renders that null, because that's not what the audience is being invited to do at all.
Delays don't really excuse this at all. There is a big difference between introduction and instruction.
that might be of interest
Perhaps it should be retitled Goodbite, Moon?? *shrieeek*!
Don't know if this has been mentioned on this site before but there is a very good review of the Dark Shadows Vol 1 DVD release. The site is called TVShowsOnDvd.Com.
Re: an extensive review
Wonder how the WB would react (minus its legal concerns) to the DS 2004 pilot being leaked on the internet like in the case with the WB's Global Frequency pilot-who's writer seems to think is not a bad thing (outside of the legal concerns) as it could lead to a release on DVD etc.... Perhaps the public does have a right to see the DS pilot and then judge the WB's decision to pass on the pilot. Whats fair is fair. Of course this is all a "what if" post.
I think the answer to how they would react is in this quote from the article: "Whether the pilot was picked up or not, it is still the property of Warner Bros. Entertainment and we take the protection of all of our intellectual property seriously," said Craig Hoffman, a company spokesman. "While Warner Bros. Entertainment values feedback from consumers, copyright infringement is not a productive way to try to influence a corporate decision."
I understand you're just speculating, so this is nothing personal, but I don't see how this issue (leaking TV pilots via P2P) can be separated from any legal risks, which include injunctions, costs, damages, and even criminal sanctions. That having been said, would I pay to legally download the pilot if WB were to release it? In a New York minute. However, I think the WB execs have already shown that they can't recognize a good idea even when it's right in front of their faces. :-
Perhaps the public does have a right to see the DS pilot...
Perhaps the public does have a right to see the DS pilot...
No, the public doesn't have any right to see it. It's the property of a private corporation, and what they choose to do with it, or who they choose to show it to is entirely their call.
I would appreciate in the future if you do not take my words out of context. You are better than that. My statement was not based on a legal foundation but one on a moral basis and I used the word "perhaps"...
Sorry, but I don't see how I have taken anything out of context. Even, taking your own clarification of arguing a "right" on a moral basis, I'm having a tough time following your logic. Each to their own, though.
Perhaps the public does have a right to see the DS pilot
I was wondering just how unfinished was the pilot? Did it have beginning credits and music? If it had music what was it like? I know that they didn't have the correct music put in yet, but was it good anyway? I can't understand why they don't spend just a bit more to patch this up and then release it. At least then maybe they could recoup some of their money. And if it sells well maybe they might think about recasting and putting the show on the air.
To those of you who've seen the pilot -- tell us about the Old House. I have read that the entir exterior was computer generated. How did it look? Can you describe it? Anything like the original Old House?
How about the inside? Was it impressive? Appropriate?
... Speaking of the LA Theater, I came across two interesting photos of the interior...
During this entire discussion, there has been little talk of the sets. I'd love to hear some opinions . . .
Can you share?
[Speaking of which, I keep meaning to post that the pilot did indeed include background music... from the films Jennifer 8, Klute and Deep Red were used to what I thought was great effect.
Did everybody have to leave their cellphones in a basket at that showing? I've heard some hilarious stories about the security overkill at some of these events.
Oh yes, it was the same one patrolling us during the play earlier in the afternoon. But, I liked it in the end that he was there. I thought order was a bit better kept this fest. He wasn't bad on the eyes either.
Yeah, that's pretty much my feelings too... It presented instances of opinion as fact, which isn't particularly helpful or necessary. It's all very well summing up with "make up your own mind", but preceding that with a bullet-point list of personal bugbears pretty much renders that null, because that's not what the audience is being invited to do at all.
Delays don't really excuse this at all. There is a big difference between introduction and instruction.
Thanks for sharing those thoughts, Buzz. You and I are in agreement about the 1991 series (although I still think it deserves better the treatment being meted out to it in the forthcoming DVD release), so your comments make me all the more curious about the 2004 pilot. Of course, it is highly unlikely I will ever see the latter, but those are the breaks in that tough town called Holly Wood! *cackles*
I didn't make it to LA either, Steve, so if they DO show the pilot again in Brooklyn, 2006, you won't be the only one there who's seeing it for the first time.
Wes, tell us what you liked about the pilot. What parts did you enjoy most? Also, what parts of the pilot need some correction, in your opinion?
1967 -Grayson Hall... Check
1991 -Barbara Steele... Check
2004 -Kelly Hu???... WTF?!
Barnabas should be a class act, with a really nasty dark side and a dose of guilt on the side. What was all this nonsense I heard awhile back about Alec Newman being a "blue-collar Barnabas?"
I really have to say that I am all for the remake, rather then a next generation thing. A next generation thing wouldn't have much to go on. Unless they cast Ben Cross and the 1991 company again. I couldn't imagine Dark Shadows without Barnabas, and having a next generation show with a new actor playing Barnabas would not cut it IMO.
My biggest concern about the casting of Kelly Hu as Julia, actually has little to do with Julia.... my concern about Hu in the role actually has more to do with the time-travel/multiple role thing.
That'd be like the cabbage deciding to sell the refrigerator because it didn't like sitting next to the eggs and tomatoes.[lghy] [laughing4] [stfl]
That said, all that material is vaulted at Warners and it'll be a cold day in hell before you'll see that material released or shown at a fest.
