Slashdot Mirror
Ask Bruce Campbell Anything...
Bruce Campbell has a new book out (If Chins Could Kill) and I thought it would be fun
for Slashdot to interview him in our charming, enigmatic way. Bruce should be familiar to you though such films as the Evil Dead (include Army of Darkness) and ,well, anything Sam Raimi has ever done. The book
is a lot of fun. As usual, moderate up your favorite questions, and I'll pass on the highest scoring ones to Bruce so that he can reply to 8 or so. Bruce has a
website for you to check it. It's
got a FAQ and bio for you to examine.
Were you pissed that liam neeson got the lead in darkman?
as much as a note. On the notes of his film works, Crime Spree, If you have not seen this movie. Do yourself a flavor. The movie is great and Bruce IMO has a great role.
If we don't make light of everything, we are just stumbling in the dark - Blank
As the voice actor (And model for the player representation) in Tachyon: The Fringe, you managed to have a starring role in a video game which succeeded in the marketplace based on its own merits and (No offense) not because of the draw of its cast. Tia Carrere's "The Daedalus Encounter" and Brent Spiner's "Chronomaster" rapidly shoot to mind as immense failures in this regard. How did you like the experience of helping to bring Tachyon to life? Was it better than working in film? Would you do it again? Can we have a Brisco County Jr. FPS? :D
"Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
why only 8? Usually the interviees of slashdot answer all 10? Is this a sign slashdot has lost its pull and now the interviewees can make demands like this..
Btw, Bruce drew in quite a crowd at UB when he came and spoke
Slashdot Hypocrisy at work?
Of another great TV show with you as the lead character?
Did everyone else involved in the making of "Tornado" think it was a joke too?
- Bruce should be familiar to you though such films as the Evil Dead
Should that link to the Evil Dead really be to http://slashdot.org/ ?I know you're working with Jim Carrey in an upcoming film, how did that come together and is it something you enjoy? I've always thought that his performance from "The Mask" borrowed heavily from Evil Ash, so I wondered what you thought.
What ever happened to doing a Doom movie?
Posiks
and I'll pass on the highest scoring ones to Bruce so that he can reply to 8 or so. Bruce has a website for you to check it. It's got a FAQ and bio for you to examine. As usual, the highest moderated questions get passed on to Bruce, of which he will answer 8 or so. Have fun.
Do you people even PROOF-READ your own stories? I mean as usual you didnt even PROOF-READ your own stories.
When you go out in public, do people sometimes stand clear of you or look at you like you're wielding an axe, due to your roles in Evil Dead and Army of Darkness? Reversely, do you ever sometimes walk through a crowd of people and imagine that you're fighting your way through a hoarde of zombies? (I do this sometimes in college)
Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
Of all the movies I have seen you in, Icebreaker had to be the one of the best and also one that I would never have thought you to get a role in. How did you ever end up doing that flick? Do you actually speak any french? Fun/hard to cast?
Cheers,
Eöl
De Oppresso Liber
Which role do you find you are most like....and why...?
(My bets are on Ash, but then, they would be....)
Also, did you have a little thing going with Gabrielle from Xena?
Finally, If you were asked to write a film now, what would it be about...
it's the taking apart that counts
Do you prefer the original ending of Army of Darkness where you're propelled further forward in time, or the remade one?
I wear pants.
One of the symptoms of alzheimers is repeating yourself. One of the symptoms of alzheimers is repeating yourself.
OK, I get it. Eight or so.
Pushin' 'n dealin', shovin' 'n stealin'
Why did Jack of all trades get canceled? It was one of the better shows in that timeslot, and Bruce sure made it worth watching. Was it a corporate budget cut, the victim of execs without humor, what?
I am !amused.
Bruce, you've played a number of "unconventional" heroes on TV and in films. Which character was the most fun to play?
Are you pissed that hack-job horror film directors are ripping off the original Evil Dead ideas? e.g. Blair Witch Project: the unseen dead and shaky camera shots.
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." --George Orwell
So did the producers of Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within scan your face for the role to Grey? Everyone says he looked like Ben Afflek, but personally I know who I saw.
What if it is just turtles all the way down?
I loved Brisco County, Jr. and Jack of All Trades, and I was wondering if you had like a billion dollars to make a TV show, and there was no one else holding the purse strings, would you bring one of those two back, or make a new one (and if so, what would be it be?), or would you forget TV and make a movie, or even just lay in your bed of cash with several beautiful women?
http://www.naildrivin5.com/davec
What was that all about uh?
I heard you were fairly choked when you heard Duke Nukem 3D ripped off some of your lines. Now, those lines weren't written by you presumably, but by a third party. How tied do actors feel to their lines? You seemed to take personal offense to this.
What is your favorite Computer Operating System?
Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
Ok way back, I saw "Congo" in the theaters and was completely thrilled when I say you on the screen (having been a fan of "evil dead" and "Brisco County jr"). Than like 2 seconds later you died and I was pissed. Than after that "Congo" Sucked. What makes you decide to take a small part like that? Have you done lots of small parts that maybe the rest of us don't even realize?
What is it like to be a b-movie star, and a very successful one at that? I assume that everyone going into acting has the fantasy that they'll be the A-list guys making $20 million a picture, so are you happy to be in that "middle ground"?
You're well-known and very liked (probably moreso than the hunk-of-the-month actors), but is it frustrating to feel typecast in that way, or fulfilling to be successful, albeit not in the stereotypical hollywood sense?
Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
Will you love me? Please?
the highest moderated questions get passed on to Bruce, of which he will answer 8 or so?
I just want to be clear.
THIS SPACE FOR RENT
Hey Bruce. Are you famous enough that you can walk into a bar and pick up a chick simply because she recognizes you, or do you have to struggle for poon like the rest of us? Just wondering.
-- Give me ambiguity or give me something else!
I guess there's lots of ancillary questions that could go with this. Like "What do you wish you had done (but maybe turned down)?" Or "What do you wish you hadn't done?" And "How much does it take for you to do something that you're not all that interested in?" (not necessarily money, I guess -- it could be a bad part with a good director or something, right?). And one more: If you weren't an actor (or wanted to quit tomorrow or whatever), what is it you would do?
Like I said, maybe kinda lame. But I've found you can tell a lot about someone by both their desires and their regrets. Being quite a fan or yours, I'm curious.
BTW, thanks for everything you done for those of us on the other side of the screen.
-B
Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.
Do you ever find yourself repeating one-liners in real life situations from your own extensive repetoire of movie utterances? I try to work your lines into everyday speech as much as possible, but alas, my performance pales in doing them justice. I can only dream of the social advantages offered by your own masterful comedic timing. Perhaps nature puts such safeguards in place as to not give one person such awesome power.
>Bruce Campbell has a new book out (If Chins Could Kill) ...
Didn't this book come out back in June? Maybe new doesn't mean what I think it means.
According to the IMDB , you're sometimes credited as "Pete Perkinson" or "Roc Sandstorm". Where did you get those names from?
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Or a juggernaut.
I've heard little rumor-snippets about your practical-joke relationship with the Raimi's. For example....that Sam himself threw the dirt on your face during the "burying the Evil Ash" scene in Army of Darkness.
