Jump to content

BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos


Errol

Recommended Posts

  • Members

Time for folks to start leaking!

I did notice another restaurant/club locale in the new video - apparently "Uptown" where some of the characters were dining, judging by the signage on the windows.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 5.7k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Members

Well I was tearing up by the time Clifton Davis started playing the piano.

Please register in order to view this content

In the first clip Sheila Ducksworth mentions that there are around 40 characters! I know many here prefer a small cast, but I love a big sprawling cast. When used properly, a big cast allows soaps to tell large scale, immersive stories about entire communities which are hard to replicate in other genres.

I also love that Ducksworth says BTG will last for 100 years. She spent 3 decades midwifing this show and she is going to fight for her show!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

i'm hoping those extra 20 characters will be servants, secretaries, co- workers etc to give the feel of a real community/universe. and some of them can step up to more important roles if need be, as things progress.

Seeing that foyer in the Dupree house, compared to the tiny spaces we see in other soap 'mansions', puts them to shame.

Everything looks so promising at this stage. Let's hope they hit the ground running.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

There is a sense that both Sheila Ducksworth and Michele Val Jean consider this their life's work. It will certainly be their professional legacies. 

Sheila makes it very clear that MVJ is the driving creative force, and that Guza works as her Co-HW, helping her write the thrusts/long-story. I'd love a new interview with those two talking about their initial vision for the show and characters. Guza (rightfully) seems to be taking a very "silent partner" approach when it comes to publicity/press, but it would be good to understand how they work together and what MVJ thinks he brings to this project centered around people of colour (never a strong suit for Guza). 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think what Guza brings first and foremost is adrenaline, and a sense of what events/sweeps months need. This show will need someone like that to amp it up out of the starting gate in a very difficult climate, and while competing for the loyal GH audience. For all his sins I won't lie and say I didn't wish he'd been somehow on hand in GH's recent somnambulant years, and I'm not the only one. He also can do very incisive character work - when he chooses to, and when it isn't lazy or misogynistic.

MVJ had a front row seat for the Guza years at GH, and knows what became of the Black canvas there. Yet she's remained close to him personally and professionally, and has often said online that he wasn't responsible for various unpopular choices in those years. Whether that's true or not, who knows. I think he was long past his best by the time he was fired and it was past time, but I do think he has real talent that can be brought to bear on BTG. We'll see what he has to offer today, and if her faith in him can prove out.

Edited by Vee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

About Sistas, you are correct!

One of the things I love most about Ducksworth is that she has a smile that would light up all of downtown! But reading about her background & long love for soaps is so refreshing! And, it's so funny that MVJ stated awhile back that when Ducksworth initially called her she thought that probably nothing would come of it but that was not a reason not to have the discussion. That this has been their baby for such a long time is really quite remarkable. And, also they both make me so hopeful that this is going to be a success!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • The actor who plays Martin has been teasing that nobody has guessed Martin's secret. I love that for things like that and the June story we have no idea. I feel like if we didn't have the day ahead feeds Anita's reveal would've been shocking as well. I love that they aren't going the obvious route with these stories. 
    • I tried following the news in Los Angeles at https://laist.com (independent public radio and news) They had up-to-the minute accurate info during the wildfires in January. There's no video, no impact to my mind as to what's happening. Trying other outlets, to get the truth, but it's hard.  
    • That's a bit murky since that happened during a writers' strike. Assuming Kristen Marie had a 2-year contract she left about when her contract would have expired and Sharlene and Josie showed up right before that. Lemay was officially credited as HW from September 1988 but it seems very probable that his anticipated tenure influenced events that happened during the strike which started in April. 
    • I've seen so many posters over the years who are bright, creative, well-versed in soap history, and who care deeply about the integrity of the genre. I'd put the shows' chances in their hands a lot faster than I would allow any of the "usual suspects" to take control of the dramas they've already helped decimate. When I returned to university in the 1980s, I created a bible for a new soap and presented it in my screenwriting class. It was in reaction to how badly I saw the network shows being butchered at the time. The creative process was thrilling; a total joy, and I still smile when I remember the positive feedback I received from the professor and my fellow students. I was used to seeing written commentary from professors on my work. This one wrote me a long, complimentary note on the final page of the bible, but also graded it 97%, A+. I was beaming ear to ear for days!

      Please register in order to view this content

    • Thanks. I do wonder if Rose was meant to be more given the caliber of actress they hired. I remembered Sara and Peggy staying longer as they were still on when Soapnet started their repeats. I wonder if that was part of the reason they brought Jake's brother in. 
    • Speculation about Missy Reeves' potential evolution on basic civil rights doesn’t change my opinion of her. My view is shaped entirely by her public social media presence—which I find unpalatable—and I have no interest in learning more beyond that. I simply liked Jennifer’s hair and dress. That’s as far as my admiration goes.

      Please register in order to view this content

    • Cheryl was gone before Lemay came back but I agree with your thinking that he would rather a character from a family he introduced to the show than a family he did not originate.  I remember reading somewhere in the early 90's probably after DS left as writer, their was an either a writer or a producer who made a comment that their intent was bring the McKinnon family back to AW.  Would have made sense for the newer viewers from the 80's.  Much like Lemay's attempt to bring the Frames back from his writing in the 70's in his 1988 return
    • DePriest left in January 1988. According to the AWHP, Rose last appeared nearly a year before in February 1987 while both Sara and Peggy appeared as late as October 1987.
    • Annie was not brought in as an antagonist for Reva. Reva wasn’t even on the canvas when Annie first appeared in late 1994. 
    • The speculation……….very entertaining. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy