Yahoo! Chat Transcript
May
15, 2001
Thanks to all those
who participated! We tried to get to as many questions as we could,
however,
we received over 1,000 of them, which made it pretty difficult!! We hope you enjoy the transcript,
and we look forward to bringing you another chat with Federico again in the future.
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federico_host: Good evening everyone and thanks for joining us tonight. federico_host: We're Crash & Burn and it is our pleasure to bring you this live sit-down with the hitman himself, Federico Castelluccio. federico_host: But first off, a word of thanks to some folks we couldn't have done without. federico_host: We're coming to you live tonight from Giuliano's Catering Service in East Hanover, NJ and we'd like to thank them for allowing us the use of their venue. Check them out sometime - they truly put Artie Buco and Vesuvio to shame! federico_host: Also, a thousand thank you's to Capo Steve and his crew Frank, Lisa & Shari at the Sopranos Unofficial Fan Club for their invaluable help behind the scenes of tonight's chat. federico_host: Of course, none of this would have taken place without Yahoo! and HBO - many thanks!! federico_host: And now, without further ado, we give you Federico Castelluccio... federico_host: Fire away (pun intended!!) federico_castelluccio: It's a pleasure to be here tonight... federico_castelluccio: and to be here with some friends federico_castelluccio: and to answer some questions finally for the fans! krystalinna: What cds are in your stereo right now? federico_castelluccio: The latest album by Buddy Guy mizliz452000: Please tell us about your new painting series for 2002: a series sounds like a theme. Is there one and what sort of ideas/images gets your creative juices flowing? federico_castelluccio: Yes, there is a theme, federico_castelluccio: I'm just now starting it... federico_castelluccio: It's full sized portraits of close friends of mine shetex: Have you seen the miniature collectible versions of the Cows on Parade? And is yours going to be made into the mini version soon? federico_castelluccio: I don't have a name for it, but I'm hoping to do it for next year federico_castelluccio: Yes, I have seen the small versions.... federico_castelluccio: I'm not sure if mine will be made , I haven't heard grrrl4furio: I'll be in NYC this weekend, and would like to know where I might find any of your beautiful art on display! You are exceptionally talented! federico_castelluccio: There are 2 murals that I painted... federico_castelluccio: for a place called Yaffa Cafe... federico_castelluccio: it's on the lower east side of Manhattan federico_castelluccio: it's St. Mark's Place, between Avenue A and First Avenue shytown67: hi federico - i love the sopranos - how did you feel when you found out you got the role in the sopranos ? federico_castelluccio: It was interesting because.. federico_castelluccio: I didn't find find out from my agent federico_castelluccio: They made me wait an entire weekend.. federico_castelluccio: I didn't hear from my agent, I heard from the wardrobe department federico_castelluccio: They called me and asked me for my sizes federico_castelluccio: And I asked... federico_castelluccio: "Does this mean I have the part?" federico_castelluccio: :) federico_castelluccio: I can't even describe the feeling... federico_castelluccio: 12 years of hard work as an actor and paying your dues federico_castelluccio: and finally getting something like the Sopranos was a tremendous thrill. kaioshin_kai: How difficult is it to keep up the image of being a heavy-duty Italian, with the accent and mannerisms? federico_castelluccio: It is pretty difficult federico_castelluccio: I really have to work at the accent federico_castelluccio: making sure that all the lines are accurate... southside78: Hi Federico, I had the pleasure of meeting you at the chiller show.. Please tell us a little about the Crazy horse cafe, howlong will it run and will Vinnie Pastore act in it as well, by the way, Loved your blue drawers. federico_castelluccio: Crazy Horse Cafe is being workshopped right now.. federico_castelluccio: we're still fleshing it out so to speak federico_castelluccio: it is written by and will be acted by Vinnie Pastore federico_castelluccio: We don't know exactly how long it will run... aud2877: Is Furio's brutality and ruthlessness in carrying out his "enforcement" duties specifically called out in the script or do you have latitude to bring your own interpretations to the role. federico_castelluccio: Usually the directions are very strict.. federico_castelluccio: and to the script.... federico_castelluccio: The directions are usually