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Messages - wes

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1
Current Talk '05 I / Re: Favorite Dark Shadows special effect
« on: October 05, 2005, 04:28:57 AM »
Quote from: Misa on October 05, 2005, 12:26:33 AM
Hopping Ghost? I missed this. Was this in the 1968 period when Trask's ghost excersizes Angelique? Please give me a detailed picture of what this looked like, as it sounds really funny.

Yes, I think it was in 1968.  It was one of the chromokey/blue screen things.  I believe the camera off-set bounced up-and-down...

I think to try to get Trask in position... to SI onto the regular set...  the image of Trask bounced up-and-down as the camera positioned Trask in the other set... and, he BOUNCED up and down.  It was really funny... maybe even funnier than me trying to explain it!

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Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 05, 2005, 04:14:16 AM »
Quote from: Darren Gross on October 05, 2005, 01:18:25 AM
Sorry if these make me come off like a know-it-all.

That's not the impression I got.

Anyway, the more you know, the better!

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Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 05, 2005, 04:05:47 AM »
Quote from: Misa on October 05, 2005, 12:12:40 AM

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?

I would have had a grown-up David "return" to Collinwood with his new wife (a Vicki-type character. David's first wife is thought to have died mysteriously).  The new Mrs. Collins must become an instant mom to a troubled tyke...  Naturally, mysteries ensue...

I would have recast the "immortals":  Barnabas, Angelique, Quentin... they could be "lookalikes" as you suggest, or not.  I don't think an actor HAS to look like the prior role player.  Some of the original cast could play their roles... Nancy Barrett as a Liz-type, etc...

That being said... I still liked the 2004 pilot.

4
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 05, 2005, 03:46:25 AM »
Quote from: Fletcher on October 04, 2005, 10:51:35 PM
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.

I am only GUESSING, but I don't think Hu would be playing a Natalie duPres role.  They could create an "exotic companion-to-Josette character" for Hu to play.  The character could be re-written for another actor, in my opinion.  There is no need to follow original casting patters, either; someone else could play Natalie.

I think they would have done the flashback, but differently.

I wish there was more of Kelly as Julia to judge.  She doesn't have much to do... She doesn't stand-out as either "the bomb" or "a bomb."

5
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 05, 2005, 03:23:11 AM »
Quote from: Darren Gross on October 04, 2005, 09:35:52 PM
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.

It's interesting to hear your take on the 2004 Sheriff -- I was very glad to see a Black actor as Patterson... then wondered if they were making him "comic relief."  I got the impression, perhaps wrongly, that Patterson was ridiculous.  I would have to see the pilot again, but can see your points/description (...the game's afoot") as a reasonable take on the character.  Still, I would have made some different character/casting choices... and those decisions are not mine to make.

I agree about the 1991 Sheriff.  The actor can be wonderful... I just didn't like Patterson played that way.  I like the Dana Elcar model.

6
Current Talk '05 I / Re: Favorite Dark Shadows special effect
« on: October 04, 2005, 03:37:47 AM »
My favorite SE was when Barnabas changed from bat to human before attacking Suki Forbes.

My favorite regular SE was the ever changing PT room.

My favorite SE prop was (I agree) the Boxed Hand of Count Petofi; but, I didn't like when it "floated" around the room and grew bigger.  I didn't like the "hopping" Ghost of Trask, either.

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Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 04, 2005, 02:56:00 AM »
Quote from: Misa on October 04, 2005, 02:26:01 AM
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...

8
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 04, 2005, 02:51:12 AM »
Quote from: PennyDreadful on October 03, 2005, 03:05:41 AM
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 thought Alec was fine.  I think he would have gotten better; but, that's not to imply he was bad.  He played just what you said, "...a class act, with a nasty dark side and a dose of guilt..."

He portrayed the part of the "reluctant" vampire Barnabas Collins.  TPTB gave him the direction and he followed perfectly... just like the producer & director said... he really did play what he was given to play.  He understood direction and the part he was given.  It was a fine job...

