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Group Descends on Scarborough Faire to
by Patrick M. Walker Daily Light News Editor |
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| Things keep falling into
place for Terry Yates, a Dallas-area actor/comedian who is taking his
first venture into the realm of TV show director/producer. Yates and
co-executive producer David E. Moore brought a cast and crew of several
dozen to Waxahachie last weekend to film the first episode of Misty
Dawn, a spoof on the late 60s/early 70s live soap opera Dark
Shadows. The group worked virtually nonstop on location at Scarborough
Faire to wrap up the episode, which they plan to air on Dallas Community
Television. The low-budget project -- which Yates and Moore joke is
actually a "no-budget" endeavor -- has blossomed from what Yates initially
envisioned as something that he and a few buddies would do for fun. From
the smallest favor to the starring role, about 100 people have pitched in
their time and talent so far, the pair said. "When I started writing the script, I thought it would just be me and a few friends and a camera," Yates said between coordinating crew members and sitting in the makeup chair. "All of a sudden, we've got real actors, we've got a location, we've got catering -- we've got just about everything a Hollywood production would have." All those people are donating their time and talent, Moore said, including several actors and technicians with impressive resumes. Waxahachie resident and Dallas-area talent agent Linda McAlister hooked up some of her clients with the project, and Scarborough Faire employees have pledged use of the facilities when the actual festival of the same name is not utilizing them. And the Waxahachie Johnny Carino's provided catering. "I came out here looking for a coffin to borrow," Yates said. "When (Screams technical director) Shawn McCarthy heard what we were doing, he said, I've got dungeons, I've got coffins, I've got special effects. Just let me know what you need." Misty Dawn, of which Yates has already completed the script for seven episodes, with an eighth in the works, pokes fun at the old TV show that parents loved to forbid their children to watch -- but that kids raced home from school to catch anyway. The plot features several Texas twists, from place names being borrowed as character names to themes from the long-running TV show Dallas. Some of the characters include Frisco, a matriarchal character played by Robin L. Read; Sunny Vale, portrayed by aspiring actress Kimberly Parker; Barrabas, a vampire played by Marc Jeffreys; and Lil' Jake, a role that McCarthy's 8-year-old son Kalen has taken on. Misty Dawn revolved around a Texas oil family from the small hamlet of Misty Dawn, Texas, the narrator says in the opening scene. "Now most of Misty Dawn's wealth derived from one of two factions. Its inhabitants either came from old money, such as the Austin or Houston families, or the nouveau riche, such as the Hurst or Bedford families. |
Yates and Moore, friends
for about a year and a half, knew each other from their work as
instructors for comedy defensive driving courses and as murder mystery
theater performers. They said they're amazed at how much interest the
project has generated. "All of these people are from Dallas, and they're all giving of their time and talent without pay," Yates said. "To have this many people here is amazing, because trying to get two actors together in a room on Saturday is usually impossible." The hope is that after the initial episodes air, it will lead to either network television interest or some type of arts funding for the series. "Usually people will write a script and submit it, but that process takes months or years," Yates said. "This way, we're showing a finished product." Added Moore: "We've spent $3.39 on this project, so imagine what we'll be able to do with 10 bucks." Moore, who has worked as a screen actor in other projects, said he's had to quickly learn what it takes to produce a show. "In the past three months, I've probably done enough work equal to getting a college degree," he said. Other people involved with the undertaking share that dedication. "There's a lot of people who believe in this project," said Tony Estrada, a professional technician who is serving as assistant director. "That's pretty amazing, and it's rare. I guess it shows that quality will speak for itself." Part of the Dark Shadows appeal was that it was live, so goofs were not edited out. Yates and Moore are following that precedent by leaving in bungled lines and awkward moments on camera. In fact, they're actually planning to install some gaffes to make the show even more hilarious. "There's one scene in which we're going to tell the actor that a gun he'll need is in the top right desk drawer," Moore said. "But we're going to hide it from him so we can get this confused reaction." He added that his partner may have stumbled upon something with immense potential. "In my opinion, the writer and director - Terry - is a genius," Moore said. The partners plan to return to Scarborough Faire for more filming at a later date. They have promised to keep the Daily Light updated on their activities in case local actors and crewmembers want to become part of the undertaking. For more information, visit www.mistydawntexas.com, which was scheduled to launch Thursday. Patrick M. Walker News Editor Waxahachie Daily Light (972) 937-3310, ext. 17 (972) 937-1139 fax |
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