Scene-B-Seen Interview

Scenebseen talked withNorman during the Tribeca Film Festival

SBS: You have quite an expansive filmography, but I have found that it is very character driven, meaning a lot of the roles you play are pretty intense with a lot of inner turmoil on various levels. Sometimes this struggle is resolved in some way and is pertinent to the character and the story, and sometimes they remain dark, agree/disagree?

NR:  Yeah I guess I seem to do those dark roles . But I'm not really that dark . 

At least I try not to be. I'm actually pretty funny and find most people funny or things quite funny.

Im so tired of everyone thinking I'm so dark. I just try and pay attention... and I get upset easily and understand being upset and it all comes from a place of unhappiness.

But I don't practice that in my life. I try to be happy. 

That's the big fight I think, right?

SBS: Absolutely, at least for myself. What about your character in Deadline?

 

NR: It's a good role 'cause it's well written,  it wasn't hard to just stay in those lines. 

'Cause those lines are set up and handed to you.  

Sometimes its better just to do it then create it I think .  

Actor schmacter stuff sometimes takes you on a loopty loop I think.

SBS: Maybe this is my idealistic view of you as an artist, but it seems that you are sort of a renaissance type of artist, actor, photography, director, and that you choose a large body of your film work because of the project itself, is this the case? Or some you do for Hollywood sake and some because you like the work?

NR: I'm not sure totally how I choose anything. 

It may be cause of the script, may be because of the people involved or whatever. 

Might just be 'cause I'm bored really. I'm not really opposed to anything. 

Maybe some people but not really an idea you know?  

I just wanna have fun and not be bored.

SBS: How does this play into the short, Deadline, how did this come about and why did you get involved?

NR: Kim Callahan at ROAR found that and I trust her so I said yes. 

It was a fun little movie and I was happy to do 

SBS: What are your feelings about art scene in NYC, or as I like to call it, Millenism?

NR: I'm not sure about the art scene in New York. 

I know a lot of artists here and a lot of people claiming to be part of an art scene here. 

I really haven't been here since the eighties, so I cant compare it to that boom but I do know its my favorite city and I love the people here. 

Its funny how many people claim to be so part of a scene and cling to it forever. 

In my opinion people make scenes and scenes move, and that's the point. 

Not the other way around.  I'm kind of over places being the scene. 

Berlin or New York.  

People make important things and groups of people make scenes. 

The problem, I would think, is that if someones relevant and smart enough they don't want to be held up by other people claiming them and there friends a scene, that would just make a smart person run away.

SBS: That's truly amazing.

I love large format photo (speaking of gallery exhibits), it completely fascinates me, as well as those "Panda" (referring to the live NYC WTF? show) photos, that just looks... sick (in a good way). Can you tell me a little bit about that? and how did NYC receive it?

NR: Faux Mex are two friends of mine that are DJs and I'm Pandita. 

I've never mixed live video footage before and was asked to. 

So I just jumped in, it was actually a lot of fun. It's a good vibe and just about fun. 

Not a scene, just fun.

SBS: I get what you're saying and above all, respect it. Thank you for being so open with me.

NR: Hey, its my pleasure.