written by the writers on the script. federico_castelluccio: You have very little leeway as to improvisation mizliz452000: Would you be interested in getting behind the camera and producing or directing for TV, movies or theater? federico_castelluccio: Yes, actually, I do have interest in directing someday federico_castelluccio: Film, not television just yet sinewave_2000: How did you prepare for the gunshot/screaming in pain scene? federico_castelluccio: You just gotta find that place federico_castelluccio: It's not a place that you want to go to everyday! federico_castelluccio: There's something in acting called "sense memory" or "memory recall".. federico_castelluccio: you have to rely on these implements when you're doing a scene like that... federico_castelluccio: it's very taxing when you have to do a scene like that over and over. monkeehed: Can we expect some of the loose ends from this past season to be tied up in the finale? federico_castelluccio: Knowing the way David Chase and his writers think... federico_castelluccio: definately some of the loose ends will be tied up in the finale.... federico_castelluccio: some of them maybe next season.. federico_screener2: lol federico_castelluccio: (the room is cracking up laughing now!) monkeehed: Are there any actors whom you've personally requested to appear on the show? Does the cast have much input in that area? federico_castelluccio: Not really federico_castelluccio: You can request somebody... federico_castelluccio: but it's up to the casting director.. federico_castelluccio: and ultimately it's up to David Chase...he has the final say shetex: Do you go by Federico? Freddie? Rico? federico_castelluccio: I go by Federico federico_castelluccio: and I prefer to be addressed as Federico krystalinna: Who did you admire growing up? federico_castelluccio: As an artist, I had many people... federico_castelluccio: one of them, the guy I emulated, is Braldt Braldz, a Dutch painter federico_castelluccio: I apprenticed under him as well federico_castelluccio: As an actor.... federico_castelluccio: a long time ago, believe it or not federico_castelluccio: I used to look at Charles Bronson federico_castelluccio: I liked the tough guy roles he played pat9777: what part of Naples are you from my dad was born in Campania federico_castelluccio: Right from the center of Naples kellkat2: Federico..... Please tell us about your upcoming movies.... We are dying to see you on the big screen now too! federico_castelluccio: One of them is "Made"... federico_castelluccio: with Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn federico_castelluccio: another film is called "Fire" federico_castelluccio: and that's coming out this summer as well bce_sushilover: Can you shed any light on the rumors that the show will only last one more season? federico_castelluccio: As far as I know... federico_castelluccio: we're definitely going for one more season federico_castelluccio: the 4th season is a definite federico_castelluccio: if there is a 5th season, it's going to be entirely up to David Chase and James Gandolfini. Those are the two people who it depends on. jdbassich: I suppose Furio is "clean" and off the Heroin. What happened to Furio and Chris doing Heroin. I assume its all clean going from here on out. federico_castelluccio: Just to set the record straight... federico_castelluccio: it was coke, man! federico_castelluccio: (said with an accent!) :) grrrl4furio: Are the lines for Furio purposely written to be comic relief in nature, or is it just your spin on them that makes Furio so damned funny? federico_castelluccio: I think it's a combination of both federico_castelluccio: what David Chase writes, and what I bring to the character federico_castelluccio: and also, once you've been working with these writers... federico_castelluccio: they get a chance to see what you're capable of... federico_castelluccio: and they write for you. uk_stoo: Could you ever find any part of Furio in yourself? federico_castelluccio: When I was a kid... federico_castelluccio: I definitely had a very different personality federico_castelluccio: Because growing up in Paterson federico_castelluccio: you had to learn how to fight federico_castelluccio: and I had to fight a couple of times... sw33tp: Will your new play be in states other than New York? federico_castelluccio: It's only going to be in New York City as far as I know federico_castelluccio: but it might travel to other cities if it does well off Broadway karinsweet: How did you make the transition from a painter to an actor? How did you end up on the show? federico_castelluccio: It was basically something that was always with me since I was a