viggo \o/

Jan. 8th, 2006 06:17 pm
koncupiscence: (viggo cheers)
[personal profile] koncupiscence
i didn't want to say anything prior for fear of jinxing it, since we didn't actually have tickets and the event was sold out... however, friday night [livejournal.com profile] camillafarfalla and i were fortunate enough to get last minute stand-by tickets to see a q&a with viggo (one of many events from the ny times arts & leisure weekend).

we were in line for about an hour, the third and fourth listed on the stand-by list, waiting and hoping for someone to come in wanting to sell back their tickets. things seemed grim as not one single person was looking for a refund (there were however several people trying to unload their philip seymour hoffman tickets *quiet chuckle*). finally, at the very last minute, the call came in that there were indeed a few seats still available and we were IN. !!!! oh sweet glorious hallelujah. \o/

to sum up: oh holy love, utterly charming and disarming, a man like no other. ♥


and now the longer, more rambly, detailed version of the evening. the q&a was about an hour and fifteen minutes. paraphrased here is what in my dizzied state i can still remember. (also, apologies for the possibly disruptive format. i typed the questions in first person, but felt uncomfortable answering them in first person (i will sum up viggo, but i cannot speak for/as him), so the answers are written in third person. hope that's not too... odd.)

you were listed as an actor, activist, musician, poet and photographer. would you categorize yourself in that same manor, would you put them in a different order?
he would say 'artist'. he believes that that one word encompasses every facet of what he does. they are all intertwined, each medium simply being a different format for expressing yourself, working toward a common goal: communicating and connecting with people. (this seemed to be a main theme for him, as many questions came back to this single goal of life - connecting and communicating.)

when do you find time to do all that you do? in your downtime on movie sets?
he replied, "late at night" and then laughed. he also said that he often just writes stuff down on scraps of paper whenever he feels inspired. (insert my inner fangirl nearly falling to pieces here because i've READ that in some of my most favorite fics - and here he is saying it - i mean, um. ♥)

with all that you've done, 'director' has not yet been added to that list. why not? don't you want to direct?
yes, possibly, someday. it interests him, yet he understands what an all consuming task it really is, several years of intensive focus (the pre-production work, actually making the film, and then the post - from the editing and assembling to trying to sell the picture). he knows that, as it should, it requires your full attention and he just doesn't have that to give at the moment. henry is a senior in high school right now, and it's very important for him to be there for his son - that's his main priority. and when you're directing a film, that needs to be your priority. also, he mentioned that he thinks he would enjoy the process because he actually likes and understands actors, whereas a lot of directors don't. they don't understand, appreciate, or respect the process of acting and thus their films suffer for it (though naturally, he wouldn't name names).

there was much discussion at various points about 'a history of violence' and working with croneneberg. the bottom line being that he essentially worships the man and would have his babies if given the chance. okay, it was probably more along the lines of admiring cronenberg's methods and his understanding of the storytelling process. i think he said something to the effect of HoV being the most perfect film he's ever been a part of. he stated that he believes it will be, and deservedly so, studied in film classes in the years to come, whereas many of the buzz-worthy films out there today, will not.

later in the interview, he was asked what type of movie, or style of film he'd like to direct. of the movies he's done, which is closest to the type of film he'd like to take a stab at. he said essentially that it really depends. probably not something with a lot of special effects, that he prefers interacting with people and tangible things that are really there. the story, he said, could really be anything - it would just have to be something that he felt compelled to make, something that he felt passionate about. as for a style, again he waxed poetically about cronenberg's style and his grasp of storytelling and that it is the closest to his own take on the process.

let's talk about the blouse man (cuz holy guh you were hott).
he wasn't sure about taking the part at first because he didn't think his character was complicated enough. but then he went on to say that perhaps that was just his initial panic after saying 'yes' to the project, and that he usually feels like that once he's officially signed on - that now he has to bring it (my word selection, certainly not his) and find a way to do it convincingly.

he did speak of a scene that was not included in 'a walk on the moon'. when diane lane's character comes over to his house, she shows up at the door and we see viggo sitting on the couch having tea and cookies, and watching cartoons with his mum - like a child. then they scurry up to his room, like teenagers, to talk. all of this was supposed to represent how immature viggo's character was, and while fun (and HAWT) yadda yadda yadda, he wasn't necessarily the 'man' that she was hoping he'd be.

viggo's the first to admit that many of the films he's been in are not of the highest quality. and honestly, he seems fine with that. he states that no matter what, he's always been able to take something away from each experience, be it something he learned through the acting process, through the characters' journey, or from the people he was around. he mentioned specifically working on 'crimson tide' and that on his days off, 'which were many', he would go to the set to watch gene hackman and denzel washington, and what an educational experience that was for him.

i've noticed that in the majority of your interviews, you've been interviewed by women - women who are often clearly left enamored, infatuated, taken with you. is this a conscious decision on your part? being so charming?
o_O he stated that he essentially prefers it when people get along - when things are amicable. that the desire to be liked is in our very nature. and sure, whenever he's talking to someone, be it a man or a woman, he prefers to be friendly. he did say that there has been a time or two when he's read an interview and thought that he had been a bit too forthcoming with his answers. but for the most part, he doesn't really read his press and - well, whatever was his general vibe.

~~~~~~~

questions from the audience: (neither camilla nor i asked a question. *shy* besides, most of the questions at the top of my list, i would never dream of asking in public. perhaps over a few beers, in a dark corner of a dingy bar, the answers of which i would take to my grave, alas...)

what actor or actress do you most admire?
that is a dangerous question, he says. he's worked with so many wonderful people that it's impossible to chose just one, nor would he want to. but then the woman clarifies that it needn't be a person he's worked with, just anyone in general. viggo ponders the question for a bit and then replies that back in the day, when he was starting out, he was particularly impressed with/intrigued by meryl streep, greta garbo, and another woman whose name i didn't catch - i believe it was something obscure. he stated that it's not that he thinks they're the best, just that there's something about them, and their performances, that he's drawn to.

seeing as you're incredibly politically aware and active, would you like to run for office one day?
he'd rather direct a movie. *laughter throughout auditorium*

how does celebrity affect your personal life?
essentially, he appreciates all that celebrity has afforded him (the opportunities, etc.), but yes, because of it, he is certainly more guarded with his personal life. someone also asked him about people coming up to him and asking for autographs, and how he felt about that. he stated that for the most part he thinks he handles it well, that he tries to be accommodating and nice and will usually apologize to the person he's with, ie henry, for the interruption, proceed to sign whatever they have, and that most of his family and friends are likewise understanding about it. on occasion, he said, it's just really not a good time and he'll try as politely as possible to explain that and apologize and say 'maybe another time', mkay? sometimes people will understand, and other times they'll complain BUT OMG I'LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN I'VE COME ALL THIS WAY PLIS PLIS WAHHHHHHH. for the most part, he says it's fine, but sometimes his irritation at it builds up and builds up until one day, if caught at the wrong moment, he might not be so nice about it (which is COMPLETELY understandable omg).

i don't know how much time you've spent on the internet...
me: uh... oh god oh god
but you must know that there are several sites out there dedicated to you...
me: don't say it don't say it
...and i wondered if you knew about this one...
me: oh jesus oh jesus, please don't please don't
that's called (i can't remember)...
me: okay haven't heard of it, continue...
...where people come together who have been inspired by your art.
me: *breathes omg*
people see what you've done and are so moved that they post their own artwork and poetry yadda yadda yadda...
essentially, wow, thanks, very cool, viggo was touched and honored.

were you concerned in being a part of the lord of the rings, that people would forever remember you simply as aragorn? that that would be it for you?
no.

he doesn't really think like that. he mentioned a few times that it's hard to say where he'd be today if he didn't do lotr, because that didn't happen, so who knows, you know? that's not reality. ie one could 'what if' forever, but what's the point. he stated that he knows he would not have (so easily, anyhow) been given the part in HoV if it weren't for lotr. he knew that when his name came up as an option when casting that it was not an area of concern for the studio - whereas in the past, like with 'a walk on the moon', he knows the filmmakers had to fight to get him on board. and thankfully, because of the success of lotr, that's not so much an issue anymore.

considering some of the graphic scenes and dark nature of HoV, did you allow henry to see the film? and if so, what were his thoughts? also, how does henry deal with seeing his dad in such roles?
you'd have to ask henry what he thought about it - but he said he enjoyed it. and no, viggo didn't have a problem with his son seeing the film - he's 18 (or almost - i can't remember which) and a smart kid yadda yadda. also, he's grown up on film sets and has a firm grasp of this being a 'job' and clearly 'make believe' - ie he's not fucking moron, lady (okay, more my words again, but come *on*).

have you heard of the viggo chronicles?
me: oh shit oh shit
i promised my friends i would ask you...
me: please no
but i thought for sure you must have heard of them.
me: O_O
are you familiar with the viggo chronicles?
no, he said, he's not. but he'll look into it. (we were running short on time so there was no further explanation of what these viggo chronicles were.)

