So Who are You Going to Be This Year?

Browsing through the endless collection of Halloween costumes this year, I found myself wondering exactly what kind of Halloween celebrationist I am--and no, celebrationist isn't really a word, but go with me on this.

I figure the Halloween scale must run from Pruney-faced, dress-up fuddy-duddy, to costume awesomealist.

And you remember the awesomealist. Those that make Halloween costume history by getting into full character and most likely annoying the hell out of everyone around them. They make a major statement and are difficult to forget.

I'll readily admit that can be both a good and a bad thing.

Me? I figure I must be somewhere in the middle. I dress up every year. I pick on friends and coworkers until they dress up too, but the end result is only semi-enthusiastic.  I get that dopey tone in my voice when someone asks. "Now what are you supposed to be?"

Which by the way, must go down as an epic Halloween fail in my book. If you have to explain your costume, it isn't a costume. It's a candy-melted-mistake. You know, like the little candy corn blob that went terribly wrong in production.

As a writer I feel that I put myself into different perspectives all the time.
But like my costumes, am I only going in semi-enthusiastic mode?
It's an easy gear to slip into when your audience is on your mind. Or when you have to pitch your book in public.

During last year's URWA writer's retreat I attended, we were encouraged to take masks with us to the keyboard. A way to put aside the outside world and be someone else jabbing the keys. It works pretty well too.

So let's hear it. How are things going? Let's open a forum to see just how well our writer friends are fairing at the keyboard. Who's dressing up, and how's it working for you?

How Does a Muse Hire a Babysitter?

You may have already heard the concept of filling out a character interview to bring out the depth and motivation of your character. Those nifty little questionnairs can really help bring an otherwise flat character into three dimensional, jump off the page form. It's amazing what you can find out when you simply ask them.

As a fun twist I decided to invite my good friend Tobin to the Hook Me blog today.

Tobin: Easy sister, We're not that good of friends... And did you seriously just use the word "nifty"?
How old are you again?

Kacey: Don't mind him. He's still pissed because of his little flesh wound at the end of book one.

Tobin: Flesh wound? You call this a flesh wound?! Come over here and I'll show you a flesh wound. I'll make us a matching pair. How does that sound, FRIEND?

Kacey: Tobin, focus please.
As I was about to say, our little Muse friend here seems to think he's got a pretty good handle on people.

Who can blame him really, with his ability to see into the human soul with deadly accuracy. But now that he's laid up in bed with nothing to do, his hired help is getting on his nerves.
Tobin's decided to fire his staff and hire himself--and this is the part that baffles me-- a babysitter.

Tobin: What's so baffling? I'm hiring a babe that will sit anywhere I ask her to. Mostly on my lap.

Kacey: I think you're a little confused at the job description, but we're getting off the subject. Tobin here managed to swipe--

Tobin: Borrow

Kacey: Oh-kay borrow  his brother's employment requirements for when he hired his nanny and now Tobin's making a few adjustments.

So lets get into this Muse’s head. Lets find out how a muse shops for his own babysitter.

Tobin: All right, but I'm letting you know right now, this is going to cost you...
Question number one: No one is above my influence. When I say jump, you...

Kacey: Ask how high?

Tobin: No. Not even close. Don't talk, just jump. Muses are all about visual stimulation, not chatter. And did I mention push-up bras are a dress code requirement?
You're fired by the way.
Next question: Women fall at my feet on a regular basis. How do you avoid violating our business relationship.

Kacey: I--

Tobin: Upupup! You see that right there? See how you're opening your mouth?
Fired!
Again. No yapping. just doing. It's perfectly natural to fall at my feet, on your back, or in any other compromising position. I'm hiring you to sit on my lap, woman. It would take an awful lot to violate a business relationship like that.  Something like, oh, I don't know, a FLESH WOUND!

Kacey: You're just not going to let that go, are you?

