ASK HARRISON FORD ANYTHING FAMOUSLY GRUFF STAR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Writer Harrison Ford is currently barnstorming
Barnstorming America, screening his new movie, ``Firewall'' - it opens today - and taking questions from the audience afterward. This is significant because the taciturn tac·i·turn adj. Habitually untalkative. See Synonyms at silent. [French taciturne, from Old French, from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus, silent; see tacit. Ford, 63, doesn't particularly like talking about himself. A conversation with him will net you straight, minimal answers, absolutely zero anecdotes and an audible sigh of relief when the clock says the interview is over. But on the heels of ``K-19: The Widowmaker'' and ``Hollywood Homicide,'' Ford needs a hit, so he's swallowing hard and doing what he has to do. He's a pro's pro. And since you probably can't attend one of Ford's special ``Firewall'' screenings, we thought we'd bring the question-and-answer session to you. Here, Ford answers the questions you e-mailed us beforehand, talking about age, Indiana Jones and taking the edge off of action stunts. Q: Many people consider you their greatest hero, but who exactly is your hero? - Sofia Canbolat, Rotterdam, Netherlands A: I don't have heroes. I don't register the concept. There are people who are genuine heroes in life, who distinguish themselves with valor valor a rodenticide no longer marketed because of toxicity in horses causing dehydration, abdominal pain, hindlimb weakness, inappetence, fishy smell in urine. Called also N-3-pyridyl methyl N1-p-nitrophenyl urea. and selfless self·less adj. Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish: "Volunteers need both selfish and selfless motives to sustain their interest" Natalie de Combray. behavior. Certainly they're to be celebrated and recognized and valued. I'm not one of those people. Q: What's the best way to recover after a day spent doing action stunts? - Sherry Brown, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. A: A little scotch doesn't hurt at the end of the day. Q: So many actors go on to direct movies. Why haven't you? - Sunny Jackson, San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. A: I've never wanted to direct. It's a different job, and I enjoy the job I have. Directing takes a lot of time, it's really hard, and it doesn't pay particularly well. Bob Hoskins once said that directing was like being pecked to death by penguins. All day long, people are coming up to you with questions. I'll pass. Q: Have you seen any of the movies up for Oscar consideration? - James Black
James Black was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on 1 May 1800. , Van Nuys A: I liked ``Good Night, and Good Luck'' very, very much. It was moral. It's about the difficult judgments that people make. That's what I appreciated about it. Q: Have you been offered a part lately that you couldn't play because of your age? - Toni Carson, Melbourne, Australia A: Couldn't? No. Wouldn't - yes. I haven't made a decision yet because of age. One thing I don't want to do is suffer inappropriate casting and the castigation that would ensue en·sue intr.v. en·sued, en·su·ing, en·sues 1. To follow as a consequence or result. See Synonyms at follow. 2. To take place subsequently. from it, even though I have lived for five years with a woman who is now 41 (actress Calista Flockhart Calista Kay Flockhart (born on November 11, 1964) is an Emmy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning American actress, primarily on soap operas and television. She is perhaps best known for playing the title character of Ally McBeal (1997 - 2002). ). Q: How come you do all these ``family under attack'' movies? You're a really good actor who could do much more challenging work. But more importantly, they're bad for people to watch, just like it's bad for TV news to pretend that carjackings happen on every corner. I'm not saying you need to do feel-good crap, but there's a solid middle ground of movies that don't make people afraid of nonexistent non·ex·is·tence n. 1. The condition of not existing. 2. Something that does not exist. non threats. - John Rabe John Rabe (November 23, 1882 – January 5, 1949) was a German businessman whose Nanjing Safety Zone sheltered some 200,000 Chinese from slaughter during the Nanjing Massacre. , Los Angeles A: I can't help this person with their expectations. A movie like ``Firewall'' is an interesting opportunity to participate in something that's outside your own experience and which is high in drama. I mean, it would seem that the person who asked this question, were they living in Shakespeare's time, might object to the poisoning and the suicide and corruption that was being exposed. (Stuff) happens. And we have to deal with it. If these movies do not receive an audience, they won't be made. So there's something primal and useful in having an emotional involvement in a situation like this. It's not just entertainment. It's an exercise in morality. That interests me. Q: What did you think of ``Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith''? - Chris Verity, Manchester, England A: I think it was a very different movie than the ones we made 20 years previously. Our movies were like 1950s serials. Technology changed; the audience changed. And George (Lucas) appropriately understood what an audience today would find interesting and attractive and would draw them into the story. Q: With so much factual information about global warming global warming, the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. now, do you think environmental issues will finally become a bigger factor in the next presidential election? - Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta A: Yes, I do. I think the political will to confront the degradation of the environment has been lacking until now. But fortunately, the current administration has given us such an opportunity to see the paucity of their involvement in the environment as a reason to nominate change. How much more clear could it be? Q: Do you have a favorite movie? - Greg Maragos, Bakersfield