Could you comment on working with the Raimi's? Obviously you're friends, but anecdotes, personal commentary, and so on would be great. Basically I'd like to get some insights into your friendship with them and the sort of chemistry you have with that particular dastardly duo. Comparisons (favorable and otherwise) to other people you've worked with are also more than welcome.
4-star general in a one-man army.
I got your biography for a birthday present last month - any chance I can get it autographed?
Big fan - will watch anything you're in...
BlackNova Traders
Are there plans for another Evil dead movie, or is that the end of the line. And if there was plans for another one, would you be interested in bringing back Ash?
Bruce Campbell? Bruce "Jesus Christ" Campbell? Sweet! This guy is easily one of the coolest movie stars on the planet, just based on the strength of his autobiography alone. Those movies and stuff he did don't hurt either. If Chins Could Kill is one of the most entertaining works of nonfiction that I've ever read, and more than anything help me relate to a movie star who couldn't get a date through most of high school. Groovy!
How much are you getting paid for this?
Evil Dead II is a loose remake of Evil Dead, so that leads me to ask what do you think of Hollywood's stream of Special Editions and remakes. In the past few years we've seen classic films and TV shows re-cut with new SFX and the insertion of new scenes. At what point is a film "untouchable"? Do you have films that you wish you could re-edit more to your liking? What movie has been altered that bothers you most?
You've been an actor, director, and producer. Pick whatever hat you want to answer.
When are we going to see Brisco Country Jr. on DVD? It was a series ahead of its time. (I especially liked the anachronistic references. Timmothy Leary as the preacher was histerical!)
"Trademarks are the heraldry of the new feudalism."
I realize that this question gets asked occasionally, but we ever see a fourth installment of the great Evil Dead series?
I would absolutely love a new film which pics up where 2 left off.
Thanks,
Loomis
"The television is the retina of the mind's eye" - Videodrome
Elvil Dead 4 ... there are rumors that fly almost every week. After the success of the DVD's will this encourage you that making another movie can be profitable ?
Could someone please explain the connection between Slashdot and this actor? I mean, I eventually found a picture of him on his website so I recognize him from Army of Darkness and Brisco County, Jr--but what's the geek attraction here? Seriously, I don't get it.
324006
A long time ago (mid 90's) I heard about a movie based on Doom in which you were to star. If this ever was in the works, what happened? It might not have been a classic of it's time, but it would have rocked.
If not, please disregard =)
Have you ever seen your dad naked?
From the story:
Bruce has a website for you to check it. It's got a FAQ and bio for you to examine.
From said FAQ:
Q: CONCERNING "ARMY OF DARKNESS," WHICH ENDING DID YOU PREFER? THE "S-MART" ENDING OR THE "I'VE-SLEPT-TOO-LONG" ENDING?
A: The "I've-slept-too-long" one. It's more appropriate for the idiot, Ash.
have a copy of the, real, necrocomicon? ;)
Personally, I think this has made you very well-suited to the business: but is there any other field you could see yourself succeeding in? Other than hitting the convention-circuit of course: you'd be mobbed by fanboys in seconds!
There has been a persistent rumor that you were up for the role of Batman before Burton was brought in (and subsequently selected the lamentable Michael Keaton). Is there any truth to this, or was it all wishful thinking on the part of your fans?
* As is generally the case, my opinions do not reflect those of my employer.
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Ceci n'est pas une sig
Why did the video game suck so much? The control was awkward and it took forever to move around, by which time you were torn to pieces by the monsters. It was so awful that I stopped playing after 5 minutes and never touched it again.
On the other hand, the commercial for it was hilarious. Some guy gets a hedge-trimmer attached to his arm, and then Bruce chases after him yelling "Get back here you freak". It looks like the streaming isn't working right now; if someone else has a copy of the commercial, I'd love to see it again...
-Chris
Bruce, I went to same High School as you (Birmingham MI) and graduated about 8 - 10 years ago. You and Sam Rami are somewhat of a legend there and my 10th grade Drama teacher choregraphed the skeleton dance fron Evil Dead 2. My question is rather off beat - Back in high school, what were your goals? Did you ever imagine "making it" in acting as a carrer?
Jesse Wolfe Sr. Manager Systems Integration
Hail to the king, baby.
The video game: are there any Easter Eggs or inside/interesting bits you'd like share?
The line: If I'm not mistaken the line "Hail to the king" isn't in the Army of Darkness Official Bootleg Edition, right? Travesty. And the "director's cut" ending in the Bootleg is for poot on top of that. You guys just wanted it there because you probably spent some dough on the props. Oooo, pretty. The other ending had more class. What do you think? Why not just put out one DVD with both endings, you leeches?
enraged or something,
Micah
Any of your co starlettes?
Any of your assistants?
Any of your interns?
Gillian Anderson?
Pamela Anderson?
Jean Claude Van Damme?
Jean Luc Picard?
Xena Warrior Princess?
Catwoman?
Yvonne Craig?
Anyone remotely famous?
My sister-inlaw?
Margret Thatcher?
Anyone dead (evil or otherwise)?
Winona Ryder?
Howard Stern?
Heidi Wall?
Willow?
Buffy?
Any of your family?
Someone too drunk to notice?
The chick who turned gay with Melissa Etheridge?
This
This guy rocks. It could be that simple, but I won't leave it at that. My first real experience with BC was watching Evil Dead in 1991, and counting the number of times he hits people with the axe.
This leads into Evil Dead 2, which was 1/2 horror, 1/2 3-stooges remake, followed by Army of Darkness, which threw most rules of horror-film-making out the window, not that the first two didn't as well.
Bruce is a guy that seems to like what he's doing. He's a hard working actor. You never see him in a part and say "who cast this jerk? he's terrible at that part!".
If you need any more explinations, I'd advise watching all three of the Evil Dead movies, *then* watch the DVD commentaries where he and Sam Raimi talk during the movie and get real insight into how these guys work. No stunt people, karo syrup everywhere, and plenty of scenes where Sam tries to get Bruce (literally) killed, but Bruce still gets up and keeps going.
It is $19.16 at Fatbrain, only $16.76 at BAMM, or $15.09 if you join the club for $5 which is actually a really good deal. I love booksamillion, it has the cheapest price about 75% of the time.
1 56 198893&pid=0312242646
http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2056
His response was to look at the audience and say, "Yes! Yes, there will be an Evil Dead IV!"
Then he paused for a few seconds, long enough for the applause and cheering to die down, and added, "...when monkeys fly out of my butt!!!"
The crowd went wild.
Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
I'm probably one of about three people who've seen the recent Love Bug TV-movie, in which Bruce plays Herbie the Love Bug's new driver.
What was it like playing second fiddle to an annoyingly cute little car?
What was it like working with Dean Jones?
Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
Hey Bruce, a while back I know you appeared (or were supposed to) at Origins (Columbus,OH) and hosted an all nighter LARP session (Live Action Role Playing). I really wanted to go just see you in person, but alas I wasn't old enough to be hanging out all night in a city that was far from mine.
I really wish I had not missed it, but is there a chance this would ever happen again?
