15. Frank Spotniz’s Master Class at Salford University 2020
I discovered through his Twitter page that executive producer/writer and show runner Frank Spotnitz was coming to Manchester. This was to talk about his career over the years and take part in a Q&A with the media students, but also any one interested was invited. The University is where my friend Chris is actually studying journalism right now. So on Jan 27th we both decided to attend this event held at Media City in Salford, which is also the place where the BBC & ITV studios now reside.
I found out ITV’s Granada Reports entertainment correspondent Caroline Whitmore was the host for the evening. Later, I got the opportunity to have a chat, and told her all about how I did my ‘A’ levels in drama and communication studies, involving TV and Radio Broadcasting back in the 1980’s. How being disabled unfortunately prevented me from trying to pursue a career in musical theatre, but I took matters into my own hands and ended up making a bit of money doing gigs in pubs and venues. I also auditioned professionally for ‘Fame – The Musical’ at the old Granada building, which used to be just up the road from Salford College of Technology where I trained for two years. I knew I wouldn’t get chosen as I couldn’t do the dancing required, but they still really loved my vocals and were very sorry they couldn’t take me on. Then years later I actually met the original cast from the US TV series at charity concerts in Italy and more recently in the UK. I even got a chance to sing to them at one of the after-show parties in Salsomaggiore Terme, and also perform the theme alongside them on stage with several other fans! And that it was an amazing experience, especially being told by my idols (who had been such an inspiration from the past), what a great singer I was! She was impressed, then told me she was going to be on the red carpet for the ITV National TV Awards the next day. I mentioned how I hoped Emmerdale would win and how I did meet some Coronation Street stars when I was involved in a Christmas concert with ITV once. I was in a choir in Manchester at the time, and we were asked along with other choir members to be part of an audience singing at Disley church for this programme. There were several cast members at this ITV church concert and I managed to meet a few. The first was Catherine Tyldesley who played Eva, and who sang a beautiful rendition of White Christmas.
While I was telling Caroline about my experiences, there was a guy standing next to her, who I later discovered had been at those Fame -The Musical rehearsals, and was now a producer on Emmerdale! Whilst we were waiting to go into the auditorium, the students had provided nibbles (fancy ones I might add) and either wine or juice for us to partake. During this time I met a lovely lady from Manchester who is an up-and-coming writer. She has written plays that have been performed locally, but now her ambition was to become a screenwriter. I ended up sitting beside her on the front row of the auditorium.
During the talk Frank gave us insights on how to work in a writer’s room, using one of his X File episodes as an example (Nisei). He also talked about his life as a writer/producer and creator of such shows as Man In The High Castle and Medici since he left Hollywood and moved to London. He explained to us that he left the USA as he was no longer happy with the way writers were treated there, and preferred to make less money whilst concentrating more on the creativity. We were also shown clips on a big TV screen from shows he’s been involved with, including X Files, Millennium and his own creations. I have now seen season 1 of Man In The High Castle on Amazon Prime when Frank was the showrunner, and really enjoyed it. Sadly though, he left after writing the first episodes of season 2. I did notice the change as it started centering more on action and the sci-fi aspects rather than the historical background, which was a shame. Recently his new show was released called Leonardo. A fictional drama he created based on the extraordinary life of artist Leonardo da Vinci, about his art that made him famous, and the hidden stories within those works revealing the man’s inner torment caused by his obsession for perfection.
Frank’s full talk can be found on his production company, Big Light’s page on You Tube, which I will share at the end of this journal. However, this does not include the Q&A which occurred afterwards and was an interesting experience to say the least! At first I wasn’t sure whether or not we could ask questions about The X Files, as the event was really created for students studying in Film & TV media? However, after one man stuck his hand up and asked if it was okay to talk about his involvement with the show, and I could see Frank’s reaction was positive. Then I felt more at ease approaching him on the subject.
