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'Skinwalkers'
With Wes Studi
Actor
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002; 11 a.m. ET
Tony Hillerman’s breakthrough Navajo police novel, "Skinwalkers," has been adapted by PBS into a two-hour American Mystery special. Veteran actor Wes Studi plays Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, who relocates from Arizona at the behest of his ailing wife, Emma. His return to the reservation challenges his beliefs and leads to his involvement in a case more elusive than any he's handled.
Studi will be online Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. ET, to take questions on "Skinwalkers," his career and the craft of acting.
Born in northeastern Oklahoma to a Cherokee family, Studi grew up speaking Cherokee as his first language. He served in the Army in Vietnam and worked as a teacher, reporter, and translator before breaking into films. In "Dances with Wolves" he played the Toughest Pawnee, earning Entertainment Weekly's accolade as scene-stealer of the year. In "The Last of the Mohicans" he was the rapacious Magua, and he was the title character in "Geronimo: An American Legend." In addition to being an actor, he is a musician, sculptor, director, community activist, and author of two books for children for the Cherokee Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Education Center.
"Skinwalkers" airs on PBS Sunday, November 24, 2002, 9:00 p.m. ET. (Check local listings).
The transcipt follows.
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over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Wes Studi: I am having a great time in Boston helping promote Skinwalker which will be shows Sunday at 9 p.m. on many PBS affiliates. WGBH is responsible for helping bring this show about.
Cape Girardeau, Mo.:
I would just like to say "Thank You" for making the time to meet with your fans. You are a wonderful guy, Wes! I'm looking forward to seeing you in "Skinwalkers." Every role you play is excellent and you give it your all.
After "Skinwalkers" will there be a series in the works?
Wes Studi: Thank you very much. Hopefully there will be more of a Chee and Leaphorn available for your viewing pleasure int eh future. Rumor has it that Thief of Time may be the next one we will be doing for WGBH depending on how well Skinwalker is received. Thanks.
New Ellenton, S.C.:
Hi Wes,
I read that you are involved in helping to preserve the remaining Native American languages. Are there any plans to get the school system to teach classes for the children that would like to learn their native language?
Thanks.
Wes Studi: Not at this time it ILI (Indigenous Languages Institute) actively involved in this endeavor. However many tribal organizations in the US are working on plans to insert language classes into tribal schools as well as public schools attended by majorities of Indian children.
Oklahoma:
What was or has been the most challenging role in your career and/or life?
Wes Studi: The most challenging in my life has been the decision to become an actor. In my career probably my most challenging role has been Geronimo and that is because portrayal of a real person out of history is much more involved than a fictitious character in my experience. Thank you very much.
W. Keansburg, N.J.:
Hi Wes, I'm looking forward to seeing this film. I've been a fan of your work for some time now.
I would like to know how making this movie impacted you as to your own life experiences and feelings you may have brought to the character, Leaphorn? And if I may ask another question: Do you still do any sculpting?
Thank You, Stay Strong with Love.
Wes Studi: Yes I continue to do stone carving.
I think the impact from Skinwalkers for me has been about the ongoing conflict between urban versus rural and traditional versus progressive thought that is so prevalent in our American Indian world. I think Skinwalkers speaks to the fact that these two seemingly opposing views can be made to work together for a common good result. Thanks.
Connecticut:
Hey Wes,
Hope you're having fun doing this live chat! I've got two questions for you:
1. If you were not acting, what career would you choose in which to be involved?
2. If you could choose a movie you would have liked to have starred in, which one would it be?
Thanks.
Wes Studi: First, at this point in time I cannot imagine myself doing anything else, but if I had my druthers I would be a oak tree.
I really haven't thought about the second question and honestly don't know.
Milton, Vt.:
It is so cool you have written books. Are they written in Cherokee and in English? And Can you say some more about them? How can we get them?
