Show ttunamm WMWiweiii -- The Herald 10 JournalCache Sunday June 8 1986 IVlARilyN Beck's Hollywood Read is relaxed about his new fame By Pat Hilton for Marilyn Beck the idea that not everyone - The filming of the s said one was the wag biggest thing to happen to Natchez Miss since the Civil War HOLLYWOOD “North and South" mini-serie- might a need) consider Acting he says “was the last thing I tried I couldn’t paint I’m not a potter I’m not artistic in the traditional sense" He started out to study forestry at an Eastern college However his initial with the required science It was the biggest thing ever to encounters him he had better convinced courses happen to some of the actors as well seek another career “I was getting D’s Like James Read who in “North and writ-South Part II" reprises his role as in chemistry and A’s in creative Northern officer George Hazard whose seeing no point in staying in school friendship with Southerner Patrick without a goal he roamed the world for Swayze symbolizes the chasm the war a a half and during his travels and year caused between brothers and friends in London where he learned time spent It has been a year and a half since the to the theater from the apreciate in audience’s side of production — 12 for Pre-Wthe curtain 12 I — for the War in Part II Part Back in college — at the University of started shooting The role thrust Read into the public Oregon because “I had never been in of the country so it was more that eye as only a leading role in a major of a part geographical preference than an television production can And if that — it was not until were not enough his wife on the educational choice" his he auditioned for senior that year s actress Wendy Kilbourne won a role in “Our Town" and became the lady in his life He was competing against theater The attractive actor is who tend to be somewhat majors about being part of what he “me getting a part caused calls "a spectacular experiment" He cliquish and — a stir which I enjoyed" The quite marvels that “they went out on a limb so was that the production to commit to another 12 hours when wound up troupe performing in the there was no guarantee the first one National Theater Festival at the College would float" in Washington DC The first one did float nicely but Kennedy Center But even after that Read didn’t enterRead admits there was “a considerable tain the possibility of acting as a rise in anxiety on the set of Part II" in profession Natchez as Part I’s air time drew near “I thought I was too smart to get The ratings resolved that tension and lulled into thinking one could make a filming and location romances pro- career out of being an actor” ceeded apace He thought possibly he could work as At the conclusion of the lengthy a telelvision producer or director He filming Read and Kilbourne decided to would act — but as an avocation get as far away as possible from show With he went to New York intent that business: They went on an eight-wee- k to taking acting was but drawn quickly wilderness trek in Alaska with few hanging out with actors He human beings and a great many grizzly classes toandbelieve began “acting could be an bears honorable thing to do" Seeking balance is part of Read’s life Still he didn't follow a traditional New He owns a sailboat — a Saverel 33 — “I York route: making the rounds for a half-hocan be at sea in only a from stage break making commercials or home” a part in a soap Instead he landing He didn’t enter the business dreaming out of the city for regional headed of being a star theater which led to three years in Instead he wanted an outlet for what repertory in Denver and then to an he assumes is a human invitation to Hollywood to audition for need: “It is essential for everyone to be the part of Byron Henry in “The Winds s able to find some medium to express of War” one’s creativity” (He looks startled at Read didn't get the part but he liked itself 24-ho- ar mini-serie- laid-bac- k well-receiv- ur matter-of-factl- y mini-serie- James Read what he saw in California though he first had to overcome what he calls “the Thunder" movie And he was a regular on the first season of “Remington Steele" (as Laura’s legman Murphy) Other parts followed Among them he played Edward Kennedy in "Robert Kennedy and His Times" and had a pivotal role in "Lace II” He seems relaxed about the future “Life is a painting with a lot of different colors" he says philosophically “I don't want to be monochromatic Mak ing money — it doesn’t mean a lot unless you get good work respect and a sense of accomplishment Just because 50 million people watch it doesn't mean it's good More people watch “The than watch “Masterpiece Theatre" On the other hand if 50 million people watch “North and South Part II” can Reconstruction be far behind? And what would “North and South Part III” be without its Northern hero James Read? 1986 Tribune Media Service! Inc ‘Writers at Work’ conference offers a window into literary lives War" annual Writers can lectures The second At Work Writers Conference will 1 be June at the Ramada Inn in Park City University of Utah course credit will be offered in eight classes in fiction and poetry seminars lectures Readings and panel discussions by visiting editors agents and authors will be held during the latter part of the week This year’s visiting staff in- Milagro Beanfield and the craft” which be a Fiction" “Nirvana Blues" as well as the valuable stimulus to would-b- e screenplay for “Missing” and writers “In the absence of 1985 American Book Award exchange with other writers" winner Bob Shacochis he says "the opportunities for Registration is open for uni- really improving are We stress the versity classes conference events or single day participa- importance of getting responses tion For more information call to your work so you can tell or write Writers at what’s working and what's not Work PO box 8857 Salt Lake working" The eight workshops and their City Utah 84108 James Thomas director of instructors are as follows: cludes John Naisbitt and “Writers at Work" says the “Fiction: The Inside Story” aim of the workshops is to taught by Ron Calrson “The Patricia Aburdene of “Megatrends" and “Re- provide exposure to fellow Fictive Process: The Power of inventing the Corporation": writers and to the craft of the Voice" taught by Gordon John Nichols who wrote “The writing itself and to “talk about Weaver “The Art of Short 15-2- non-fictio- largely-diminishe- n rs 277-419- 0 d Camoin seminars taught by Francois series of and discussions and readings panel “Biography informal social events with established writers agents and Solomon “Magazine editors Visiting writers include Article and Feature Story Alan Chause John Nichols Bob Elizabeth Tallent Writing" taught by Phyllis Shacochis Barber “Women’s Workshop: and Bernard Taper Fear Form and Freedom" Tuition for the workshops is taught by Marilyn Krysl “Women's Workshop: Our 3180 for two hours credit or 3128 Voices Ourselves” taught by for noncredit Attendance at aU Nancy Roberts and "Solve All events including the workshops Problems — Be a Poet" taught is 3225 For more information or by Ann Snodgrass and E to register phone the Park Ethelbert Miller (Sty University of Utah ProIn addition to the workshops gram for High Education “Writers at Work" offers a Autobiography: Writing Reso- nant Reality" taught |