Questions from “Inside The Actors Studio”
Sun., June 1, 01:07 PM
I looked at the Friday Five for this week and decided that I want to address the basic question in a diffeprent manner. So I am substituting these, and I’ll cover my “immortal fame” some other time.
“Inside the Actors Studio” is a regular program on Bravo. I’m not an actor or even a student of theater arts, but I never fail to learn something from these interviews.
The Actors Studio, a famous acting school for many years, is now a part of the New School University in New York City; James Lipton is its dean. As part of the curriculum, successful people – actors, directors, playwrights – are invited to be interviewed in front of an audience of students. Lipton conducts the interviews, and his attitudes and reactions are often part of the entertainment, particularly when he especially admires the subject. (Their very first guest was Paul Newman, and that set the standard for the level of guests who have accepted.) This is such a marvelous way to teach. After the interviews, the students are allowed to ask questions of the guest of honor. I love the way they introduce themselves: “Hello, I’m a first-year actor,” or “I’m a third-year playwright…” I had read excellent reviews about the program but hadn’t seen it until my cable company finally decided to provide Bravo.
I’ve gained amazing insights into people I didn’t really know about, or people I thought I didn’t like. You get to see the likes of Joanne Woodward, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Affleck. Most notably, I was mightily impressed with Spike Lee, whose movies are not to my taste and who dresses like a street wretch. But he is remarkably well-spoken (no gangsta talk), and he has studied very hard to learn his craft. How refreshing!
Dean Lipton always ends his interviews with the same list of questions. These are thought-provoking ideas and, in the manner of the Friday Five, I thought I would try to answer a few.
- What is your favorite word?
That’s a really hard choice – words, after all, are my stock in trade (even if no one’s buying). Laugh, I think, for laughter is truly therapeutic. Or maybe pizza, which conjures up memories not only of good food, but also of good company while eating it. - What is your least favorite word?
Can’t is such a hopeless word, whether I’m forced to use it myself or hear it from someone else. - What turns you on? Excites you, inspires you, personally, creatively, spiritually it can be anything.
Learning something I didn’t know before. And then teaching it to someone else. It occurs to me that that’s the reason I want to write. (Epiphany!) - What sound or noise do you love?
Music, slow and soothing, especially singing in harmony. And if I really like the singer, it’s even better. - What sound or noise do you hate?
Sounds of violence – sirens, shooting, bombs. - What’s your favorite curse word?
I try not to curse (not that I haven’t been known to emit a “shit!!!!”). First, because I think cursing is a kind of laziness, a lack of creativity; second, because if you don’t do it too often, it has much greater impact when you do. My choice is something my best school friend used to say: “curses and maledictions and other unutterable vituperations.” It generally makes people sit up and take notice! - What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Musician or singer, without a doubt. As much as I enjoy listening to music, I enjoy participating even more. - What profession would you not like to participate in?
Telemarketing. I can do good customer service by phone (and have done so in the past), but trying to sell over the phone makes me physically ill. - If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?
Welcome – we’ve been waiting for you. We need another alto.
