Q&A with Kathryn Leigh Scott discussion

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message 1: by Mike (new)

Mike Phillips | 2 comments Hello Kathryn. I have your books DS Companion, DS Memories, and DS Almanac. I've enjoyed them all and I'm sure that Return to Collinwood will be great.
My question:
What was a normal day like while making the ABC series in New York? How far in advance of taping were the scripts given to the actors?
Thanks in advance for your participation here as well as the work your have done both in front of the cameras and keeping the DS interest flowing.


message 2: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn Leigh Scott (kathrynleighscott) | 174 comments Mod
If you've read all my Dark Shadows books, you know these answers! I describe in considerable detail a typical day doing an episode of the show . . . and that we often got scripts only the day before rehearsal. Our day started at 8 am with a blocking rehearsal and ended with the taped show at 3 pm. By 4 o'clock we were back in the rehearsal room for a read-through of the following day's script. I'm so glad I wrote the books because the behind-the-scenes anecdotes would otherwise be lost . . . and it was an interesting transitional time in daytime drama.


message 3: by Mike (new)

Mike Phillips | 2 comments Kathryn wrote: "If you've read all my Dark Shadows books, you know these answers! I describe in considerable detail a typical day doing an episode of the show . . . and that we often got scripts only the day befo..."

Yes, I guess the books detailed the process but this way I got a cool response form a day-one'er from my favorite TV show.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!!!


message 4: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Kathryn, I seem to recall reading in one of your books that you really don't remember any specific scenes or storylines (I admit it could get pretty confusing -- until I watched it again on SciFi and then again on my DVD set, I didn't remember half of it and still get my stuff wrong!)...how does it feel to have a fan come up and ask you about "Scene #989" or something like that?? Or when they run off into a discussion about some story arc?? Does it amaze you that we are so crazy about the show we do know all the story arcs and can remember most scenes (I don't know any scene #'s - lol!)???


message 5: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Kathryn, after Quentin came to the show, and yall were doing Parallel Time (see, here I go, asking you about a certain story arc), did you enjoy working with him?? He seems so nice.....by the way, in your book, that B&W photo of you opening the door and seeing him standing there as a ghost and you letting loose that scream is great!! I believe in your book, the caption was, Open door, SCREAM! lol


message 6: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn Leigh Scott (kathrynleighscott) | 174 comments Mod
Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I seem to recall reading in one of your books that you really don't remember any specific scenes or storylines (I admit it could get pretty confusing -- until I watched it again on SciFi a..."
I'm impressed by fans' attention to detail and how they've committed specific scenes and moments to memory. It's the highest compliment really -- that after all these years, these things still live in people's hearts and minds.


message 7: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie | 171 comments Kathryn, how did you feel when you had to be in a coffin for some of your scenes? I'm referring to the episodes fairly early on where Barnabas was trying to get Maggie to think she was Josette. Especially the scenes where the lid of the coffin was closed while you were in it. Did you have panic attacks, nightmares, or feel claustrophobic? It would have scared me, well to death. Also, how long did you have to stay in the coffin each time? I don't see how you could bear it. Ah!!


message 8: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Kathryn, also, didn't you write in one of your books that Jonathan Frid didn't like being in "his" coffin because it was actually just a little bit too short??


message 9: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I seem to recall reading in one of your books that you really don't remember any specific scenes or storylines (I admit it could get pretty confusing -- until I watched it aga..."

Kathryn, I feel like it's a testimony to the marvelous work all of you did; you knew you were pushing the envelope -- oh, let's face it, yall tore the envelope wide open!! So very glad you all pulled together and did whatever Lela and the writers wanted! I mentioned to Mike and Chris (and then Stephanie) earlier that Dark Shadows was like a good childhood friend who was (and is) always there for me!! Anne


message 10: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie | 171 comments Anne wrote: "Kathryn, also, didn't you write in one of your books that Jonathan Frid didn't like being in "his" coffin because it was actually just a little bit too short??"

