Steve Geaghan and the Mystery of the Missing Watcher Stamp

Well, it's here.  The entry I've been telling you Watcherettes....

(Oh that will go over swell with the fans.)

... about, Steve Geaghan had agreed to answer a few questions in regards to the creation of the Watcher concept on HL-TS.  They were sent through my buddy and your official Highlander Locations Expert, Andy Slone.  Thank you Andy and thank you Mr. Geaghan.

Stick around for a brand new feature after the interview!!  BONUS!!  Part one of 'Bad Watcher' written by me.  I hate fan fiction, this is my way of fighting back.  Critics have said...."It's ok."  Yet another critic raved, "I chuckled."
Now, onto my interview with Steve Geaghan!

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Could you give us your personal particulars, age, location, occupation, level of hatred for Morrissey,….

Born in New Brunswick NJ, BA Tusculum College Greeneville Tn. MA Univ. of BC. Canada, Production Designer.  It's all on my web site: stephen-geaghan-designer.com

How did your involvement in Highlander start? 
I was interviewed by Bill Panzer, Barry Rosen and Gary Goodman and hired from among 4 or 5 others.

Were you aware of the film before your work on Highlander - The Series, your thoughts? Were you a fan?

Yes, I had seen the film and found its subject matter compelling.  When I was hired Bill Panzer gave me one piece of advice before I started to design the main sets and this placed the mood for the entire series,"Remember, you never know what you're going to find behind a door in the world of the Highlander."  

 
What were your duties on the show and what years did you dedicate to the series?

I was the Production Designer.  The Designer is responsible for everything that goes in front of the camera that isn't an actor.  Everything.  I designed the first 4 seasons of Highlander before I went on to Design The Outer Limits for MGM for 6 seasons.

Do you have any Highlander tattoo's? If not, can you wrap your head around the level of, what would YOU call it, for someone to permanently alter their appearance ultimately for the love of a franchise?

No.  I don't have any tattoos.  My gut feeling about franchise freaks… Well I've been to Comicon and seen it all.  Conversely the archetypal backbone of the show Highlander is that good overcomes evil - mostly and Duncan Mcleod must balance his need to survive with his prime directive and his personal philosophy of helping the unfortunate.  A good Judeo/Christian life stance in my opinion. 

 


Are you currently still in the biz? (any interviewer worth his/her salt would have done some research moron.)

Yes.  I am currently preparing to Design season 3 of Defiance for NBC/SyFy.
 
How did the creation of the Watcher concept come about and was there an evolution of sorts in the design of the symbol?

 I designed the watchers tatt under the direction of Bill Panzer who wanted something medieval and primitive, simple, that might suggest a bird or a fleur de lis but not be too on the nose.  I recall I presented him 3 or 4 variations.  He chose the one that became gospel.  It was lopsided and imperfect and that seemed to satisfy him. 


Is it true a rubber stamp was used to apply the Watcher symbol onto the actor's wrist? 

My art director Richard Cook carved the first one in cork after Bill okayed it.  Then the Props master Don Buchannan had several stamps made in rubber.
 
Where is that rubber stamp? 
Long gone.  When the show went down after season 5 all that stuff went into storage and was eventually sold off at auction in Vancouver. That must be around 20 years ago.

What has been your reaction, if any, when you meet a fan who just MUST show you his/her body art? 

Never met one.  But if you are female and have a Highlander tatt where the sun never shines I might be inclined to have a look see.I'm going to suggest that you study and listen to all the interviews on the Highlander DVD's.  There's a lot of information to be gained about how the show was done there.

Well, that's it.  And PLEASE check out Steve's website.  The first pic you see is that beautiful Antique shop interior.  stephen-geaghan-designer.com

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Bad Watcher


To: Watcher Headquarters, North America
From: Joe Dawson

     It troubles me to have to write to you once again but I truly do not think Josh Lehman is working out. I have attached the following descriptions of transgressions and violations of the Watcher Rules and Regulations and request he be dismissed forthwith.
Signed,
Joe Dawson
---
Attachment 1
In regards to Josh Lehman (nickname 'Keg Killer'); I had some hope that Mr. Lehman would take the responsibility of being a Watcher seriously since graduating the academy 188 out of a class of 188 in 2002. I was in error.
His first report was rife with errors and language inappropriate to this organization, and they have gotten progressively worse.
I submit, Watcher Report Number 49-6843-jl.
I quote,
"Yo Joe! 'Sup? This is some cool sh** man! That dude you got me watching took some other dudes head last night. I don't remember much cuz I was soooo wasted man. I met this girl at the club and we hit it off (if you know what I mean, wink wink). Anyway, this ends my report. Peace out.
Signed,
Keg Killer Lehman

Joe here again;  I believe our experiment of including the Watchers at Career Day at various collages across the country was not in our best interest.


(cont. next time)