Linda
Campanelli was
one of the key figures in the writing staff of the 1991 Dark
Shadows series, and faced the daunting task of reinventing
the classic stories for a modern audience. We caught up with
her to chat about her work on the show...
What
was your writing background prior to working on Dark Shadows?
[M.M.] Shelly Moore and I had been writing partners since
1984 - you can do the math! We'd done a stint as dialogue
writers on Days of Our Lives, a couple of freelance
scripts for Newhart and a couple other less memorable
series, Misfits of Science and Shadowchasers.
After
the writer's strike of 1989, Shelly and I were hired as story
editors on the second season of Beauty and the Beast.
We were promoted to executive story editors for the third
season. However, we left the show a couple of episodes before
it was cancelled mid-season that third year. It sounds cliché,
but 'creative differences' caused our exodus. With Linda Hamilton's
departure, the show was taken in a direction that Shelly and
I found tortuous to write. We were thrilled to be brought
on as executive story editors on Dark Shadows a few
months later.
How
did you get the job on Dark Shadows?
The usual way. Our agent submitted a writing sample to the
producers of the show - we were called in for an interview
to discuss the show and what our ideas for it might be - and
we were hired. I remember being at Shelly's when we got the
call. We jumped around on her couch screaming and shouting
like out-of-control first-graders!
You've
previously mentioned watching Dark Shadows as a child...
Now you're going to start taxing my memory! I watched the
original when I was in elementary school. What I remembered
of it is more bits and pieces - more of a general impression
of the show as a whole than actually stories. We couldn't
wait for General Hospital to end so Dark Shadows
would begin. Of course, we got hooked on General Hospital
in the process.
What
aspects of the show did you think needing revamping for a
modern audience?
I remember the dialogue being rather corny and everything
being quite over-the-top. I think the updated version needed
more of a quality of reality for today's audience. Unfortunately
I don't think that was accomplished.
Creator
Dan Curtis is known for taking quite a hands on approach...
Absolutely. This was definitely Dan's show. I enjoy working
in a more democratic atmosphere. Personally, I remember Dan
as being a very imposing, yet nice man. I didn't really have
any contact with him outside of story meetings.
How
did the story editing process work, given that so much of
the show was adapted?
We'd
meet and discuss the storylines as a group. But the original
series definitely served as our blueprint.
Did
you find it restrictive working with so many existing stories?
I think it was a double-edged sword. It's always nice to have
a solid foundation for stories, but it's also difficult to
be tied to something that's already been done. I don't really
remember any storylines that were vetoed. I know Shelly and
I were always pushing for the forbidden love angle - we had
a story worked out. I don't recall the reactions and, as you
know, the show didn't last long enough to know whether or
not the story would have been used.
What
did you think of the finished show?
I still feel as if the show turned out a bit too corny for
my tastes. We did a lot of day-for-night shooting... and it
was obvious. Some of the directing, dialogue and acting was
just not what I would have liked seeing. I think Dan enjoys
more melodrama than I do and his signature directing is not
a style I'm necessarily drawn to. I
do think one of the the standouts of the show was Joanna Going.
She's a wonderful actress and I'd love to see her get more
recognition and exposure in her work. Bottom line - it's all
a matter of taste. I think the concept is absolutely wonderful
and the possibilities are endless. Dark Shadows was
very similar to Beauty and the Beast in that I believe
it catered to an audience that was very limited and in the
end that's a self-destructive road to take. There's a basis
for a very broad appeal there... but the entire potential
audience has to be taken into account and satisfied, not just
the established fans. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens
with it this time around [for the WB].
What
have you been doing since Dark Shadows ended?
Shelly and I ended our partnership not long after Dark
Shadows was cancelled. After that I wrote for General
Hospital for a couple of years and then decided I'd had
enough of the entertainment industry. I was involved with
the formation of a small fragrance company with a friend over
the course of a few years, and other than that I enjoyed being
around as my son and daughter grew up. My son's finishing
up his second year at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor,
and my daughter will be graduating high school in June and
heading to University of Colorado at Boulder in August. So,
the question isn't "what have I been doing since, it's,
what am I going to do now? And so far the answer is I don't
know. The impending empty nest is a bit scary.
What
sums up the Dark Shadows experience for you?
I don't recall any specifics, but I'd have to say just being
involved with the show and watching Dan work was exciting
and sentimental because I'd loved the show so much as a kid.
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