He had a gift for telling the story by filming the maximum emotional impact, using unique camera angles and close-ups and setting the perfect mood so that more came from the characters than just the lines on the page. Two scenes of perfection that instantly come to mind are Dean’s somber vigil over Sam in “All Hell Breaks Loose Part II” and the closing act of “Mystery Spot.”
He had the distinction of helming one of the most controversial episodes in television history, the disturbing tale of inbreeding in The X-Files’ “Home.” It bothered people so much it was banned from FOX after it aired. He also proved his ingenious ability to rehash the Groundhog Day premise, directing The X-Files’ “Monday” and Supernatural’s “Mystery Spot,” both considered to be among each series’ best. He was also the director for both parts of the final X-Files episode, “The Truth,” and we all knew his name was etched on Supernatural’s finale as well. We can’t fathom anyone else taking that spot behind the camera when that time comes.
He also knew how to seamlessly unfold the plot and keep audiences engaged even with the weakest of scripts. Many forget that he was there when Supernatural was finding its footing, drawing the short end and being forced to direct what many consider to be the worst episode of the series, “Bugs.” However, “Bugs” also provided some of the most amusing behind the scenes stories, some told by Mr. Manners himself.
They bring in six hundred bees, or however many bees, and I was like 'Oh my god, I can't wait to see the dailies!' But you watch the dailies and you can't tell there's one bee in that room - they just don't read on camera or they were too sluggish. (...) And you just start laughing because you put your crew in a room with hundreds of bees and then you can't even tell if there are any bees on camera. It's a bizarre job sometimes.
Bizarre job, indeed. The fact is he could do it all. One of his first directing gigs was Charlie’s Angels. His name is also attached to two Baywatch episodes as well. Given the fact he was largely responsible for pulling off the very steamy Sam/Madison sex scene in Supernatural’s “Heart,” he obviously had plenty of gratuitous experience to draw from. He could do complex scenes like that as well as action, suspense, horror, comedy, romance, sci fi, and mystery, cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile television directors in history.
Article comments
1 - raelee
Beautiful tribute to Mr. Manners. Thank you.
2 - Phillip Winn
Nicely done. I became a huge fan of Kim Manners from his work on The X-Files, and one reason I started watching Supernatural was his involvement. I hadn't realized he'd directed the weak "Bugs" episode, but overall his work stands out as among the best.
He will be missed by many.
3 - Dair
Lovely piece.
4 - Legna Moned
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kim Manners, Eric Kripke and the entire cast and crew of Supernatural. You express eloquently the brilliance of this gifted man - much love and kindness go out tonight to all who knew him and will miss him so very much. Personally, the episodes of Supernatural he directed left a deep and lasting impact on my heart. Thank you for the beautiful tribute to him.
5 - morganslady
Thank you for your lovely tribute to Kim Manners. I enjoyed reading the stories behind the episodes. I came to know of Kim Manners through the X Files and whenever I saw his name in the credits of Supernatural I knew it would be an outstanding episode. He will be missed. Prayers for his family.
6 - Sandy
What a lovely tribute. I was shocked at the number of tv shows he was involved with. I grew up with Charlies Angels and 21 Jump Street! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. RIP Kim Manners. You will be sorely missed.
7 - Haven
It's been over 24 hours since the unofficial news of his death and it still makes me numb every time I think about it. Kim, we know the angels are watching over you, to all his friends and family, my prayers are with you now. Our show wouldn't be as it is without Kim Manners. Although Kripke was the mastermind, Manners was the heart. And now millions of fans can feel their hearts ache at this sudden loss. R.I.P Mr. Manners, it was a pleasure to watch your work.
8 - Emma
When I read this news yesterday I was sure it was a joke, some sick horrible joke- surely THE director on Supernatural who we had all pegged to direct the season and series finals was not gone. This is a dark day indeed. Not only has the world lost a great talent, but from the many interviews and behind the scenes stories that we love to hear about so much the world has lost a great man.
As with many others I too began to wonder where Kim had gotten to after Metamorphosis, and every time I saw he was to direct an episode of Supernatural knew without a doubt that it would be brilliant. His episodes were always among my favourites.
My condolences to his friends and loved ones and his entire Supernatural family.
Kim- You will be missed
R.I.P.
Emma
Sydney Australia
9 - Ashley
Thanks so much; I've been reading every tribute I could find for the last two days, and this is definitely the best I've seen so far. This loss is so devastating for everyone (from the people who truly knew him to the fans who never will), but it helps to read such a nice memoriam from someone who clearly cared about Kim as well.
