An Interview With Byrd Dickens (Scott, Kathleen's boyfriend on Degrassi High 1989-1990,1990-1991)

Mark: Was Centennial College in Scarborough? What is the address?

Byrd: Degrassi High was filmed at a closed down Centenial College Building at Pape & Mortimer. In the east side of toronto. An interesting note about the building, is that we had signed an agreement apparently to have the campus for one year to film one season of Degrassi High. In the meantime the college was going to get things in place to reopen the campus after that first season. However we talked then into keeping the school closed for another year, and filmed the Second
Season there as well.

Two weeks after we finished the second season, I had to go back to the school to get some tools from our lockup room there. (I was also an electric on the show, doing some lighting when I wasn't acting) Anyways. As I walkd into the building, I noticed there was an asbestos' removal cleaning out the waIls. Hahhaha We'd been filming for two years in a building full of asbestos.

As for the actual Address, I'm not sure Mark. I hope that Pape & Mortimer narrows it down enough for you.

Mark: When did you start filming the series, in the summer, faIl??? (How many months did you start to film the series before it aired on television)

Dan: We would generally start filming in the spring, continue right through the summer and end the show in the fall. Winters we didn't work.

Mark: How old are you today and do you still keep in touch with any other Degrassi actors, are any of you married, have you gone to pursue other careers or acting careers?

Byrd: Today I'm 26. I've been working in the Film & Television Industry for 11 years now. I started Degrassi as an extra when I was 15, I did two years as a principal actor/electric, and then I did a final summer as an Electric on "Schools Out" the two hour movie. I've been doing lighting for Film ever since I completed the show. On various Movies, Tv Shows, Commercials, and Music Videos. As either an Electric, Best-Boy Electric, or a Gaffer.

Michael Carry (Simon Dexter on Degrassi) works in the industry as a Grip now a days, and I see him once in a blue moon. Paolo Pemn who was one of the many full time extra's on the show works as an Electric, and has worked for me a few times on different projects. As well I see Darrin Brown every so often. He's a grip at times as well as getting his hand into the Assistant Directing end of things.

As for any of them being married. I can't say for sure. I haven't really kept in that close of contact with anyone to know to much about their personal lives.

Mark: If you can give me a brief commentary on your two years on the Degrassi High series, I would appreciate it.

Byrd: What can I say about my years with Playing with Time. Hmmmm Well I can say that it was alot of fun. I made alot of good friends while on the show and I got my foot in the door as far as working in Film is concerned. It's been my dream to do what I'm doing now for as long as I can remember. I think that as one of the few Kids on the show that was allowed to work both sides of the camera on the show, that it was a privelage for myself to start learning at such a young age about so many terms and small technical things about lighting and gripping that I will always be indebted to those people who took the time to teach me as I was growing up.

Sure I did some acting on the show, but some of the most enjoyed time I spent working for Playing with Time, was spent with the crew and learning a trade. There aren't many 15 year old kids who learn about three-phase generators, or 220 volt tie-ins, I can tell you that. Today, when I work on a show as a best-boy or as a Gaffer, people are in awe to the fact that I'm only 26 years old and I've been working in film for eleven years. I often work with many lighting crew members who are in their 30's and 40's and just getting into the business, and I enjoy taking the time to teach them all I can in the time they spend with me.

One thing Degrassi taught me was to take a little time along the way, and help those in life that you can. Teach those who want to be taught, encourage those who want a start, and always always treat people with respect.