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I HATE JANE SEYMOUR PARODY

Showtime
Sunday, April 23, 2000

Welcome to Showtime!
Today we're chatting with Jane Seymour and James Keach about their Showtime original film, "Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble."

Showtime: Welcome actress --- Jane Seymour --- and director --- James Keach --- who's latest film "Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble" is based on one of the first celebrity activists. Kemble, a celebrated 19th Century actress finds controversy when she helps slaves find freedom through the Underground Railroad and writes a journal that fans the flames of the Civil War.

Showtime: Welcome, Ms. Seymour and Mr. Keach!

Jane Seymour: Hi! This is Jane. I'm so thrilled to join this chat. I can't wait to hear your questions and your thoughts on Fanny Kemble, and James is here with me.

James Keach: I'm looking forward to hearing your response on Fanny Kemble. Welcome to the chat.

patball says: Where in Canada did you film Fanny Kemble?

Jane Seymour: We filmed Fanny Kemble entirely in Toronto, within 20 or 30 miles of the center of Toronto. We brought some Spanish moss to make it look like the South.

BondFan says: Jane! I remember you from Live and Let Die. Do you remember that fondly, or is that something you'd rather forget?

Jane Seymour: I remember Live and Let Die very fondly. It was the first leading role I ever had. I was nick named Baby Burnheart, by Roger Moore because I took the role so seriously. I hadn't really understood what doing a Bond girl was. But now I'm very proud.

Trytt says: James, I loved "Stars fell on Henrietta". Was that a tough movie to make?

James Keach: It was very difficult to make but it was truly a labor of love and a movie that I am very proud of.

patball says: Wasn't the real story a little different than the story you did?

Jane Seymour: The story we made was based on Fanny Kemble's life and her journal and writings about her at that time. There were some gaps that were filled in that the writer felt were appropriate especially in terms of her relationship with Pierce Butler. We were trying to figure out why she wanted to be with this man, because he was way more horrendous and horrible than we depicted him.

Jdenonn615 says: What other actors and directors would you like to work with in the future, that you haven't had the chance to thus far?

Jane Seymour: It's so hard and so unfair to the ones I would leave out, but I would love to work with Harrison Ford. That's a very hard question.

Mel Gibson.
Al Pacino
Keven Spacey
Tom Cruise
Russell Crowe

There are so many good ones! It's hard to answer.

Lane says: Will this movie be avalible on home video? I currently do not have Showtime.

Jane Seymour: We are not sure but we are pretty certain that Showtime would know the answer. I am almost certain it will be.

Tiff_Miller says: What was the most difficult part in doing Enslavement?

Jane Seymour: Doing a great job in the time allocated. We made the movie in 22 days. And most of those days, we were required to film only for 12 hours. It was very hard to do all of that material in that time. It was also very hard to depict the violence and the whippings. A lot of people were very upset by this, including us. It was hard to watch.

JaneFan1 says: Jane-You did such a wonderful job! What was the hardest scene to shoot?

Jane Seymour: I don't remember one scene being particularly harder than any other. There were different challenges every day, sometimes difficult in terms of hours and the pain of the costume, and some emotional, having to cry over and over again.

myrna says: Jane did you wear wig in this movie?

Jane Seymour: No, I wore my own hair, but I dyed it darker and I occasionally used hair pieces, but it was my own hair. I dyed it with a temporary dye every 3 days. The makeup and hair artist, Sherry, went to Performing Arts High School with me. We are old friends.

SueB says: You commented on Donny and Marie that people who saw Enslavement said it was your best work. Do you feel it was your best film to date?

Jane Seymour: I think it's up there. I think there are moments in other films that I feel very strongly about but it's hard for me to judge. But I think it's one of the best pieces I've ever done.

TSMason says: James, name some of your future projects, if any.

Jane Seymour: He is currently shooting BlackOut, a CBS thriller, and producing the Johnny Cash Story, for Columbia Pictures, which is a feature, and developing a political thriller, also a feature, with Catfish, our company, and hopes to be directing me in many more movies, of course, in the next Dr. Quinn movie.

Robin_S says: Jane, I'm planning on coming out to the PRanch for the filming of DQMW Movie #2 (it will be my 1st time). I was just wondering if you're still supportive of fans visiting you at the set?

Jane Seymour: The answer is of course, but we do not know yet if Dr. Quinn will be filmed at Paramount Ranch, as the network has requested to make the movie in Canada. Most of our sets were destroyed at the end of the series. But I'm happy to do Dr. Quinn anywhere.

