KTMV's Weather Tower |
I see this tower every day from my office
window in the Z-92 building. It's the weather tower, with
the distinctive KMTV logo on it. KMTV has been here on Mockingbird
Drive since the early 80's, when it moved from it's original
downtown location (which, oddly, was across the street from
KETV, the local ABC affilliate)
At that time, KMTV was still the NBC affiliate,
but they switched to CBS in the mid eighties.
|
Doctor in the House! |
As Greg and I sat in the west entrance
lobby, out off the bathroom came the doctor! I was a little
shocked, and all of that cool resolve i had hoped to exhibit
while there went the way of the Dodo. Suddenly, i went from
being a ultra-col artist/web developer professional that was
not inmpressed with such childish thing to being 8 years old
again, and almost tongue tied.
Despite this awkwardness, SOS was gracious
enough to pose for this picture.
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Doc & Fredd Pose |
I get the chance to pose with SOS for a snapshot.
In an e-mail i recieved from a Dr. San Guinary fan, it was
alluded that since i have such an interest in seeing CREATURE
FEATURE return that i may have actually been the person playing
the part of "Son of San Guinary". This photo should
dissuade that belief... though, truth be told, i would LOVE
a chance to host a horror movie show or appear on CREATURE
FEATURE (Big enough hint here??)
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The set from behind the camera. |
The set for CREATURE FEATURE was actually a lot bigger than
i thought it would be. To the left you can see the green screen
used for projection of those movie scenes in which the doctor
walks into the middle of as well as the "operating table".
That table is really an old news desk from (i assume) one of
the old news sets. This was evident during the show that aired
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD when the "corpse" gets up
and walks around you can see the glass top on it for viewing
the monitor. |
The "girls from Fremont" |
These charming ladies appear in the bumpers
for WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS DORMITORY as the "chicks from
Fremont". They let me know that Chris Leiser (General
Manager of KMTV) circulated the letter i wrote praising KMTV's
bold attempt at local programming, and they had read it. They
thanked me for the letter, and it made me feel good to know
it got around.
In the background you can see what remains
of a breakfast buffet that was there, presumidly from the
early morning.
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The props table |
Off to the left side of the set was a small table filled with
a small collection of props... including an extra set of eye
glasses for the doctor. To the left bottom corner of the picture
is one of the doctors wigs, and to the top one can see the glasses
full of colored water (which i assume are combined with dry
ice to create a frothing potion). |
A quick runthrough |
A shot of the set from the left side. You can see the potted
plant used in the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS bumpers to the right
side of this picture, sitting on the television in the lab.
In the foreground you can see the "little coffin"
in which the doctor pulled out those potions in the premiere
episodes bumpers. |
Left side of the set |
This photo was shot a little further back to reveal the camera
and surrounding lights. |
Doctor introduces the movie in front of
the green screen. |
By standing in front of the green screen,
the guys in the control room can projet the opening graphic
from the movie WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS DORMITORY while the doctor
tells the viewers about the evenings movie.
I rather like him using this green screen,
as it has been kinda fun thus far. I had to back up while
he walked tothe green screen because i managed to get too
close to the set and the camera was swinging around my way!
|
ROLL IT!! |
Guesturing to the camera, the doctor signals the movie to begin.
|
Going over the script |
In between shooting bumpers, SOS goes over the script with CREATURE
FEATURE director Rich "Willard" Wooster. Rich was
also a director during the days of the original CREATURE FEATURE,
and helped direct the feeling of the original show. From talking
to Rich, I learned that while they write a script for the show,
often times they just improvise or embellish the script. This
time around, most of it was scripted. |
"Dear Chicks..." |
Taping of the second bumper contnues as SOS goes to his desk
and writes his letter to the "girls of Fremont". SOS
wishes to find his old friend, Igor. |
"It's a scavenger hunt!" |
The bumper goes on as SOS explains that he's gonna use the girls
for bait. His scheme? Telling them they will be going on a "scavenger
hunt" in his "wine cellar". Igor, it is explained,
is a "bottom feeder" ...thus a "scavanger"
... so the rationale is set. |
The chicks from Fremont are coming! |
Third bumper: the doctor explains that the girls are on their
way. This shot is from the extreme right side ofthe set, givingyou
a good look at the area behind the "brick" wall. |
Rich Wooster brainstorms |
Rich "Willard" Wooster brainstorming some gimmicks
for the next bumper. A lot of what makes the show fun is the
spontainious ideas that get tossed into the mix. At this point,
the discussion was whether or not to include some more intimate
women's apparel in the upcoming bumper where Igor, upon request
to release the girls, passes the girls clothing to SOS. It is
decided to shoot two bumpers for this, just incase the bra is
considered "too racy". |
SOS & Willard improvise |
SOS & Rich laugh at an improved bit
of fun for the next bumper. The entire set is giggling at
the premise of askign one of the crew members to donate a
bra for the next bit.
Everyone on the set seem to get involved in
the direction of the bumpers, which is a great deal of fun.
|
SOS' desk |
A close up of the desk where4 the doctor writes his letter to
the "girls of fremont". Amongst the papers is some
of the script. |
Set details |
In this photo is a nice shot of the chair SOS sits in when watching
the television. On the left side of the photo you can see the
bank of phones and (below that) the gizmo panel. I was told
that these two peices are from the original CREATURE FEATURE
(probably the last set used). The gizmo panel still works. |
Igor Returns! |
Shot from the left side of the set, as we see
Igor for the first time in twenty years. You can see a part
of Rich Wooster poking out from behind the "brick wall"
as he instructs Rob in regards to the next bumper.
|
Igor Returns - behind the scenes |
Extreme right of the set. In this photo
we can see Rob with the "Igor" arm playing our favorite
"bottom feeder".