I'm not sure of the details governing this, but I assume one of the RPG companies involve bought and paid this session. How was your experience with such activities?
"You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." -- Yogi Berra
Background: Prior to your book signing trip, you went onto excite.com's online chat. One question/response I recall was "if you've ever had a battle of wits with a fan." To which you challenged the other fan to a battle. Due to the load of questions flooding excite, the battle never took there. But recalling my memory, that fan said (in user channels) that she'd get you at your book signing.
Question: Did you ever get a chance to do battle?
Followup: You seem to be mostly stereotyped towards wise cracking blue collar type characters; what are your thoughts about the fan/cult base built around you when it seems to concentrate on the cult films as opposed to the more serious work that you've tried to do? Do you feel hindered in getting 'blockbuster' or 'artful' type roles. Do you even want to play more dramatic roles?
What's the craziest thing someones has asked you to write at a book signing?
Um, this is my sig.
I remember the night in 1995 I first saw Bruce Campbell in any movie or TV show. My cross-country team and I were gathering to watch some movies the night before the Peoria High Invitational, in Peoria, Illinois.
It was a dark and stormy night. Really. So we piled into our captain's house and had a vast dinner of Avanti's gondolas (if you're in PEoria, you HAVE to check out Avanti's and its gondolas!). After dinner we popped in the first video of Evil Dead 2. I had no idea what we were about to watch, so I expected to see some campy movie with scantily-clad women running away from bloodthirsty vampires.
Boy, was I wrong. Instead I got one of the campiest movies ever made: blood gushing from the walls, a good guy with a chainsaw for an arm, demon-possessed humans turning on their families without regard to friendship. It was hilarious.
But then it got better. We next watched the infinitely better-produced Army of Darkness. I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. "That's called pillow talk, baby." kept me in stitches for about 5 minutes alone... The hands sticking out of the ground, poking Bruce in the eyes, also had me rolling. And my favorite scene: "Klaatu, Barata, [ahemofrifsdfa]. I said the verse, I'm taking the book!" That one was the best.
Wow, it's great remembering those movies. I wish they made more like them.
http://www.cerastes.org
-- http://www.cerastes.org
Obviously, most of the appeal from the Evil Dead series stems from its unapologetic camp value. However, a lot of "camp classics" were entirely unintentional, and stem from misguided but sincere efforts. What are some of the secrets to making camp that is intentionally funny, and is it possible to go overboard? Similarly, is it easier than acting in a "serious" or at least non-ironic role?
Can you confirm or deny this rumor, and if said rumor is true, could you elaborate your
involvement in this project.
On another note, there was another rumor that you were at one point
the choice for the recent live-action release of the Tick. Were you at any point in consideration for this part?
Your pain is funny
A while back there was a terrific piece on "This American Life" where your literary agent - a self-confessed Bruce super fan - detailed how he worked his way into your life. His story ended with the bittersweet realization that he couldn't get over his "oh my God, I'm hanging out with Bruce!" feelings long enough to simply chill out and be friends with you.
With his experience in mind, have you become good friends with any of your fans, or is it just too weird?
PS, was he involved in your latest book project?
So if you and Jay Leno ended up in a fight to the death, who's chin would come out on top?
III.IIVIVIXIIVIVIIIVVIIIIXVIIIXIIIIIIIIVIIIIVVIII
I am a huge fan of the Coen brothers. You were in Crimewave, which was written by Sam Raimi and the Coen Brothers and also in the Hudsucker Proxy which was written, directed, and produced by the brothers. What did you tihnk of them as writers? Directors?
This may be a little unusual question, but I've heard rumors you guys were really fu**ed out on drugs during the shooting of the evil dead series, is it true and if so, what were you taking? :)
I've heard that you're rabidly opposed to fan-fiction, going so far to call it uncreative theft.
Is this true, and if so, is there such a thing as "good fan-fiction?" What constitutes it, or if it's all bad, why is it so horrible?
Its been said and said again that Evil Dead IV will not be made, simply because the studios didn't make money on the last encounter, and are unlikely to make any profit on a further sequel.
However, have you considered doing a further sequel the old fashioned, low budget way? On, say, an Evil Dead I budget?
a few years ago at Dragoncon, you played Briscoe County Jr. in a LARP session. Is that true, and if so, did you ad lib or did the organizers provide you with an outline and/or lines? How difficult is it for you to get into a role that you haven't done in a while?
I'm sure someone has pitched this before, but how would you feel about someone doing a 3rd person action game based on Army of Darkness, with your likeness and voice talent as the main character?
Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
For the longest time, I thought you were Jim Carey picking up extra cash. What does it feel like to look like a handsom Jim Carey?
I loved that show. it was the best comedy/action/western that I have ever seen. Why did the writers end the main plot in the 3rd season?
I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
So, uh...can I be in one of your movies?
I was wondering, when you came to Buffalo (UB) and that kid was sticking the ten dollar bill through door, and you kicked it down....
What were you thinking?
That was cool.
Ok, fan's done aweing now.
01101001 01100001 01101101 01101110 01101111 01110100 01100001 01101100 01100001 01110111 01111001 01100101 01110010
you've worked on great, campy television shows with sam raimi over the past few years (hercules/xena). however, when you finally get your own staring role on 'jack of all trades', you're canceled after a season. can you make it in television as the lead role or are you destine to suffer a career as a grandiose movie star?
do you feel any resentment that the babes of cleopatra 2525 got to stay on the air another season while you were shown the door? would you have liked to moved over to that show and become some sort of evil supervillian that one of the girls fell in love? and which one would you have be your coital (or otherwise) playmate?
I absolutley LOVE the Evil Dead series. I started with Army of Darkness and 'then' discovered the /. woefully short allowance of charecters for a sig I am not allowed to display beyond 120 chars on a regular basis. What I have been putting on the end of my email since 1998 is below :-) Well, Good luck and God bless in whatever you do.
prequels. I've been a junkie ever since. It's great that the movies are being re-released on DVD, I own them all. I have the action figure too.Still looking for a T-shirt like I saw the Lucy Lawless wear once on I think the Daily Show on comedy central. The comic is cool.It doesn't matter if there is a fourth movie in the series. let them stand as they are, Classic. I hope I see you on more prime time TV like Xena and Jack.Finally because of
Sincerly Yours,
Peter Petrakis
--
www.alphalinux.org
Peter Petrakis Warrior/Engineer ppetrakis@alphalinux.org
"Oh my God! They killed Xena! You bastards!!"
"'BLAM!!' Who the hell are you!? Name's Ash 'click clock' Housewares..."
www.alphalinux.org
Was playing in Evil Dead 1, and MoonTrap fun, even though these were low budget movies?
What was used for the Sound Effects in Evil Dead 2 for the 'invisible demon in the woods'?
Have you ever wanted to 'cut up' your wife with a chainsaw?
--------------------------
Is this a sig?
--------------------------
...in his autobiography (mentioned in the story). I heartily recommend it; it's a great read. Huge chunks of the book are descriptions of Raimi-antics and opinions thereof, so it'd be a bit unfair to ask Mr. Campbell to repeat them here.
You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
It is you versus Wil Wheaton for a part on Army of Star Trek. Who wins? Why?