child... federico_castelluccio: in the back of my mind and when I got to a certain level federico_castelluccio: that I felt comfortable enough, then I made the transition federico_castelluccio: and that was when I graduated college. noose215: Federico, how is it working on the set with Tony Sirico? Does his character reflect his real personality? Also, are you an Italian immigrant, because your accent is amazingly great if you are American. federico_castelluccio: Working with Tony is a trip, to say the least! federico_castelluccio: He's a lot of fun... federico_castelluccio: he comes out with the funniest things, even off camera. federico_castelluccio: Yes, I am an Italian immigrant federico_castelluccio: I came here when I was 3 years old... federico_castelluccio: so I don't speak with an accent - I have to add one for the show federico_castelluccio: I didn't have a coach - I did the research on my own federico_castelluccio: Because I grew up around it federico_castelluccio: and I still go back to my old neighborhood where a lot of people speak that way... federico_castelluccio: with that thick Italian accent tonyez_girl: what inspires you to paint? federico_castelluccio: Anything beautiful! federico_castelluccio: Still life, landscape, or a person that I meet that has something interesting about them.. david_s94: Federico, do you watch Italian soccer (Serie A)? If so, which team do you cheer for? federico_castelluccio: I don't personally... federico_castelluccio: I just kind of take a look every once in a while. federico_castelluccio: But my father's a huge fan and watches religiously federico_castelluccio: Obviously, he's a Naples fan! witathewedhead: Tell me, when the show began did any of you think it would have this magnitude of popularity and create such interest? federico_castelluccio: I personally thought it was going to be a big show federico_castelluccio: I thought it was going to be tremendous federico_castelluccio: A lot of people, like even David Chase, didn't think anyone was going to see it. federico_castelluccio: But from the 1st show, I had a great feeling about it federico_castelluccio: It's even gone beyond what I thought. wendygma: In your painting "A Day At the Gallery," what does the picture to the left represent? federico_castelluccio: It actually represents a painting .. federico_castelluccio: that wants to be noticed. federico_castelluccio: The painting is actually screaming for attention federico_castelluccio: And the dog's back is towards it federico_castelluccio: And the dog actually represents the painter federico_castelluccio: It's a painting that wants to be understood. heavyphil: Where can we see some of your original oils for purchase? federico_castelluccio: You probably wouldn't see my original oils unless you came to my studio... federico_castelluccio: being that I'm not with a gallery right now. federico_castelluccio: But if you log into www.federicocastelluccio.com federico_castelluccio: and you go to the Artwork page federico_castelluccio: You'll see my art company there, Modern Renaissance Inc. federico_castelluccio: And we do sell fine quality reproductions of my work federico_castelluccio: on canvas or high-quality archival paper mizliz452000: What's next for Furio? Take over as boss? federico_castelluccio: That's entirely up to David Chase.... federico_castelluccio: but, I wouldn't mind that! :) valensmage: Do you ever have people commission you to do a piece? federico_castelluccio: Yes, I used to, actually, all the time federico_castelluccio: I don't anymore because of time constraints krystalinna: How did you keep a straight while shooting the golf course scene? federico_castelluccio: It was very difficult to keep a straight face federico_castelluccio: because the scene was so funny to start with federico_castelluccio: and they keep moving the blocking, which is the positioning of the people. federico_castelluccio: So, unfortunately, I did whack the guy in the head a few times federico_screener2: :) federico_castelluccio: I'm not sure how many takes we did, but it was quite a few! gmcmickey: If you could change anything about your character what would you change? federico_castelluccio: His underwear! grrrl4furio: Federico, do you ever fear being typecast as the Italian mafioso badass in all your future projects because of how well you portray Furio on the show? federico_castelluccio: I don't really have a fear of being typecast federico_castelluccio: If you're typecast, it means you're working federico_castelluccio: and that's not a bad thing federico_castelluccio: But I do get offers for other roles federico_castelluccio: When casting directors and producers federico_castelluccio: see