appearance on 03/18/01
...halftime entertainment for the 2001 PJSF Raffle Road Fund-raising efforts...
FIRINN: WELCOME PAULJ!...THANKS so MUCH Paul for making it back as Forum Guest. Lotsa folks hanging around for this cozy little Q&A, so let's go, m'friend. I do have a question myself, though. We never determined ahead of time if this was going to be a formal gathering, or more a come as you are thing. So tell me, what are you wearing right now?
PAUL: I'm wearing black jeans and a hangover!!
GABY: Hi Paul...Thanks so much for coming back to visit and I don't care so much what you're wearing. I just want to know if you shaved.
PAUL: Sorry. Not today. I'm very unkempt. Long hair, long beard. It's a Marlboro Man day!
TIC: So that's perfect ...could we have some fresh pics of the natural MAN, PLEEEAAASE
PAUL: Quand vos disez l'homme natural qu est-ce que vous savez dire? I will dig something up. Okay.
TIC: Babel... well, I was sure that would sound suspect first I apologize for the lack of capital letters, I type with left hand (thanks to right shoulder tendonitis) now by "natural", you may understand what pleases you. I suppose I meant not the actor acting but the real man in everyday looking, but my English has just as double meaning as my French, that's the way I'm done... and I'll take any image you'll agree to offer
SANDRA: Hello Paul...I just want to ask, how is your writing coming along? And how are you today?
PAUL: Thanks for asking. I work ten to fifteen hours a week on my second script right now. The first is in great shape. We have started paperwork with a few foreign finance companies and hope to start shooting in the fall (strike pending). It's a wonderful story and very personal. I promise more good news as it becomes available. How am I today? Well, the Lakers won and I'm waiting for Gonzaga to play! Nervous.
TIC: 1rst script ? GREAT. Is that the one you showed to Nick Cassavetes and Gina Rowlands and may I ask about the subject? Thanks
PAUL: Gena is attached to star and we're waiting to finance it before casting the rest. Good research!
SANDRA: Hope you get over hangover Paul..Been there, done that. Have you ever tried to go horse back riding with a hangover - its not fun.
PAUL: Try it when the horse has a hangover. Steven Bauer and I were riding double on a horse in a scene in Africa and the horse reared up and fell on top of us. Thank God I landed on top of Steve. He's soft.
NICKCHICK: Since Raven ended, you've worked in TV and film -- have you developed a preference for one over the other and would you consider doing another series? One of my favorites from the tape tree is Earth: Final Conflict. Were there ever plans for your character to be recurring? If so, what happened? Finally, any hope in Hell ever of a LD:TOY flick (or you popping up on Will & Grace just to turn the Mosby/Austin dynamic on its ear =)? Cheers!
PAUL: I prefer good solid writing. If it's on the page. I'm starting to get a little more of a taste for film. More down time in between. I could dance circles around him! I miss Eric though. He was so fun to work with.
CRICKETD: Hello Paul..thanks for being back.
PAUL: But, I never left my dear. I too lurk in the realm of bytes and binaries. In fact, I am learning more and more. Be wary. LOL
CRICKETD: As wary as can be..Right now I'm a little speechless. Didn't expect you to call me "my dear". but I like it. ;-)
ANGELEYES: Good after morning PaulJ! I'm running early today! *g* Thank you for coming here today and do you know if they are still releasing "Glory, Glory" as "Hooded Angels" or have they changed the title yet?
PAUL: Well I suggested "Wes's Hooded Tarts," but that got rejected. It's still "Hooded Angels". I actually am very proud of my work in that film. Don't love the new name, but....Nice to see you here by the way, Angeleyes.
GABY: Paul - do you have plans to attend the opening in London?...and do they have plans to release it in North America?
PAUL: Well, a while ago it was mentioned I would be requested to attend. If I was not otherwise working I would love to go back to London. I have to say the tabloids in London dragged me through the dirt once. They invited me to do an interview through their Coca Cola PR people, and then all they wanted to talk about was my breakup with Cindy Crawford TEN years ago! It was a little stupid. Did I digress?
CATHERINE: Wondering....Thanks for joining the half time show! Many actors/directors/writers, have people they would like to work with; or, a part they would kill for. Who or what is yours? Do you have any prospects for working with Wes Craven again?
PAUL: Truthfully, I hope I'll be around for a long time in this business and I'll get a chance to work with all the people on my list. This fall, in John Q, I get to work with some of the real greats of our time. Duval, Denzel. Right now I'm kind of developing things to direct myself. But my favorite directors are Atom Egoyan, Nick Cassavetes, Terence Malik, Spike Jonze - it's a big list.
CATHERINE: Don't worry, I predict you'll be around and very prosperous for a long, long time. Do you like working in the U.S., Canada, or Europe the best?
PAUL: Am I to be paid in Euro's? I love being on location. I miss Canada, but I love Europe. Tough call. Fortunately I get to work in them all!
CAMILLA : How did you like being
a Viking? I'm very curious about "Beserker" as I'm Norwegian and my ancestors
were Vikings. I'm hoping it's more accurate than some other Hollywood exploits
of Nordic Mythology.
Do you look cute in a helmet?
