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Interviews

Eric on directing Glee

There is recent interview with Eric (from the Newport Beach fest) over at the Orange County Register. He talks about working on Glee. The complete article is here.

Orange County Register: What is it like directing the young cast of ‘Glee’?

Eric Stoltz: It’s fantastic. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I love directing young actors. Many actors have the experience of not having been directed very often or very well. For the most part, directors are technically proficient and a little bit afraid of the actors. So, having been an actor for a long time, I can see things from their perspective.

Directing is something that I think i’m more suited for. I’m a better director than an actor. I love crews, I love talking to actors. After sitting in the trumpet section for many years, it’s nice to have the whole score in front of you. You can either inspire or not. I’ve spent a great many years in the trenches of independent film. You learn a lot there. Television is actually much closer to the independent film process.
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Eric talks Fort McCoy

The Orange County Register has a new article about the films that will be shown at the Newport Beach Film Festival and it includes a short interview with Eric.

One spotlight film, titled “Fort McCoy,” is based on the little-known, true story of 425,000 German soldiers who were brought to the United States as prisoners of war during World War II.

eric stoltz,fort mccoyThe movie stars Eric Stoltz and Kate Connor, and screens at Triangle Square at 7:15 p.m. April 30 and 7 p.m. May 5.

For Stoltz, a veteran actor who has recently directed TV shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Glee,” “Fort McCoy” has been an opportunity to exercise a different muscle – producing.

“I read the script and I thought it was a very well-written and interesting and compelling true story,” said Stoltz, 49. “I enjoy playing roles based on real people. As a producer, I suggest things to the directors – cuts, shots, casting, notes. We got permission from the Department of Defense to shoot at an authentic Army base. I thought that was pretty cool, because they don’t always do that.”

Stoltz plans to attend the screening on April 30 and stick around for the question-and-answer session afterward. “I love film festivals, because the people who come to them are the people interested in supporting the arts, and that’s my tribe.”

You can read the whole article here.

Another interview (The Guardian)

There is a new interview with Eric at Guardian.co.uk.

What’s your favourite piece of technology, and how has it improved your life?
TV-B-Gone. It’s a wonderful little device that has one button – which, when pressed, will turn off any television within 15 metres. It’s ideal when you’re sitting in an empty pub and a television is blaring adverts too loudly. A simple device that brings peace.

When was the last time you used it, and what for?
Last week. To turn off a TV.

What additional features would you add if you could?
It would be nice if the company expanded their repertoire a bit. “People-who-speak-on-cellphones-in-shops-B-Gone” would be swell. Not to mention “Taxes-B-Gone”.

Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years’ time?
No.

What always frustrates you about technology in general?
All that damned convenience. — Keep reading

 

 

 

New interview with Eric (Den of Geek)

Den of Geek has a new interview with Eric. He mostly talks about Caprica. You can read it here.

It’s a shame to do it, but I suspect it works better to go from back to front here. Where were you when you heard about the Caprica cancellation? Did you fear it was coming?

I have no idea where I was – that was months ago. But yes, the fear of cancellation was always hanging over us like the sword of Damocles. We’d gotten used to it. In a way it sort of fueled us on.

What have you thought of the reaction to the show getting cancelled? Do you fear for the future of such intricate drama?

I’m blissfully unaware of any reaction at all, but I’m always a little afraid for the future of anything out of the ordinary.

How far ahead did you know your character’s arc? And of the narrative of the show itself?

Well, it was just finding its legs, so in the beginning we were finding out what worked and what didn’t on a day by day basis. Then, for the second half of the season, we had a longer lead, and by the time we ended we had a pitch for the entire second season, which was pretty interesting.

Dr Graystone was going to invent a magic time-travelling DeLorean, and go back in time to when I was playing Marty McFly… and curiously, in that alternate universe, Michael Fox was playing Dr. Graystone – and Caprica was a big fat hit! — Keep reading

 

 

 

Recent interview with Eric

A recent interview, but definitely not done in the last week or so (no mention of the show getting cancelled):

Were you looking to turn your attention to a TV series before Caprica or were you attracted to the specific material?

I was not looking to do a series at all. I was sent the script and I actually didn’t even read it for a week. Then the maid in my hotel room stole it… I thought that maybe I should read this script if people are stealing it!

And so I read the script and found it compelling, so I decided to meet [with the producers]. They filled me with dreams and hopes and I signed up.

Have those dreams and hopes being fulfilled?

All except one. They said we would do eight-day episodes. It was one of my questions: “Are we going to shoot this in seven days or eight days?” “It’ll be eight-day episodes, I promise.” Seven days. Seven-day episodes! Very different. Grey’s Anatomy is nine or ten days… I’m pushing the buttons of all the executives. [Laughs] – More at Total Sci-Fi Online