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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2013)
News Bratt continued from page 2 episode recently which I believe will be coming out some time in April. KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: How difficult is it to switch from doing a TV role to a big screen movie role? Which do you prefer? BB: I’d have to say that acting is act- ing, and that you always want to con- vey a sense of honesty and authenticity. So, I approach both in a similar way. For me, though, the great joy of doing this film was that there was so much gravitas to my role. In fact, I feel that I do my best work when the stakes are a lot higher, where I play the heavy, like I did in La Mission, a movie my broth- er directed. KW: Your mother brought you to Alca- traz as a child to participate in the occupa- tion of the island by Native Americans. Maybe you’d like to portray Dennis Means, the leader of the American Indian Move- ment. BB: That idea has come up before. In fact, what I’m doing. I call upon my training, my research and my life experience. That’s the good news about getting older. Your life experience really informs the work that you do in front of the camera, and even more so onstage. That comfort level enables an actor to be more at ease. Being a greater risk- KW: The music maven Heather Coving- ton question: What was the last song you listened to? BB: “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown a lot more assured about what I’m doing. I call upon my training, my research and my life experience. That’s the good news about getting older. Your life experience really informs the work that you do KB: Harriet has a follow-up: Is there a remake of a classic you’d like to do with a role for yourself in mind? BB: I think every actor would like to be in some version of The Godfather. So, if they’re doing Godfather IV, sign me up. [Laughs] KW: Patricia asks: Is there a Latin icon you would like to portray in a film? BB: Not one that jumps out at me. That’s a good question, Patricia, and one I’ve pon- dered a lot because I’m always trying to be proactive in bringing our stories to the fore, and I’m lucky to have a built in writer/direc- tor in my brother. I even saw a script at one point. There was a young, charismatic leader by the name of Richard Oakes who spearheaded the initial takeover of the island. He was a Mohawk from New York. I always thought that his would make an interesting story. KW: Documentary filmmaker Kevin Williams says: How has acting changed for you over the years and how have you man- aged to mix comedy with drama so success- fully? BB: Good question. I think that I was hungrier when I was younger, and it showed in my work on some level. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown a lot more assured about taker comes from the experience of taking on roles, and it shows. KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory? BB: I remember being twirled around in a circle when I was about 3 by my dad who was holding me while music played. KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? BB: Pasta Bolognese. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do at home with my wife. I also make my own homemade sausage with kale and pasta. KW: That’s great. So many celebri- ties I interview say they never cook. BB: I know. They’re probably single. [LOL] KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer? BB: Oh man, Armani’s hard to beat. Hugo Boss makes some great stuff. Rag & Bone is excellent for casual wear. Calvin Klein has worked out very well for me, and so has Levi’s. It’s tough to beat Levi’s! KW: Is there a childhood friend you’d like to reunite with? BB: Yeah, there are a couple of them. KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? BB: [LOL] I see a father, and a husband, and someone who is very content. KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson ques- tion: What was the last book you read? BB: The Round House by Louise Erdich. KW: Thanks again for the time, Ben- jamin, and best of luck with the film. BB: Thank you, Kam. Information is Today’s Currency At home or on the go, rely on TheSkanner.com for expert insight and guidance on what’s important to you Page 8 The Seattle Skanner March 13, 2013
