Speaking with Kathryn about Highlander is like talking to the @rcade about video games, you can tell instantly that she is passionate about her work. Managing several websites, an online store and one of the most active Facebook pages, Kathryn is kept busy with fans, competitions and orders.
Taking a little time out from her day she sits down with the @rcade to have a chat about the series, the rumors surrounding the movie and casting and of course video games!
Could you tell us a little about yourself? How did you become involved with Highlander?
Peter Davis, the producer of the Highlander films and TV Series, offered me a job about four years ago. It was supposed to be temporary but has since blossomed into a position with varying descriptions and duties. One of my favorite parts of my job is managing our Highlander fan page on Facebook.
I had heard about the Highlander TV Show when it first aired in the 1990’s and vaguely remember having a crush on Richie, so I must have seen several episodes (or maybe I fall in love quickly?). Anyway, I thought was a really cool concept and thought it was pretty neat I’d be working for the company who made it all happen. Soon after starting work, I realized I had stumbled upon a rich and full universe with a huge and incredibly loyal fan base. It was clear right away that this franchise means a lot to its followers and when producer Bill Panzer passed away, the tremendous outpouring of support and the emotional stories shared made me realize even more that for many, many people Highlander was more than entertainment. Because of this, I try to take care and time when dealing with something even as simple as a Facebook comment on the page. I do take everyone and everyone’s thoughts seriously. Just as I would hope someone would take me seriously about a subject I was passionate about.
As for me personally, I love history and science-fiction, big cities and deep nature, slow cooking and fast dancing. I make art out of recycled guitar strings. I wish I exercised more.
Highlander first began in 1986, it will be 25 years old next year and it still has such a huge following, why do you think it has lasted so long?
You know, people gush about how dreamy Adrian Paul and Christopher Lambert are and they relish the badass sword fights and Quickenings. But lots of franchises have hunks and violence. Highlander goes deeper into our psyche than that. The questions of our own mortality, the lost friends and lovers, the fight we have within our souls regarding our morality and the consequences those choices will have for years to come…. All these things create true passion and is what I personally think has made Highlander last so long and so strongly.
Do you have a preference for Connor or Duncan MacLeod?
Hard question! The characters, though both from the Highlands, handled their immortality quite differently and so it’s quite difficult to compare. As for the actors themselves, I am always happy to have hello and goodbye kisses from Lambert and martial arts demonstrations from Paul when each visits and so can never really say.
You are involved with the official Highlander website, can you tell us about the website? Does the online store ship overseas?
The Highlander-Official website is still a work in progress. What I really want someday is a huge wiki type site with the full scripts, videos, etc. but more lively and fun and sleek, and containing everything everyone could ever hope to know about the film and TV series. I do hope eventually we can finish it and it will become that for everyone.
The Highlander store, LegendaryHeroes.com, is great. We offer exclusive items that cannot be found anywhere else on the internet (for example our swords etched specially for the 25th Anniversary) and we always have some ridiculous sale that changes every day. It’s pretty fun to hear about people’s reactions when they see the prices. And, yes, we do ship worldwide. If anyone has any suggestions for new products, please let me know! It might not be doable, but then again it just might and you can have it in your pretty little hands before you know it.
Why are people still drawn to the franchise?
As for why people are still drawn to the franchise, they come for the sword fights and stay for the Immortal dilemma! In fact, my younger cousin just recently got into Highlander. A few months ago we met up after several years apart and when I mentioned my job his eyes grew wide, “That’s my new favorite show! I just started season three! I watch it every day on Hulu!” He told me he got hooked when he saw some guys with swords fighting in a modern day alley and was very intrigued, but has since devoured the series because of everything else it has to offer. Immortals aren’t super heroes; they have to work hard and train constantly to keep up their skills. People can at once relate to it entirely, while also look upon it as an escape. And people love the flashbacks!
Can you tell more about the Facebook page and the various activities and competitions you’ve run?
I try to run a contest every week. Sometimes the contests are simple giveaways where to enter all one has to do is say their favorite quote or tell me what makes Highlander special to them. These are quick, over and done in 24 hours, so it pays to keep checking in on the page to see what’s going on. And even though they’re fast, I still glean a lot of information from the replies. Other times I want to really see what the fans can do and they haven’t disappointed! I love to see people posing with their Highlander swords (you can still be added to that photo album even though the contest is over) and I love to read the Highlander haikus that people have written. Right now I’m doing a photo still recreation contest where I chose 12 scenes and people have to recreate that picture as best they can- the deadline is September 27th.
In fact, our Highlander fan base is so great and so creative that we’re including a lot of fan participation pieces in our release of the Highlander Series on blu-ray! Season Two, which is available now, has some really great dramatic pieces and interviews submitted by fans. There wasn’t much time to include fan work for Season Three (though there will be a lot of other bonus features), but look for quite a bit of really fantastic stuff in Seasons Four, Five, and Six. I think people will be really pleased with the outcome.
What can you tell us about the new Highlander movie? Any truth to the rumors and how are fans reacting to it?
With all the remakes Hollywood is pumping out these days it’s easy to groan and roll eyes at the prospect of yet another, especially when it’s a cult classic like Highlander. “Don’t the studios have any new material?!” people shout. I can totally understand that sentiment because I’m one of the screaming throng. However, I’m behind this remake of the original Highlander film. Keep in mind it was the 80’s and like many things made in the 80’s (including myself) it can be a little cheesy or over the top at times for modern sensibilities so it will be really cool to see what today’s special effects and directing styles can do.
Some fans react to the news of the remake with horror like we’re profaning some sacred celluloid altar. Others are excited but want to have it be exactly like the original (complete with original cast!). Many are dubious, but it seems like the vast majority of people are really looking forward to anything new related to Highlander and realize that this is a great opportunity. Plus, more sword fights!
Hypothetically if the Game and the Gathering were real and you were an Immortal, what would your own weapon of choice be and how do you think you’d play the Game?
I’m small, so I think a nice light and quick katana would be best for me. We have a bunch around the office and I keep one by my desk in case of a daylight break-in or zombie attack. My strategy for the Game would be to make sure I exercised both my physical and mental health, trusting few, but trusting them completely. I’d rather lose my head than be constantly doubting a friend.
Finally, if you were trapped in an Arcade, what one game would you play to pass the time?
I haven’t been to an actual arcade in ages and haven’t seen one in an American shopping center for years. However, I will tell you my favorite old school game is the original Mario (which I can still beat without dying). And I have to mention Mario Kart for N64 – as long as I’m Yoshi. The game I’m really really excited to have come out is Fable III. I wouldn’t mind in the least being trapped and having that to play. I really wish that our videogame hadn’t been dropped by Square Enix when they took over Eidos, because we were very close to being done, it looks fantastic, and has some amazing original elements. But sometimes that’s just business.
To find out more about the series or to browse the online store just click on any of the links below and in don’t forget to join the Facebook page!
Highlander Official
Legendary Heroes store
Facebook
Prepare yourselves for a very awesome Highlander competition…coming very soon courtesy of Kathryn… believe us this is something you won’t want to miss!