~~~~~~~

oddly, there was little mention of lotr. there was brief mention of his latest project, the film alatriste, which is apparently entirely in spanish. one woman asked her question to him in spanish, and he replied in spanish. i believe she wanted to give him a present, a book, and he proposed that she give it to him after the presentation (which he made sure she did - a man of his word).

he also read his poem 'done'. it was heartbreaking and beautiful.

he was charming and i left more than a little in love. oh yes, and he was rockin' the 'stache. :D

my best photo from the night. *sigh*
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

but here's what he really looked like:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

you can find more pics at [livejournal.com profile] faces_fit, here and here.

eta: viggo mentioned that he has a new photography show (black & white, i believe) coming up in a few weeks in LA, which will eventually also be showing in nyc (probably in the fall). a woman asked about his paintings, and when he might have a show for them? he stated that it's much harder to say for that... he has a lot of half finished paintings right now - so it just depends on when he has the time (and inspiration, i would imagine) to finish those and put together enough of them for a show. photography is much quicker to accumulate and exhibit.

also, just a few general impressions. being mostly familiar with his appearances on david letterman, i was pleasantly surprised to find him much the same. chatty, thoughtful, seemingly a bit shy. he's not a man a few words. i mean, he could be, but usually he seemed to enjoy giving long answers with background and history and examples, often traveling down more than a few tangents before coming back to ask the interviewer if he answered her question - sometimes unsure of what that original question was. ;)

he also spent much of the interview facing the interviewer, directing most of his answers to her specifically. i would attribute this (clearly, not actually knowing the man in any way, shape, or form) to a) his being a tad shy and uncomfortable addressing a large group, and b) his being attentive and respectful to the person asking the question. i would imagine he's the type of person to look someone in the eye when talking to them, and if you asked him something, he'd rather answer you directly.

hmm, i have the feeling there was something else i wanted to mention, but... it's gone now. *sigh* back to work.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-08 11:25 pm (UTC)
ext_2705: (Dunedain by indilime at teh_indy)
From: [identity profile] zoniduck.livejournal.com
While I don't care for facial hair, this moustache actually looks nice on him. The pornstache, on the other hand, was horrific.

Thanks so much for your report! Sounds like he was utterly charming.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-08 11:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
he is a wonder to listen to, but it is impossible (for me, anyhow) to capture just what makes him so delightful. re-reading this i cringe a bit because my words and phrasing just... don't represent well. but i think i got the general gist of what was said, so! :D

and oh, the 'stache. it's amusing, it's viggo.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-08 11:28 pm (UTC)
ext_16163: (fellowship)
From: [identity profile] bunniewabbit.livejournal.com
Cool that you got to go to that!

So... what are the Viggo Chronicles? *clueless*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-08 11:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
i was so thrilled! this makes up for the one block away and a day early thing from new years. ;)

and i have no idea what the viggo chronicles are. *shrug*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-08 11:54 pm (UTC)
ext_14405: (Default)
From: [identity profile] phineasjones.livejournal.com
...

good thing it was 70 degrees here this weekend or i would surely be packing my bags and leaving this one whore horse town. no one ever comes here for q&a. am jealous.

he needs me to shave him.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 12:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
it's all thanks to camilla - i wouldn't have even known about it until well after the fact if it wasn't for her. and i know what you mean, i've had to remind myself all weekend why it is again that i'm leaving nyc at the end of this year. meep!

and i wouldn't object to that. ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 12:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] overloved.livejournal.com
*puts viggo in mouth*


*also krit in mouth*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 01:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] overloved.livejournal.com
i love it all so much krit-in-mouth.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 02:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ruidoso.livejournal.com
*ADORES*

*the both of ye*

*but mostly YE*

oh god, your internal monologue cringyness was hilarious!

thanks for taking the time to share all of this!

