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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 2014)
Arts & Entertainment Anthony Bourdain: The ‘Parts Unknown’ Interview C hef, author and world traveler Anthony Bourdain is an outspoken trailblazer with unique insights about food, culture and current events. Here, he talks about his life, career and his Peabody and Emmy-winning TV-series, Parts Unknown. Kam Williams: Hi Anthony, thanks for the interview. I love the show. I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak with you. Anthony Bourdain: Oh no, my pleasure, Kam. KW: Congratulations on the Peabody and Emmys for Parts Unknown. AB: Thank you. It feels good. KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you. So, I’ll be mixing their questions for you in with my own. The first is from edi- tor/Legist Patricia Turnier who is French C ELEBRITY I NTERVIEW by Kam Williams language, just not particularly well. KW: Patricia also asks: Did you spend any summers in France with your parents growing up? AB: Just a few. Two or three. Three sum- mers, I think. KW: Patricia says: you are an excellent writer. What is the best advice you have for young writers about cultivating a unique I’m very aware that we’re telling a story here, and that we want to tell it in the most compelling, honest and accurate way we can Canadian. She says: You have French back- ground and you’re fascinated with French cuisine. Do you speak the language? AB: Yes, badly. But my French definitely improves the more I drink, as I worry less and less about absolutely perfect grammar. [Chuckles] I do speak and understand the writing style with a sophisticated voice like yours? AB: Wow! That’s hard to say… I just don’t know… Be true to yourself. I write quickly with a sense of urgency. I don’t edit myself out of existence, meaning I’ll try to write 50 or 60 pages before I start rereading, Anthony Bourdain revising and editing. That just helps with my confidence. I listen a lot to how people speak. I’ve read a great many good books in my life. I had some excellent English teach- ers. Surely, those things were helpful. KW: Besides your books, the show is extremely well-written. Do you have a hand in that? AB: I write the voiceover as part of the editing process, some of it beforehand. Working with the producer, we’ll sort of hash out the flow of each show, the sequence of events, and the general frame- work. And maybe there will be some writing as well that they can edit to. But much of it is done afterwards. It’s a long and interactive process that takes about 9 to12 weeks sometimes, per show. So, a lot of attention is paid. I’m very aware that we’re telling a story here, and that we want to tell it in the most compelling, honest and accu- rate way we can. KW: I’m not surprised to hear that you wear several different hats on the show, since you strike me as one of these versatile, multi-talents like David Byrne. AB: I wouldn’t want to compare myself to David Byrne whom I consider a genius, See BOURDAIN on page 11 Placing an Ad in is as easy as Challenging People to Shape a Better Future Now HOME NEWS COMMUNITY OPINION ENTERTAINMENT ADS SOCIAL MEDIA FOUNDATION E-PRINT WEB SPECIALS CONTACT MEDIA KIT 1 Go to www.TheSkanner.com 2 Select “Place Clas- sified Ads and Announcements” JOBS BIDS REAL ESTATE 3 Click on the category of your choice for our quick and easy online form AUTOS FOR SALE PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Job, Bid, Legal Notice, and Sub Bid Obituary Real Estate Wedding Announce- ment Auto Ad October 22, 2014 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 7