No way Curtis could have pulled the plug. It was up to the network- they licensed the rights and paid Curtis and provided the budget for the pilot...
That'd be like the cabbage deciding to sell the refrigerator because it didn't like sitting next to the eggs and tomatoes.
My interpretation Verheiden's comments regarding the "time travel" issue, is that he said he "preferred" not to handle the telling of Barnabas's history through time travel, but that Curtis was still pushing for it to be handled in his traditional way. So, it seemed to me that this decicision was still up in the air. Perhaps I misinterpretted.
I really have to say that I am all for the remake, rather then a next generation thing. A next generation thing wouldn't have much to go on. Unless they cast Ben Cross and the 1991 company again. I couldn't imagine Dark Shadows without Barnabas, and having a next generation show with a new actor playing Barnabas would not cut it IMO.
I meant a "next generation thing" which would ignore the whole 1991 series! Certainly, I would have done the re-make with Barnabas. Sorry if that wasn't clear...
See I also got this same impression that Dan Curtis wasn't going to let his original concept of the show be done away with.
If it was an open ended contract. Then Dan Curtis could still have been the one to cause the show not to be picked up due to his ideas and the networks ideas not meshing together. It could have been creative differences at work. So technically Dan Curtis could still have been involved in the plug being pulled.
FireRose
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all.
I was luckily at a unique viewpoint during the pilot production and simply want to give you guys a better view of the processes, the thinking and what actually went on.
Without getting into to much trouble, of course.
I completely disagree that Michael Roberts' Sheriff Patterson was in any way racist in any way shape or form.
I completely disagree that Michael Roberts' Sheriff Patterson was in any way racist in any way shape or form.
I didn't find him bumbling at all. I found him a warm, friendly hometown Sheriff, a wonderful contrast to the cold stiff portrayal by Michael Cavanaugh in the 91 series.
For the Sheriff who is destined to be an antagonist to Barnabas, making him disarmingly friendly and likable would do wonders down the line to create real drama. If you have two characters who your audience is invested in and you have them trying to kill each other it can become unbearably tense, and wonderfully gripping.
I didn't find him stupid at all, just a nervous laugh at what he thought was a ridiculous, out of left field suggestion, (Carolyn being bitten by a person for their blood) and his disturbed reaction to Kelly's body having the same marks later on gave the audience an appreciative frisson as we could feel him and Julia would be investigating it further, in the traditional, "Watson, the game's afoot" type way.
Also, I seem to remember some interview with somebody (Verheiden?), where it was suggested they might tell Barnabas's history through memories and flashbacks, rather than actually having someone (Vicki) go back in time. Had this been the case, then the casting concerns remain.
So, I guess my point is -- I would still be concerned (for the same reasons) about Hu's casting.
Okay, but who would play Barnabas? Someone who sort of looks like Jonathan Frid? Someone with a possible different look? How about the other characters?
If you had never seen Dark Shadows, how are the writers to make these characters interesting to you? As a continuing story you have to know what is being continued. These character might be interesting to those of us who have already seen Dark Shadows, but for new viewers how are the writers to hook them?
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all.
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all. 8)
I'm not trying to do that at all. I was luckily at a unique viewpoint during the pilot production and simply want to give you guys a better view of the processes, the thinking and what actually went on. :o
Without getting into to much trouble, of course. ;)
Did Dan Curtis bring it to the WB as an idea for a remake or did the WB contact him? Just curious.
A gay doc as straight Barnabas' ally would'ive worked very well, too. There are so many possibilities with the DS property... what a loss we aren't seeing them!
I really don't like the idea of re-making DS endlessly; rather, I would take the "Next Generation" approach.
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all. 8)
I'm not trying to do that at all. I was luckily at a unique viewpoint during the pilot production and simply want to give you guys a better view of the processes, the thinking and what actually went on. :o
Without getting into to much trouble, of course. ;)
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all.
I am pretty sure 99% of the cousins here are thrilled to have you inform us on the behind the scenes stuff to bring a touch of reality to all of the speculating we do.of reality to all of the speculating we do.
Only 99%?! :o
I won't live until I've converted that last 1%! ;D
Is it true that, in the 2004 pilot, the Old House appears larger and more opulent than Collinwood? And if so, was this explained in any way?
I looked through my architecture books, and the house that I came across that people might be most familiar with that came closest to resembling what the Old House looked like is Biltmore, located in Asheville, North Carolina:
As for the pilot being shown again at the 40th Fest, I really hope it will be. I'd love to get the chance to see it again - and I'd especially like to see other fans get the opportunity to see it because it really should be seen by as many fans as possible. But according to Shadowgram Update #138's DS Fest "Hollywood Weekend" Report: "The 2004 DS pilot for the WB was shown in an exclusive one-time-only screening." I suppose all we can do is hope that something can and will be worked out to show it again...
That'd be like the cabbage deciding to sell the refrigerator because it didn't like sitting next to the eggs and tomatoes.
i hope they'd put the remake pilot on it as well as a bonus.
Well I would love to see it as is!
WB 2004 Pilot Redux