Reintroducing Igor is yet another touch fromt
he old show that makes us older fans really feel at ease with
tis new show. It does not ignore the original... it respects
the original show.
... and if you think that cage prop is
gonna fall over ... your right... it was always on the verge
of toppeling over.
|
OnThe Monitor |
A shot of the camera monitor. What we see at home is so much
different than how it looks in real life. The magic of television
i gather. |
Taking chances |
Do i hear a rapping at my chamber door? The second take of the
bumper. Talking to Wooster, the show is gonna go into the direction
of the original... being a bit dangerous and un-pc, which is
what made the old show such a sensation... but for now, they
want to make sure to gain an audience and "play it safe"
|
The Girls Laundry |
When asked to let the girls go, Igor hands the doctor their
clothes instead. |
Hot cha-cha! |
... and here Igor passes the bra in the "risque" version
of the bumper. This bumper was the one to be broadcast, thank
goodness... the laughter from the crew when they thought about
using the bra was just too priceless to let this bumper go to
waste. |
Tiiiim-beeeer! |
The second pass at this bumper. The cage door threatens to fall
over any minute while SOS talks to Igor. |
Igor Revealed |
Here is a shot of Rob walking up the steps behind the wall to
take his place. All anyone sees of Igor is the arm, so Rob has
to conceal himself behind the set. |
What the heck is this? |
Here is a shot of the "little coffin". It' an odd
prop... |
Prat fall |
After the last bumper is filmed, SOS
gets up off the floor where he took a prat fall. By this time,
all of the bumpers for WEREWOLF IN A GIRL'S DORMITORY have
been finished, and i have gotten a chance to see the show
in production.
I really appreciated the chance to do so.
|
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Igor's "handler"
|
Here Rob poses with the Igor arm. Made
out of a black feather boa and glove, joked with SOS and the
crew that Igor looks like he's been a part of a Las Vegas
show.
Rob is a super nice guy and a talented
artist. He tells me there are plans to do a Son of San Guinary
section on the KMTV website (which i am looking forward to!).
|
Doc & Chicks! |
The evenings cast posing for pictures.
As far as i could tell, the girls in tonight's taping work
for KMTV, and they were super sweet to this superfan geek.
I joked as we took these photos that with all
the cameras on the set we looked like a Japanese tour group.
|
Mighty Willard! |
Rich "Willard" Wooster poses
magnificently for my camera. He was a really fun, nice fellow
who knew his stuff. He let us hang around the studio while
he worked and let us go to the control room to watch the proceedings
there.
He is one of the few folks in Omaha who knows
where the old Dr. San Guinary Footage still resides.
|
Oh My! |
A preview for the 10/13/01 show in which some censoring of the
movie is required CREATURE FEATURE style. In the scenes that
have nudity, the doctor's head is to appear over the objectionable
body parts. This photo shows the doctor shootign some reaction
shots for the scenes in question. |
Greg watches on |
Greg Jerrett, the reporter for the Council
Bluffs NonPareil who invited me to join him for this event,
watches as the doctor tapes his reaction shots for HORROR
HOTEL. As it turns out, Greg and I actually met several years
ago at a science fiction convention here in Omaha where both
of us had imbibed too much alcohol and ended up crashing in
a mutual friends hotel room.
... but that is a story for another time. :)
|
Doc and his bag |
Despite the hot lights and doing all
that work,SOS was very gracious and let me take all the photos
i wanted to. Doc even hung around for a little bit to chat
about the new show with us, making us feel good. I made sure
to tell him he is doing a hell of a job, and the reactions
i have heard thus far have been by far positive. SOS insisted
i move in closer so i could get this great shot, even though
i did not want to impede on his personal space.
By the time we had gotten through the first
two bumpers, i think it became evident i wasn't some scary
freakjob fanboy... and everything loosened up to the point
where SOS was quipping to us all. SOS was pretty chatty with
me, which again was greatly appreciated.
|
Posing with the monster |
Before we prepared to leave, SOS decided
to pose with Igor for our cameras. I maintained my distance
here too because... well i didn't want to be a bother or anything.
Doc noticed i was still standing waaay out
in left field and insisted i move in closer with my digital
camera.
|
SOS & Igor - Farewell! |
...so
i did, and i got this terrific image of SOS posing with Igor.
So...
who EXACTLY IS "Son of San Guinary"? Who can say...
he is a mysterious entity at KMTV... and few staffers there
actually know who he is. Seriously... and you know what? That's
just fine by me.
...because
i ge tthe chance to enjoy it all over again.
|
Charlie Coifferio |
Before
leaving KMTV, i got a chance to say a personal "thank-you"
to audio tech Charlie Ciofferio. Last year, he donated the
actual audio carts (ATR) used to produce the original CREATURE
FEATURE to the Dr. San Guinary Weblab. He donatred the actual
tapes (which had been tossed into the garbage in the very
control room i took this picture in) and made a cassette recording
of the cotnents of those tapes.
Thanks,
Charlie!
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