How many times have people watched “Inside the Actors Studio” and thought, “Wow, I would love to sit in on an interview with that amazing actor?” Well, Fairfield was treated to its very own, and much more intimate, version of the popular series when John Malkovich held a question and answer session with 26 students before he performed “The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer” at the Quick Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Malkovich has appeared in over 80 movies and theater productions, and is a writer, director and producer.
Organized by the film and theater departments, Director of the Quick Center Gary Wood, and Assistant Director Adrienne Bryant, the one hour session was truly amazing. Sitting only a few feet from the students, Malkovich – dressed so casually many would not even recognize him on the street in a winter parka, plain white t-shirt, worn in blue jeans and black boots with a navy and brown scarf wrapped around his neck – answered questions from the students with humor, honesty and sincerity.
Seniors Jon Lisi and Jarrod DePrado both gave wonderful introductions before the Q&A began, describing Malkovich’s theater, film, writing and production background. Lisi told of Malkovich’s long presence in theater, noting his 1984 Village Voice Obie award for his performance in True West. The play was turned into a television movie, Lisi explained, and Malkovich began his film career.
However, he continued his love of theater, and in 1984 starred with Dustin Hoffman in a revival of “Death of a Salesman,” resulting in an Emmy win for best supporting actor in 1986. (imdb.com)
DePrado gave a brief overview of Malkovich’s extensive film career, highlighting some of his most prominent work, from Malkovich’s first feature film, 1984’s “Places of the Heart”, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
DePrado explained to the captivated audience that Malkovich has been nominated for two Academy Awards, the other being 1993’s in “In the Line of Fire”. Since Malkovich is truly a renaissance man, DePrado also remarked on Malkovich’s production for the critically acclaimed “Juno” and “Secretariat.” Knowing the audience was eagerly anticipating the Q&A portion, DePrado welcomed the “fascinating and enigmatic man” to the audience.
Malkovich told the crowd how he got his start in the industry by accident after he graduated from college; not knowing exactly what to do with his life, he moved to Chicago with some friends and started a theater company, the renowned Steppenwolf Theater, in 1976.
“I thought the idea was ludicrous,” Malkovich said, “but 35 years later it still going strong.” The Theater put on the production of Sam Shepard’s “True West,” and both the play and Malkovich were so well received in Chicago, they received the opportunity to bring the play to New York City. “The audience was filled with directors and studio heads, so that is how I became involved in film.”
Since Malkovich was at Fairfield to perform at the Quick Center, one student asked how Inferno came about: “I am rarely out of theater, although I usually am the director. I was never supposed to star in it, but the script took so long, I decided to do it myself, and three summers ago it premiered in Vienna, with the Vienna Academy composers directing the orchestra.”
While the students were interested in the opera, they are film and theater students after all, so the questions quickly turned into ones regarding how to get into the industry and Malkovich’s opinion on various film and theater topics.
Malkovich was asked what he looked for in a director when choosing a role, and answered, “It is much more important in what they look for in me. There are directors who are control freaks well past the point of mental illness,” which sent the students in hysterical laughter, “but it really depends on the director.” Malkovich said his favorite directors to work with are the Coen Brothers “as they write very well, do miss anything, and of course, there are two of them.”
Regarding other directors he loved to work with was Spike Jonze, who directed Charlie Kaufman’s “Being John Malkovich”. One is hard pressed to think of another actor who has a movie about them and who portrays themselves.
“Eight years before the film was made I received the script and after reading forty pages, I called my production partner, and we both agreed it was fantastically well written,” and Malkovich explained that they wanted to produce and direct it, but had no interest in being the starring role.
“I tried to convince Kaufman to use another actor, and when he refused, I wished him good luck. It wasn’t until a few years later when Francis Coppolla introduced me to Spike Jonze, whom Kaufman had gotten as a director, that I agreed to play myself. I am very fond of both of them; they are both true visionaries.”
Malkovich had brutal but true advice for the gathered students, all of whom are aiming for a career in the industry, and when asked what his best advice was, he stated, “Besides don’t?,” laughing along with everyone.
“You have to remember that it is a tough business, as the internet and piracy are changing the industry. Even when you play by the rules, like when we made Juno for six million dollars and it grossed around 400 million, that was still considered a loss,” Malkovich explained.
Malkovich continued that “too many actors worry about trying to create; that’s the director’s job. Sure, in theater you have some room, but hardly any in film.” Malkovich advised the students to follow his example: “I am not a big worrier and I’m a doer.
“Remember you are not entitled to anything and no one cares. You have to care; you have to make something that makes people care. It sounds cynical, but it is true, and it will benefit you in the long run.”
All the students left the Q&A in awe of sitting literally just a few feet from one of the most renowned and talented person in the film and theater industry, and many seemed to soak in Malkovich’s advice for their own future. It truly was a once in a life time experience, and everyone was amazed to have been a part of such a unique opportunity.
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