‘I’m an actor and a tree’.

October 07

‘I’m an actor and a tree’.

Steve Buscemi

With thanks to S who works at The Times we got tickets to a National Film and Television School Masterclass as part of The Times BFI 51^st London Film Festival.

Host Briony Hanson was interviewing Indiewood’s most well respected character actors, Steve Buscemi. You say boosemi I say boo-SHEM-ē. Actually he does not mind how you pronounce it which only goes to emphasize Steve’s non-egotistical attitude.

What came across in this interview was his modesty about his acting and directing talent. He has a rare quality unknown in many Hollywood stars as having the ability to laugh at himself. Perhaps this comes from his background as a stand up comic. He described himself as an actor and a tree causing the audience to chuckle.

When asked about why he still takes roles in the high profile blockbusters such asMr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs, he said that he uses them to fund his indi work. However he was quick to point out that he is still selective about which scripts he accepts.

The obvious question was asked about being type cast as s dysfunctional character.. His response was that it is inevitable however does not consider his characters to be losers. He talks about them with some affection and naively refers to them as ‘just people with problems’.

It was encouraging to hear that even Buscemi has the dreaded writers block. He too finds it difficult to write and it frustrates him that this delays his creative process however ‘anything you write is worthwhile and it’s ok to tear it up’, sounding a bit like a life coach.

Buscemi openly admitted, again showing he is not afraid to share his insecurities, that he finds directing on series such as Homicide, his first series as director as ‘terrifying’ and ‘petrified’ that he has no time to prepare. Tree’s Lounge was his first feature film as writer and director and he described the experience as a learning curve. A process that he is still riding.

The audience had a chance to ask questions and it was interesting to hear about the production/technical side of his work. On his series work he has limited editing control particularly on Sopranos. Unless he is in LA tapes have to be sent back and forth hence the limited amount of input he can put in. He agreed that advances in technology are making it easier for people to make films however distribution has become much harder. Other questions from the floor were cringeable with one bizarre fan gleefully telling Buscemi that she found one of his films on DVD in a charity shop.

Sadly I never got the chance to ask him what kind of tree he sees himself as.

Steve Buscemi’s latest release is Interview