that I don't actually speak with an accent federico_castelluccio: they say "I get it - the guy's actually acting" BamaBoy_29: when will season 4 start? federico_castelluccio: Season 4 will start filming in October of this year gentlemanly_guyuk: When you first started acting in the Sopranos was there anyone you based your character on? federico_castelluccio: No one in particular... federico_castelluccio: I just basically saw what the writers had given me federico_castelluccio: and I had to use my imagination and kind of create this character LuvlyLatinaLady: Do you ever wonder if the violence you're asked to portray/act out in the show will effect you? federico_castelluccio: It's really difficult when you're trying to find that "place", that dark place to go to... federico_castelluccio: and sometimes under a theatrical circumstance federico_castelluccio: when you're rehearsing day after day federico_castelluccio: you can't help for that character to become a part of you. federico_castelluccio: so yes, it does become a part of you at some point. bce_sushilover: Mr. Castelluccio - I'm a huge fan of the show. Is there one specific moment from your experience on "The Sopranos" that you will never forget? federico_castelluccio: It was actually the scene where Furio goes into the brothel... federico_castelluccio: when that scene was shot ...it was the last scene of the night federico_castelluccio: it was shot at 4 in the morning federico_castelluccio: and they were depending on it being done in one take federico_castelluccio: and, in fact, I did achieve that - in one take federico_castelluccio: and it was from the minute Furio enters and causes all that damage federico_castelluccio: until the point where breaks through the door with his foot federico_castelluccio: all done at 4 a.m. federico_castelluccio: in one take gtownjokerman: what inspired u to become an actor? federico_castelluccio: I just felt like it was something I had to do federico_castelluccio: I don't know if I was really inspired by anything or anyone federico_castelluccio: I just felt like I needed to be on stage or in front of a camera federico_castelluccio: Just felt like I had something to offer johnmagata2000: Federico, how nervous were you when you saw you're character being shot at, but surviving because with the nature of the show, I'm sure people wonder if they are the next one to get "whacked". federico_castelluccio: This was a rare moment where David Chase called me up... federico_castelluccio: and told me I was going to get shot federico_castelluccio: and told me "Don't worry, you won't die" federico_castelluccio: (laughing) federico_castelluccio: as we all know, he has a great sense of humor logan32000: what is your favorite thing to paint ex. stillife, landscape, men and women? federico_castelluccio: I go through phases federico_castelluccio: right now, I'm working on several still life paintings federico_castelluccio: of some pieces of antiquity that I collect. federico_castelluccio: The series of portraits that I was talking about earlier federico_castelluccio: are all worked out in my head federico_castelluccio: I just have to execute them horrorguy2006: Have you ever met any real mob guys in trying to get your character down? federico_castelluccio: I'll take the fifth on that! federico_castelluccio: (laughing!) whatever686: who was the actor/actress u liked working with the most on the sopranos? federico_castelluccio: I really feel a connection with James Gandolfini federico_castelluccio: being that I do work with him mostly federico_castelluccio: but I really love interacting with Michael Imperioli as well yummy_chickadee: Ciao Federico, I admire your work very much. I'm originally Italian also, and was wondering what you miss most about Italy and when were u last there? federico_castelluccio: Mostly I miss the feeling of being there federico_castelluccio: I miss the light - it's a very different light federico_castelluccio: As a painter, I look at light federico_castelluccio: I miss my family, my cousins federico_castelluccio: the last time I was there was 2 years ago... mizliz452000: When Sopranos is over (boohoo) would you consider another series, perhaps a comeday? Furio can be very funny. federico_castelluccio: I don't think I would want to do another series right away federico_castelluccio: I'm really inspired to do film federico_castelluccio: and if I do work on another series federico_castelluccio: it would probably be as a guest-starring role federico_castelluccio: But I'm gearing myself towards film hambo615: How do you feel about the Italian groups that say the Sopranos is shedding a bad light on all Italians? federico_castelluccio: I