Эксклюзивное интервью Джима Бивера для FarGate.RU 

FarGate.RU Exclusive - Q&A with Jim Beaver

1. Don`t you think that nowadays TV series tend to be deeper and more interesting than most of the big screen movies? What do you think about this tendency?

I agree, there`s a lot more serious, thoughtful drama on television than in the movie theatres these days, at least in terms of a percentage of the things available. There are and will always be intelligent, meaningful films, but they must compete nowadays for theatre space against huge action and adventure films that make much more money, and are less likely to get much attention in theatres. But on television, there are many more opportunities for writers to create important and emotionally rich stories. I think there will always be a battle between art and commerce, and as long as there`s an outlet to serve the thoughtful drama, it will thrive, whether it`s in theatres or on television.

2. What do you think about modern cinema?

I see a few films every year that I like a great deal, but far fewer than I used to. Much of what is highly successful in modern cinema doesn`t interest me. I have very little interest in superhero or monster or horror or science fiction movies, generically, yet every year even one of those categories will have something wonderful. DISTRICT 9, for example, is a science fiction movie, but it`s also a brilliant drama, one of my favorites of last year.

3. Which modern movie stars would you like to play with?

The great thing about working with big movie stars is that you generally get paid pretty well and lots of people see your work. Other than that, I`m much more interested in the actors I work with being strong and effective than famous. I think George Clooney and Brad Pitt, from what I`ve heard, would be wonderful to work with, and I like the films they make. I`ve managed to be in the same film with Kevin Spacey, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, and Nicolas Cage without ever working with them in person, so sometimes evenb being in the same movie isn`t enough!

4. Bobby is a big expert in a mystical and occult literature. What about yourself, are you interested in such things?

Bobby and I differ on these things. I have very little, if any, interest in the occult and the mytical. I`m interested more in what I can see and hear, and I`ve never seen or heard anything mystical. But then, of course, Bobby`s seen a lot more than I have!

5. What is Bobby occupied with in his spare time when he`s not giving advices to Winchester brothers.

I`m sure Bobby has his own hunting tasks, and of course, he`s got his wrecking yard to attend to.

6. How does Bobby earn his living?

He owns a wrecking yard, where he dismantles and sells parts from junk automobiles.

7. We could not help noticing that many of your characters in different series wear a cap. Is that a part of your personal style or just a part of scenic image?

I`ve always liked hats, but it was never a particular choice of mine to wear one until these roles came along. I wear a baseball cap all the time in real life because I have to keep my hair pretty long for the role of Bobby, and I find it easier to keep my hair out of my eyes with a cap.

8. We know that nowadays Americans tend to visit psychological counseling. Is Bobby doing the same to live through his disability since he can`t walk anymore?

While I in real life am a great believer in counseling, I fear that Bobby is more the sort of person who would try to work out his problems himself, without help. I think that`s a weakness on Bobby`s part, because it takes a strong person to reach out for help.

9. How do you think could Bobby get over his disability? Will he stop thinking about himself as a useless person?

I don`t know how Bobby will cope with his disability. That`s up to the writers. But I think he will eventually reach a resolution with himself and have a positive life.

10. Did you meet Jensen on the film set of Days of Our Lives for the first time?

I`m pretty sure I had a scene or two with Jensen on Days of Our Lives, but it was probably a large church scene, a wedding or a funeral. I don`t remember actually talking to him on that show, and he doesn`t remember either. We`ve talked about that a few times. I`d love to see a picture of us together then, but I don`t even know if one exists.

11. Is it true that Jensen is involved in the photography? Did you see any of his works? Is there any chance that we can see them?

I don`t know anything about Jensen`s photography. This question is the first I`ve heard of it.

12. Jensen said that he preferred to work in TV series rather than in movies because TV series mean steady earnings. And why are you in series?

I don`t have the luxury to pick and choose among projects. I take what work I can get, and feel very fortunate to have this particular job. A series is indeed good, because it makes one`s life a little more predictable. But I like making movies, and if I got to make enough of them, I`d enjoy that just as much, I`m sure.

13. How do you like to spend your vacations? Do you like to travel, or maybe just lie down on the beach near the sea?

I love to travel, but most of my travel is connected to work. When I have time off, I usually like to stay home, see movies, read, visit friends. I love going to new places where I have not been before, though.