Marvein says: I remember your part as Maria Callas in "ONassis" - was that a stretch for you?

Jane Seymour: That was a major stretch for me and a wonderful role, and one I worked hard at. And the one I won the Emmy for.

glen says: Do you miss Dr. Quinn?

Jane Seymour: Yes. Very much. Except that we are invited to come back every year for a movie. And I can always watch it on PAX.

Vesper says: I saw you say there'd be a next Dr. Quinn movie - any tidbits you can feed us on that now?

Jane Seymour: We are waiting to hear what the network thinks of Beth Sullivan's ideas.

Samuelson says: Jane - I remember first seeing you in Somewhere In Time. Are you still in touch with Christopher Reeve?

Jane Seymour: I speak to Christopher and see him often. I help him raise money for the American Paralysis Association and I chat to him on the phone frequently.

Jane_Fan says: Jane you are my role model and I was wondering how can I contact Christopher Reeves to let him know...?

Jane Seymour: I'm not sure how to answer that. I have a personal number for him, but I'm sure he has a website that you can look at. If not, I will research a good number for him and put it on my website which is called www.friendsofjane.com

ErikaFan1 says: Hi Jane and James. Happy Easter to you and your family! Jane, I saw your comments on "Regis" and as a fan who used the Internet to rally for the first DQ movie and get to Star Week, I was a bit insulted. How do you feel about your fans in general?

Jane Seymour: I love my fans. I did not mean to insult anyone. I was asked to comment on the power of the internet and I've noticed that a lot of information that is false is being circulated about the Doctor Quinn movie, so I imagined everyone would like to know the truth. I'm sorry if that offended you.

Jdenonn615 says: Did the Easter Bunny visit John & Kris today, how did your family celebrate?

Jane Seymour: The Easter Bunny came. John and Kris had left nothing to chance. They had made drawings for the Easter Bunny which they had stuck to all the windows on our small rented house in Canada. They had little baskets, which they thought were great, and an egg treasure hunt with local friends up and down a street. Nothing grand.

SueB says: TV Guide panned it - I though it was awe-inspiring. It brought me to tears. Jane, your performance was awarding winning.

Jane Seymour: Thank you. The criticism from TV Guide was not of the film so much, I believe, as the idea of a white woman doing anything useful. We feel very proud of this movie and we also received great reviews from the trades. Hollywood Reporter and Variety. But all we care about is what the viewers think.

Kathy says: I understand there is a sequel book to Somewhere in Time. Where is it available to purchase?

Jane Seymour: There is no sequel to Somewhere in Time. They are trying to come up with another movie to be a sequel but they haven't found one yet. However, some fans have written ideas of what they think would be a good idea.

Lane says: Jane, what sort of movies would you like to do in the future or would you like to return to the small screen?

Jane Seymour: I would like to do great scripts on any compelling subject matter, whether it be for the big or small screen.

Elizabeth says: Do you enjoy acting in "BlackOut"?

Jane Seymour: I've only filmed it for a week and a half, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. We have a great cast and it will be a good thriller.

ErikaFan1 says: As actor and director, you must be proud of the projects that you do. But what are some are your favorite movies that you didn't do?

Jane Seymour: That's a hard question. There are so many. I don't know where to start.

James Keach: Dr. Zvigaho, Casablanca, Citizen Kane

Jane Seymour: There are too many.

kitym says: This is for Mr. Keach....how is Ms Seymour to work with? And would you hope everyone was like her?

James Keach: She's the best actress I've ever been privileged to work with, both in talent and in spirit. Absolutely I would hope everybody were like her but I know that is unrealistic.

Nonnykin says: James - what are the difficulties in directing a film that features your wife as the leading lady?

James Keach: Overcoming the predisposition of people that don't understand that I work best with Jane. Their fear is the hardest thing for me to overcome. Not anything to do with our relationship. Meaning producers that we haven't worked with or actors that feel that they are on the outside of a relationship. When, in fact, we welcome everybody and our relationship as a married couple does not appear on the set except when the kids come to visit. We met as director and actress, and continue our work that way. And in my opinion, only get better and better with each new project.

Harbinger says: James - I'm an aspiring director -- what are the challenges to directing and acting in the same film?

James Keach: Being self-conscious would be the first challenge to overcome. Worrying about your acting before the overall project. That becomes a primary concern when you do both. For me, the movie is more important. in that all the performances count on your vision of the director so I would recommend that you'd be very confident as either a director or an actor before you direct your first movie, and I would really encourage you not to direct your first movie and star in it if you have little or no experience and your career is riding on the line.

