newsINTERVIEW.page

this is a small interview i gave to abe:

16/08/02

Name: Abraham Forsythe
Nickname: Abe
D.O.B: 26/7/81
Place of Birth: Kings Cross
Current Residence: Newtown
Favourite Movie: Heavenly Creatures, Being John Malkovich, The Limey
Favourite Actor: Steve Martin
Favourite Actress: Catherine Keener
Favourite Band/Singer: Gomez, Fiona Apple
Favourite Food: Bananas and Coca Cola
Favourite TV Show: League Of Gentlemen

1. Who is your biggest inspiration?
NZ director Peter Jackson. Also Jim Henson and George Miller, all have
managed to do their own thing throughout their careers.

2. Have you always wanted to be an actor or a filmmaker?
I guess so. I sort of eased my way into both of them. After seeing Bad Taste
when I was 10 I wanted to get into filmmaking.

3. Throughout the filming of Ned have you kept your initial vision of what
your film would hope to achieve, or has it changed?
It changed to begin with, as it was originally going to be shot for $50,000
out in the bush on digital cameras and financed pretty much by myself. But
then it was picked up by Ocean Pictures and given a much healthier budget
and distribution. Since then it's always looked how I imagined it would. And
that's the hardest thing, making sure that everyone on set gets the crap out
of my head and onto the screen. And they did.

4. Do you think your film is something fresh and different in comparison to
the more serious dramas on Ned Kelly produced and re-told in the past?
I hope so. I think people will be suprised when they see some of the
tangents it goes off on. If you go in expecting Reckless Kelly or The Kelly
Gang you'll be suprised.

5. Did you have 100% control concerning decision making and on the direction
Ned was heading during the production?
During the shoot, yes. I've been very fortunate to have a distributor that
supports me and doesn't tone down any of the humor.

6. Do you prefer working on independent productions or as an actor for "Always
Greener"?
They're so different. Always Greener I just have to know my lines, rock up
each day and have fun mucking around with the crew. I've been working on Ned
for over a year now and won't be finished till december. I enjoy doing both
but the personal investment I have in Ned can't be equalled. It's a cliche
to say but it has become my child. A child with some serious issues, though.

7. Who of the "Always Greener" cast are you closest to?
Caitlin and Bree. We've been working with each other constantly during
Always Greener. Bree has become my little sister, even though she's older
than me. They're both in Ned, Caitlin as Mrs Kelly and Bree as a Prostitute.

8. What's the best thing about your job?
That it never feels like work. Even though Ned nearly killed me physically
and mentally, I can't wait to do it again.

9. What advice do you have for anyone wishing to head down your chosen
career-path?
Whatever you want to do make sure you enjoy it, that's more important than
anything else. And make sure you have a good support group of friends. And
don't be an arsehole or up yourself. And don't talk about yourself like I am
now, it's not healthy.

Thanks to Abe for taking the time to fill it out. :)