PAUL: Oh God, please don't look to Hollywood for any historical accuracy. Like you, my ancestors were Vikings and I'm very proud of that. But, as you know this is a business, so there are many liberties taken. I have to say, though, my next non-working vacation is definitely Norway, Sweden, Finland! Can't wait. Well actually I will wait till the summer! Thanks for the question.
ROBIN: Are you glad to be home? After a long trip I know I am.
PAUL: SOOOOOO much! Actually, though, my buddy had been crashing here for a few days (alias Brandon Walsh) and his dog is not trained to... you know ...outside, so I've had to be Mr. Clean.
DJ: Hi Paul. Just want to thank you for inspiring me to return to reading the classics, specifically, Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. (Witty, yet disturbing) What processes do you go through to begin and continue writing and what insecurities do you have (only if you want to share) as a writer? Also, have you ever thought of having PAUL J book picks, like THE OPRAH? Lastly, sharing a passage from Thomas Wolfe's You Can't Go Home Again, for your belated birthday. "But, although thirty-seven is not an advanced age at which one can speak of having learned many things, neither is it too early to have learned a few. By that time a man has lived long enough to be able to look back over the road he has come and see certain events and periods in a proportion and perspective which he could not have had before." Sorry, this is probably way too much with a hangover!!! Wish you the BEST.
PAUL: Au contrare. I always thought myself presumptuous to fancy myself a scriber of books or stories. I do remember Hemingway once gave a young writer advice, he said, stand up and live before you sit down and write. I sadly am half sitting er standing. I am a work in progress, as are all of us poor humans, but I aspire to greater things as do we all. That is what keeps my heart pure. That is the reason to get out of bed in a town where we eat the weak and unwanted. I won't develop a black heart if I can keep pouring myself out over blank pages of white paper.
LURKS: Hi, Paul. As a writer, does your inspiration come mainly from imagination, or do you draw a lot on personal experience - and can you give an example?
PAUL: I feel a bit unqualified to discuss a writer's nuances. I can only speak from personal experience. I have an idea that most stories emanate from experience married to desire. My stories have been drawn from my life and colored by other ways I should have or would have liked to react. But the great freedom in writing is if you do draw from real life, you can rewrite the way in which you remember it. You can beat up the bully this time. Or have the witty comeback at the perfect moment. Thanks for the question Lurks. I'm glad you are part of my cyberlife.
ANGELEYES: Also the subject was brought up below as to which genre of writing the members of the forum would like to see you attempt as a writer--light, romantic was a favorite. Is this a genre in which you are comfortable writing and could this be a possiblitiy for the future?
PAUL: Oh my. Tough one, Angeleyes. I kinda think the stories pick you. I have three I'm working on at this moment. One about a Russian prostitute. One about pharmaceutical companies and one about a man who was in seminary school who becomes an atheist and wants to commit suicide. It ends happily though. So light and romantic uh oh!
KHINGA: What are your opinions on South Africa?
PAUL: My opinions? I have been there six times. Two for films and four to visit friends and have fun. I love this country. I have never been treated so well by anyone. It is a wonderful place with magic everywhere. You have never seen a sunset till you've climbed Table Mountain and watched it while perched among the rocks. I do not however love the government. I think there is way too much corruption and it's hard to respect a leader of a civilized country that denies AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. It's irresponsible and his unwillingness to do so has cost humanitarian aid to flow to his people. Also the economic disparity is unsettling. It's difficult to judge another country's leadership on this issue however as we have nothing to brag about here either on this subject. But gov'ts are not indicative of people and I will continue to travel to S.A for as long as I can. Best to you.
CATHERINE: Do you like Christopher Marlowe or Chaucer? They hardly have the same slant on life but...Canterbury Tales would be quite a trial to bring to the screen. Vanessa Redgrave would be ideal for the Wife of Bath. What classical work would you like to be involved with? Any more theatre in your near future?
PAUL: Been done. In the eighties, a version of Canterbury Tales was released on the wide screen. Check your video store. I would like to contemporize some Russian Literature. I would love to redo Rasputin. I also love some Romanian authors like Ionescu.
TIC: Personal wondering. A new series has been airing in France and should follow in Canada, which I waited for long since I'm a fan of the comic strip. That's Largo Winch. I've discovered the main actor, Paolo Seganti. He seems to have a very interesting way in life and acting world. Do you know him by chance? I would be really interested in having both of you on any virtual ring (he used to be a boxer).
PAUL: I've heard of him. I thank you for your nice comments and wish him the best of luck with his new show!
MISTRESS ROSE: Heroes vs. Villains...In your work, we've seen you play heroic figures, weak men, and evil ones....I know *my* personal favorites (I'm a sucker for a hero!), but what is your personal favorite character to play? What is your personal favorite character to write? And how are you by the way?
PAUL: Wonderful to see you here
M'lady Rose. I like Nick Wolfe. I like the second year of Austin Peale
on the Dove. I think Barak will be a fan favorite when it arrives. "Berserker"
that is. But I pray the best are out there
waiting to be discovered. Health wise,
its been a long road back. Let me put it this way I'm playing basketball
with the big boys again!
FIRINN: thanks so MUCH Paul for spending this time with us...It's been a very informative, very enriching, very surprising little gathering. Come back to visit with us again sometime
PAUL: I also thank you all so much. Again I had a great time. I am flattered by the wonderful questions. I hope we can do this again soon!! Bye Bye