I don't know where the "blue-collar" thing comes from?  He was hired for a job, which he did very well.


9
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 04, 2005, 02:42:25 AM »
Quote from: PennyDreadful on October 03, 2005, 03:05:41 AM
1967 -Grayson Hall... Check
 1991 -Barbara Steele... Check
 2004 -Kelly Hu???...  WTF?!

Well, you don't see enuf of Kelly's Julia to get an impression.  I think the casting was interesting... could have added an element.

The casting of Grayson was interesting, too.  I think that was going to be another Dr Guthrie... but, it worked out rather well...

They could have come full circle & gone back to the original Julian Hoffman.  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!

10
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 03, 2005, 12:56:59 AM »
PS

I should add one thing to the above... The show had not only style (like John Yaeger would say), but also art.  It seemed, at times, like art.  (The original DS seemed like art a lot of the time, too.)

Especially in the introductions of the Vicki & Barnabas characters... the train ride, train station (Vicki outside in the rain), finding Barbnabas and how [spoiler]he is revived (the drop of blood)...[/spoiler]

Later, the scenes from Barnabas' perspective as he surveys Collinsport looking for a victim.  I don't want to say too much... I'm sure it will be seen, eventually, by all...

arty, but nice arty

11
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 03, 2005, 12:45:54 AM »
Quote from: Fletcher on October 01, 2005, 03:59:12 AM
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?

Overall, I thought the show had style.  The original had style.  I liked the style, direction, and camerawork.  I thought the direction very well done, despite what I heard.  I thought the arrival of Barnabas shot well.  The shot of Collinwood's interior and exterior were excellent.  They made the house and grounds look splendid.

I believe Curtis said, while promoting the 1991 series, he wanted to update the look of Collinwood... so, that it would look as grand as it seemed, originally.  That was not achieved in the 1991 series; for the 2004 show, it was realized.

I really don't like the idea of re-making DS endlessly; rather, I would take the "Next Generation" approach.  Still, I liked the way the characters/script were updated.  All of the opening scenes were improved.  Vicki's arrival... the train ride and the station were wonderful.  I thought the "cameo" man on the train would have suited Frid.  he should have accepted it, but I don't blame him for passing on it... I would have, too.  But, after seeing the spot, I think it would have fitted Frid's post-DS tour persona.

[spoiler]I liked Barnabas flying around the trees of Collinsporta and crawling on Collinwood's outside walls.[/spoiler]It souunds silly, but it was very well done.  I thought the casting was much improved over the 1991 version.  The key roles of Barnabas and Vicki worked.  In the 1991 series, I liked Joanna but not Ben.  I was prepared to not like a short blonde Vicki... so unlike the established character's look; but, she was Vicki.

The re-working of the Vicki  character's qualifications was nice... she would need Psych training for a case like David.  The updates all worked well... Willie and his girlfriend releasing Barnabas was fantastic.  I'm glad they didn't play up Maggie Evans as a mistress seer of Roger's.  It fit with her original concept, I suppose, but most people think of Maggie as Vicki... she pretty much took over Vicki's role before handing it over to Kate Jackson.

Of course, Moltke, KLS, or Jackson would have been a marvelous choice to play Liz.  I'm not sure WB could reach an agreement with Kate; so, I can't imagine why KLS wasn't offered the part.  If not those, it should have been someone in the tradition of Joan Bennett/Jean Simmons...

Blair Brown is not acceptable as Liz.  Though I've praised the direction, I think something went wrong with the direction of Brown as Liz.  Someone needs to be taken to the woodshed.  It could be that, despite his strengths, the director needs some assistance with staying on course (the course being the integrity of DS).  I think most of the pilot is workable, with Brown... but a couple things need to be re-shot, dubed, or explained (like maybe she's frazzled over Paul Stoddard, or something).

