Remembering Kim Manners – By Sablegreen
Kim Manners (January 13, 1951 – January 25, 2009)
Supernatural was the first show that I ever wanted to know about in depth, that ever prompted me to write articles and analysis, and I ever scan websites for discussion groups about the cast and crew. Thus I came to know Kim Manners. His talent and devotion to the series came out front and center as one of the most important influences on the series. Imagine my surprise when I found out he also wrote and directed for the X-Files, a show I was captivated with for all the years the series aired.
Kim Manners came out of retirement to direct his first episode of Supernatural, Dead In The Water (1.03) at the behest of David Nutter. Subsequently, he was asked to come on board as both a director and executive producer of the series, and stayed with the show until his death.
All of my knowledge of Kim Manners comes from research on the net, and one thing I notice right off was that NO BODY ever had a bad word to say about him. He was well liked by everyone who worked with him, from crew through actors to show runners…and he always made sure those who worked for him had fun doing it. Both Jensen and Jared frequently quote Kim’s line, “We spend way too much time with each other not to enjoy each others’ companyâ€.
He has been credited with shaping Supernatural in many ways most notably with his creative input as director, but also with a “blazing intensity that inspired everyone — writers, producers, actors and crew†(Frank Spotnitz, former X-Files writer). He also said “Kim was an incredible force of life…that never lost his passion for work.â€
Kim Manners directed 17 episodes of the series, including season finales, many of them were the most memorable episodes of the series: Devil’s Trap (1.22), In My Time Of Dying (2.1), All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2 (2.22), Mystery Spot (3.11) and Lazarus Rising (4.1). His final episode was Metamorphosis (4.4).
One of my favorite episodes was Bugs (1.08) (Yea…I’m one of “thoseâ€J). At the Paley Festival in 2006 Jensen commented on Kim Manners about the bee scene stating, “And I’ll give it to Kim, he said, “You know what, if you guys do not have bee suits on, I’m not either.†And he went in there in shorts and a t-shirt and a monitor and sat down on a box and directed us from inside the room with bees crawling all over our faces. It’s that kind of relationship with Kim.†Kim Manners was just that kind of person!
Kim Manners will always remain a strong presence on Supernatural. Tributes to him can be seen in episodes such as Death Takes a Holiday (4.15), the episode ended with slides dedicated to him…the final one simply said “We miss you, Kimâ€; In Jump The Shark (4.19) a picture of a mustached Kim Manners was in the room; and in Abandon All Hope, Ellen’s parting words to Dean were “Kick it in the assâ€â€¦.Kim Manners’ most memorable signature line. I’m sure the Supernatural writers will have many more tributes to Kim Manners in future episodes…..an essence like his can never be forgotten.
His talent, remaining in the works he left behind, is sure to serve as examples for those who choose to follow in his footsteps. But more notable, he leaves behind a dear family, a wealth of friends, and millions of fans who will remember him all their lives. A better epitaph cannot be had by many.
Thank you, Sablegreen – this is the kind of ‘in memoriam’ you sometimes search for in renowned papers, but don’t find…
you honoured him wonderfully.
Jas
Thank you Sablegreen.
Yet another wonderfull reflection of a talented, good man. Kim Manners, you are missed by many.
Very lovely remembrance, Sablegreen. Thanks for writing it.
Given Kim’s work and relationship with so many casts and crews, if he had been doing feature films, there’s no doubt he would be up there in the pantheon of directors universally respected *and* known to the general public. The man was a master.
Thank-you Sablegreen, this was a lovely tribute.