RRman says: Hi Jane, hi James. I thought the film was wonderful. How did you first come upon the Fanny Kemble story?

James Keach: Susan Cooper and Paul Taublieb brought the film to our production company with Chris Lofton, the writer. Chris is one of the most acclaimed writers in television - long form - and he was so passionate about the project he wrote a 60-page treatment without being paid a cent for Jane to read, in the hopes that she would agree to being attached to the development of Fanny Kemble. When Jane read the material, she was moved deeply by Fanny's life story as was I and we agreed to develop the movie with Showtime.

SueRitt says: Jane, I loved Fanny Kemble, it was very powerful. How did you come across Fanny's story, and is her journal still available in print?

Jane Seymour: We just answered how we came across it and yes, her journal is still in print. I believe there is a new Fanny Kemble story coming out later this year in America. James Keach: The journal is available at www.amazon.com

zuesers says: Jane what made you interested in the script of Fanny Kemble? Also, what are your spiritual beliefs?

Jane Seymour: I felt that had I been Fanny, I would have made the same choices or wanted to. And I feel strongly that the issues of slavery are still pertinent today. For example, in the Sudan, as we speak, slaves are bought and sold. I have great spiritual beliefs, but they are not attached to any specific religious doctrine. I was raised to appreciate all beliefs

SueRitt says: In regard to you speaking with Christopher Reeve, I work with the disabled and he is their light at the end of the tunnel. Please convey that we are following his progress, when he beats this challenge, there will be so much hope for others.

Jane Seymour: I will do so. And he really is my inspiration, too. Whenever I feel anything is difficult in life, I consider how hard it must be for everyone that lives in a chair and has paralysis, or any physical problem. Or health issue. But he is the ultimate reminder of how life can go on and you can achieve and inspire so many. Even in his physical condition.

ROBMAGANA says: was this role feel any different because it involved real life people/incidents

Jane Seymour: I love to play real people and have very often. Wallace Simpson. Marie Antoniette. Maria Callas. Hazel Brannon-Smith and now Fanny Kemble. You still have to imagine a great deal between the lines of someone's biography. And it's always exciting to play a real person and bring their passion off the page and into a drama.

Tiff_Miller says: What were some of your favorite moments in filming Fanny Kemble?

Jane Seymour: My favorite moment was the whipping sequence where I ran and wrapped my arms around the slave. That was a very powerful scene for me and brings me to tears every time I watch it. Also the scene where I discover that Dr. Houston has been killed. But I had a lot of fun in the barn, in the famous hay scene where I became the actress again.

James Keach: My favorite moment was when they were rowing away from the island and we had about 10 minutes to get the shot and the men in the boat didn't know how to row and the boat just continued to circle. Finally, we had to take a scuba diver to straighten out the boat as they rode away.

It made me laugh. It's just one of those crazy moments when you are a director. It was one of the hardest movies I had to film because we had such a little amount of time to make it, 66 sets, 40 to 50 costume changes, 165 scenes. And 22 days to shoot it. And we had to create the South a southern island off of the Georgia coast, in Canada. We were very fortunate to have such a great crew and cast.

Marston258 says: What moments in your other films do you feel are some of your best work?

Jane Seymour: The speech in Somewhere in Time. Moments of War and Rememberance. The Birth of Dr. Quinn East of Eden Many moments The sexiness of Sunstroke

Robin_S says: You've been doing a number of Talk Show interviews lately. Which host(s) are your favorite?

Jane Seymour: I love Rosie and of course, Donnie and Marie and Regis, and when Kathie Lee is there, they are always fun. Conan. I love doing Conan O'Brien. And Oprah. I love to do Oprah, but my favorite as a person, is Leeza, and she is a personal friend, too.

Lane says: Jane and James-What would be your favorite quote of all time?

James Keach: I like "To err is human--to forgive divine"

Jane Seymour: "Live in the Moment"

Ignatz says: Jane, I understand that you are involved with many charities - I admire you and would like to help - can you tell me what organizations you are involved with?

Jane Seymour: Child Help USA and City Hearts, a Los Angeles organization. Chris Reeves American Paralysis Association. Those are the main ones.

VickeyO says: Happy holiday to everyone. The costumes and jewelry in the film seem so authentic. Are they originals or were they created for this film?

Jane Seymour: Mostly they were rented. The most beautiful one in the beginning was created by Escarta, with the help of our designer, Cheri Engle. She did a phenomenal job with no budget to make me look like the most celebrated woman of the stage at that time. It was a real labor of love for her and we bought a number of original laces in England to add to the costumes which were authentic, and I believe helped make the period look accurate. Some of the jewelry was my own. I collect antique jewelry.

