There has already been a lot of interest in "Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers", which is wonderful!

Below, you will find various articles, etc, relating to the project...

MARCH 24th, 2010

Anthony was recently interviewed by a Spanish Sherlock Holmes website / group, which can be found (in the original Spanish) at the following link:

http://belakarloff221b.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/entrevista-con-anthony-d-p-mann/

…here’s a transcript of the interview in the original English:

Hello, my friends!

It is my great pleasure to share with you my history (past and present) with Sherlock Holmes and his world…

First of all, tell us how your love affair with Sherlock Holmes began. Because there is no doubt it started a long time ago...

1. I first became aware of Sherlock Holmes at a rather young age, during the mid-80’s when the Jeremy Brett series was airing on television. I loved the dark elements of mystery and horror that were presented. Then, I lost touch (as all children do) and was distracted for a while, but re-discovered the character in some early 90’s TV movies (“Hands of  a Murderer” with Edward Woodward – which is a movie I adore, and the 2 Christopher Lee films). In high school, I decided that I wanted to start exploring the literary world of Holmes, and my first read was “The Sign of Four”, which remains my favourite Conan Doyle story to date. I was hooked from there, and have never looked back!

If I am not wrong, your first approach to Arthur Conan Doyle’s character dates from 1995-1996, with the radio serial The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes. What can you tell us about it? Did you play Holmes in it?
       

1. Yes – I actually had the opportunity to write and star in several Sherlock Holmes radio plays from 1995-1998. We called our semi-series “The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes”, and presented original mysteries on both CKUT, then CJAD radio in Montreal… I started when I was about 18 – that makes me one of the youngest Sherlocks ever, I think! I still have some of these on tape… some were silly, but we gave it a good shot. I’ve been very fortunate with opportunities over the years, and have been pursuing this career for as long as I can remember.

And in 1998 you came back to the character in the play Sherlock Holmes and the Eye of Liraz…

1. Every few years, I like to return to Holmes – I’m still convinced that one day I’ll make it into the books as a legitimate portrayer of the character. The stage play “The Eye of Liraz” was one of those forays – it was presented as a dinner theatre in Montreal, and depicts a retired Holmes getting back into action for one more adventure, with Irene Adler, no less! A sequel to this – “The Cursed Casket” – was presented in 2005, just before we released “The Hound”…

Finally, in 2005, you took Holmes to the screen in the amateur short film The Hound of the Baskervilles. How were you able to adapt the novel to such format? Can you recall any anecdotes from the filming?

1. Ah yes, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”… my version has been referred to as “Plan 9 From Dartmoor”. It’s a 35 minute abridged version of the story, with a significant change to the ending. It was shot on a very small budget, and was a first effort for me, so it’s very far from perfect. I was quite overweight at the time (100 pounds heavier than I am now), and accept that I just wasn’t right for Holmes. Many people criticized the film (and still do), and many awful comments were passed… many by me ;-) That said, there were quite a few people who enjoyed it, and I still get the occasional piece of mail from around the world saying they enjoyed our little film. The new movie has nothing in common with this previous production.

You have also appeared in CTGC television series The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes, which we haven’t been able to watch. What can you tell us about it? What was your role in the series?

1. The elusive CTGC series! It was awful, pure and simple. Community television – no budget and the worst sets imaginable. I wrote 2 of the 4 episodes (the other two were Conan Doyle stories), and appeared as Holmes throughout. All I can say is – we should have stayed on radio ;-) I have 3 of the four episodes on video… but no-one will ever see them.

In your website you talked about your return to radio with the character, in the new serial The Fantastic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which would be available on cd and direct download at the end of 2009...

1. “The Fantastic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” WILL be recorded and made available at some point (hopefully this year). I have written 2 series of 6 stories based on the original adventures… they are short audio plays, and will feature many of the same cast members as the new film. We were all set to record these when the opportunity to make the film came about – the film takes priority, of course. Part of me is also hoping that we might make raise enough money about $10,000 Canadian) to FILM the first season of 6 stories as an internet “TV” series… any ideas? J

And now you launch into a full-length film with Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers. How has the process to get there been?