<3!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 02:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
hee! at one point, the interviewer polled the audience to see how many of us had been to a viggo website before. nearly every hand went up. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 03:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] camillafarfalla.livejournal.com
Couldn't remember what he said - what?! Did you find a site with the transcript or something, or are you suddenly a memory genious? Good god. And nice work.
I'm almost glad we weren't closer; the 'stache is freaking me out.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 02:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
the 'stache needs to go. my only hope is that it's for a film, but i wouldn't be surprised if viggo just likes it.

dude, i completely surprised myself with how much i remembered. i just kept typing, and oh yeah, he said this, and oh right, there was that... i know i left out a lot in regards to HoV and some of his publishing projects, but not being familiar with those, they didn't really stick, you know?

so what are we doing this weekend?! :D

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 04:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] berreh.livejournal.com
Oh yes, the sphincter-clenching cringe of OMG DO NOT EVEN GO THERE. *shudder*

Yay Viggo! But the mustache is a frightening thing.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 02:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
it was a much different crowd than the usual fangirl gathering, i suppose, so i probably didn't need to be so worried, but you never. know. =\

most people were interested in his art, his publishing company, and his politics, go figure. :p and not one hobbit question! i may or may not have been a little disappointed with that.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 05:13 am (UTC)
msilverstar: (viggo bed)
From: [personal profile] msilverstar
oh thank you so much, what a fabulous report! I do adore him.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 02:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
you're welcome! aside from shaving, i really don't see how he could be more appealing. <3

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azewewish.livejournal.com
Hey, what's wrong with Philip Seymour Hoffman? *blinks* I wish he'd do a talk here in L.A. He's one of the few people I've outright fangirled when I've met him.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 03:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
oh nothing, really. i think he's astoundingly talented, though i have heard a few displeasing rumors, but mostly i was just amused that people were returning his tickets and yet not *one* person returned his/her ticket to see viggo (but then again, there were some empty seats, to my good fortune, so clearly there were some who didn't even bother to show up - silly people).

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] azewewish.livejournal.com
Very silly people. Viggo's hilarious in person, and has about a billion crazy stories. Glad you got to see him!!!!

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 08:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tarteaucitron.livejournal.com
Jesus. Jesus.

kpants, my god. I have in my chest a little bubble of enormous excitement and simultaneous broken-heartedness.

Geez. I am pathetic. But I am so insanely happy you got to see this. Yay! And yay for telling us all about it.

Can I touch you now?

PS: would you consider having [livejournal.com profile] lotrips_news link to this, or would you prefer to keep it private?
PPS: I am coming to live with you because all the AMAZING things happen to you. I'll let you know my flight details.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 03:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
oh, tarte. i wish you could've been there. i wasn't sure if it would be better to give it only a brief mention or go into detail. clearly, i opted for detail, hoping i could pass on a little bit of the love. and you're not pathetic, i know exactly of what you speak. i've been there. <333

Can I touch you now? soon! hopefully in six months or so, yes? *patiently waits to play with your hair*

um, i suppose you could link to this. i always feel a bit weird and self-conscious about things like that (i think i'm about a dozen omg's beyond sounding like a complete moron), but i know i always enjoy reading other people's reports, so... i'm good either way. :)

also, your icon? BEST.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-09 05:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] overloved.livejournal.com
i feel like viggo would give you such good eye contact and maybe touch your arm a bit and it would make you forget language and have orgasms instead.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-16 03:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
i'm sorry, what? i got lost somewhere around 'touch your arm'.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-17 02:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] overloved.livejournal.com
hand on the small of your back to guide you through a door?

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-10 02:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wordsandkay.livejournal.com
AAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!1

I mean. It's like. Viggo. omg. Sometimes I forget.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-16 03:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
i KNOW. he's just so...



viggo. \o/

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-22 05:31 am (UTC)
ext_25147: (Default)
From: [identity profile] yourealwaysmine.livejournal.com
krit, i still love this post. and your blurry photography. i want you to never get rid of that camera.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-22 07:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koncupiscence.livejournal.com
omgosh, bizbo, this was THREE YEARS AGO. crazy how time flies. all my blurred nonsense belong to you. ♥

Profile

koncupiscence: (Default)
koncupiscence

January 2014

S M T W T F S
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
1920212223 2425
262728293031 

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags