Academic Writing

Monday, December 05, 2011

Dark Shadows Insight

With the upcoming Dark Shadows movie now in production I thought I'd post this video clip of my grandfather, JJ Lupatkin, talking about his experiences working on the show.  He was the technical director of the original Dark Shadows TV show which ran on ABC from 1966-1971.  In addition to DS, over the course of his career he worked for at NBC in Studio 8H for the famed Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, ABC's Wild World of Sports, All My Children and Live! With Regis and Kathy Lee.  My grandfather is the most modest person I know, and has never thought his contribution to television was important or significant to evolution of the medium.  As an engineer by trade, he mostly enjoyed his work as it was an opportunity to be challenged technically, never once caring for celebritydom or fame.  As a student of television and film I've tried to impress upon him just the impact he helped make, but he always rolls his eyes and just tells me that it's more important to be a good person.  In this clip you'll see how he approached his career, as he does everything in life, with passion, attention to detail, and pride.  Hopefully this will give you some insight into the roots of what will possibly be one of the blockbusters of 2012.




4 comments:

www.kathrynleighscott.com said...

This is great! Thanks so much.
How do we reach you?
Kathryn Leigh Scott

Judith said...

Hi Kathryn,
So glad you enjoyed this! I can be reached at judith.lupatkin@gmail.com.

b. said...

Thank you for this. True pioneer who created some amazing stuff. A tribute to what is possible in art when passion, positive energy and the imagination prevail.

Thanks for posting. For a professional actor who has done a television series in digital, this is gold!
BW Gonzalez

gwen said...

Judith,
Thank you for sharing your Zaidie..Loved watching him and thats how I will always remember him...
Always stay as sweet and lovely as you are today...
With much love,
Gwen
p.s. great great job