Anne, I know the answer to that! I watched one of Jonathan Frid's interviews from way back, and he did indeed say his coffin was too short for him, and that he'd asked to get a larger one. He said he didn't mind being in it though, for one because it didn't look like the ones they use today. I think he referred to it as an old piece of wood.

The interview was on the Merv Griffin show I believe. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about him. He was pretty funny, and so charming too. You can see it on you tube. I think the interview is on the DS reunion DVD too.

Maybe Kathryn can add to my comments though.


message 11: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Stephanie wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, also, didn't you write in one of your books that Jonathan Frid didn't like being in "his" coffin because it was actually just a little bit too short??"

Anne, I know the answe..."


Thanks Stephanie!! You are really getting into this!! Go girl!! Now just make that call next week to the radio show!! Anne


message 12: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Stephanie wrote: "Kathryn, how did you feel when you had to be in a coffin for some of your scenes? I'm referring to the episodes fairly early on where Barnabas was trying to get Maggie to think she was Josette. Esp..."

Stephanie, I think I read in one of her books that the first time, she totally freaked out!! But she needs to answer this question for sure! Anne


message 13: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Mike wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "If you've read all my Dark Shadows books, you know these answers! I describe in considerable detail a typical day doing an episode of the show . . . and that we often got scripts o..."

OOO Mike!! Don't work her too hard!! She has to do thia all the way through Monday night!! lol Anne


message 14: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie | 171 comments Anne wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, also, didn't you write in one of your books that Jonathan Frid didn't like being in "his" coffin because it was actually just a little bit too short??"

Anne..."


Anne, not calling in! Kathryn answered specifically that she wanted you to call in with your question. I cried for a few minutes, but was okay after a while. Kidding! Really, I'm actually glad, because it let me off the hook. I'm just a big fat chicken! I'll be listening though, waiting for you and every one else to call in. Anyone else calling in??


message 15: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Stephanie wrote: "Anne wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, also, didn't you write in one of your books that Jonathan Frid didn't like being in "his" coffin because it was actually just a little bit too s..."

Stephanie, I'm sure that a bunch of Dark Shadows fans will call in!! As you can see, we aren't shy when it comes to our beloved Dark Shadows and we also feel very protective and proud of Kathryn!! Anne


message 16: by Stephanie (last edited Jun 01, 2012 06:19PM) (new)

Stephanie | 171 comments Anne, I do know kind of a lot about Jonathan Frid. It was weird, on the night I'd heard he had died, I had been at the library earlier that day paying off old fines. I'd been very low on money, so I had gone without being to check out books or DVD's for several months. My first item to check out was going to be the Dark Shadows DVD collection 1. Where Barnabas first appears. The date I was at the library paying off fines was April 18. April 18 also happens to be the very first day Barnabus appeared on the show!

The weirder thing is, a year ago to the date, April 18, I'd finally found what DVD I needed to start out with to see Barnabus. I'd been on the hunt for a couple months, and the librarian was able to find in her records the episode I needed to see. She told me it was aired on April 18, 1967. I asked her what the date was that day, and to her surprise and mine it was April 18! {I'm one of those people who are always asking what the date is!} Anyway, I only saw a tiny bit of the DVD, because I didn't have a DVD player last year. I'd watched it with my son on his xbox! It kind of bored him, so he only watched 1 or 2 episodes with me.

Isn't it odd though, that two years in a row these things happened on April 18? That's a 1/365 chance of that happening.

The coolest thing I know Dark Shadows fans were amazed at though, is that April 18 was the date of Jonathon Frid's memorial. The very same date he'd first appeared as Barnabus on Dark Shadows! Then he died on Friday the 13th?? Fate is so strange! It's almost like he planned it. What odd coincidences, huh?!


message 17: by Anne (new)

Anne | 302 comments Stephanie wrote: "Anne, I do know kind of a lot about Jonathan Frid. It was weird, on the night I'd heard he had died, I had been at the library earlier that day paying off old fines. I'd been very low on money, so ..."

Stephanie, and ONLY Jonathan Frid could have returned to the big screen AFTER he had passed away...Barnabas truly is immortal!! Anne


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