A: I'm not so much a film buff. There are many films that people normally talk about as great moments in film that I haven't seen. One that I have seen and think is a very important piece of work is ``To Kill a Mockingbird mockingbird: see mimic thrush. mockingbird Any of several New World birds of a family (Mimidae) known for their mimicry of birdsong. The common, or northern, mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) can imitate the songs of 20 or more species within 10 .'' The Gregory Peck character is about as admirable a character as you could ever find. Q: If the fourth ``Indiana Jones'' movie comes to pass, will you once again do as many stunts as you're capable of? Or do you think that much of the traditional stunt work will be replaced by CGI CGI in full Common Gateway Interface. Specification by which a Web server passes data between itself and an application program. Typically, a Web user will make a request of the Web server, which in turn passes the request to a CGI application program. ? - Katie Kelly, Hollywood A: I still hold to the same theory, that it's important to see the character's face in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of the physical action rather than the back of a stuntman's head. CGI doesn't help with hand-to-hand combat
Hand-to-Hand Combat is the twentieth episode[1] of Mobile Suit Gundam. Plot summary Tempers flare as Ryu and Fraw stand in Amuro's cell. in any way, shape or form. The audience will only identify with a character who they can see. Q: Aren't you too old to make another ``Indiana Jones'' movie? Philip Donaldson, Manchester, England A: Do I look too old? I do the action as much as possible. I know how to do it. I've done it for 30 years. If you come and see ``Firewall,'' then I think you can answer your own doubts. I don't have any. Additionally, I think the age of the character will make (Indiana Jones) more interesting. Toughness need not be confined to youth. Q: You used to make about a movie a year, and that relatively slow pace has slowed down even further in recent years. Do you anticipate picking up the pace in the latter half of this decade? - Kelly Kinley, Pasadena A: (Chuckles) It took some time between my last film and this one because we suffered the loss of a director and had to regroup re·group v. re·grouped, re·group·ing, re·groups v.tr. To arrange in a new grouping. v.intr. 1. To come back together in a tactical formation, as after a dispersal in a retreat. . That said, for the first time in my career, I am really working on developing projects. So, yes, there's a fair chance that the pace may be picked up in the next couple of years. But not too much. About a movie a year still seems right. Q: Are you still close to Carrie Fisher Carrie Frances Fisher (born October 21, 1956) is an American actress, screenwriter and novelist. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia Organa in the original Star Wars trilogy, although her comedic novels also have won praise. from ``Star Wars''? I think she'd be an excellent addition to the ``Indiana Jones'' series. Indy needs a girl who isn't all weak and whiny. - Jilliann Zavala, Pinole Pinole (pĭnōl`), city (1990 pop. 17,460), Contra Costa co., W Calif., on San Pablo Bay; inc. 1903. Primarily residential, it manufactures concrete and chemicals. , Calif. A: I don't think the others have been weak and whiny. I take exception to the characterization. We've had all sorts of women in the movies. Carrie? We don't see each other frequently, but we're still friends. Q: Is there any talk of a sequel to ``Air Force One''? We need to see your smart, sexy, ass-kicking president again. - Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta A: No. Q: Do you have a list of things to do before you're 65? - Debbie Lupuliak, Calgary, Alberta A: No. Q: What is your acting technique? - Rajan Laad, Mumbai, India A: I don't have one. I know that what serves me as an actor is to really pursue character and story - identify in each scene the range of possibilities. And I ask, ``What specific thing will best tell the story? And how can I express that?'' That's about it. Q: It's well known that you were ill-treated by classmates Classmates can refer to either:
- Lizzy O'Leary, England A: Hmmm ... maybe. Maybe. It was a relatively small period of my life. It was part of my experience, but I don't think it shaped my personality or the choices I made. Q: I am about to graduate from film school and have already dealt with a number of celebrities. I find that on the whole, the stars tend to find the crew of films a necessary evil. What type of relationship do you try to set with the crew? - Kole Montross, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. A: I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what kind of experience this person has had. But professional actors are largely not that way. They understand that everyone has a job to do, and ALL of those jobs are important. If a job isn't done - and that includes me - the overall suffers. I've often said that the second-most-important person on the film set is the dolly grip In cinematography, the dolly grip is the individual who operates the camera dolly. He or she places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. , that person who can anticipate when I'm going to step out, who has a connection for my energy and feeling, and is subtle and correct in his moves. And I feel the same way about the rest of the crew. Q: What's the most important lesson you've learned after more than 30 years in the movie business? - Sofia Conbolat, Rotterdam, Netherlands A: Don't give up. Don't give up on anything. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) UNDER SIEGE `Firewall' star Harrison Ford takes the Q&A hot seat (2) no caption(Harrison Ford) (3) In ``Firewall,'' opening Friday, Harrison Ford plays a bank security expert whose family - Carly Schroeder, Jimmy Bennett and Virginia Madsen - is threatened by vicious kidnappers with the ability to beat him at his own game. This is Ford's first feature film since 2003's ``Hollywood Homicide.'' |
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