“No one actor can be in 35 seminal movies.” It’s not an unreasonable statement, but it does border on the ironic coming from Tim Robbins, an actor who’s probably come closer than most to doing just that. After his breakout in Bull Durham, Robbins became an almost Zelig-like presence in just about any critically acclaimed film going, including The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, Dead Man Walking and The Player. Robbins’ filmography is a testament to more than just his capacity as an actor, writer and director. It’s also a reflection of a lingering punk sensibility and artistic integrity all too rare in Hollywood these days. In this conversation, we discuss the major influence of theater on his career, the kind of films he just won’t do, and Bob Roberts – the eerily prescient film that inspired countless would-be mockumentarians, a young Jack Black, and a certain aspiring still photographer.
“No one actor can be in 35 seminal movies.” It’s not an unreasonable statement, but it does border on the ironic coming from Tim Robbins, an actor who’s probably come closer than most to doing just that. After his breakout in Bull Durham, Robbins became an almost Zelig-like presence in just about any critically acclaimed film going, including The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, Dead Man Walking and The Player. Robbins’ filmography is a testament to more than just his capacity as an actor, writer and director. It’s also a reflection of a lingering punk sensibility and artistic integrity all too rare in Hollywood these days. In this conversation, we discuss the major influence of theater on his career, the kind of films he just won’t do, and Bob Roberts – the eerily prescient film that inspired countless would-be mockumentarians, a young Jack Black, and a certain aspiring still photographer.
“No one actor can be in 35 seminal movies.” It’s not an unreasonable statement, but it does border on the ironic coming from Tim Robbins, an actor who’s probably come closer than most to doing just that. After his breakout in Bull Durham, Robbins became an almost Zelig-like presence in just about any critically acclaimed film going, including The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, Dead Man Walking and The Player. Robbins’ filmography is a testament to more than just his capacity as an actor, writer and director. It’s also a reflection of a lingering punk sensibility and artistic integrity all too rare in Hollywood these days. In this conversation, we discuss the major influence of theater on his career, the kind of films he just won’t do, and Bob Roberts – the eerily prescient film that inspired countless would-be mockumentarians, a young Jack Black, and a certain aspiring still photographer.
If all great comedy comes from tragedy, Aubrey Plaza’s great tragedy was not getting the part of Cinderella in a community theater musical. Cast instead as an ugly stepsister, her one song got all the laughs, and Plaza got the idea she was funny. Since then, so have a lot of other people – Judd Apatow cast her in Funny People at about the same time the folks at Parks and Recreation cast her as April Ludgate (after she informed them they’d written the part all wrong). The fact that the roiling turmoil she swears is inside doesn’t always make it to her face can be disconcerting, but it’s funny because it comes from truth, and Plaza is nothing if not completely herself. We talk to her about her transition from standup to film, her inability to re-tell a story and fighting for the roles she’s not usually offered. And, masturbation (in a strictly clinical context, of course). She’s called herself the worst talk show guest ever and hopes one day to be as smooth a chatter as Tom Hanks. We wish her success in every goal but that one.
If all great comedy comes from tragedy, Aubrey Plaza’s great tragedy was not getting the part of Cinderella in a community theater musical. Cast instead as an ugly stepsister, her one song got all the laughs, and Plaza got the idea she was funny. Since then, so have a lot of other people – Judd Apatow cast her in Funny People at about the same time the folks at Parks and Recreation cast her as April Ludgate (after she informed them they’d written the part all wrong). The fact that the roiling turmoil she swears is inside doesn’t always make it to her face can be disconcerting, but it’s funny because it comes from truth, and Plaza is nothing if not completely herself. We talk to her about her transition from standup to film, her inability to re-tell a story and fighting for the roles she’s not usually offered. And, masturbation (in a strictly clinical context, of course). She’s called herself the worst talk show guest ever and hopes one day to be as smooth a chatter as Tom Hanks. We wish her success in every goal but that one.
If all great comedy comes from tragedy, Aubrey Plaza’s great tragedy was not getting the part of Cinderella in a community theater musical. Cast instead as an ugly stepsister, her one song got all the laughs, and Plaza got the idea she was funny. Since then, so have a lot of other people – Judd Apatow cast her in Funny People at about the same time the folks at Parks and Recreation cast her as April Ludgate (after she informed them they’d written the part all wrong). The fact that the roiling turmoil she swears is inside doesn’t always make it to her face can be disconcerting, but it’s funny because it comes from truth, and Plaza is nothing if not completely herself. We talk to her about her transition from standup to film, her inability to re-tell a story and fighting for the roles she’s not usually offered. And, masturbation (in a strictly clinical context, of course). She’s called herself the worst talk show guest ever and hopes one day to be as smooth a chatter as Tom Hanks. We wish her success in every goal but that one.
It’s a good thing Linda Cardellini’s college goal was to actually not finish college (though in one of the few failures of her career, she eventually wound up graduating). It’s another good thing she heeded David Letterman’s telepathic warning not to come to New York. Both decisions led her to L.A., where via a throwaway audition and a feat of glass-slipper casting, she landed her breakout role on the iconic Freaks & Geeks. Since then, she’s set about building an admirable body of film and TV work in projects as diverse as Mad Men, Scooby Doo, Return and the upcoming Daddy’s Home. In Off Camera #49 we discuss the audition process, the benefits of delayed puberty, the scourge of self-criticism and what she’s learned from the cast of her current show, Bloodline. And, why she may be doomed to spend eternity in a prairie dress. Sadly, she didn’t cry after our interview, but we still think it went well.
It’s a good thing Linda Cardellini’s college goal was to actually not finish college (though in one of the few failures of her career, she eventually wound up graduating). It’s another good thing she heeded David Letterman’s telepathic warning not to come to New York. Both decisions led her to L.A., where via a throwaway audition and a feat of glass-slipper casting, she landed her breakout role on the iconic Freaks & Geeks. Since then, she’s set about building an admirable body of film and TV work in projects as diverse as Mad Men, Scooby Doo, Return and the upcoming Daddy’s Home. In Off Camera #49 we discuss the audition process, the benefits of delayed puberty, the scourge of self-criticism and what she’s learned from the cast of her current show, Bloodline. And, why she may be doomed to spend eternity in a prairie dress. Sadly, she didn’t cry after our interview, but we still think it went well.