How to Download YouTube Videos
In all your shows and movies, you have the best lines. What are your most favorite lines that you've done? Any that you hate?
It seems to me that due to your cult status, that there seems to be a big buzz anytime your name is mentioned in relation to a movie or project. I've noticed that on your website you have a section devoted to trying to clear up what is true and untrue about your work. I guess my question is do you truly enjoy the fans reaction towards you and try to keep up with the rumors or do you get annoyed sometimes and wish you could be more private.
Is it true that you were considered for the role of Dagett on the X-files? How do you feel about the X-files and its cult status, not unlike the Evil Dead trilogy?
Not to be too harsh on the X-files but i think the show has taken a turn for the worse and needs to be put down like a old dog. Perhaps good ol' Bruce could have spiced up the show and encouraged some of its old fans to return. Too bad, the show is slowly ruining its legacy much like the Simpsons.
Bruce's email address is listed on his web site. Your guess is as good as mine, however, as to whether or not you'll get a form letter or a real reply. (He seems like a pretty approachable guy from what I hear, but he's got a fair degree of fame to take into account as well)
How long was your affair with porn star Jenna Jameson?
This
Is there an actor or actress that you have not worked with, but would like to? Who and why?
Just curious...
But what are you views on religion and/or God?
I met Bruce Campbell at a book signing at Borders about a month ago. He stayed there for 4 or 5 hours (even after the store had closed, which he didn't have to do), and made sure everyone got to shake his hand, have a short chat with him, and get his autograph. Not to mention the room was filled with a mob of people with questionable devotion to hygiene.
Along with his autograph, he was writing one-liners drawn from his vast catalog. He seemed like a really cool guy who truly appreciates his fans.
According to his website, the book tour is over, but it's definitely a recommended event if he ever comes to a city near you.
How much fun was it working in the Xena/Hercules Universe? And how challenging was it to play opposite and off of the charactors of Xena and Gabrielle?
ttyl
Farrell
CAN-CON 2019 - Ottawa's only book oriented Science Fiction Convention! October 18-20, Sheraton Hotel, Ottawa, Canada h
Bruce, you've played oposite a number of "unconventional" heroins on TV and in films. Which actress was the most fun to bang?
Do you always sign your autographs as "ZY" because that is what it looks like in my autographed copy of If Chins Could Kill?
Check out the URL given for the book. It ends in:
bookinfo.asp?theisbn=0312242646&from=MJF138
The last parameter makes it look like the sales link is passing on affiliate info, so that the story submitter is making cash from each transaction. Knock off "&from=MJF138" and you still get to the book page.
I wonder how many sales will be made and how much commission chrisd will earn as a result of this slashdot post?
In the context of a commercial site, is it proper to disclose that the content creators are profiting in this way?
Would it be more appropriate for this site to choose a charity like the EFF and send affiliate commissions to them, when stories tied to products were run?
This isn't a flame, even if it turns out that the submitter is making a packet of the fatbrain affiliate program. I just thought it was worth talking about.
For the sake of being a curmudgeon, here's a link to the book at Amazon. It's a better site anway, it shows more info about the book, including interior pages.
...Ummm, what were you thinking, exactly?
As a minorly tangential aside, what's it like working with Tim Curry? Poor fellow seems to end up in just about every cheesy villain role out there these days.
I wish I had a kryptonite cross, because then you could keep Dracula and Superman away.
You've tried your hand at almost every major role in film/TV production from producer and director to actor and sound editing(?), and now you're going even further by writing for books and magazines. What do you enjoy best out of all the jobs you've tried and why? Also, what can we expect you to do in the future - say several years from now (entertainment industry related or not)?
thanks
t.
"Corrupting our youth one mind at a time"
First question,
:)
:)
Though Im sure you've answered this before, is there any outlook whatsoever on continuing the army of darkness storyline? The ending was left a hair open
Second question,
I heard a rumor that you may be envolved in a doom move (DOOM doom, not quake, for doom had a *WAY* better story behind it) Is this completely unsubstantiated or has it even crossed your mind?
Third Question,
I read an interview on scratchingpost.com where one of the girls in the band went to one of your book signings, and you did a prank call for her. This just rocked. Id kill to have 'ash' do a prank call for me. Are you ever coming to san diego for a book signing or even nearby? Or can I bribe you to do a prank for me?
-Dan
www.assnugget.org
-Dan
Being that you have a B-horror movie cult following from your involvement in the Evil Dead movies and Army of Darkness.. as well as your various TV shows and cameos.. What is the most noteable thing someone has ever done to meet you? Whether it be strange, scary, funny, or just plain insane.
Who makes you Sig?
C'mon, moderators, make this a 5. It's way better than all the other questions!
As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
Many people love you, Bruce.
In fact, many of us love you so much that we rented movies we suspected would be extremely bad, solely because you were in them.
And though our suspicions were confirmed, yea, though we cringed and groaned and hooted and were just generally nonplussed by much of what we saw, still...still....
"Look, there's Bruce!"
We are the people who spotted you in Fargo. But I digress.
If you can answer honestly, and without fear of legal action by directors or producers:
What was, in your estimation, the worst movie in which you ever had a significant role?
(My personal shortlist: Moontrap, Mindwarp, and Maniac Cop 2.)
spawn_of_yog_sothoth
It's called Crimewave, and also involved the Coen Bros.
Most participants disavow any knowledge of this flick, but I really enjoyed seeing all of these guys going at it during their respective larval stages. You can see Joel and Ethan all over it.
My copy proudly announces that it was written by Joel and Ethan Coen, and directed by Sam Raimi.
It's extremely stylised and wierd, but it *definitely* doesn't suck!
Brak: What's THAT?
Thundercleese: A light switch.. of TOTAL DEVASTATION!
I've been enjoying the book very much, so far. Low-budget film-making fascinates me. I especially like the descriptions of some of the tricks used to make Evil Dead. But I was struck by one thing that wasn't there: any mention at all of how the infamous tree scene (you know the one I mean) was done. I'm pretty sure it was filmed in reverse, but I would have thought it merited at least a mention. I'm especially curious about how the cast and crew dealt with it, emotionally.
I guess I haven't actually asked a question yet. So, ummm, any thoughts on this?
I haven't finished the book yet, so please forgive me if this is actually covered.
When working with the Raimi brothers, what is your most memorable (and funny) moment that involved a weird camera shot and a great imagination?
(1st sig) If this were a snappy sig, you'd be reading it right now. (2nd sig) I'm a karma whore. >Insert FUD here
Bruce, I remember seeing a quote, atributed to you, that the movie "Titanic" was 194
minutes, and they could have lost 194 minutes from that. Anyway it sounds like
something you might say. My question is: Are there any so called "chick-flix" you
really liked, and could you picture yourself one day playing let's say in a
Merchant-Ivory movie of something by Henry James? (Or Shakespeare's Richard III starring
Bruce Campbell! Wouldn't that be a hoot?)
Bitsofnews.com Giving you the latest bits
How do you respond to allegations that you were merely modeled after Ben, the biker dude in Lucasarts' Full Throttle?
Followup:
How do you respond to allegations that you were merely modeled after the Northern Paladin card in Magic: The Gathering?
