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| DVD
Collection 13 |
April
30 2004 |
Dark
Shadows DVD Collection 13 is now confirmed for release
on July 27 2004.
The set features episodes 696-735, beginning the 1897 flashback,
along with the return of Laura Collins. The bonus interviews
have yet to be announced. Amazon.com are currently listing
the title at a 30% discount with free shipping:
Pre-order
Dark Shadows DVD Collection 13 from Amazon.com
| Three
Weeks and Counting... |
April
27 2004 |
Post
production work on the Dark Shadows pilot is now
well underway, with just three weeks left until the WB
network's announcement on May 18. Speaking to fans at last
week's Dan Curtis event, executive producer Mark
Verheiden confirmed that editing work has been taking
place throughout the shoot.
At
some point in the next two weeks, WB executives will
view an assembled version of the pilot, reaching a verdict
by the weekend of May 15-16. Their chosen Fall line-up will
then be unveiled to the press and advertisers at New York's
Sheraton Hotel on Tuesday May 18, as previously reported.
Based
on recent history, pundits seem agreed that the WB
will pick up two drama pilots for the season. Competing
alongside Dark Shadows are The Robinsons: Lost
in Space directed by John Woo, Prodigy, The Mountain
and Jack and Bobby.
With
thanks to VictoriaWinters
and TVTome
| Dan
Curtis Photographs |
April
27 2004 |
Thanks
to the generosity of the Museum of Television and Radio,
we are delighted to present some official photographs from
last week's reception for Dark Shadows creator Dan
Curtis. Click on the thumbnails to view the full-size
images:
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.
.
Photographs
courtesy of © Amy Tierney/Lee Salem
Photography, Inc. Reproduced with permission
With thanks to the Museum
of Television and Radio and VictoriaWinters
| Curtis
Approves |
April
26 2004 |
The
Dark Shadows pilot "looks pretty good"
according to creator Dan Curtis, speaking at last
week's Museum of Television and Radio seminar. Zap2it
reports Curtis' comments on the new project, along with
highlights from the evening. To read more, click
here.
With thanks to Lum Edwards
and Taeylor Gabriel
| Dan
Curtis Reception |
April
23 2004 |
The
Los Angeles Museum of Television and Radio hosted
their reception for Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis
yesterday evening, with archive footage from his career,
followed by discussion with Curtis on stage.
Amongst
the Dark Shadows colleagues at the event were David
Selby (Quentin) with his son, Return to Collinwood
scribe Jamison Selby, John Karlen
(Willie), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), Roger
Davis (Jeff) and Barbara Steele (1991 Julia).
Notably,
a number of faces from the WB pilot were present, making
their first appearances at a Dark Shadows-related
event. Kelly Hu (Julia), Ivana Milicevic (Angelique),
Jason Shaw (Joe), Jenna Dewan (Sophia), Alexander
Gould (David), Michael D Roberts (Sheriff Patterson)
and writer Mark Verheiden were some of the attendees
from the new project.
With thanks to Darren Gross,
Fran Robert and Criseyde. Photograph courtesy
of VictoriaWinters
| Dan
Curtis Book Released |
April
23 2004 |
MPI
Home Video's coffee table book Produced and Directed
by Dan Curtis is out now, following its official debut
at yesterday's Los Angeles reception for the Dark Shadows
creator.
Edited
by Jim Pierson and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans), the
224 page hardcover features over 300 photographs from Curtis'
career, with other information and notes. War
and Remembrance scribe Herman Wouk provides a foreword,
Night Stalker expert Mark Dawidziak contributes
an introduction, plus many past colleagues and actors also
pay tribute.
Click
on the cover thumbnail for a larger view. The book is not
available from stores and can be ordered for $24.95 plus
shipping by calling MPI on 1-800-323-0442.
With thanks to ShadowGram
and Kathyn Leigh Scott
| Pilot
Updates |
April
23 2004 |
It's
been a slow week for news on the Dark Shadows pilot.
Principal filming is scheduled to wrap later today, as post
production begins in earnest for submission to WB.
We would like to wish the production's cast and crew the
best of luck for the network's decision next month.