Tiff_Miller says: I was moved to tears in several scenes of Fanny Kemble. Jane, you truly did a fantastic job! What would you say makes it different from any other depiction of slavery?

Jane Seymour: Thank you, I was, too! Very few people in America have ever heard of Fanny Kemble and this was the view and actions of an English actress who felt it necessary to give up her own children because of her beliefs, that slavery was inhuman and she could not stand by and watch it or condone it. She was a woman way ahead of her time.

pkes88 says: How do you spend your time when you are not working on a film?

Jane Seymour: Attempting to be a better mother, painter, and golfer and wife.

James Keach: Which includes being a better golfer.

I play with my kids. I visit with my brother, my mom and my dad, and Jane's family. We are family people. We spend as much time with our families as we can.

Jane Seymour: And close friends that we consider family.

SueStorm says: Jane - I understand that you are into painting - did I see something of yours in New York (Guggenheim)? Where do you find the time?

Jane Seymour: The Guggenheim showed 3 of my paintings, four and a half years ago, for a Make a Wish Foundation charity event where they sold one of them for charity and it coincided with the launch of the private issue Discover card, which I was on. I designed it. I paint whenever I have time. It's my therapy for myself. I also enjoy crafts and sewing. But I take my paints everywhere I go. And I sell the paintings limited editions and greeting cards to benefit various charities.

bdteach79 says: When you are on location for long periods of time, how do you deal with your kids and school. I have a 14 year old boy and I can imagine the difficulties involved.

Jane Seymour: It is very difficult. We are on the telephone daily monitoring his homework. We have good friends looking after him. And he has just spent Easter with us here in Toronto. But children and schools, it depends on what is happening for them and for us and we always do the best that we can for them. Three of our children are in college right now and appear to have survived this. One graduates next month. The other two are at Columbia and Vassar.

Man says: Jane, James -- are you encouraging the children to get into acting/filmmaking?

Jane Seymour: Not especially.

James Keach: The one who is grading next month is graduating from USC film school. In his first short film he produced won first prize in the short film festival. It is hard to discourage our children from doing something that we love. However, we don't really recommend to our kids that this is an easy profession to go into. It is filled with rejection, disappointment and requires tenacity, perserverance, and faith that you message will be heard. But not necessarily in your own required time. In other words, it happens when it is supposed to happen not necessarily when you want it to happen and one must keep that faith that it will happen.

michaelaq500 says: Jane do you know who your costars in your upcoming 2 films will be?

James Keach: Corin Nemick, Alexandra Picatto, William Russ, in "Blackout" and in the other movie that Jane is doing, Claire Bloom and Hune Cronin and Clancy Brown.

Jane Seymour: Marcus Cole directs. The movie is called "Yesterday's Children"

Jdenonn615 says: Jane, what would you like to see happen in the new DQMW movie?

Jane Seymour: I'd like to make a great Dr. Quinn movie that pleases not only all the fans but hopefully introduces a new audience to a great series that they can catch in reruns. I hope to bring back the spirit, tenacity, love and understanding of Dr. Quinn dealing with life in the west in the late 1800's. As usual, I am at the mercy of the script writers. But we always have had great scripts, so I feel positive that this one will be good too.

Robin_S says: I'm sure you're aware that many of your fans (including me) keep scrapbooks on you. Do you ever get to see any of them and do you like to see them?

Jane Seymour: Yes, I love to see them! And yes, I've seen some, especially during the Star Week celebrations and those that have been sent to me, I treasure. I keep everything, all memorabilia, in a special room in my house and I have a friend who helps keep this together for me. We often see things in scrapbooks that we haven't seen before and my mother particularly loves to see them.

Showtime says: Unfortunately, we're out of time for tonight. Thank you, Jane and James. Any final comments for our audience before we close?

Jane Seymour: Just that we really appreciate the fans out there.

James Keach: and all their support

Jane Seymour: and we hope that they have enjoyed this movie and will enjoy the movies we will try to make for them in the future, including the new Dr. Quinn, but without your support, it would be a very different world. And your thoughts mean a great deal to us.

James Keach: I am very grateful to have this opportunity to communicate with people that watch and appreciate our movies. Happy Easter!

Showtime: Thanks for joining our chat with Jane Seymour and James Keach.

Showtime: Good night.

Showtime: This has been a production of Showtime and Talk City, Inc. Copyright 2000, all rights reserved.