1. “Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers”… everything I have done up to this point has led me to making this film. I received a very frightening diagnosis 2 years ago, a couple of days after my 30th birthday. I learned that I was diabetic. It was terrifying. I knew that I was overweight, but didn’t realize how serious the situation was. I changed my lifestyle – eating healthy and took-up jogging (I run 25 kilometres each week), and lost all the weight. As I look more like Holmes than ever now, I considered that this was an opportunity – A GIFT – to give the role one more shot, and try to make my mark as my favourite character (I would not mind being typecast J I realized, however, that if we were to do a new film, it had to be done right. The only way to do this was to create an original story – using locations and people that I had access to – to maximize its potential. In order to do that, we had to work out an agreement with the Conan Doyle Estate, as there is still ownership in the US for any “new” uses of the character. This was done, and the film has finally started production…

The title makes me think it has something to do with H. P. Lovecraft’s universe. Am I right? Anyway, can you summarize the plot for us?

You started filming a few days ago…

1. (& 9) …and I am delighted with the footage shot thus far! It looks pro and polished… I think the fans will be pleased. As for references to Lovecraft, there are none… but what a great idea (sequel? ;-)

What can you tell us about the other members of the cast? Especially about Terry Wade, who plays Watson, and Richard Kerr, who plays Lestrade...

1. I am so fortunate to be working with such a great group of people – some new, and some old friends. The most important element for me was to find the perfect Watson, and Terry Wade is the best there is. We have a natural camaraderie, and he is such a talented actor. We appeared together in a play last year called “Post Mortem” by Ken Ludwig – it’s a Holmesian-esque mystery, and I played William Gillette! Terry played an actor portraying Moriarty… great play. He’s such a delight to work with. Richard Kerr and I have been friends for several years, doing some TV work together. He’s an accomplished actor, and has been in the business a long time. I think he’s a fantastic Lestrade – weasily and quirky, but with lots of dignity – a good policeman. Also in the cast, we have my dear friend Angella Scott – a very talented actress and film-maker herself… there’s also Ilke Hincer (also a writer / director), Mike Pontbriand (we’ve acted together for the better part of a decade) and of course my dear friend and co-producer Richard Piperni as “The Strangler”. Rounding-out the cast is the stunning Noelle Piche, the enthusiastic Ian Brannan, and a few other wonderful folks. I couldn’t ask for a more talented ensemble!

 If I am not mistaken, you are also director, writer and co-producer of the film. In which of these tasks do you feel more comfortable, apart from acting?

1. Yes – I wrote the film and am directing it (writing the music, too). I am an auteur (Charlie Chaplin did the same thing) but a performer first… the only way I’m going to get to play the parts that I want to at this point in my career, is to create the opportunities for myself. That’s the way I’ve always done it. In the very least, I make movies that I would like to watch.

Going through your acting credits in theatre, films, radio and television, apart from the different Sherlock Holmes approaches, your attraction to fantasy is undeniable...

1. Ah yes – horror and fantasy are my natural inclination – I’m quite good at them! Melodrama is nearest and dearest to my heart.

You have played classic roles such as Dracula, Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde or the Phantom of the Opera. It can be clearly seen that you love classic characters. Did you just play them, or did you perform other tasks related to them?

1. In my time – on stage / radio / TV – I have appeared as monsters, maniacs and madmen… I try to find a certain pathos to all the roles I’ve played. Everyone likes to be the hero – but I adore playing the “baddie”!

In your website you mention Son of the Devil, a 2007 film in pre-production. What’s about it? Was it finished? Can you tell us something about the story?
  

1. “Son of the Devil” is a musical re-telling of Dracula, incorporating elements of the Stoker novel not seen on film. Just one of several projects I hope to return to after the current film… I have many ideas! I would also love to do something with “Sweeney Todd”…

When Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers is finished and available, we would love to talk to you again. Any ideas about what your next project will be?

1. I will be quite happy to chat with you again, after you have had an opportunity to see the film. As to where we go from here, I’m hoping to continue with Holmes, and finally be regarded (positively) for my contribution to the role.

Finally, if you wish to add anything for 221 B readers…

1. I want to thank everyone for their interest in my work, be it positive or negative J What I really want to stress to all the devotes Holmesians is my love for the character and the source material. Sherlock Holmes is a passion of mine, and has been for the better part of my life. I have read all the stories, seen all the movies – just like many of you. This is my contribution, and – although I don’t ever expect to be lauded in the same category of Jeremy Brett – I’m hoping that my work will continued to be recognized, and that you will enjoy “Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow Watchers”, and wherever else I may take the character. There will always be critics – Holmes fans can be some of the most difficult to please… but I hope that those interested in the film will approach it with an open mind, and regard it for what it is – primarily a labour of love. I read all correspondence received, and look forward to your comments… we’re underway with something very special – “The game’s afoot!” – and I hope that many of your readers will join us on our exciting adventures.

Gracias y cheers, amigos / amigas!
-Anthony D.P. Mann