|
Post by Madsen58 on Jun 9, 2005 11:41:43 GMT -5
Madsengirl I would also like to buy a copy from you as well. I can never get enough Michael. Regards Samantha Couldn't agree with you more on that subject...
|
|
|
Post by sidewinder on Jun 9, 2005 16:42:57 GMT -5
In the meantime, here is a transcript of the interview from Henry's Film Corner (only the bit segment where he was on). Enjoy:
Henry: Today on Henry’s Film Corner we join IFC in celebrating Pulp Month with a very special guest, indie film legend Michael Madsen.
Henry: My guest today is Michael Madsen, one of the hardest working men in show biz with over 100 screen credits to his name and counting. You’ve seen him in classic films like Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco, and more recently in Kill Bill and Sin City. He is a pulp legend and the parts just keep coming. Michael, thanks for showing up, man.
Michael: Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here. I wish you were a film producer with that great introduction.
Henry: I’m just a bull-nuts artist trying to get by.
Michael: That makes the two of us.
Henry: Let me ask you something, man. You have over 100 credits, you seem to be in every third movie around. Do you like the work, do you need the work, why do you keep showing up for all this stuff?
Michael: You know, I’m not happy if I’m not working. It might seem like I’m in a lot of pictures but I’m not nearly as busy as I’d like to be. I think that things have been getting a little better for me lately…but it’s kinda hard for me to find the right kind of a role cuz of the guys I’ve played. People think they’ve got me pegged, you know as the villain, the bad guy, you know, the killer and all that. You know, that’s fine, but that’s far and away different from who I really am.
Henry: So you just keep saying yes to the work or have you been trying to make the effort to try and grab other scripts and get other things under your belt?
Michael: Well, I’m trying to start producing stuff. You know, I’m tired of being a gun for hire. I’m tired of being a puppet, you know. A lot of times an actor with opinions is like dangerous, you know what I mean? They don’t know what to do with you, you know. They just want you to come in, do your thing then leave. And if you say anything about what’s going on, then you’re a ‘problem’, you know what I mean? And it’s kinda hard, especially if you’re a creative person, who want to be part of the creative process. And the only way to do that is to produce your own fluff. I haven’t got to …I don’t think I’ve really gotten to play the characters that I …I think I got my best work ahead of me yet.
Henry: You’ve worked with some pretty major talent. Let’s talk about working with Tarantino and then working with Rodriguez in Sin City.
Michael: Well you know what, I found those guys to be very much alike. I mean they’re really good pals to begin with, and if it wasn’t for Quentin, basically, if he didn’t reinvent it – he did, he reinvented film – I mean Reservoir Dogs just kicked the door open for independent films.
Henry: It was huge when it came out, and I remember seeing it in the theatre and walking out of there so pumped up and so inspired by just the flagrant lack of restraint.
Michael: When I read that script I knew I had never read anything like that before. I wanted to play Mr. Pink. I thought it was a better part, I loved it. Mr. Pink had more dialogue but I wanted to shoot more scenes with Harvey Keitel, because I had been with Harvey in Thelma and Louise. But our scenes together on the film got cut. When I heard Harvey was going to play Mr. White I wanted to play Mr. Pink so I could be with Harvey more often and I thought we could have a lot of fun together. But Quentin already had Steve Bushemi in mind and he had met him in New York and he had a pretty set idea on who he wanted for which part. And I was actually the last guy that was cast in Reservoir Dogs because I kept trying to convince them to let me play Mr. Pink and I actually came in and read for Quentin for Mr. Pink. When I was done he was like, ‘oh yeah, that was great. That was good. That was really good. Thanks for coming in, but have you thought more about Mr. Blonde?’ I kinda figured at that point if I didn’t do it I wouldn’t be in the picture so…I’m glad I did, you know? I did Sin City because I wanted to work with Robert. It sure as hell wasn’t for the money and there wasn’t that much left by the time I came on. And it wasn’t that big of a part but the role I did are much bigger in the sequels of Sin City so I figured it’d be worth it to get involved, you know, in that way so I could come back if it worked out. And I was very curious to be around Robert and see what kind of a guy he was because I knew him and Quentin were so tight. And you know, while Quentin is very manic, very planned, this is what we’re going to do, this is how we’re going to do it, and we’ll shoot it 25 times if we got to until I see what I want and move on, Robert is really just the opposite. He’s really calm and he doesn’t really say that much. He’s really quiet and he’ll do one or two takes and that’s it. He’s got what he wants and moves on.