I told Frank I’d first met him way back when at the London Premiere of IWTB on the red carpet, to which he gave me a surprised grin. I mean we are talking 2008, so that was 13 years ago! But I also mentioned that I saw him again in 2012 at the London Film & Comic Con for his talk about his series ‘Hunted’ he did for the BBC. Only I didn’t have time to meet him again, as I had to get to a photo shoot with Nick Lea (Krycek) soon after. I remember Caroline replying with, ‘Oh, you binned him off for Nick Lea!’ Yep! Sorry about that Frank! LOL! The previous question had been about why he hadn’t been involved with the X Files reboot for seasons 10 & 11? Frank explained how as much as he respected Chris Carter’s decision, he was rather disappointed with the way they took the show, as he would have gone down a different route. But he couldn’t be involved as he was busy working in the UK anyway. I had originally planned to start my question with his episode ‘Closure’ in mind, that he co-created with Chris Carter. However, instead I carried on with what he had been discussing. I told him I very much liked the darker element in the My Struggle finale, where we discovered CSM was the father of Scully’s baby (through science) and not Mulder. And how many fans were not happy as they wanted more MSR. Frank then grinned at everyone and proceeded to point out that for those who did not understand the term, MSR? It stood for Mulder/Scully romance! I went on to say how for me X Files was more about the tension and darkness. That I would have had more emphasis on the storyline when Mulder had the alien DNA, and continued in that genre. I didn’t mention about the fic I’d written called Key To The Kingdom which was based around that (and Duchovny even showed an interest in the plot!) But I did tell him I had written X File fanfics, and before that Quantum Leap and Fame. He seemed to show an interest in this, which was reassuring, as I had brought a copy of my very first fic ‘Lost Within’, with the intention of somehow getting it to him. (As luck would have it I did get my opportunity at the end of the evening.) I then went on to ask him about ‘Closure’. How I thought it was interesting that they used such a beautiful spiritual idea with Samantha Mulder, and how it was such a different approach to the usual alien abduction scenario they covered many times. I actually said it was usually about aliens and whatever, and that made him laugh. I then asked why they chose to take the story arc in that direction? I also got confirmation the spiritual element had indeed been Frank’s idea, and was so glad he’d convinced Chris to pursue it that way. He explained well it had been season 7, and David had come to him saying they’d probably better find Mulder’s sister as he was leaving the show. Frank decided he did not want to find her, as that was boring! LOL! So, that’s how he came up with the concept she was dead, but Mulder would be given the chance to have one last tender moment with her spirit being, after the walk-ins saved her soul. I always thought this was such an emotional scene, and such a beautiful storyline overall. Since he’d now mentioned David Duchovny, I then told him briefly how I used to chat online with him and other fans, in the distant past. That I wrote my first X File for a competition on this site that was dedicated to Mulder Torture fanfic! How to my amazement I discovered David had read it, and in fact was the first person on the planet to tell me my writing was excellent! Frank said something like, ‘Wow! That’s amazing!’ So, I then told him I’d brought him a printed copy, and would he like to read it? I stressed how I knew he didn’t accept unsolicited scripts, and Caroline also queried this. I also said how I thought X Files was over, since Gillian Anderson clearly wasn’t doing any more. He shrugged at this and said, fair enough. Previously he’d said if it was to ever return in any shape or form, he would somehow try and get on board with it as it had been a big part of his life, and frankly he missed being part of that World. He also had told us that Gillian was originally going to be the star of ‘Hunted’, but unfortunately ended up being committed to another project at the time. Anyway, he agreed he didn’t accept scripts, but then looked at me and added, ‘But in this case, I’d be happy to read this young lady’s fic!’ I was so pleased I’d taken that chance, and to be honest I wasn’t really expecting a reply like that! I actually would never have even approached him with my fic, if David hadn’t been involved. Once again, thank you Mr. Duchovny!
I did mention Frank had my copy of ‘Lost Within’ to friends on Twitter, and noticed he ‘liked’ it, although he’s never openly told me what he thought. But, I recently wrote a song with a musician friend about the World today in this Covid situation, and called it ‘Don’t Give Up’. This had always been Frank’s motto on X Files and in life. I linked his twitter handle…and to my surprise got such a nice reply. He tweeted it was lovely, and he was honoured. Incidentally David’s music manager Brad Davidson also ‘liked’ it over on Facebook!
During the talk Frank gave us insights on how to work in a writer’s room, using one of his X File episodes as an example (Nisei). He also talked about his life as a writer/producer and creator of such shows as Man In The High Castle and Medici since he left Hollywood and moved to London. He explained to us that he left the USA as he was no longer happy with the way writers were treated there, and preferred to make less money whilst concentrating more on the creativity. We were also shown clips on a big TV screen from shows he’s been involved with, including X Files, Millennium and his own creations. I have now seen season 1 of Man In The High Castle on Amazon Prime when Frank was the showrunner, and really enjoyed it. Sadly though, he left after writing the first episodes of season 2. I did notice the change as it started centering more on action and the sci-fi aspects rather than the historical background, which was a shame. Recently his new show was released called Leonardo. A fictional drama he created based on the extraordinary life of artist Leonardo da Vinci, about his art that made him famous, and the hidden stories within those works revealing the man’s inner torment caused by his obsession for perfection.