Even worse is the portrayal of Sheriff George Patterson.  It's nice to see a Black actor cast on DS... but he seems like a stereotype!  I'm not Black, so I shouldn't try to explain.  Any African-American fans see the pilot?  It seems, to me, that the role was borderline racist.  I would have to look at that again... Maybe he was just supposed to be "goofy."  I will guess that they wrote the Sheriff as dumb... and it just came off badly...

I liked, aslo, the casting of Kelly Hu.  However, she didn't have enough airtime for me to judge anything.  I thought the casting of color was a good step.  It was claimed the cast was all teenagers... didn't look thgat way to me.

I thought the red hues were overdone.  I guess that was going to be part of the "look."  I would have minded it less if it didn't switch back from red to normal several times in the same scene.  It hurts the eyes.  The ending was very strange.  I would have trimmed that... again, I don't favor the re-make approach, because you have the combination of Laura/Angelique, but, if they HAVE to do it that way, this was fine.

The pilot was so touted as a ROUGH cut... very rough... not airable... rough, rough, rough.  WELL, it was pretty well put together for a rough cut.  It was much farther along than I was led to believe.  I've seen rough cuts before, and this was (if rough), the best put together "rough cut" I've ever seem.  Indeed, it looked one or two steps awau from totally presentable on TV.  Considering some of the garbage they show on TV presently, this "rough cut" is quite possibly Emmy-winning material -- it was a very entertaining show. 


12
Current Talk '05 II / Re: The 2004 WB Pilot
« on: October 01, 2005, 02:29:43 AM »
The 2004 version is very much how I think the show should be done.  I didn't like the 1991 version.  This was much better.  I would do some correction, of course; but this recent version was very much in the right direction, in my opinion.

13
Current Talk '05 II / Re: Cassandra and Julia's relationship...
« on: September 30, 2005, 04:00:12 AM »
Vicki understood much more than she thought she did... she caught on to Laura, Cassandra, Nicholas... before other characters.  Her *weak* spot was Barnabas, but that worked out well... you could say she saw the *good* in him.  Her blind spot may have helped the audience accept the flawed, but charming, Barnabas Collins.

14
Calendar Events / Announcements '05 II / Re: COWSILLS brother missing in New Orleans
« on: September 30, 2005, 03:49:18 AM »
That's an interesting story about Barbara Cowsill & Jonathan Frid... I don't think the kids remember it, so I'll mention it, maybe...  Of course, Barbara would know who Jonathan Frid was; given their era of fame, I would not have doubted that.

Her (Mother Cowsill) collection of memorabillia (no doubt including some DS stuff) was handed down to daughter Susan.  Susan lost everything in the Katrina flood... she was the keeper of all that nostalgic stuff.  It's all gone. 

But, the one thing they want is the missing brother Barry.  He survived much the same way as the survivor "gothick" mentioned.  He stayed in a wherehouse during the flood.  He had to leave when his supplies ran out... he went to the convention center (they think). He called twice and said it was getting dangerous... looting and shooting.  Then, no more word...

They are looking to up the attention the story is receiving... there are some media people interested.

I did see a bit of that show "The Generation Gap" at one of the DC conventions in recent years... not the last one, but a few years ago.  One of the Cowsills (I think it was Bob) said he appeared on that show with Mother Barbara.  If anyone knows, was David Henesy or Jonathan Frid on that episode?  I don't remember that... I bet they all might have been on that show two or three times.  They could have taped a bunch of them to air at different times, too.  I don't remember the show at all, other than seeing a clip at the DS con.  The game show network should run something like that... that would be fun to watch.

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Current Talk '05 II / Re: the "language" of d.s.
« on: September 30, 2005, 03:29:20 AM »
If I get bored, I fast forward.  Usually, I'll find the scenes I skipped to be more interesting the next time around.  Sometimes a storyline interests me more than another... I loved the Cyrus/Yaeger thing recently, and wasn't that interested earlier.  Sometimes I like watching Barnabas & Josette, and other times I prefer Millicent & Nathan.

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