Henry: How different is it to you – working in Hollywood – how different is the reality of it from what you thought it was going to be the first time.
Michael: Well, you know, it ain’t the wonderland that I thought, that’s for sure. And a lot of the folks making the decisions aren’t the geniuses that I thought they were. I think a lot of people will fill your head up with a lot of ideas about what they….they’ll convince you of what they want you to think the movie’s going to be to get you involved. And then you’re involved and find out it’s not going to be that way. And once you’re in and there’s no way out you gotta finish the product. You can’t just walk off and you gotta see it through. And a lot of films…they come and they go, you know, but every once in a while I’ve been very fortunate to be in something that’s long lasting and memorable. Be able to pop up on a good one now and then to keep me going. You know as long as I could bring my boys to visit me on location and as long as I can spend a good amount of time with my family and not turn into some kind of a stranger, you know, ‘who’s that f**kin’ guy coming down the stairs’ you know, ‘is he still here’ you know…..’Dad,’ you know, ‘what’re you doing here?’ As long as I can split it up and have time for everybody then I’d just keep going forever.
Henry: I can’t let you go without asking about your writing. You’re a published poet you have an anthology of your work coming out. Let’s talk about that for a minute.
Michael: Well, I never set out to be a writer, that’s for sure. It’d probably be a little bit more hard to believe than me becoming an actor. The stuff I write is like…it’s like social commentary, it’s like observances, all the madness that you see everyday. And I do got a Complete Works coming out, that’s all three books put together in one coming out in June. I’m very proud of it and it’s kinda good for you, good for your heart to get things off your chest from time to time. Writing things is good, it’s cathartic.
Henry: And you have brought a poem that you’re going to read.
Michael: Did I?
Henry: Yes you did. I think you did, I think I see something….hey, what’s that?
Michael: I brought one with me ….it was provided for me…..
Henry: This will be the first literary excursion on Henry’s Film Corner.
Michael: It’s short.
Henry: Short is good.
Michael: I don’t know when I wrote this. But….
Henry: What’s it called?
Michael: It’s called Zippo. I pour another shot of vodka and see my reflection on the back of a silver zippo. Like a mirror in an amusement park a little crooked and a little strange. Never underestimate the value of a zippo. Gotta think about that one a little bit.
Henry: It’s like Henry Wade. Short declarative sentences.
Michael: Deep.
Henry: It’s cool. Well good luck with the books and films and stuff.
Michael: It’s been fun being here.
Henry: Yeah man, thanks for being on my show. Awesome kicks.
Michael: Thank you and God Bless. God Bless, always.
|
|
|
Post by Madsen58 on Jun 10, 2005 15:33:44 GMT -5
Thank you for that transcript...I wish I would have seen it on TV though *sniff sniff*
|
|
|
Post by Madsengirl on Jun 10, 2005 15:34:43 GMT -5
Madsengirl I would also like to buy a copy from you as well. a No one will have to buy a copy...all you'll have to do is send me a blank VHS tape & I'll copy it & mail it back to you.
|
|
|
Post by Madsen58 on Jun 10, 2005 15:43:27 GMT -5
Madsengirl I would also like to buy a copy from you as well. a No one will have to buy a copy...all you'll have to do is send me a blank VHS tape & I'll copy it & mail it back to you. Aww...thanks
|
|