ChUD interviews EJO There is one VERY spoiler question and answer in the interview, so I removed it and reposted below:
CHUD:
Q: Talking to the cast of Splinter, one thing that keeps coming up is that while the film is a thriller and it needs to be exciting, the movie has reality to it. It seems to be the same thing with Battlestar – sure it’s sci fi, but it’s addressing political issues. How important is that to you in your work?
Olmos: It makes all the difference in the world when you have this passion for what you’re doing. You’ve got to have a strong sense of understanding of that. It affects everything. Intent equals content – the intention with which you’re doing something comes out in the content. Everytime. If your intention is to make money, you see it like that in the art. If your intention is to become rich and famous you can see the intention in the choices the person is making and where they’re going. There’s no hiding a commercial artist when you see one. I’ve never been able to do that – and I’ve made commercial pieces of work. They all had the sense of understanding humanity in a way that allowed you to go to the movie and come out understanding a little bit about yourself. That’s what it’s all about.
Q: Do you think the reality is important to the audience as well?
Olmos: Did you see American Me? That’s an ugly movie; nobody should be exposed to that. What the hell do you want to go for two hours and watch that life? Better you should go to The Godfather – at least that’s romantic and you come out humming the theme song.
Q: Life is ugly sometimes.
Olmos: It is. And that’s exactly what [Splinter] is.
Spoilery question and answer removed.
Q: Are you surprised that the show can be that dark and that brutal and yet be so popular?
Olmos: Yeah! Yeah! I’m totally blown away. We won the Peabody, man! Give me a fucking break. How in the world does that add up? Where does that line cross? How does that happen? I get chills. I’ve been doing this for 41 years, man, and Battlestar Galactica wins the Peabody? I’m the fucking guy that did Stand and Deliver! I’m the guy that did The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. I have used the television medium to the best of my abilities and done stuff that will be lasting forever in the annals of the artform – and Battlestar Galactica gets the Peabody.
Q: How long do you see the show going on for?
Olmos: We’ve been talking about it. It’s hard to write this. These guys are always on the verge of a nervous breakdown because they can’t go in for the flash and the simple, basic sci fi mode. If they do that, they’ll crush everyone.
Q: Everybody expects more.
Olmos: Oh man, they do. And they’re waiting, and they’re anxious. And you know what? I’ll give you my attention, and you are the best show. Now what are you going to do this time? People are dying to turn on the television and see this piece of work. It’s unbelievable. I don’t know what to say about it. I’m blown away.
Q: Adama has to make tough decisions, has to do things that cross the line or could be considered troubling – how important is it that you agree with him, or understand where he’s coming from?
Olmos: As a human being? Me, as an actor? I never get into that kind of psychology. When you’re inside that world, everything is the end of all humankind. Every single day, every single time. We did last week – it was the darkest week I have ever spent in film, ever, in which I am literally going to annihilate, push all the nuclear weapons I have on the ship to annihilate everything. The Cylons, us, everything. It’s all over guys! I have my finger on the button, man! And it’s so brutal. It’s just so brutal what happens, man.
Q: How do you decompress from that?
Olmos: It’s hard. You come home from work worn out. The whole day you spent in this vicious, vicious world that’s self-destructive. I’m in constant conflict with everybody – my son, Tigh, the relationship between me and everybody. It’s tremendously (continued...)