Robin Dunne: "Working on Sanctuary was a watershed moment" |
Interview by Carl Marsh
October 2015 |
|
You have been in a lot of TV shows and movies, and I guess reading scripts is something you do/have done all the time. Knowing that you have written books also, so has this always been a passion of yours to be a writer?
I’ve always loved writing. Even as a kid in grade school, creative writing was always my favourite subject. I find it a way to be completely creative, and I’m lucky that I have been able to incorporate that into my career. It’s important that everyone should read then? I think reading is essential in many respects. Firstly, a book is a complete workout for your brain. You may not be entirely conscious of it while you’re ensconced in the story or subject matter, but reading a book is an education, allowing you to digest new information, expand your vocabulary, and enabling you to consider things from different perspectives. Also, there is nothing better than to ignite your imagination through reading. I love movies and television, but in those mediums the images are pre-made and presented to you. When you’re reading a book, you are constructing the images in your head. That skill is essential to any creative person. Or anybody, for that matter. Finally, if you have a book you’re never bored. Ha ha, that sounds super dorky but it’s true. Knowing your love for books, do any stand out for you? There are a couple of books that I re-read every few years. And each time I get something new out of them. One is Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. It’s truly a brilliant and heartbreaking masterpiece. I love Watership Down by Richard Adams. When I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy for the first time, it nearly blew my mind. You know a book is good when you’re depressed after you’ve finished it. It’s like you’ve lost a friend. Another one is Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities. I sense that you don’t just stick to one type of genre when reading, so what has stood out for you recently? I like to read all kinds of different books and I’m constantly mixing it up between fiction and non-fiction. I’ve just finished Andre Agassi’s biography Open, which is one of the very best biographies I have ever read. Even if you have no interest in tennis, it is a spectacularly honest and inspiring read. I’ve also recently read Michael Chabon’s Cavalier and Clay, which I can’t recommend more highly. Right now, I’m in the middle of 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Do you plan on writing a book about your life’s experiences? I’d love to write a memoir about my experiences in the film business one day. Not sure if anyone would be interested in reading it, though! What would you say was your best career move to date? Working on Sanctuary was a watershed moment in my career. It allowed me the opportunity to spend years working on a show that I loved with incredible people. It also gave me the opportunity to travel the world, as well as being my directorial debut. You must have many a funny story to tell that have happened over your career? Too many. More than a few include putting melted chocolate bars and lemon Gatorade in my co-star’s trailer toilets. What can we expect from you in the coming months? I’ve just directed my first feature film entitled A.R.C.H.I.E, which I wrote as well. We have recently completed production and are now deep into post. It will be released in early 2016. Last question, "If you could be an animal or any other living creature, what would it be, and why?" I think the only living creature I would choose to be is “ME”. I’m having an absolute blast! Robin @RobinDunne |
Occupation: Actor / Writer
Country: USA 
|