Hey bruce, you did a bunch of book signing's a while back at bookstores and video stores. What's the most annoying thing a hyper fan's said to you at one of these things? And as a followup, what can I say to you at a book signing that you haven't heard a million times or cause you to think of me as a potential stalker?
Also, how did they get the tree to screw that chick in evil dead I?
Evil Dead 2 was the first Horror flick I ever saw. Before it, I was too chickenshit to watch them. It was so funny that I had to see more. Thanks Bruce!
If you've had a bad day, not gotten some role you really wanted, is there a wattering hole where you can commiserate with other actors, and where you all share techniques that worked, and some that have not worked so well? How much do you rely on each other the way that coding, and system administration are shared and collaborative?
In this sense is the acting community open, and sharing regarding techniques? Even business stuff of like how to go get that role that really want... Or do you pretty much just work it out with your agent?
I'm not trying to compare acting to open-source here, I'm just trying to get a sense about whether actors are very collaborative, or do you develop your own techniques that work for you, and are reluctant to share with others because of your success?
Hi Bruce, I'm a long time fan. My question is: the first evil dead was a serious horror movie. the second evil dead was a lot more comical while the third was almost all comedy.
although i prefer the first, do you prefer acting in a serious horror film or did you like the funny ones more?
I never understood why they remade Evil Dead? Can someone with some insight enlighten me?
Thanks,
Nasser
We, as starving Canadian university students were wondering if you could give us any tips on how to make a successful, but relatively low-budget movie. Seeing as both yourself and Sam Raimi made your start in university film, we thought you would have some brilliant advice for us. Incidentally, we were wondering if you could also make a guest appearance, but we can only pay you in chainsaws and fake blood. Just kidding, we can't pay you at all!
P.S. you are our hero. We all got chin implants and "Groovy!" tattooed on our nether regions.
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." --George Orwell
Ditto!
I emailed these in once, but I figure you're a Busy Actor and all, and deleted the mail...anyway, in the book you mention a verbal warmup that you picked up in early theater days that you still use, and I want to know: What is it? What's more, the following AOL instant messager names are registered to Bruce Campbell's email address, and one gets the idea that they aren't BC...just a fun fact I guess: -bitesizedtimpeni -DieScharfschutz -elbow a kneegrow -fly3EB -H1TLER JR -SofaKingdomI -TheWorstNesser -wlwfootballgrrl
This post, like so much of Creation, is NotArt
Bruce, are you really my daddy?
This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
After reading your book (actually, my wife read it to me, while I was trying to watch Evil Dead 1&2 and Army of Darkness) I must say - you're a very odd, goofy man.
Seeing all the stunts Sam Raimi "made" you do for those three movies....some of which would make Jacki Chan wince....Was there ever anything Sam asked you to do and you just plain said "NO" (or "HEll NO!" or even "Thank you, no. I'd rather die...") because it was too dangerous/stupid/life threatening/unnatural?
If you go to http://www.gamespy.com/ and look at the gamespy grudge (Currently Aliens vs Predator) and scroll down through the list of past grudges, you can see that the closest grudge ever is ...
..., do you think that the fact that Duke was a playable character in games, and Ash (mostly - I know there's a game of the first movie) isn't has effected people's choice here?
Ash vs Duke Nukem
At 2430 votes to 2437, the character of Ash just looses here. Still, I think it says a lot for how much Duke has been based, or at least influenced by Ash. I can see lots of other comments about this relationship as well, so I guess I'll just ask
--- There isn't any problem that can't be solved by a small, low yield nuclear device, is there??
Hi,
I know that for now, Evil Dead 4 is a non-starter (tho we all hope it happens one day). But my question is this: If it ever happened to be made, which ending of Army of Darkness would you prefer to work from? The 'S-Mart' ending or the 'End of the World' ending?
Tux Games. Your complete source for native Linux games.
from this page:
"
Q: THERE'S AN "EVIL DEAD 4" SCRIPT POSTED ON THE WEB. IS THIS OFFICIAL?
A: Absolutely not. It's "fan-fiction," which I cannot condone. It really isn't anyone's place other than ours to even think about making an Evil Dead. Besides, IT'S ILLEGAL! People should channel their creative energies into original stuff.
"
You're kidding, right? I can never tell when Bruce is being sarcastic or not.
All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
boxers, or briefs?
-motardo
I haven't picked up the autobiography yet, but have greatly enjoyed the rants Campbell posts online (if only I could remember where they're published....damn it!). Sorry for posting a question that's already covered in his book. I'll have to go out and buy it! You've sold me ::grin::
4-star general in a one-man army.
Are you really that annoyed with 3D Realms for using Ash's phrases for Duke Nukem? I read a quote in which you blasted them for not "hiring their own writers." Personally, I always saw it as an homage.
you're getting a lot of use out of that nick! Good job! I applaud your efforts.
UP TO 5! MOD UP TO 5!
We need at least one troll question to be asked of him!
Hollywood, geeze.
---
"Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong." --Dennis Miller
Most of the questions that have been submitted so far have already been answered in some form in Bruce's manifesto...why not pause for a moment to look at his site instead of wasting everyone's time?
Can I borrow your car?
REM Old programmers don't die. They just GOSUB without RETURN.
Why Slashdot?
And how could Slashdot get even a B grade Actor to talk to the geeks?
Matt
Bruce: Let's say you were stranded on an desert island. What three things would you want to have with you?
Good Ash, or bad Ash?
I recently had the chance to meet Bruce when he passed through Denver signing his book, and I must say he's just an awsome guy :) Of all the actor's I've met (which granted, isn't all that many) he was the nicest. Surprising the whole slew of people I rounded up to go meet him with me, but not just being polite (which I'd think all actor's should be to their fans), but taking the time with each person to literally sit and talk with them. Asking questions about what they did for a living, or whatever, but getting to _know_ his fans. Very impressive :) He even called a few people on cell phones by request. Certainly not something that would have been required of him, but he did anyway.
I have to say that THE shot (or style, really) that got me most inspired to study film is the evil cam, where we see the view of an unknown omnster trampling his way up to a victim. I recently heard that it was done by tying the camera to a 2 by 4. That blew my mind!! Anyway, was it difficult working with all of Sam Ramis's camera work?
Information wants Coq
Reading about your latest book-signing tour, reading about your appearances just in general, and knowing that you never just do send-autographs-by-email (which I really think is great, demanding that there be at least some Bruce->Fan interaction :), when will we see you in Europe?
I, personally, have never seen anything like a book-signing tour here in Europe, not from local writers, and definately not from american ones.
I know I would run a couple or hundred so miles if there was a chance to get you to scribble in my copy of your book.
Hopefully everyone knows about the up-coming movie Bubba Ho-tep (Bruce - playing Elvis playing an Elvis impersonator vs a 2000 yr old mummy in an old folks home).
:P (specifically - Adelaide, South Australia)
1. What can we expect after Bubba Ho-tep? Time for a break, or is there another movie lined up?
2. When are we going to see you in Australia damnit?
You must get tired of being asked the same things over and over. Do you relish the opportunity to embarrass unimaginative interviewers?