Frank’s full talk can be found on his production company, Big Light’s page on You Tube, which I will share at the end of this journal. However, this does not include the Q&A which occurred afterwards and was an interesting experience to say the least! At first I wasn’t sure whether or not we could ask questions about The X Files, as the event was really created for students studying in Film & TV media? However, after one man stuck his hand up and asked if it was okay to talk about his involvement with the show, and I could see Frank’s reaction was positive. Then I felt more at ease approaching him on the subject.
I told Frank I’d first met him way back when at the London Premiere of IWTB on the red carpet, to which he gave me a surprised grin. I mean we are talking 2008, so that was 13 years ago! But I also mentioned that I saw him again in 2012 at the London Film & Comic Con for his talk about his series ‘Hunted’ he did for the BBC. Only I didn’t have time to meet him again, as I had to get to a photo shoot with Nick Lea (Krycek) soon after. I remember Caroline replying with, ‘Oh, you binned him off for Nick Lea!’ Yep! Sorry about that Frank! LOL! The previous question had been about why he hadn’t been involved with the X Files reboot for seasons 10 & 11? Frank explained how as much as he respected Chris Carter’s decision, he was rather disappointed with the way they took the show, as he would have gone down a different route. But he couldn’t be involved as he was busy working in the UK anyway. I had originally planned to start my question with his episode ‘Closure’ in mind, that he co-created with Chris Carter. However, instead I carried on with what he had been discussing. I told him I very much liked the darker element in the My Struggle finale, where we discovered CSM was the father of Scully’s baby (through science) and not Mulder. And how many fans were not happy as they wanted more MSR. Frank then grinned at everyone and proceeded to point out that for those who did not understand the term, MSR? It stood for Mulder/Scully romance! I went on to say how for me X Files was more about the tension and darkness. That I would have had more emphasis on the storyline when Mulder had the alien DNA, and continued in that genre. I didn’t mention about the fic I’d written called Key To The Kingdom which was based around that (and Duchovny even showed an interest in the plot!) But I did tell him I had written X File fanfics, and before that Quantum Leap and Fame. He seemed to show an interest in this, which was reassuring, as I had brought a copy of my very first fic ‘Lost Within’, with the intention of somehow getting it to him. (As luck would have it I did get my opportunity at the end of the evening.) I then went on to ask him about ‘Closure’. How I thought it was interesting that they used such a beautiful spiritual idea with Samantha Mulder, and how it was such a different approach to the usual alien abduction scenario they covered many times. I actually said it was usually about aliens and whatever, and that made him laugh. I then asked why they chose to take the story arc in that direction? I also got confirmation the spiritual element had indeed been Frank’s idea, and was so glad he’d convinced Chris to pursue it that way. He explained well it had been season 7, and David had come to him saying they’d probably better find Mulder’s sister as he was leaving the show. Frank decided he did not want to find her, as that was boring! LOL! So, that’s how he came up with the concept she was dead, but Mulder would be given the chance to have one last tender moment with her spirit being, after the walk-ins saved her soul. I always thought this was such an emotional scene, and such a beautiful storyline overall. Since he’d now mentioned David Duchovny, I then told him briefly how I used to chat online with him and other fans, in the distant past. That I wrote my first X File for a competition on this site that was dedicated to Mulder Torture fanfic! How to my amazement I discovered David had read it, and in fact was the first person on the planet to tell me my writing was excellent! Frank said something like, ‘Wow! That’s amazing!’ So, I then told him I’d brought him a printed copy, and would he like to read it? I stressed how I knew he didn’t accept unsolicited scripts, and Caroline also queried this. I also said how I thought X Files was over, since Gillian Anderson clearly wasn’t doing any more. He shrugged at this and said, fair enough. Previously he’d said if it was to ever return in any shape or form, he would somehow try and get on board with it as it had been a big part of his life, and frankly he missed being part of that World. He also had told us that Gillian was originally going to be the star of ‘Hunted’, but unfortunately ended up being committed to another project at the time. Anyway, he agreed he didn’t accept scripts, but then looked at me and added, ‘But in this case, I’d be happy to read this young lady’s fic!’ I was so pleased I’d taken that chance, and to be honest I wasn’t really expecting a reply like that! I actually would never have even approached him with my fic, if David hadn’t been involved. Once again, thank you Mr. Duchovny!