Readers
should expect more details on the production soon. In the
meantime, here are some brief updates for the cast and crew:
•
Alec Newman (Barnabas) returns to the WB's
departing Angel for its May 12 episode Power Play.
Alec reprises Drogyn, the character he played earlier this
season.
•
Speaking on her official
website, actress Jenna Dewan (Sophia) comments
briefly on Dark Shadows, enthusing: "It is my
first principal acting role and I'm really excited!"
•
Pilot director PJ Hogan's acclaimed live action
Peter Pan adaptation comes to DVD on May 4. Hogan
wrote and directed the fantasy epic, which heavily uses
the vivid colour palettes hinted at for Dark Shadows.
Order it from Amazon.com by clicking
here.
With thanks to James Marco
| Casting
Updates |
April
16 2004 |
ShadowGram
has confirmed that Michael D Roberts joins the cast
of the Dark Shadows pilot in the supporting role
of Sheriff George Patterson. The 46 year old actor brings
a wealth of television experience, with guest roles in Friends,
Beverly Hills 90210 and Seinfeld, amongst others.
His film credits include Manhunter, Rainman, Suckers,
Hitman's Run and The Golem.
ShadowGram
also reports that stalwart characters Sam and Maggie Evans
were scripted to appear in the pilot, but have been casualties
of timing cuts. However, both characters will appear if
a series follows. Similarly, despite appearing in the early
drafts of the pilot script, the ghost of Sarah Collins has
not been cast, most likely for similar reasons.
With thanks to ShadowGram.
Photograph
courtesy
of VictoriaWinters
| Production
Notes |
April
16 2004 |
ShadowGram
has issued some production information on the Dark Shadows
pilot. Following the recent location shoot for Collinwood
scenes at the Greystone Mansion, filming now continues
at Warner Bros Studios and other locations until April 23.
The
Old House facade and interiors will not be represented by
Greystone, unlike the 1991 series. These scenes are instead
filming on location elsewhere. San Pedro's picturesque Ports
O' Call village (seen left) once again stands in as
the town of Collinsport, as it did in 1991.
As
suggested by the recent attempts to lure Jonathan Frid
(Barnabas) for a cameo, the production team have confirmed
that the projected series will actively attempt to incorporate
classic cast members where possible. Interestingly, original
series actor John Karlen (Willie) has already paid
the set a visit.
With thanks to ShadowGram
| Kelly
Hu is Julia Hoffman |
April
14 2004 |
Variety
has confirmed the final lead cast signing for the Dark
Shadows pilot, unveiling the Kelly Hu as "new
look" Julia we reported earlier today.
The
36 year old Hawaiian-born actress has worked extensively
in television and film. Best known for her lead roles in
Martial Law and Nash Bridges, her other television
work includes Sunset Beach, Murder One and many guest
spots. Her films include The Doors, X-Men 2, The Scorpion
King and Cradle 2 the Grave.
| New
Look Hoffman? |
April
14 2004 |
Speaking
on a comics forum earlier today, Dark Shadows pilot
executive producer Mark Verheiden gave an update
on the shoot's progress and an interesting hint about the
casting of Dr. Julia Hoffman:
"Everything's going well and I can't wait to see the
footage cut together! There will be one last piece of casting
announced today, for the Dr. Julia Hoffman part. It may
surprise a few fans - it's definitely a new look - but I'm
thrilled... keep your eyes peeled!"
| Pilot
News Round-up |
April
13 2004 |
Further
to our
report last month that the WB Dark Shadows had
been pre-sold to German broadcaster and distributor Tele
Munchen, a follow-up article in Variety suggests
that the deal has met with skepticism from the local media.
Citing
Dark Shadows, the article suggests that the slate
of television acquisitions are "too many for [the buyer's
network] RTL" to exploit effectively, given
its previous strategy to "cherry-pick the few US titles
it does air." Pundits suggest that sub-licensing shows
locally will be crucial to the deal, with one Munich media
executive warning that "a very narrow profit margin"
lies ahead.
