Several years ago, I used to spend a ridiculous number of hours watching Inside the Actors’ Studio, hosted by James Lipton. The show had a blend of celebrity, study of craft, and personal exploration, all combined with Lipton’s unique soft-spoken tone, that made it fascinating.
At the end of every episode, he asks ten questions, an adapted version of the Proust Questionnaire. I am always fascinated by the answers given and couldn’t help thinking what I would say should I ever become a director and appear on the show.
Here are my answers to those ten questions as I would give them today.
1. What is your favorite word?
I have many words and phrases at catch my attention and linger. Some due to meanings, some just because of how they sound. At the moment, “indubitably” comes to mind as a favorite. I like the playful way the syllables fall of the tongue. It’s a fun way of saying, “Absolutely. Yes.”
2. What is your least favorite word?
Should. I don’t like the way “should” tends to put me into a state of arguing with reality, which just causes frustration.
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
I’m tempted to say “everything,” though that would be an untrue exaggeration, because not everything can be pleasing or enlightening in life. But every time I take a deep breath and think about the world and all its interconnections, I very much want to believe in the beauty of things.
4. What turns you off?
Humiliation. The feeling that I am being judged negatively by others.
5. What is your favorite curse word?
F*ck. Sometimes it’s the only word that fits, and it’s hands down the best curse word in the English language. Here is evidence.
6. What sound or noise do you love?
My niece’s squealing laugh. The patter of rain on my window. The crunch-pop sound of snow beneath my feet.
7. What sound or noise do you hate?
The screaming of car brakes. Nothing good comes from that.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Explorer. I imagine this in the sense of seeking out new realms as yet unseen (providing the conquer, destroy, and colonize aspect could be taken out of the process), of which there is not much left on Earth. In which case what’s left is space (the final frontier), so maybe a more accurate answer is Astronaut.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Coal miner. I don’t like the idea of the dirt, grit, or dark.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“You did good.”
Post inspired by Daily Prompt: Inside the Actor’s Studio.
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In other news, the first trailer for Maleficent, staring Angelina Jolie, is out. I am cautiously optimistic.
