| Level | Item |
| Ref No | GUA/9/4/1/4/1/6 |
| Title | William Defoe |
| Date | 8 November 1998 |
| Extent | 1 audio cassette tape, 2 WAV files (657.2 MB and 70.1 MB) |
| Creator Name | British Film Institute (BFI), 1933- |
| Guardian News & Media Ltd, 1967- |
| Description | Audio recording of an interview with actor William Defoe in front of a live audience as part of the Guardian sponsored National Film Theatre Guardian interview series.
The recording begins with applause after a number of clips showcasing Defoe's work have been played to the audience. The host introduces William Defoe and proceeds to put questions to him. The recording comprises a question and answer session with members of the audience from 43.55 on track 1.
A summary of topics discussed is included below.
Track 1:
00.00 Film clips and introductions
01.54 Defoes early life in Wisconsin
04.30 Life in theatre
06.04 Connections and differences between his theatre and film work
08.55 Portraying villains
12.07 Platoon
16.12 Views on the process of acting including preparing for Wild at Heart
19.10 Working with David Lynch and directors in general
20.42 Portraying Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ and the reaction to the film
24.37 Working with Martin Scorsese
27.24 Working on Light Sleeper, Tom and Viv and portraying real people
32.44 Body of Evidence and working with Madonna
35.24 Opinion of the effect of success on actors in Hollywood
36.28 Why he decided to do Speed 2 and again talks about portraying villains
40.06 Victory and working with European actors
44.22 Discussing his manager
45.44 His upcoming role in American Psycho
47.00 The Simpsons
48.20 Approach to memorising scripts and preparing for films in general
51.35 Whether he prefers theatre or film and working with his partner in theatre
55.25 Whether he wants to play a particular type of role
57.40 Problems with being famous
1.01.25 Relying on others in his career
Track 2:
0.00 Relying on others in his career (cont.)
1.00 Roles that he wanted but did not get
3.00 What he does before a take
3.55 Wooster Group.
Films mentioned in the course of the interview include: The Loveless; Streets of Fire; Platoon; Wild at Heart; Chu Bai; The Last Temptation of Christ; Light Sleeper; Affliction; Tom and Viv; Body of Evidence; Last Exit to Brooklyn; Speed 2; Victory; Far Away so Close; The Wish Patient; American Psycho and Raising Arizona.
Track 1 is a poor quality recording. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository |
| Format | Electronic record |
| Tape recording |