Meanwhile,
Zap2it suggests
that competition for new drama pilots on the WB will
be particularly strong this year due to a high number of
returning shows. With many renewals already confirmed, they
predict that Angel's current 9.00pm Wednesday position
and the 9.00pm Sunday slot are the only available times
for new dramas in the Fall lineup. To read the full article
click
here.
| Greystone
is Collinwood Location |
April
10 2004 |
The
crew of the WB Dark Shadows pilot recently finished
filming at their first location. The Collinwood residence
is represented in the new production by Beverly Hills mansion
Greystone, located in Beverly Hills, California.
The
property will be familiar to many fans, having provided
exteriors and interiors for Collinwood and the Old House
for the 1991 Dark Shadows revival. The crew have
shot a number of interior and exterior scenes for Collinwood
over the past week. Filming now continues elsewhere in the
Los Angeles area.
The
expansive Tudor-style mansion was built by oil tycoon Edward
Doheny in 1928 at a cost of more than four million dollars.
The house and its grounds have appeared in countless films
and television series. Click on the thumbnail images below
for some larger views of the house:
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With
thanks to David Ciminello. Photography courtesy of Bob Issel
| Starting
in Style |
April
9 2004 |
The
Dark Shadows pilot will feature a rich new visual
style, according to a story published today. United Press
International reports that: "The
new [show] will be 'highly stylized', using vivid lighting
and colours to communicate tension and fear." These
qualities were very evident in director PJ Hogan's
recent Peter
Pan movie. To read the full article click
here.
With thanks to James Marco
| Frid
Passes on Pilot |
April
8 2004 |
Jonathan
Frid (Barnabas) has declined the offer of a cameo role
in the WB Dark Shadows pilot. Jonathan
was approached to make a brief appearance, which he formally
passed on earlier this week. While this news may disappoint
fans, it does indicate that the producers are keen to incorporate
classic Dark Shadows actors in the new series.
With thanks to Nancy Kersey
| Series
Hints |
April
8 2004 |
While
appearing at last month's Creation Grand Slam convention
Mark Verheiden, the writer and executive producer
on the Dark Shadows pilot, gave some interesting
hints of what's in store:
The
tone of the show will apparently be very dark throughout
and, contrary to concerns expressed by fans, will not be
pitched exclusively to the WB's traditional youth audience.
Mark
suggested that the serial format would be revised for the
show's scripts. Instead, episodes will be self-contained
stories with overall narrative arcs for each season, a format
used successfully in Buffy and Smallville.
If Dark Shadows is picked up, he intends to relinquish
his current role on Smallville to concentrate on
the show full-time.
He
also suggested that
Robert Cobert's classic signature tune would probably
be retained, though since Cobert is semi-retired it is unlikely
that he will provide incidental music within the regular
episodes.
With thanks to VictoriaWinters
| Reinventing
Shadows |
April
8 2004 |
Today's
issue of The New York Post features an article about
the new series, with an unnamed source from the production
discussing some of the aims of the project:
"It's
not going to be Buffy and it's not going to be Angel...
There's nothing on TV right now that's truly scary."
While acknowledging that times have changed: "This
is not going to be your mother's Dark Shadows,"
graphic horror is apparently not the order of the day. "I
don't think you need to see things to make them scary, it's
more about what might be behind a door than actually seeing
exactly what's there."
To
read the complete article click
here.
With thanks to James Marco
| Tarantino's
Devotion Covered |
April
8 2004 |
Kill
Bill director Quentin Tarantino wears his fan
credentials (literally) on his sleeve for the May issue
of the UK's Film Review magazine. Quentin is pictured
on the cover posing with Barnabas' wolf's head cane. Click
on the image for a larger view. The cult director counts
himself a firm fan of Dark Shadows; During his recent
"drunk" appearance on The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno, he proudly wielded the cane and mentioned
the show.
| Alexis
Thorpe Speaks |
April
8 2004 |
Posting
on her official message board, newly cast Alexis
Thorpe (Kelly Greer) has been the first member of the
WB Dark Shadows cast to speak publicly about the
series:
"I
am so excited... I am set to do a guest-starring role for
the pilot, and the character is nicely set up to come back
and start a lot of trouble for the small town."
