Q&A with Kathryn Leigh Scott discussion
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Kathryn Leigh Scott
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The original Dark Shadows
I loved the original Dark Shadows, Kathryn! I was in elementary school and rushed home every afternoon to see it. You were so amazing.
I STILL love the show!!!! Made sure I ran home from school as so many did!! You & the cast were wonderful! Thank you for the memories!!!!
Kathryn, I saw the new movie with my cousin Barbara and we both loved it!! (Thought they totally wasted Roger's character, though.) You work so hard on all your projects and still find time to be our voice (the fans)... thank you so much!! My question is, when are you going to write that sequel to Dark Passages??? It just screams for a sequel!! I want to see Meg grow and find answers to her past!! Any thoughts on that??
Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the mantel to the f..."
from Anne: that is totally Kathryn!!
Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the ma..."
Is it? For some reason I thought that they originally didn't know that they would have Kathryn play Josette. Later I thought that they altered the portrait so that it looked more like her.
Of course, it was so long ago that I am probably completely mistaken!
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Thanks Terri Lynn!
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My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the mantel to the f..."
Dear Dawn:
It's me! We used very primitive special effects but to wondrous effect! Before there was green screen, the process used in modern CGI work, we had chromakey, which is what the weathermen used. One camera focused on me standing against a blue screen while another camera was fixed on the portrait of Josette. I then walked forward on cue and appeared to be moving out of the portrait . . . so effective!
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Dear Cindy: What a lovely note! Thank YOU!
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My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the ma..."
Ha ha Anne! You know it!
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and wal..."
Kathryn, I KNOW my Dark Shadows!! LOL!! I loved the chapter in your book when you described how they put that pingpong ball over your eye and you kept saying, "more! more!" Anne
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and wal..."
Kathryn, I KNEW that was you!! Have read all of your books!! My son and his friends watch DS on Netflix and are constantly calling me in to "explain" -- what is that big black thing covered with foam hanging over their heads?? What do you mean WIRES?? How did SHE walk out of that portrait;you didn't have computers!!?? -- Parallel time?? Time travel?? Witches? Werewolves? Vampires? Zombies? Ghosts?? LIVE TV??? (they are all in college and now spend alot of time trying to figure out how you did the special effects "way back then" -- LOL!!
Kathryn wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the ma..."
Kathryn, that has always been one of my favorite scenes!! My brother was fascinated and spent days trying to figure out how you did it!!
Kathryn, do you ever regret being SO identified with that one show?? (I know you will be kind and say no.) It's odd how that one show came together and made magic; it was just the respite we all needed from the terrible things on the news and the civil rights unrest, everything!! And to find vampires, witches and ghosts on in the AFTERNOON!! Amazing!! Anne
Anne (or anybody else), did you ever see Strange Paradise? It was another supernatural soap opera, on a different channel than Dark Shadows, but it came on right after DS, so they made a good pair. It was about a guy living on an island (I assume in the Caribbean) who preserved his dead wife's body and stranded a group of people on the island whom he thought could help him bring her back to life. There was voodoo and zombies, and also a portrait of an evil ancestor who would frequently possess him. It didn't last very long, though, and was not anywhere near as good as Dark Shadows!
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My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and wal..."
Denise: See my answer to Dawn...
Denise wrote: "Anne (or anybody else), did you ever see Strange Paradise? It was another supernatural soap opera, on a different channel than Dark Shadows, but it came on right after DS, so they made a good pair..."Denise!! Yes, I actually DID see that!! My brother Dale and I watched it but weren't as addicted to it as Dark Shadows! LOL! Haven't thought about THAT one in years!! Wonder if you can watch it anywhere or if it is on DVD or (GAK!) VHS?? I don't think it lasted very long, though...It reminded me of some of the Boris Karloff movies...did you know he always said he didn't think of them as "horror" films but rather as "fantasy" films??
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My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the ..."
Thanks for keeping the interest alive through another generation! Nothing makes me happier than to hear when younger people like the show.
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Dear Anne: I think you asked and answered your question!
Kathryn, another question for you about original DS: I read in one of your books that when yall found out you were going to broadcast in color, the cast nearly panicked..Did it change the way they costumed you?? I know it was a big deal back then (believe me!! the first time we saw Wizard of Oz in color and we realized the wicked witch was green we freaked out!) but why did it bother yall?? It was still the same schedule (very tight, I know) and the pressure of LIVE TV. Did it bother you personally or was it more of a general we are in the big leagues now kindof thing?? Anne
Kathryn, you crack me up!! I guess I did answer my own question!! LOL!! Wait until I tell my cousin Barbara about this website!! She will have questions for you, that's for sure!!
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Yes, I'm at work on it. I loved writing the first book and can't wait to get really into the sequel. However, I have two other books I have to finish first!
Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and wal..."
You need to read Kathryn's books!! LOL!! Anne
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I saw the new movie with my cousin Barbara and we both loved it!! (Thought they totally wasted Roger's character, though.) You work so hard on all your projects and still find..."As long as I know you're going to write that sequel, I can wait!! Oh, wait til I tell Barbara!!! And we got our autographed photos!! You all look wonderful!! Thanks so very much!!!
Anne wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I saw the new movie with my cousin Barbara and we both loved it!! (Thought they totally wasted Roger's character, though.) You work so hard on all your project..."Just being nosy, but what are your other two books??
Anne wrote: "You need to read Kathryn's books!! LOL!! Anne"I have read three of them, but it's been a while. Guess I need to brush up! I thought that Josette's ghost had been established as a character before they decided who would play her. Guess my memory is going in my 'old age' - LOL!!!
Kathryn, do you know what happened to the portrait of Josette?? (this is a Barbara question). Anne
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she step..."
Kathryn, they LOVE it!! AND they also LOVED the Burton/Depp movie!! So yay for a new generation of fans!!
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The preparation for the first color broadcast was intense. We had a production truck outside the studio doing a remote control, and we all camera-tested our makeup, It was thought at first we'd have to use odd colors for lipstick and blusher . . . in the end, we used the exact same makeup. Within a week all the hoopla was forgotten and it was as though the show had always been in color.
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, another question for you about original DS: I read in one of your books that when yall found out you were going to broadcast in color, the cast nearly panicked..Did it change ..."Kathryn we wondered if they would have to change the colors of your costumes and makeup (because what looks right in B&W isn't always flattering in color). At least we finally got to see your gorgeous red hair!! (from one red head to another)..LOL...Anne
Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "You need to read Kathryn's books!! LOL!! Anne"I have read three of them, but it's been a while. Guess I need to brush up! I thought that Josette's ghost had been established as a c..."
Denise, you need to go to Pomegranate Press and order all of Kathryn's books that you don't have!! So much inside info and entertaining stories and photos!!! Anne
Anne wrote: "Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "You need to read Kathryn's books!! LOL!! Anne"I have read three of them, but it's been a while. Guess I need to brush up! I thought that Josette's ghost had been est..."
Denise: and have you read Dark Passages?? It's her first fiction and it is GOOD!!! After you read it (or anything else of hers) go to Amazon and rate it - I know you will give all of them 5 stars!! Anne
Kathryn, which story arc did you enjoy doing the most?? Not a particular scene but an entire story....Barnabas and Josette/Maggie?? (this is a Barbara question)....Anne
Kathryn, Barbara wanted me to tell you that she was having a really bad day today (Sat.) and then her autographed photos came (I mailed her set to her). She said that absolutely turned her day around, totally redeemed it and made her feel so much better!! She wanted to say thank you! thank you!! for the lovely photos!! Anne
My cousin Terri Lynn Merritts told me you had this group and I was so excited to see it posted on her Facebook page. I absolutely adore the original Dark Shadows. I like Johnny Depp but hey, no one could be as sexy as Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins!!!!! I know this is nosy and personal but were any of the cast involved in dating relationships with each other? I haven't read your books yet but am definitely going to get them all.
Melanie wrote: "My cousin Terri Lynn Merritts told me you had this group and I was so excited to see it posted on her Facebook page. I absolutely adore the original Dark Shadows. I like Johnny Depp but hey, no one..."Melanie:: Kathryn NEVER talks out of school!!...Anne
Yes, lets stick to the topic not gossip!
Dear Kathryn,Please allow me to thank you for making this opportunity to communicate with you possible. It means a great deal to me, as I was never able to attend one of the festivals I read so much about in the 80s. You also made Maggie, really, whichever role you played, so very dear to me. You have my deepest gratitude for that.
Your My Scrapbook Memories of Dark Shadows was given to me as a birthday gift the year it was published, and quickly became one of my favourite books. Everything about it was so very special. Unfortunately, my much treasured book was lost during a move, and I've never been able to replace it. May I ask why it was not reprinted?
Respectfully,
~Kassandra
Kathryn wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the ma..."
Kathryn, they may have been "primitive" special effects but yall sure used them to the absolute best extent!! Even today I love them!!! Like I said earlier, it was just.....MAGIC!!! Anne
Kassandra wrote: "Dear Kathryn,Please allow me to thank you for making this opportunity to communicate with you possible. It means a great deal to me, as I was never able to attend one of the festivals I read so m..."
Kassandra, I am SO glad I still have my copy! Anne
Chris wrote: "Yes, lets stick to the topic not gossip!"Thanks Chris!!! Anne
Melanie wrote: "My cousin Terri Lynn Merritts told me you had this group and I was so excited to see it posted on her Facebook page. I absolutely adore the original Dark Shadows. I like Johnny Depp but hey, no one..."Nancy Barrett was married to David Ford (Sam Evans) but divorced from him sometime during the run of the show.
Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, another question for you about original DS: I read in one of your books that when yall found out you were going to broadcast in color, the cast nearly panicked..Did it change ..."You know I was rather disappointed when the episodes changed from black and white to color. I liked watching it in black and white...kind of changed the mood of the show a bit for me..
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You're welcome! So happy they helped.
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I'll be ready to announce soon on Facebook, Twitter and my blog. Thanks for asking Anne!!
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Please allow me to thank you for making this opportunity to communicate with you possible. It means a great deal to me, as I was never able to attend one of the festivals I read so m..."
Thank you for your kind comments!"My Scrapbook Memories of Dark Shadows" was my first book and the one that really taught me how to write. The book went through several printings, both hard and softcover, but I was unhappy that there were factual errors and sections I felt could be improved. Eventually I rewrote and edited the book, adding new material, and published it as "Dark Shadows Memories," which is available at www.pompress.com.
Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and wal..."
She happened to be there one day when they were messing around with a dress dummy trying to make Josette's ghost and she bravely volunteered to do it!! READ HER BOOKS!! LOL!! Anne
Kathryn, What was Lela Swift like?? She directed most of the episodes, didn't she?? I mean, a female director in the early '60's!! WOW!! And that reminds me, so proud of you for being a Bunny!! It wasn't at all what people thought and waitressing is HARD work!! I loved reading The Bunny Years!! Anne
Kathryn wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Hi Kathryn,My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the ma..."
Kathryn, you always say the special effects were very primitive but boy did they work!! I know it was much harder back then to get it done but my son and his friends are absolutely fascinated that those effects could be done without a computer!! I don't think yall give yourselves enough credit!!! Anne
My question is about the original Dark Shadows. When we first see Josette dancing around outside the Old House and when she steps out of the portrait and walks off the mantel to the floor, is that you or another actress?