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Arts & Entertainment Tyler continued from page 7 handle this pressure? TP: Respectfully, because I know I can only do as much as I can do. I started a com- pany called 34th Street Films just to filter and to look for fresh talent with new ideas. Although I have so many ideas of my own, I’m still very interested in helping to culti- vate and encourage some promising new artists. But there are a lot of people and, unfortunately, a very small window. KW: Kate Newell says: I’d love to know if you have been cloned! It’s the only expla- nation I can come up with on how you’ve accomplished everything. And I really admire your ability to do it all on your own terms. TP: [Chuckles] Kate, I haven’t been cloned, but I work very, very hard. I never stop, I’m always doing 3 or 4 things at once, and I have a great team of people who help me execute everything. KW: Filmmaker Kevin Williams says: I consider you to be the best example of com- plete persistence and belief in one’s self. I always try to remind myself of what you, J.K. Rowling, Sylvester Stallone and others went through when almost no one believed in them. Many of us struggle in the start of our career with self-doubt. How did you motivate yourself in your early days before others recognized your talent and saw your potential? TP: I would always feed myself positivi- ty, from the Church to prayer to Gospel music to the Bible. Even to this day, I turn to anything that teaches good, that teaches strength, and that you can make it. I swear to you that those kinds of thoughts come alive in your body and in anything you touch because your energy goes into every- thing you touch, everything you share and everything you speak. So, it’s most impor- tant that you surround yourself with positiv- ity always, and have it in your mind at all times. KW: Larry Greenberg says: Now that you have truly mastered the realms of theater, film and television, do you have any inter- est in getting into video games? TP: Video games? That’s a pretty inter- esting question. If you’re just getting into video games at 42, that might be a little late. Maybe some of the young rappers will try that. KW: Rene Harris says: I don’t have a question but I just want to thank you for avoiding the use of the N-word in your pro- ductions. Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) and Natalie (Gabrielle Union) in "Tyler Perry's Good Deeds." Photo credit: Quantrell Colbert asks you, that you wish someone would? TP: No, people can be pretty thorough. [Chuckles] Even to this day, I turn to anything that teaches good, that teaches strength, and that you can make it TP: Yeah, I think the only one that might have it was For Colored Girls. I avoid it because, again, it’s important to remain in the flow of positivity. KW: Is there any question no one ever KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh? TP: Listen, I’m in desperate need of one right now [because of Whitney Houston’s passing]. I try to have a good one at least every other day. KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure? TP: Flying radio-controlled airplanes. Only God would give me a hobby where I’m looking up to the sky. It’s the only time where I am able to focus and concentrate on nothing but looking up. It’s a fascinating hobby. KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson ques- tion: What was the last book you read? TP: Gosh, I just started a novel called “Standing in the Scratch Line.” KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? TP: I don’t cook, so my favorite dish to prepare is something on the takeout menu. Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com ONLINE Scan our QR code with your app. theskannermobile.com Page 8 The Seattle Skanner February 15, 2012
