Exclusive Interview:  #3 - March 2001
 

How do you prepare for an audition?
Basically, I read it over, get a rough idea of what I think the scene's about. Begin memorizing the lines if I have the time, if not, memorize of few of the 'key' beats of the scene. Then it's a matter of what I think the character looks like. Often, if it's a bad guy, I know that everybody and their mother is going to show up in black. So, I show up in white. And I'm the only one. I always think to myself, "What would be interesting?". "What kind of spin can I throw on this guy."

Can you walk us through a typical audition?
Show up. Sign in. Actors standing around talking to themselves. They call your name. In you go. "Hello, hello's". Face casting director (or reader), cheat your angle to video camera, begin scene and..... fall flat on your ass.

Is there a difference between auditioning for a film vs. a tv show?
No. Except that sometimes you need to 'over act' for tv shows. Often the writing is very on the nose or simply crap and so you need to 'boost up' your performance to over compensate for shitty dialogue. That way you 'make' the scene work, in spite of ridiculous dialogue that would only stand out like a sore thumb and make you look like an idiot had you played it straight.

Do you have any "good-luck" rituals that you go through before an audition and/or a shoot?
No.

Does it ever get easier to deal with rejection in the business?
Easier? No. But rejection doesn't bother most actors the way it would ruin other people, simply because we have no choice and that it's just such a part of the game.

Do you recommend studying acting in school or learning from experience, or both?
Tough question. I think a lot of 'acting' classes are bullshit, but they are still tremendous experience simply because they're so ridiculous. I highly recommend them in that regard. Also, it very much depends on the class. Some classes are really about working a scene, figuring out writers intent, breaking down the beat of a scene, character development and imagination. Others are about your dead puppy, the fact that you weren't loved enough as a child and other kinds of 'abuses'. I've got no time for that shit. If I want therapy, I'll take an ice bath.

What kind of things do you do to research a role/character?
Depends on the character. But I've always found that the best actors can improvise. To have a character so complete, that you're not lost without the written text. And in order to be able to have a character that complete, you'd better have done some serious research or at least have one hell of an imagination.

Describe a typical day for you when you're working on "Big Sound."
Arrive on set. Grab a juice and a bite to eat. Brush my teeth after eating so
I don't knock them over in make up. Sit around and wait. Get the make up done. Sit around and wait. Get the hair done. Put the wardrobe on. Sit around. Look over the scenes for the day. Hang out. Memorize the scenes for the day. Sit around some more. Get called to set for 'blocking'. Run the scene. Go back to trailer. Sit around. Fall asleep. Wake up in a panic cause they need you RIGHT NOW!!! Go back to make up cause it's all come off. Shoot scene. Sit around for the next nine hours waiting to do the next one.

Describe a typical day for you when you're on hiatus.
Basically, all the stuff stated above, minus anything having to do with making a TV show.

How is acting on a television series different from working in a film?
There's not as much waiting around on a TV show.

How difficult is it to act with someone you dislike?
Great question. But easy answer. How hard is it to do anything with someone you don't like. Especially working. Ex -boyfriends/girlfriends/ enemies/assholes and shitheads. It's a drag. But fortunately, very rare. Cause I love everyone, and everyone loves me. wink wink.

Are you interested in directing?
Yes. Have done before, will do again.

In your opinion, what makes a good director?
Depends on whether you are in front of the camera or in front of the movie screen. A good director basically has to tell a story. And unfortunately, talent does not discriminate. I've worked with brilliant directors, who were hopeless human beings. And I've worked with great people, who couldn't direct their own shoelace.

Do you make suggestions to directors when you're on a set?
Yes.

How are such suggestions received?
Usually with interest. Whether they think it's crap or not. Whatever might help make things better, helps the day along.

What's the most difficult and/or worst thing about filmmaking?
Managing other peoples greed.

What's the easiest and/or best thing about it?
There's no business like show business.

Have you ever had to portray a character that you disliked, or had moral and/or ethical problems with? If so, how did you resolve that within yourself?
Nothing to resolve. It's just a character. But that said, I 'personally' won't do rape or any kind of advert for alcohol. The rape thing is usually because the scenes are almost always unnecessary, gratuitous and degrading. They're shit and I won't touch them. Even if it's one of these throwing the helpless 'victim' ie, 'woman' around. It's just so .... uninteresting.

Which of your characters has been the most different from yourself?
Oooo. God that's tough. Cause there's a part of me in all of them. Herb Kolodny is pretty damn different from me. But I'd have to say playing a character called 'Speedy' on a show called the Marshal. That dude was way out.

Most similar to yourself?
Every character in Zacharia Farted.

So-far, who is your favorite character that you've ever portrayed? Why?
Probably. Nick Keester. But that's because I get to play him everyday. Multi layered, goofy, nasty, driven.

Least favorite? Why?
I'd only piss somebody off with that question and right now I can't think of a good lie.

Do you prefer performing in comedy or drama?
Both are a blast.

What is the most difficult shoot you've ever worked on? Why?
Zacharia Farted. Because I was the Writer, Producer, and Actor. Not to mention acting as the films executive producer, locations, etc. It was extremely hard.

Do you feel that special effects enhance a film or distract?
Both.

Do you watch any TV? If so, what do you enjoy watching?
Don't watch TV But every now and then I tune into a show called 'Cab Confessions', or something like that. It's where they stick a couple of video cameras inside a taxi cab and record the people that ride. My god, that is an amazing show. It's pure character study and I adore it.

What's your favorite sport to watch, if any?
Judo, Fencing and that asian volley ball type game they play with their feet.

What's your favorite sport to participate in, if any?
Archery. There is no why in archery. More specifically, there's really no target either.

We already that know you're a vegetarian, when did you become one?
17

Some of your fans have asked if you would reveal your favorite dish?
I could reveal that, but then I'd have to kill you.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?
Yes.

Do you have any advice for aspiring actors? Filmmakers?
Yes. First thing is clean up your room. Little happens in your life when your room is dirty. You know it, and I know it. So, start there. After you've done that, go and do it. Don't talk about it. Don't dream about it. Just begin. If you want to act. Act. If you want to direct, direct. There is no where you can go to 'get into' it. Or 'become' a director. If you have to ask, "How do I become a director?" You're already dead. You will never become one. What you want to ask is, "Where can I send my film or video?" It's a much better question, there's power in it.

What is your ultimate career goal?
To trade dialogue with Gene Hackman.

How do you stay grounded?
I don't. If I wasn't acting, I'd be a total basket case.

Interview Copyright © 2001 ColinCunningham.com