get asked this question often.... federico_castelluccio: almost every interview... federico_castelluccio: and I just wish that the people who are saying that they're against the Sopranos federico_castelluccio: because it shows Italians in a bad light, federico_castelluccio: I wish they would actually watch the show federico_castelluccio: they'll see that it has very little to do with mafia or wiseguys federico_castelluccio: it just happens to be what this one person does federico_castelluccio: I feel that the characters are flawed, and federico_castelluccio: people relate to not being perfect. cibomattoguy: Who do you get along with best on the set? I heard You and Joey Pants are good friends now. federico_castelluccio: Everybody gets along pretty good. federico_castelluccio: I am good friends with Joey Pants... federico_castelluccio: he's quite a handful, let's put it that way. federico_castelluccio: He's been wanting to come to my studio... federico_castelluccio: and I've been avoiding it :) shinerboy70: Everybody is always eating so well on the show...does the cast eat that well on lunch?? federico_castelluccio: We actually do.. federico_castelluccio: cast and crew eat a gourmet meal every day federico_castelluccio: We have a gourmet chef. federico_castelluccio: His name's Mike. jafjr11: What is Furio's weapon of choice? federico_castelluccio: La pistola! (The gun) italian_stalian_07: What is Michael Imperioli like in person? federico_castelluccio: Michael's a really great guy federico_castelluccio: He's quiet and very intense federico_castelluccio: And incredibly talented writer on top of being a fabulous actor federico_castelluccio: We've known each other for 12 years. monkeehed: You mentioned the great Boris Vallejo, have you done any artwork in the fantasy vein? federico_castelluccio: Because of being inspired by him when I was studying, federico_castelluccio: I did several paintings in the fantasy vein federico_castelluccio: One of which he saw, and really liked federico_castelluccio: he said it was a great painting federico_castelluccio: It was a self-portrait that was used as an album cover later on federico_castelluccio: for a band called "Platinum" back in the late 80s grrrl4furio: As a photographer, I see what I want to shoot in my head and then look for it or set it up...do you do the same with painting or are you more inclined to just sit down and freehand something? federico_castelluccio: I'm basically like you are... federico_castelluccio: I see it before in my head federico_castelluccio: The painting is pretty much done before I even get to it federico_castelluccio: I also see things as I go along federico_castelluccio: that wind up not being like I pictured them federico_castelluccio: There's a lot of changes made along the way federico_castelluccio: It's almost like improvising when you're acting. lizzys_not: Doesnt Steve Van Zandt have a problem balancing the Sopranos and the E street band?? federico_castelluccio: I know that the 2nd year he was touring federico_castelluccio: so the shooting schedule had to be set around his playing schedule hcw_dragon: What is your favorite mafia movie? federico_castelluccio: Everybody says "the Godfather" federico_castelluccio: It's my favorite too, but I really connect to "Goodfellas" shytown67: hi federico if a fan what's to get your autograph or meet you what would he have to do? do you have a web site? federico_castelluccio: Usually in order to get an autograph federico_castelluccio: you would write to HBO in New York City federico_castelluccio: or the Sopranos productions in Long Island City federico_castelluccio: (SilverCup Studios) federico_castelluccio: if you go through those 2 channels, it will get to me federico_castelluccio: my website: http://www.federicocastelluccio.com federico_screener2: will u do a scene with Melfi? federico_castelluccio: Probably not federico_castelluccio: the only time Melfi will see Furio's face federico_castelluccio: is if he is chosen to get her rapist federico_castelluccio: --- federico_castelluccio: I just wanted to thank everybody for posting the questions - they're great! federico_castelluccio: I'm sorry this is only an hour long, because I wanted to get to more of them. federico_castelluccio: But I hope we can do another chat soon! federico_castelluccio: And...I had a lot of fun! federico_host: Thanks again to HBO and Yahoo! federico_host: The Sopranos Unofficial Fan Club federico_host: Giuliano's Catering in lovely East Hanover, NJ federico_host: and of course, this is Crash & Burn of CyberGrace Web Design federico_host: signing off! federico_host: Thanks everyone!!!!!! |
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