Wes Studi: The books I have written were designed to be put into public school systems in North Eastern Oklahoma where the major minority language there is Cherokee. While the stories themselves are written in English we also inserted the Cherokee syllabary for the time where we used actually Cherokee words. They were translated into Cherokee as a separate but equal book made available for readers of the Cherokee syllabary.
They came complete with study guides and were entitled 'The Adventures of Billy Bean' and the second one is 'More Adventures of Billy Bean.' (Original huh?) They continue to be available through the Cherokee Nation Gift Shop in Tahlequah, Okla. Thanks for asking.
Berlin, Germany:
Do you think that you come one day to visit Germany and your fans here?
Wes Studi: I would love to come to Germany and visit my fans there. I had the opportunity to visit Munich in 2000 and very much enjoyed my time there. I would love to see another part of Germany as well, however no plans exist at this time. Prost.
Polson, Mont.:
While you were making this film did you get
an idea of how it feels to come back to the
reservation after living on the outside?
Wes Studi: come from Oklahoma where we don't actually have reservations. But I do know that Indian communities within the state make up the same kind of environment as you do find on reservations and it has always been to me a pleasant thing to return to the "reservation." But since I move from the outside to the reservations and back out again so frequently it is not such a noticeable change.
Seattle, Wash.:
Hi Wes,
I really enjoy watching you act. Your portrayal of Magua in "Last of the Mohicans" was a standout performance. What do you like to do when you're not filming?
Wes Studi: I like to enjoy life. I carve stone and make music.
Columbus, Ga.:
What new movies are you shooting?
Wes Studi: I am currently shooting an untitled Chris Eyre project in Salt Lake City about and Indian girl's basketball team in the vein of Hoops… sorta'. It is based on a true story.
Netherlands:
Will a CD of your band ever be availbable in Europe?
Wes Studi: I hope so, however at this point in time we haven't worked out the logistics. Thank you for asking.
Wes Studi: It is however available on the internet through a website called thestudigroup.com. We are called the Firecat of Discord.
Fairhope, Ala.:
Hi Wes,
I have been an admirer of your work over the years and can't wait to finally see you on television, thank you PBS! (repeats of "Last of the Mohicans" and "Geronimo" don't count), which leads to my question.
What do you think it is going to take for the network and cable brass to put some NA faces on their shows or create a show featuring NA actors?
Wes Studi: I think it is going to take time, a successful script idea and hence a successful show that meets all of the requirements of a successful show. By that I mean that it has the numbers. It is an extremely competitive world we live in and television media is a reflection of that competitiveness. Hopefully Skinwalkers will be the first of many other stories about the two characters Leaphorn and Chee to come.
Alexandria, Va.:
Mr. Studi
This is a golden opportunity for me to thank you (and Michael Mann, Trevor Jones, Daniel Day-Lewis et al) for "The Last of the Mohicans". It was a film that thrilled me when I first saw it in the theatre, and it continues to do so every time I watch it on DVD. I guess I'm a sucker for historical dramas and "Mohicans", as well as "Geronimo" and "Dances with Wolves", with their great scores, photography, and casts have made them films I enjoy seeing over and over again.
And I must also mention "Heat". You and Michael Mann seem to be able to work magic together.
Have you considered doing a commentary track for any of your films released on DVD?
Steve
Wes Studi: No I haven't at this point in time. Hang in there amigo. Thank you.
Columbus, Ga.:
Wes, you are hailed as a role model for all Native Americans. What message would you give to Native American youth?
Wes Studi: Try to be the best that you can possibly be as a human being.
Toronto, Canada:
Wes, o si yo. Do hi tsu?
Here's a question that is a little bit off topic. You were involved in some really important political actions in the 70's. I'm wondering to what extent you draw upon those experiences to develop the characters you portray on screen?
Wes Studi: To a great extent depending on what role I am playing. Every part of my life ads to what I am able to portray on screen. (It is good to have had a life before becoming an actor.)
Wes Studi: Thanks so much for all your great questions and comments. Thank you for your support. Life is good. See you in the funny papers. -Wes.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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