Exclusive Interview:  #2 - February 21, 2001
 

Do you have a favorite place and time of the day to do your writing?
Favorite place usually consists of a greasy spoon diner, and always a table way in the back. As far as a 'best time', I wish I did. That would mean I'm actually producing something consistently. But if I'd have to pick, I'd have to say night. It's moodier. Good stuff.

Do you usually write in silence or with music in the background?
Both. Atmosphere is both paramount and yet, pretty irrelevant to creativity. Some of my most productive years were when I was saddled with some bullshit job in a warehouse or restaurant.

When you write music, do you write lyrics too?
Always.

Who or what inspires you?
'Who?' - God that's a tough one. My family. My best friend. My worst enemies. They all inspire to one degree or another. But I always appreciate a person who's succeeded in spite of their handicap, circumstance, fears or any other kind of opposition. Usually the person who believed more in themselves than anyone else did in their limitations.

'What Inspires me? Movies inspire me. More than anything else I can think of. The desert landscape also inspires me. Something about the silence out there that I really vibe to.

Do you have a special method for memorizing your lines?
Read the text over and over again til you think you're going to vomit. Then do it some more.

When doing emotional scenes, where do you go within yourself to be able to convey sorrow or joy?
If I'm doing my job right, I don't go anywhere. I'm in the scene and it's all working. But if it's NOT working for some reason, I always try to go back to the writers intent. What's the scene about? Rarely is a scene about somebody crying. So I try not to wank for the sake of hitting a difficult beat just for the sake of hitting it. A lot of 'method' nut bags do that crap. If it doesn't belong in the scene, I try to stay away from it.

Which emotion is more difficult to show on screen?
Laughter.

How hard is it to do a love scene in front of the cameras?
Only really done one. And it wasn't that hard. But we were both clothed for the most part and it wasn't really all that erotic. The scene was a more 'post coitus' kind of thing. But I'll keep you posted.

Would you or have you ever done a nude scene?
Never have. And sure I would, depends on the script. But if it was just for a love scene, probably not. I think love scenes are a bit of a wank really. All they've ever done for me is take me OUT of the movie. "Oh, my God. So that's what her breasts look like!" They throw a wrench into the very fabric of the film, are rarely based on character or story line, and it's just something studios throw in there before getting back to the movie. Rarely does it ever serve the movie, unless of course 'sex' is the main thrust of the film.

What makes a character interesting enough for you to want to play?
The 'problem or problems' they have to deal with. It's not so much about playing a mentally disabled person, but more about playing someone who is having a hell of a time fitting into his new job because of his disability.

What would make you turn down a role?
I won't do Rape or Alcohol Commercials.

Is there any genre you've not yet done that you'd like to do?
Horror. More Westerns please. Psychological Thriller.

What is it like to watch yourself on screen?
No problem. I'm never had a problem with it. Probably because I've produced and edited, and so I look at my performance no different than I would any other 'product.' But it also gives me the chance to look at what I did vs. what I thought I was doing when I did it. Sometimes it's a lot different.

Do you still get nervous in front of the cameras?
Everytime. There has not been a single moment when I've heard the words, "Roll sound", and NOT forgotten all my lines. But then I'll hear the words "Action!" and I remember. Well, most of the times.

Do you do your own stunts?
If they'll let me. Most. But I'm not jumping off an exploding World Trade Center for all the bunnies in Hefners living room.

What makes you happy?
The words 'action' and 'cut'.

What makes you sad?
The news paper.

What makes you mad?
Wasting time.

What turns you on?
Intelligence, humor, clarity, talent, drive and ambition.
Either that, or someone who wants to have sex with me.

How do you define success?
Goals attained with soul intact.

How do you define celebrity?
You know you've become a 'celebrity' when you're having a really boring conversation with somebody and they think it's their fault.

Do you consider yourself one?
No.

Is there any one celebrity who would make YOU feel starstruck or tongue-tied?
Alto Sax player, David Sanborn.

What's the most beautiful place you've ever seen?
The set of Big Sound. (Prague would be a close second)

What's the worst place you've ever been?
That 'Place' would be a state of mind. - A struggling, out of work actor with no agent, no money, no self respect and no future.

Do you prefer studio or location shoots?
Location.

If you could not do what you do, what other career do you see yourself having?
Hired assassin.

Do you have any vices and/or phobias?
Oooo. Vices? Don't smoke. Rarely drink. Drugs bore me... Hmmm. This is going to sound extremely boring, but..... I guess it would have to be restaurants. I have not cooked a meal for myself in probably six years. I adore going out to restaurants, sitting down, having someone bring me a menu, looking at the menu, picking what I want, tell them ... and then they go away, cook it and bring it back. Fantastic!!!! I eat out breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although I did have a girlfriend once who loved to cook and that was wonderful. I miss it. Phobias? One. But I ain't tellin.

Do you have a motto or slogan you live by?
"Windows do nothing but let in the image of what you could become if you were a window."

Interview Copyright © 2001 ColinCunningham.com