Debbie Bachtell : «We were an incredible family.»
By Nicolas, exclusively for Santa Barbara : le site Francais, July 2024	Home   Cette page en Français

How did you start your career ?

I worked for CBS commercial sales then CBS Daytime as assistant to the executive. The Young and Restless was one of our shows and John Conboy was the Executive Producer. After a couple of years, Conboy needed a new assistant and I was hired. I worked with Conboy on The Young and Restless and later on Capitol. While I was at Capitol I met Steve Kent and he left to start Santa Barbara. Steve and Jeffrey Hayden brought me to Santa Barbara for show #16.

What was your daily work on the show as production manager ?

As production manager / coordinator, I worked with the Art Department to determine sets for the stage then I set the schedule for the tape days and worked out prop breakdowns, cast work days and assorted coordinators (dance, fight, medical, legal, etc). It was a great job and Santa Barbara was the best show I ever worked on in my 30 years with soaps. It was all about the people. We worked hard but had so much fun. Everyone was supportive, kind and loving. We were an incredible family.

Did the executive producers changes have influence your job and how ?

My job was independent of the executive producers so I can't say the changing producers affected my work.

What can you tell about the most emblematic sets of the show, like the Capwell and the Lockridge mansions, the Orient Express restaurant, Eden and Cruz's home ? Who worked on their design, how a set is planed and made up ?

The Production Designer on Santa Barbara - George Becket - would be the best person to tell you about the sets. I remember the directors did not like to shoot scenes in the Capwell atrium because it was difficult for the cameras to work there. George was not the original production designer so he inherited several sets that had already been built.

What would you like to say to all the Santa Barbara fans all over the world who didn't forget the show ?

Thank you for loving Santa Barbara.