August is still given story credit (along with Grahame-Smith) in the official WB Press Release. That doesn't seem like someone who's been fired.
...
I can certainly see Burton mentioning that the cast might want to check out the DVDs to see things like tone/style of the show - but to obligate them? Hmmm...

As for them building an entire full scale Collinwood interior set, I don't know. We've been led to believe that the biggest indoor set for the film is the Gothic entrance hall of Collinwood, which is built on Pinewood's 007 Stage, the studio's biggest stage.

Thanks so much for the in-depth reply, MB.  

I am really interested in learning more about the script writing process.  Hopefully it will be revealed in the coming months.  I find it interesting that two authors worked on it - at completely different times.  While it's not unusual, it has me wondering about the reason in the case of DS.  As you said, the early reports indicate that Grahame-Smith just reworked Barnabas's dialogue.  However, in more recent reports, it seems to me as if Grahame-Smith has been getting most of the credit.  (Maybe it's just how I've interpreted it.)  It will be interesting to find out if the whole thing was re-worked or just the part we have confirmed about the Barnabas dialogue.    

As for the DVDs, someone mentioned over on IMDB that Burton had the original Ed Wood films available for cast and crew to watch while they were filming ED WOOD.  Perhaps this case is similar.  It would be bizarre to require it, though, as you said.  But, if some of the cast wanted to channel the likes of say... Grayson Hall and Joan Bennett, there would be zero complaints from me.  

Very good observations on the interior, MB.  What had me most interested about the set comment was the fact that this poster mentioned that Dan Curtis had renderings of what he'd like to see Collinwood look like and that Burton used them.  That popped out just like the statement the same poster made about Burton channeling Curtis's directing.  And I have seen no documentation for either of those "facts".

Good point, Borgosi.

Well, according to this post, we now know what David does in the show:

David Selby Filmed Cameo For New DS Film!

In the video, he says, "I don't say anything.  Oh, I say 'Delighted to be here.'  But it's sort of like the old children's book 'Where's Waldo?'"

There is a "facts" list on the IMDB message boards which include this little tidbit.  I have no idea where this information has come from.

"Burton fired John August off the project when he found out John August was not a Dark Shadows fan and did now grow up watching the show as he and Depp had."

And this one:

"They're using filming methods that Dan Curtis was known for using as to try to give it the feel of the original show without making it a parody."

Most of the other "facts" on this list are taken from various articles which we have all read.  But, I have yet to see a source for these tidbits.  Other "facts" have, at least, some foundation in truth, but they are still questionable.  

Look at these:

"Tim and Depp are obligating all non-Dark Shadows fans in the cast and crew to watch the DVDs. Helena (who did not grow up with the show) has been watching the DVDs between takes with Michelle Phifer."

We know that Helena is watching the old episodes.  We also heard that Michelle was.  But where is this information about the other cast members being forced to watch DS coming from?

"They've actually built a full scale Collinwood based on notes left by Dan Curtis. It's not Computer generated. They built the entire Collinwood mansion."

Only the first floor of the exterior of Collinwood was built, so he must be referring to the interior?  

Anybody else read anything in relation to those first few bits of info anywhere?

Just found it to be interesting and decided to share it over here to see what people think.  No one at IMDB has brought any of it into question.  So, I was wondering if anybody here could verify any of this information.

I believe she is the first extra to get this much social media coverage.  Fascinating...

Oddly enough, I had a dream about the poster last night.  And said poster did include Depp with facial hair.  And I was kind of bummed.    

I will see if I can dig anything up.

Very cool.  If anyone knows when it is going online, let us know!  Don't have SyFy. 

I wondered why Angel Bay sounded familiar... but I was looking in the wrong place!  Thanks for that, MB.  It really does make me wonder if this is a new name for a fictional location or something else.  Widows Hill, Angel Bay... Devil's Cliff?  All have nice rings to them.   

There are some new actors and characters listed on IMDB, namely:

Jeff Mash as Construction Worker 2
Daniel Harland as Barnabas Collin's (sic) Carrier Person (rumored)
Chris Edgerley as AngelBay Boy (uncredited)
and
Benjay X Murphy as Builder (uncredited)  (Have we talked about him before?)

So, we now (presumably) know that there is some sort of construction going on in the film.  (Could they be fixing up Collinwood or is this ship-bulding?)  Barnabas Collins has a Carrier Person.  (I am thinking this is in the past.)  We might be able to infer that there is a previously unknown location in Collinsport (or around the area) called Angel Bay.  And finally that there is more building going on, though this could definitely be for the ships.