I ask because a friend gave me a video of a backstage Q&A session you had at an anime convention with a guy named Ray. Ray was reading his questions off a card, and it quickly became apparent that he knew nothing of you or your work. He blithely nodded in agreement as you assured him that you were most famous for your role as Yakko the Milkman. By the end of the interview you had completely turned things around and were asking him all the questions. The image started to get wobbly because the cameraman was laughing so hard. It was priceless.
Promote proofreading. Don't mod up sloppy posts.
Hi Bruce,
Maybe I'm in a minority here, but I was disappointed by Army of Darkness - the intensity and clautrophobia of the first two films, plus the sheer "man-having-worst-day-of-his-life" nastiness was completely missing. I'm wondering what lay behind the decision to turn the Evil Dead series from one of coolest series of horror films to a 15 rated (in the UK) comedy full of cheapo Marx brothers humour?
A little planning goes a long way...
I am one of the few folks out there that have seen Crime Wave multiple times. I guess that makes me one of the few that likes the movie!
I find it to be truly a shame that this movie is just being ignored by the makers because of the fiasco it became during the production. Even with all of it's flaws(the main actors), Crime Wave it a truly enjoyable picture!
When are the makers of this movie finally going to realize that it's not that bad and that it deserves to be release, on DVD, so that people can see the early films of these fine film makers?!?
-- Now more the mirth, scrape here in the face...
Sort of straightforward:
If Chins Could Kill... would they? Why, or why not?
Reminds me of a question off an English Literature exam. Anyway. In the interest of greater enlightenment, here's a more realistic question:
What would you say is the best thing that someone should remember as they leap headlong into their chosen career (whether it be actor, programmer, or janitor), and why?
Thanks for your time in answering these questions, our (not so) small community really appreciates it.
Jake
Dating: while( 1 ){ call_girl(); get_rejected(); drink_40(); } return 0;
When are you going to hook up a cameo as Ash in Buffy? Seems like a natural place to resurrect Ash for a one-off. And it'd be damn funny too.
Give the fans what they want Bruce!
Seriously... can you sing? Cuz if you can, I would LOVE to see you in the upcoming TV remake of the Rocky Horror Picture Show that Richard O'Brien's been commissioned to do.
Karma: Non-Heinous
Who did you look up to when you started acting?
Who would you want to play the part of YOU?
I kinda lump you in with Alec Baldwin/Harrison Ford/James Garner-you know, the pinache crowd. I also know you are a down to earth type who has phone troubles just like the rest of us(!), but, who inspired you, and who do you like to see on film/tv?
Last, what kind of a role would you reeeeaaaaallly want to play? Seems you get the unorthadox maverick types, like Rockford P.I.
Bravo, kudos, and I hope you can break into something like Stargate/Andromeda just so they aren't all sterilised quips. You add a, "I wish I were that guy!" to all your roles.
This mind intentionally left blank.
The KKK a bunch of sheetheads? You decide!
Is it cruel to keep a giraffe as a pet?
Even if you live in a tall house?
Well, you said ask him anything...
What is it like to be mostly known, loved and adored for movies you did 10-15 years ago?
Most of the questions here on slashdot are concerned with the trilogy or the poster says he/she (probably he) first saw you in Evil Dead 2 or Army of Darkness and has been a fan ever since. Not many posters say they first discovered you in Brisco.
My guess is that most of us are guys who watched ED2 or AoD when we were teenagers and that we long for that time again and hence want you guys to make ED4 for nostalgic reasons. And on that note... when oh when will you make a movie with my other teenage heroes John Woo and Chau Yun Fat?
-cheers Christian
Will you be in another evil dead movie?
If you use Linux, please help development of Autopac
I want to see evil dead 4!
If you use Linux, please help development of Autopac
Hail to the King! :)
-- Azaroth
Is it true that Briscoe County JR. was cancelled so prematurely because the studio that owned it could only afford to keep one high budget tv series going at the same time, therefore deciding to drop Briscoe and keep the other show, that other show being the X-Files??
When Briscoe County JR ended was it the paycheck or Kelly Rutherford you missed the feel of? I mean she has by far the most amazing and sexual presence on screen that I have ever seen, and she's a fantastic actress. what was it like working with her? Would she go for us computer types, or did she really prefer rugged bounty hunters :P
We know what the coming thing is going to be too!
Though you've built up a cult following from your tv shows and low budget movies, I think you should break away from that and aim for the A-list screenplays and directors? Is this something that you've been planning? You've got a great screen presence which a lot of the so called A-List actors today don't even have.
I loved you in (among many others) "The Hudsucker Proxy." Any chance of you working with the Coen brothers again?
First - It was interesting reading the beginning of your book as someone from about half hour south of Detroit. (And after that, just interesting.)
Secondly - how many people have read your book/web page and know your stance on Autographs, but ask you for one anyway?
Carrie
(So, do you think I could get an autograph? joking, joking...)
One of the greatest technical innovations of "The Evil Dead" movies was the use of sped up, low to the ground, camera shots with God awful moaning meant to represent the "Spirits" as they either chased Ash or just came through the woods and up to the house. Who's idea was this camera shot yours or Sams?
Dammit! Where are my mod points now? This should be the question at the top of the list...
Im a big fan of AOD, heck its my favorite movie to drink too. When doing some research on it and the special edition version i came across an article that said there was much more that wasnt put in the film including some 'nude' scenes. And that the copy(special edition) that most of us have you found in your closet. Is this true and if so what happened to all the full length original film.
"All I can tell the "lesser of two evils" folks is that if they keep voting for evil, they'll keep getting evil."-Lp.org
This past year a good friend to many in SF / Fantasy passed away. Gharlane of Eddor (a.k.a. David Potter), who's knowledge and breath of the subject was beyond encyclopedic, enjoyed all the shows that you were attached to, as in his words "Good yarns", and would go out of his way to let the world know that they were shows worth supporting. [1]
He was a mentor in the arts of television crafts, story telling and nearly all things scientific.
Would it be possible to return the favor, so to speak, in some Rami production? I don't know how much pull you would have with the insertion of a minor character - but it would be a nice homage to a man who educated quite a few people in many subjects, and really knew well produced TV when he saw it.
Maybe have that starving actor who likes to hang around here play the part...
1. This so happens to explain why the demographics in Northern CA have dropped by one.
III.IIVIVIXIIVIVIIIVVIIIIXVIIIXIIIIIIIIVIIIIVVIII
Bruce, I managed to see you speak earlier this year and while I missed most of the first documentary I did see all of "Fanalysis". I really liked it. I did notice that even though the film points out some of the rediculous and lame questions asked by fans, they still get asked even though the film ended less then five minutes prior to the Q&A. Do you find that doing the Q&A after "Fanalysis" cuts down, at all, on the really stupid and obvious questions?
Klaatu barata nikto was taken from The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951).
It was the key to deactivating a robot. Only reason I remember is the female lead screwed it up too, the first time she had to say it.
Any idea why it was used? Is he a fan of the old movie?