10 - MCM
Very well said; thank you for your wonderful tribute. This man was able to elicit the best from his actors because he gave of himself nothing less. Remember, loyalty begets loyalty as underscored by the poignant "bee story" during the filming of Supernatural's "Bugs" episode, whereby Mr. Manners shunned the protective gear in empathy for his stars. His heart and soul were reflected in his work and we are all the richer for it. His legacy lives on in some of the best episodes of The X-Files and Supernatural. He will be greatly missed and I, too, extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Manners' family as well as the Supernatural cast and crew.
11 - Matt
"Home" was the best X-Files episode ever. I remember rewatching it right after I'd seen it (I'd taped it) and first noticed Kim Manners as director. I'd always noticed his name at each episode since.
12 - Grace
Mr. Manners' name sounded very familiar and then, after reading your article, I remembered that he had directed several episodes of my all time favorite show, SIMON & SIMON.
Very sad for someone so talented and loved to die so young.
R.I.P. Mr. Manners.
13 - vichi
Hi Alice,
Lovely tribute to the great man Kim Manners was. Fans of his work all over the world are mourning for his loss. Our symphaty goes to his family and friends and to all the cast and crew of Supernatural. It will be hard to watch this season finale and to know that Kim is not a part of it. He id all the Spn finales and were great. And the way he and Jensen interacted was amazing. He did made the best of this show and he will be missed forever.
RIP Kim Manners :( .
14 - Jeff Goodwin
I am very sad to hear that Kim has passed away. I had the pleasure of working with him in Rome, Italy on EMPIRE. He was a great guy and will be missed!
15 - Liz
Supernatural is one of my favorite shows, and Kim Manner's episodes are always my favorite to watch. Thanks for this great tribute to him. He will be greatly missed.
16 - Kat
Beautiful tribute.
It is a mark of the man's genius that his fans--the vast majority of whom have never met him--grieve for his passing like he was a friend.
In a way, he was a close friend to many of us. We welcomed him and his work into our living rooms for years. Viewing his credits was like taking a trip down Nostalgic Lane for me. Reading half of his directing credits was like "I loved that show when I was a kid!"
I always knew anytime I saw his name appear as director of The X-Files, I could breathe easier. I may get mad at the complicated mythology, but I knew I would always love the directing.
Kat
17 - hermitme
The man was a true genius and great human being. He really brought a lot to Supernatural and his work will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to his family and friends. We just lost a great artist and human being.
18 - Macleod
Thanks for this.
Kim was what television can be.
After working as a crew member over the years with Kim I can say that his "Rip the heart out of this Thing, and eat it" speech before the first shot Day 1 on a pretty insurmountable pilot still gives me chills.
Cheers Kim,
Macleod
19 - WarriorSoul
I remember his name from the "X-Files". I know it was Chris Carters show, but I am sure Kim Manners had a lot to do with the high level of quality the show maintained for so many years. "Brisco County" was a great show too. I did not realize that he had been reduced to working on something like "Supernatural". Oh well, I guess he had bills to pay like the rest of us. His talent will surly be missed.
20 - M.
That was lovely. He will be missed.
21 - coltshot_1
His talent and vision touched so many. My condolences to Mr. Manners' family and friends. To say he will be missed is surely an understatement.
22 - Tanya
Mr. Manners will be sorley missed, my heart goes out to his family and co-workers as well as Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. The man was an amazing person he really brought "Supernatural" to life. He will be missed.
23 - cassi
Great tribute Alice!
I still have trouble believing that he won't be here to do this year's finale. *sigh* Sounds so unreal and wrong!
Kim's way of directing was so awesome, he always used the most interesting angles to tell the episode's story.
As soon as you saw that Kim was the director of an episode, you KNEW it was gonna be interesting and awesome!
24 - Liz Frankfather
Kim was one of my late husband's students at Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA -- which became PCPA. (My husband was actor William Frankfather.) Bill and I watched with pleasure and pride as Kim's career took off, and his talent -- so evident even as an undergraduate -- grew, and was shared with so many. After Bill crossed over, one of my remaining pleasures was continuing to follow Kim's work, always stamped with his unwavering requirement for high quality. Post-surgery complications kept me from my computer and TV news in late January, so I just learned of Kim's tragic, too-young death. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. In addition to his amazing talent Kim was a special man; he is sorely missed.