Alexis
confirmed that she begins filming on April 13. To visit
her message board, where she posts regularly, click
here.
| Spoof
Shadows |
April
6 2004 |
The
Waxahachie Daily Light reports
the production of Misty Dawn, a Dark Shadows
parody video produced in Texas by David E Moore. The first
episode was recently recorded, with further scripts awaiting
production. For more information, visit the producer's website
by clicking
here.
| More
Cast Announcements |
April
5 2004 |
ShadowGram
has announced three new Dark Shadows cast signings:
Tommy
Hilfiger model-turned-actor Jason Shaw will play
Collinsport fisherman Joe Haskell. Jason has modelled for
Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Gap and Ralph Lauren, along with
appearing in dozens of commercials. More recently he has
worked as a fashion presenter for E!, along with
appearing in the film Save Me A Seat. Joe will be
his first major acting role.
23
year old daytime drama actress Alexis Thorpe has
been cast as Kelly Greer, a new character with a crucial
role to play. Alexis is best known for her leading role
as Cassie DiMera on Days of Our Lives. She has also
appeared on The Young and the Restless, along with
the movies American Wedding and The Adventures
of Rocky and Bullwinkle.
24
year old Jenna Dewan will play Sophia, the new maid
at Collinwood. Jenna's background is primarily as an
accomplished dancer, including tours with Janet Jackson,
P. Diddy, Ricky Martin and Toni Braxton. She has appeared
on Boston Public Television and the films The Hot Chick
and Hip Hopera: Carmen. Dark Shadows
will be her first principal television credit.
With
thanks to ShadowGram
| Monster
Makers |
April
5 2004 |
As
filming on the Dark Shadows pilot continues,
further crew details have emerged. Make-up will be supervised
by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Todd McIntosh.
Todd's Emmy-winning character designs, as seen right, became
a signature for Buffy throughout its run. Todd is
a long-time fan of the original series, and even attended
the 1996 Dark Shadows Festival, where he transformed
an attendee into old Barnabas for the crowds.
Assisting Todd will be Steve Anderson. One particularly
ambitious set-piece in the pilot will employ prosthetics
created by Andrew Clement of Creative Character
Engineering. Hair
will be handled by experienced stylists Gloria Casny
and Lisa Marie Rosenburg-Alpert, both of whom
also worked on Buffy.
With thanks to BarnabasUndead
| Blair
Brown is Elizabeth Collins Stoddard |
April
2 2004 |
Reuters
reports that Tony-winning stage and screen actress Blair
Brown will portray Elizabeth Collins Stoddard in the
new Dark Shadows pilot. The 55 year old actress has
starred in several hit Broadway shows, including Copenhagen,
James Joyce's The Dead and Cabaret. She received
five Emmy nominations for her television series The Days
and Nights of Molly Dodd. Her films include Altered
States, Space Cowboys and the upcoming Dogville,
with Nicole Kidman.
| Filming
Begins |
April
2 2004 |
Today
sees the first filming on the Dark Shadows pilot
take place, as the new cast and crew begin shooting in the
Los Angeles area. As some fans will notice, April 2 is the
date the final episode of the original series broadcast
on ABC. A good omen? Let's hope so!
Elsewhere,
Dark Shadows may have a potential rival next season
in Point Pleasant, a Fox drama pilot from onetime
Buffy executive producer Marti Noxon. The show concerns
a quiet beachside community that is turned upside down when
a mysterious girl washes ashore, described
as "Peyton Place meets The Omen"
by The Hollywood Reporter.
| New
Look DVDs |
April
2 2004 |
The
ongoing range of Dark Shadows DVDs gets a revamp
with this week's new release. Dark Shadows DVD Collection
11 introduces a slimmer outer case, along with a new
CGI menu sequence exploring the Collins mausoleum, seen
below. The release can be ordered online by clicking
here.
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With
thanks to Simon Wiles. Screengrabs courtesy of VictoriaWinters
| Pennock
in Hamlet |
April
1 2004 |
Fans
in California can currently see Chris Pennock (Jeb
Hawkes) as Claudius in Hamlet, which plays at Hollywood's
Tamarind Theatre until May 30. Showtimes are 8.00pm from
Wednesdays to Sundays, with a 2.00pm Sunday matinee. For
more information or to book tickets, call the box office
on 323-465-7980.
With thanks to Fran Robert
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