Bruce, since most of your roles you tend to play the good guy, how was playing the missle toting bald baddie in Icebreaker, This seemed to be quite a break from your normal roles, although very good and had the hilarious line of laughing at Corey Haim when he through the snow ball at you. Did you enjoy this movie, and why did it not have a widescreen release? are you involved in deciding how these movies get released at all? I feel that many of the movies you have been in don't seem to marketed in the best way, Hudsucker Proxy, to name another. I would like to hear your thoughts.
An armed society is a polite Society
Did you ever get hurt during filming of the Evil Dead movies?
Sean Lane Fuller - The truth is out there!
Considering how close you are to the Raimis, I was wondering how that relationship has affected you. Obviously Sam's reputation has grown at the same time as yours, however (and I'm sorry to say this) his reputation as a 'famous director/producer' has just shot like a bullet. This seems to have helped out your career... while the Evil Deads were the projects of all you guys, Sam's other projects have allowed you to step into parts (and even directing) more or less by calling up and saying "Hey, Sam...".
How much does this bother you, though? We fans tend to hear things like, "A new Sam Raimi movie, eh? Wonder how big of a part he'll give Bruce Campbell and his brother Ted?" Or the people who just assume that you landed parts due to your friendship with him as opposed to getting them by your own merits. (Though according to your book, apparently friendship with Sam has its own price. If you guys haven't read it, there's an absolutely _GREAT_ story about a walk-on part in 'The Quick and the Dead' that was never used.)
As a side note, I wish I could've met you at Gateway in St. Louis this past June. Not sure what the conflict was, but I had my book in hand ready. (However I did pick up Ted Raimi at the airport, so it wasn't a total loss. But still, Brisco wasn't there. Oh well.)
:^)
'Life is like a spoonful of Drain-O, it feels good on the way down but leaves you feeling hollow inside'
pronoblem
I consider Bruce to be one of my favorite actors and would love to see him interviewed on "Inside the Actors Studio". Somehow I just don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. :-/
So how about we get Bruce to answer those 10 questions they always ask at the end of the show?
Brought to you by Team SPAM! where we believe: "Information in the noise!"
There were several movies made in the late 80's and early 90's (From Beyond, Reanimator, ...) from H.P. Lovecraft's work. "From Beyond" in particular was excellent.
Have you ever thought about working on/in one?
I seem to recall a very funny scene in the Army of Darkness with the Necronomicon, which Neal Stephenson referred to as the inspiration for his naming of his book the "Cryptonomicon". Neal didn't even realize at the time that the Army of Darkness was paying homage to Lovecraft.
Hey Bruce: say workshead.
:)
It seems like most of the questions here center around your acting career, and I feel like most of them have been answered before in your book or in other places. One of the questions I'd like to know the answer to is what you do in your spare time. I mean, do you like to golf, frag people in Unreal, play pinball, or what? And does your fame get in the way of your hobbies? Thanks for all your great work.
If it's supposed to move and doesn't, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
Saw him at an Origins gaming con a few years back ... I think Bruce should have played Tim Allen's part in 'Galaxy Quest', because he definitely had that 'going-through-the-motions' mode down pat. All he needed was Sigourney Weaver in the low-cut outfit...
[true game con scene, Bruce is at the podium]
Q: Hey, what happened to that car in Army of Darkness? Was that like, your car?
A: (Bruce rolls his eyes skyward)
I'd have a personalized plate on my car, but "toxic bachelor" won't fit into 7 letters.
Bruce, I've seen a lot of your films (ED, ED2, AoD, Hudsucker Proxy) and because of your work with Sam Raimi, I have seen a lot of Raimi films (Darkman, Quck and the Dead, A Simple Plan) but I have to say that my favorite genre is your great style of TV series. Jack of All Trades and Brisco County Jr. were both great TV shows and I watched every episode. (Still catch Brisco when I'm up Saturday mornings.) My question is, do you have any plans to star or co-star in any more TV series?
btw - I already saw a question for DVD's, a "Best of Bruce on TV" DVD Series would be awesome!!
I have often thought you had a great (very distinctive) voice, have you ever thought about lending your voice to animated TV shows or films?
I'm curious as to who your favorite literary or cinema graphic character is and why? What traits draw you to this persona or conversely is it someone you just love to hate? And, if different from your favorite character what is the one role you would most like to play either on screen or stage?
Would you be interested in auditioning for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, which is currently on indefinite hold due to the sad passing of DOuglas Adams?
Do you see yourself more as Zaphod Beeblebrox, or Ford Prefect?
Don't blame me - I voted for Howard Dean. http://dean2004.blogspot.com
In the Xena episode where Xena's psyche controlled your body, how much fun was it kissing Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor)? Was it weird kissing a woman knowing that you were really playing a woman in a man's body ? Did you channel any special feminity in that scene ?
What other work has Bruce done that he may consider "beneath" mentioning. A few years ago my wife and I were on an airplane flying from Cleveland to Chicago (I don't remember the airline) and look and behold who is starring in the flight safety video...none other than Mr. Campbell himself.....How did he get rigged into that one? THis was after Brisco County Junior so he didn't need mooney THAT bad.
And if you want to see Chow Yun-Fat handle a Chainsaw go watch Tiger on the beat. Also a terrific movie if you want to see how to handle a knife or get a health recipe.
...A few years back, when we published Verbosity. Personally, I loved his response.
When will we be able to get "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." on DVD? I actually watched the show, and would (probably) by the DVD collection.
Being as well-known as you are, have you caught anyone going through your garbage (or other "Get away from me, you twisted freak" sort of things)
:^)
And if not, do you wish someone would?
And lastly, if they did would they find anything interesting?
'Life is like a spoonful of Drain-O, it feels good on the way down but leaves you feeling hollow inside'
Personally I'm just waiting for them to release Brisco County on R1 DVD. :^)
'Life is like a spoonful of Drain-O, it feels good on the way down but leaves you feeling hollow inside'
What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of your career?
The piles of cash?
The work itself?
The fame?
The look on a fanboy's face between the time he recognizes you and can utter, 'OMG, It's Bruce Campbell!'?
Working with some of the hottest women ever constructed (Renee O'Connor, Angela Dotchin)?
Other? (please specify):
--Blob
All sweeping generalizations suck.
Will the real Wil Wheaton please stand up?
please stand up...
please stand up...
Now, dye your hair blonde, and make sideways pistol shooting motions with your hand, and be fellated by hordes of nerds.
Jake still has the book from Lunatics: A Love Story (the one we shot in my garage and used as plate for the Poe sequence). Do you or Josh want it back?
How did you become so damn cool?
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
...you're saying that the highest moderated questions get passed on to Bruce, of which he will answer 8 or so?
I'd hate not to be clear on this.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
One point which stood out to me most after reading your book was the importance you seemed to place on the distribution of information during a production.
Often while reading the book it seemed you would refer to productions being hampered by a lack of communication. Wether between cast and crew, or crew and crew, it seemed most often the culprits were either a lack of understanding or a lack of information.
My questions are:
As an interface designer am I just hung up on the flow of information, or is this actually a point you're making in the book?
How important do you feel keeping everyone informed is to the success of a project?
Who is most responsible for the distribution of information during a production, and who should pick up their slack?
Do you have any examples of when you were stuck making assumptions on set, or when having been properly informed, a production ran smoothly?