14. What of the most interesting sight-seeing places across the world would you like to visit?

I`ve always wanted to visit the island kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. I hope to visit there this spring for the first time. I would also like to visit Antarctica sometime.

15. What about your spare time? How would you prefer to spend it? With a book on a couch or watching a play in a theater or a movie in a cinema?

I love movies and books. I can be very happy sitting at home for days reading and watching movies. But I like to go to the theatre as often as possible, and I enjoy the occasional baseball game.

16. We know that Misha is in to carpentry. Do you like to make something with your own hands as well?

I used to draw, specializing in charcoal portraits. But I lost interest years ago and haven`t done anything like that in a long time. I still keep my art supplies nearby, but rarely use them. I`m not very good at making things, I`m afraid.

17. Do you have any hobbies?

I love reading and writing about film history. I also enjoy horseback riding, but I don`t do it very often.

18. What sort of beer do you prefer?

I don`t drink beer. I don`t like it.

19. Do you like cooking? If so which dishes are you best in cooking with?

I`m not a very good or experienced cook. I sometimes cook a little chicken, but mostly I eat frozen dinners or at restaurants.

20. You are familiar with the word cinema history. What are your top ten movies from this prospective?

My top ten movies sometimes shift, depending on my mood. But several are almost always on the list:

1. The Searchers (1956)
2. Ride the High Country (1962)
3. Farewell My Lovely (1975)
4. The Tall T (1957)
5. Yojimbo (1962)
6. Seven Samurai (1954)
7. Under Fire (1983)
8. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
9. Casablanca (1942)
10. Out of the Past (1947)

21. You wrote 4 scripts for Alfred Hitchcock Presents. How was it to be on the other side of TV camera?

It was very rewarding seeing my scripts come to life on screen, and the show was a lot of fun. It`s much harder work, writing, than acting, so I don`t exactly miss it. But I enjoyed the process a great deal and I learned a lot.

22. Do you like horror movies? What do you think about Jensen`s and Jared`s works in My Bloody Valentine and Friday the 13th? Did you have other cinematographic activities beside your work as an actor?

I`m not a fan of horror movies, particularly. There are exceptions, of course. I think The Exorcist and Alien were impressive and exceptionally effective horror movies. But I don`t care much for slasher movies. I confess I haven`t seen either of Jensen`s or Jared`s horror movies. Aside from acting, I don`t do much in film terms. I`ve written a few scripts and I directed my first film this past year, a short film based on one of my theatre plays. Most of the time, I`m content to act.

23. There were these handcrafted embroideries that we pass on to Jensen and Jared. Do you happen to know whether they reached their recipients or not?

I haven`t seen these before. They`re beautiful. I know nothing about whether they reached the boys or not. The production office handles those things, usually.

24. You know several Russian words. How did you learn them?

I really only know the words for "thank you" and "goodbye," and maybe one or two others. I love languages and would love to speak Russian, but I`ve never actually studied it, and without a dictionary, I`m helpless!

25. Is there any chance you visit Russia? Maybe an unofficial visit?

I would LOVE to visit Russia. I have no plans to go, but I would never turn down an opportunity to see your amazing country. It would be thrilling.

26. Do you plan on writing another book? If so what kind of book will it be?

I have been researching another book for many years, long before my recent book. It`s a biography of the 1950s television actor George Reeves, who was the first actor to play Superman on television. I also have a novel in the works. But I`m very slow, and do not know when I will finish either of these projects.

27. What do you think about translation of books, movies etc into other languages? Is it better when a translation is as close as possible to the original or should it be adapted to a different culture and different experience of people who speak another language?

I think translation should best capture the spirit of the original, even if certain precise literal words or phrases must be altered. If a reader or viewer in another language cannot understand what the author`s intent was, it does not matter whether the translation was a good one or not.

28. Which of two approaches mentioned above will you prefer have your book translated into another language?

I think my answer to #27 would apply to this question, too. Some cultural and idiomatic things do not translate well literally, and must be adapted so that they make sense in the new culture.

Thanks!

Jim

Translation of interview questions from Russian to English: Etne