I did mention Frank had my copy of ‘Lost Within’ to friends on Twitter, and noticed he ‘liked’ it, although he’s never openly told me what he thought. But, I recently wrote a song with a musician friend about the World today in this Covid situation, and called it ‘Don’t Give Up’. This had always been Frank’s motto on X Files and in life. I linked his twitter handle…and to my surprise got such a nice reply. He tweeted it was lovely, and he was honoured. Incidentally David’s music manager Brad Davidson also ‘liked’ it over on Facebook!
After the Q&A we waited around, even though most people had left. The gentleman who had asked the first question about X Files had brought Mulder’s ‘I Want To Believe’ poster to sign. I asked him if he knew where that photo originated from? He had no idea and neither did Frank, so I told him it was taken by a UFO enthusiast in Sweden called Billy Meier, who claimed he had been in contact with aliens from the Pleiades cluster! This is the photo he took in 1976, which later became the famous X Files poster!
My friend Chris had also brought his ‘I Want To Believe’ movie DVD for Frank to sign, which already had David’s signature after meeting him at his gig in Manchester the year before. While he was talking to Frank I was chatting with Caroline, then I offered to take a photo of them both on my camera, and Chris did the same for me.
I handed Frank my copy of ‘Lost Within’, telling him that David and he are the only people who have a printed copy! LOL! I also gave him a poem I wrote when he and the rest of the Fab 4 were in the UK for the London premiere of IWTB. Fans had compiled a scrap book full of art work and poetry which was then going to be presented to David, Gillian, Frank and Chris at the event. I had written a poem for each one, and also sent Frank’s to his production company Big Light’s webpage, where it ended up being posted! I also gave David his poem when I met him in London back in 2018. We then ended up having a really good old chin wag. I told him about my drama college days, my singing training and performing gigs. I also mentioned my disability (which he was surprised at.) Well, no one can ever tell unless I point it out to them. I also mentioned I’d spoken to David about it in a chat, after I discovered he had shown an interest in artificial legs! That really made Frank laugh! I’d also brought a photo I took of Chris Carter and himself inside the Empire cinema before they screened the IWTB movie. That took him aback, and after he’d signed it I told him I didn’t give up, and he replied,’Good for you!’
He then said he’d really enjoyed meeting me, and had indeed shaken my hand a few times that evening. It was so nice to get to spend more time with him, as the X Files premiere had been so brief (even though I met him twice, on the carpet and at the Forbidden Planet store with Chris) and I’d only seen him at the Hunted talk in London. On a final note I mentioned I was hoping to get back to paid singing gigs again, on the Isle Of Wight where my husband and I plan to move to. I asked him if he knew about the island off the coast of Britain? Indeed he had, and he wished me all the best with my new venture!
Frank Spotnitz’s Master Class is in here in 15 parts on the Big Light page at You Tube.
Here are all four poems I wrote for the scrapbook, that fans put together for the X-Files gang back in 2008 at the IWTB Premiere.
In 2020 I also took part in an X-FILES competition organised by Frank, who asked fans to write lyrics for the iconic theme. Which was later recorded by 33 members of the cast and crew to raise money for World Central Kitchen. I didn’t win…but thought I’d share my entry.
And here is the video, with lyrics from two talented Philes You can also still donate to this worthy cause on Big Light’s page.
In 2021 I found myself back online speaking to David Duchovny, this time on a zoom call with a Book Club talking about his new novel ‘Truly Like Lightning’. He was down in London at the time filming a new movie called ‘The Bubble.’ When it was my turn to unmute, I reminded him when he’d called me Jenny in Manchester and how Brad had teased me by calling me Lenny. He seemed to remember that incident, which was kind of cool. Although he didn’t really want to answer my question! I used to like challenging him back on that site we’d met on in the past, and this was no exception! Basically I told him how brave he was to be portraying his own character, that he had created as a writer and was now going to be starring in a Showtime series as this man. So, therefore did he see parts of himself in his own creation? He pretty much said how he doesn’t set out to push his own ideas on folk as he isn’t writing propaganda and such. He believes everyone has a little of Bronson Powers in them, and also he writes to reach out and strike up a conversation with his readers. But he specified not a dominant or proselytizing one. I then jumped in telling him how I’ve loved his writing for a very long time, and that he inspired me to keep writing. His reply was something like, ‘Well that’s the conversation then, and thank you!’ I never even thought about a possibility arising where I’d be able to zoom with him and other fans. It’s also strange how everything has come full circle, meeting him online again after 20 plus years! Maybe it’s an X File?