Thanks Bruce. I wanted to get to this point while you were signing books in Syracuse last month, but there just wasn't enough time. I did however take you're advice and re-watched "The Bridge on the River Kwai". It's a good film. Dutifully made. A professional film. That recommendation seemed to reflect the importance you place on professionalism.
Thanks for being a professional actor,
Joe
.. guys movies. Any movie Bruce is in, I will go see. there as may 3 actors whom I bestow that 'honor' on.
I am forced to ask, once again, why somneone who acted the role of a fictional character is worth interviewing on a site devoted to nerds?
Maybe if he did the interview in character as Ash, but that would really be unfair to Bruce as a person.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Bruce, you gave a reading at the Borders book store in 5 World Trade Ctr a few months back.
How does it feel to have given a reading at a place that doesn't exist anymore?
Also what change if any do you think will or should happen to the entertainment industry post Sept-11? Like Sam Rami removing shots of the WTC from his upcoming Spiderman movie or writers changing plotlines.
I have no
Comment removed based on user account deletion
In your book, under the picture of your second wife you simply have the caption "Lulabelle" (might have the wrong spelling...don't have the book handy). Is this a nickname for her?
Oh, and how did you get the scar on your chin? Am I high? Did you ever answer that question in your book?
Thanks!
JoeK
What Would Sutekh Do?
How much has life changed for you since the recent world events. Has it made you rethink rolls that you might have normally taken? Does it keep you home more with your familly? Thanks for the great book signing in S.L.C,UT
After extensively enjoying Jack of all Trades through what seemed like about a season, I was disturbed when the show vanished and after a little research turned out to be cancelled. What most amazed me was that the people behind both your show and Cleo 2525 solved the problem by making Cleo 2525 an hour long show. What were the key factors leading to the shows cacnellation, was it simply poor ratings? Were you ever given a chance to adapt the show or did the higher ups just pull the plug? Also, did you gain any twisted satisfaction when they yanked Cleo 2525? (I know I did)
Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here
I haven't seen any news of it on your site or anything current anywhere else since July.
;)
I know you've said "independent films aren't released, they escape", but come on! Isn't there a chance it will get some funding for distribution some time soon?
It sounded really cool when you described it at your book signing--an aging penis-cancer-stricken Elvis battles a soul-sucking mummy with help from a guy who thinks he's JFK. I searched google and found a wordy, but informative writeup at Aint It Cool News.
And why isn't there any mention of Bubba Hotep on your site? Doesn't it merit a mention in your filmography section? It makes me wonder if there are any other indie films that you might deny existence of.
BTW, I was the guy at the signing in Portland, OR with the Jim Carrey question ("Evil Dead vs. Ace Ventura, who's ripping off whom?"). Congratulations on getting a part in one of his movies
That is the best sig. Ever.
The parent post may be funny (to some), but offtopic? "Ask Bruce Campbell *Anything*" Not offtopic.
Interesting?!? What? The... I... Huh.... *lost for words*
How is this offtopic you power-mad mod freak? The parent belongs in the lists of questions, ferchrissakes!
Ever since I first saw you with blood dripping from your face in Evil Dead I knew you were something special.
You had me at "Give me some sugar baby".You make me swoon! Please say yes.
Sincerely,
Hot4Bruce
> Bruce, you've played a number of "unconventional" heroes on TV and in films. Which character was the most fun to play?
Is this the same Bruce Campell that played "Autolycus: King of Thieves" in Xena?!
If so, WOOT!, that was a great character !
Anyone got a list of all the "unconventional" heroes this guy has played? After seeing his Xena performance, I'd love to check out his other work.
Even though it's more of a prosthetic than a cyborg attachment, still, there's something of the.. excuse me, but there's no other word for it... hacker in someone who creates an effective anti-zombie weapon just minutes after having amputated his own evil-possessed hand. You know the cliche, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade?" Well, when life hands you the oozing corpses of your friends and lovers possessed by ravening demons from beyond the grave, strap on your chainsaw and shotgun and go give 'em some.
I looked into the abyss, and the abyss looked into me--and we both winked.
"...or are we just gonna fool around?"
- posted for my friend Jana
As for me, i'd just like to play pool with the guy.
Note that my friend and I actually met Bruce at the Cambridge, Mass. book-signing, but were too frozen with glee to ask good questions.
Therefore, I feel that this should get moderated up based on the fact that I shook Bruce Cambell's hand.
Mod points.... but not a -10 fucking idiot in sight [:
----- One piece short of Legoland
I named my cat Ash. Can anyone guess where I got that name?
Pooty tweet
I have a two part question for you in regard to modern filmaking. The Evil Dead films as well as a bulk of your "genre" work has had a low budget, but with yourself and Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, you've always made the most of your budget (countless models, stop motion animation, miniatures, etc). Hollywood seems to be using CGI for just about everything these days where in tha past models would be used (Pearl Harbor, Star Wars, etc). As you're now becoming a director youself, do you favor old movie techniques such as models and minitures over CGI, or is CGI the great equalizer for the low budget movie maker? Second, You've been the star of some of best cult followed horror films, most horror films today lack something. What is needed to revitalise the horror film industry?
Xena or Gabrielle? I know it's a difficult choice, however I personaly prefer the latter.
With Frank Darabont's The Majestic being tipped to be an Oscar success (and maybe getting Jim Carrey that long deserved best actor nomination), are you hopeful of getting a nod for Best Supporting Actor? Come on, if anyone deserves it for benefitting the film industry in the way that you have (through countless pratfalls and killing the possessed - natch), its gotta be you!
zadok.org.uk
I've heard that you've attended or popped by a few conventions for anime, science fiction, etc. because you were in the area and heard about them. I'm sure you've seen your share of fans (rabid or otherwise) from being a cult icon, but I'm curious what your thoughts are about them?
Bruce, if as a result of some freak accident you managed to lose your right hand (ala Evil Dead). What Tool/Weapon/appliance would you replace it with?...oh and why?
A friend of mine had you sign a book for me, when you were in Albany. It reads, "Bucky, I'll kick your superhero ass!" then some scribble that I assume is you signature. I just want to know what I did to incur your wrath.
WWJDFAKB - What would Jesus do for a Klondike Bar?
I have a two part question for you in regard to modern filmaking. The Evil Dead films as well as a bulk of your "genre" work has had a low budget, but with yourself and Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, you've always made the most of your budget (countless models, stop motion animation, miniatures, etc). Hollywood seems to be using CGI for just about everything these days where in tha past models would be used (Pearl Harbor, Star Wars, etc). As you're now becoming a director youself, do you favor old movie techniques such as models and minitures over CGI, or is CGI the great equalizer for the low budget movie maker? Second, You've been the star of some of best cult followed horror films, most horror films today lack something. What is needed to revitalise the horror film industry?
Some actors get very upset when they feel they've been type cast, partially because it makes finding roles more difficult. Do you feel you've been type cast, and how do you feel about that? Personally, I love the characters you've played (Especially in Escape from LA), but would like to see you in a more serious role.
It's easy to stand out when the general level of competence is so low.
Please, I need to know. How did you prepare for your role in Fargo?