Tobin: Shut up.Next question: I feed on the human soul. I'm always hungry for my next meal. How do you keep me nourished?

Kacey: *shakes her head*

Tobin: Oh?...  what is this? Look at this, ladies and gentleman she is learning.The author can be taught. Just look at those pursed lips. Lovin the pout Kacey, really. You're almost back into my good graces. Just do me one more favor...

Kacey: What kind of favor?

Tobin: Jump up and down.

Get Into Your Character's Shoes

We’ve all heard it, right? The saying that “You never truly know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.” Well, I’m here to tell you that anyone stepping inside my shoes is in for a world of hurt! I inflict torture on my feet from four-inch high-stilettoes and knee-high boots to the seemingly innocent banded sketchers that squeeze my feet like a vice. I guess I don’t try them on long enough before I buy. Or maybe I forgot how long it took me to brake in the last pair.
Life inflicts wear and tear not only on your feet but on your character. It makes you who you are. My question to you is: How willing are you to slip inside someone else’s joy and torture for a while? How long are you willing to stay there and stick it out until you have a good handle on their character?
So let’s talk about that.  Let’s discuss getting deep into character, and let’s do it with Utah’s own Tod Huntington, an up-and-coming actor about to take Hollywood by storm.
My friends, please welcome Tod Huntington.

So Tod, How long have you been acting and what inspired you to pursue your dream?

I've been acting since I was a kid really.  It's human nature and a part of the growth process to play pretend.  I just never grew out of it.  But, professionally, 8-9 years. 
I pursued it because I couldn't stop thinking about it.  I felt and still feel that I have something to offer.  It's a way to serve my fellow man.  I've always felt that there's a distinct power in storytelling.  There's an opportunity to make people think.  I look at it as a responsibility.

What sort of techniques do you use to get into character?

The script tells me a lot about who the guy is.  I look at that, what he says, but more importantly what he means.  Subtext is more important than text.  I identify with it.  I use facets of my own life to fill the character out.  Human beings experience the basics of every human emotion by age 5.  So, I see how the characters situation would effect me, and guage that against what the character would do.  I try to give every character his own soul. 

Do you ever feel that some part of that character sticks with you after the cameras shut off?

Yes.  I think most women I've dated would tell you the same. 

How long does it take you to establish good character effectively?

There's really not an answer for that.  Good and effectively fall under the opinion category.  I leave that for critics.  But, I know when it works and when it doesn't.  At least for me.  There's no set amount of time.  Some things are easier to connect with than others.  I know that my best work are the ones I really don't want to do because they're too close to home.

I understand you’ve auditioned in for some pretty influential directors. What is that like?

It's strange. The first time I had to work with someone famous (Salma Hayek) I bought a biography on her so I could make her normal in my head.  I get more nervous in front of the layman than I do in front of someone that knows my industry.

Have you ever felt that you’ve gotten a character wrong?

Not wrong exactly.  I've looked back on some of my work and said "I could've done this".  I think that's normal.  And part of the learning process.  If I ever look at a role and say "It doesn't get better than that" I should probably quit.

Tell us about the future, Tod. What sort of projects are you working on?

Playing it by ear.  If a project wants me in September I say "Yeah, ok." because I don't see September as a reality.  I live day to day, moment to moment.  I talk to a lot of people, I audition quite a bit.  If I like the script and the funding doesn't fall through, I do it.  Since I've moved to L.A. I've had a couple that went through.  It's only been six months so we'll see what the future holds.  I've always had the philosophy that if you take care of being the best actor you can be, the rest will fall into place.  I still believe that.  I'm diligent about being my best.  Then I just put it in front of anyone I can. 
I have a few projects from previous years that are about to be released.  We'll see if that has an impact.

Thank you so much for letting me interview you, Tod! And for those of you who would like to catch a glympse of Tod's work--and let's be honest, who wouldn't?  you can check out the following links below!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1389879/

http://vimeo.com/todhuntington