Federico Transcript 05-15-01
Frank Kennedy (CapoFrank)
ONLINE SITDOWN WITH FEDERICO CASTELLUCCIO
5/15/01
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 faderico - i love the sopranos - how did you feel when
you
found oout 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:
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 apprecenticed 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 definately going for one more season
federico_castelluccio: 4th season is a definate
federico_castelluccio: if there is a 5th season...
federico_castelluccio: it's going to be entirely up to David Chase and
James
Gandolfini
federico_castelluccio: Those are the 2 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
federico_castelluccio: 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 definately had a very different personality
federico_castelluccio: Because growing up in Patterson
federico_castelluccio: you had to learn how to fight
federico_castelluccio: and I had to fight a couple 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..
federico_castelluccio: always with me since i was a child
federico_castelluccio: in the back of my mind
federico_castelluccio: and when I got to a certain level
federico_castelluccio: that I felt comfortable enough
federico_castelluccio: 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, aaaare 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...
federico_castelluccio: 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
federico_castelluccio: 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 magitude 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 is 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 typecasted, it means your 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: 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 in 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 Micheal
Imperioli
as well
yummy_chickadee: Ciao Federico, I admire your work very much. Im
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 handfull, 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
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 ? shytown67
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 Productions)
federico_castelluccio: if you go through those 2 channels, it will get
to me
federico_castelluccio: my website: www.federicocastelluccio.com
federico_castelluccio: actually, Silver Cup Studios
federico_castelluccio: (typist's error!)
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 chose 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!!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------
CapoFrank, one of the Capos/Moderators of The-Sopranos list
on Yahoogroups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the-sopranos
capo...@home.com, profile: http://members.home.com/fkenn
fk...@home.com,Frank Kennedy,203 Lark Lane, Euless, TX, 76039
goto: http://www.dishdata.com & http://www.louissullivan.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Grizz
"Tiny Boofarina" <tinybo...@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:d995gtgaq29iam2hk...@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 16 May 2001 15:14:13 GMT, "Frank Kennedy (CapoFrank)"
> <capo...@home.com> wrote:
>
> >ONLINE SITDOWN WITH FEDERICO CASTELLUCCIO
> >5/15/01
>
>
>
> Did anyone check out his artwork? OMG, he's fabulous.
> http://www.federicocastelluccio.com/artwork.htm
his art work is very very good, sorta surreal yet american gothic-ish
Bird Lady
tinybo...@nomail.com says...
> >5/15/01
>
>
>
> Did anyone check out his artwork? OMG, he's fabulous.
> http://www.federicocastelluccio.com/artwork.htm
Furio is an artist, too!
Okay, I'm officially throwing away my vow to never confuse actors
and their characters.
Ooooo, a painter, a snazzy little accent, a man from the old
country who wears silky undies....
Uh-oh, whose got the smelling salts, I feel a profound swoon
coming on <THUD>
bel
>
>
> TB
> "Crouching Shih Tzu, Stolen Cookie"
>
Liam Devlin
another art school pussy
LiamD
Liam Devlin
<waves smelling salts>
no accent in person, sorry, bel.
LiamD
Grizz
"Liam Devlin" <Lia...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:3B035F62...@optonline.net...
i have never been to art school.......
Liam Devlin
Nor have I ever suggested you have.
LiamD
Grizz
lost in context..........
Liam Devlin
Federico attended art school.
LiamD