Part 1 – Interview with CEO of Ink Magazine

Part 2 – Interview with CEO of Ink Magazine

1. Did you always want to be a model? Did the fact that your mother is an actress have something to do with your desire to be a part of the entertainment industry?
Well if ‘always’ means from a very young age, even younger than when I started (which was 17 and I think quite young for this country), then yes. I wanted to model professionally from when I was about ten years old. There was this one channel that showed the international fashion weeks early Saturday mornings, and I used to wake up early on the weekend just to watch it. It isn’t just about modeling for me though, I think my passion for it springs from my love for fashion and all things creative, because I’m an artist at heart.

2. How has your experience in modeling been over the years? Do you think you have evolved?
Definitely. I hope that I keep on evolving in the future too. Modeling requires and pushes you to keep reinventing yourself and be versatile. You have to get into character for a lot of shoots, do a bit of role playing, get in the mood of specific eras, when doing period shoots for example. My experience has been very rich and covers a lot of ground as far as exciting , fun, creative and very satisfying work goes.

3. Since how long before you joined Overload, had you been singing / interested in singing?
I’ve been singing since I was a little girl. I was always ready to perform on stage every opportunity I got, mostly with the school choir or for musicals. I was quite fond of singing and I knew it wasn’t going to go only as far as ‘bathroom singing’.

4. What made you want to join Overload specifically? How has that experience been?
Their music, their philosphy in the studio, while making their music, their openness to any and all input that enriches the music. I get to make my own songs, with extremely talented and skilled musicians, also because it’s not a pop band, it most certainly isn’t run of the mill. The band is very unique and everyone has such high standards, that the end product is always something dynamic.

5. How has marriage changed you? Do you want to continue your singing or modeling career from here on?
Yes of course, I’ve been raised by a family full of artists and I have now been married into one. Work and one’s creativity is highly regarded and given much importance in my new house and if anything, the kind of families and lifestyles we belong to, not working or wasting one’s talents and potential would be frowned upon.

6. As a young successful woman – what advice do you have for other women like yourself who want to make it big?
I’d tell them to not give up on what they really want to do or something that they are good at naturally just because of silly issues like time and boyfriends who are narrowminded. Every dream, no matter how big or far fetched it may seem, can be realised, you have to start somewhere. Put your foot down for what you feel strongly about, encourage yoursel to question the authority in your life. Think for yourself and make your own mistakes.

7. Would you say that so far you have followed your dreams? What is something that you still want to do, which you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet?
I’ve worked with all the best and biggest names from the very beginning of my career, done all kinds of projects, travelled with colleagues and friends for work and it’s all been so much more than I expected. I do want to make a lot more music and have hundreds of more concerts around the world. That is already happening and so yes, so far, I am definitely following my dreams.

8. On a lighter note, what high tech gadgets are you using these days? [i-phone, i-pod etc] Are you a gadget freak?
I am quite fond of gadgets, fancy and beautiful and preferrably always black and shiny. I have an SLR Canon that I’m in love with, an iPOD and an iPHONE. I have a SONY VIAO that I’m thinking of upgrading. I have a few other things on my wishlist.

9. What is the ‘coolest’ thing you have ever or recently bought? Why is it so ‘cool’?
I often treat myself to holidays and vacations, travelling has to be the coolest thing to spend money on. It always will be. You get something new out of every place you go, different cultures, natural landscapes, new languages, exciting food, the list is quite endless. But yes, travelling helps you grow, learn and collect new experiences and memories. Nothing tops that.

10. What message do you have for Ink readers?
Be an individual, do not be afraid to stand out.

Special Interview with Hugh Jackman in the Oct – Dec 09 issue of Ink – he talks about, amongst other things, his character Wolverine in ‘X-Men Origins – Wolverine’.

Ink ‘The Peace Issue’ comes out October 28th, 2009.

A down-to-earth and simple person, Justin was a delight to talk to!

1. You have come a long way since you started out in Hollywood. You seem to be picking up a variety of roles from playing a young, geeky, energetic Eric in Twilight, to playing a more serious role in Crossing Over. What kind of roles can we expect from you in the near future?

I would love to play roles that challenge me and that are unconventional.

2. When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?

I knew I wanted to be an actor after having seen one of my dad’s films.

3. As a musician, would you ever consider taking music up as a serious profession?

No, I’d like to keep music for myself.

4. How did you get the role of Eric Yorkie in Twilight? Had you read the book(s) prior to going into audition? [We know you have probably been asked this question a gazillion times before, but we just HAD to ask it again?]

I hadn’t read the books and I auditioned just like any other movie…

5. What is your personal take on the Twilight story? Can you understand why millions of people around the world are going stark raving mad over it and its series?

I love it, and yes I can understand because it has such universal themes.

6. How did you prepare for your role in Twilight and New Moon?

I read the books and did a variety of character research and choice making.

7. What universal underlying message do you think Twilight sends out, that people seem to be able to relate to all over the world?

You want what you can’t have and love conquers all.

8. How has shooting New Moon been? Do you think audiences will be happy with it when it is released? Will expectations be fulfilled?

I think New Moon will be wonderful and will exceed people’s expectations.

9. In your opinion, how does an artist stay grounded even after becoming extremely popular? Do you think you are handling stardom well so far? Does your father’s statement “Never get too comfortable because it can all be gone at any moment”, apply to your outlook on this?

Yes what my father says is very true. I just try to take it day by day and realize it’s temporary.

10. Did you guys [the whole cast] have a lot of fun on set while filming Twilight & New Moon? If so, what kind of fun?

We had loads of fun. We just cracked a lot of jokes.

11. What kind of a relationship do you have with your co-stars off and on set?

We are all friends. We like to eat a lot of dinners together.

12. Was it difficult working with a new Director on New Moon? What difference did you see in the style of direction between Catherine and Chris Weitz?

They have completely different styles. However, working on New Moon was a breeze. I had a great time.

13. Who is the funniest amongst your co-stars? Who made you guys laugh the most during filming?

I would say Mike because I spend the most time with him.

14. Why do you think Eric, and basically all the rest of the guys, like Bella so much? Why is she the ‘shiny new toy’?

Its’ a small town, and look at her she’s beautiful.

15. Which scenes in Twilight and New Moon did you like filming the most? Why?

The worm scene because it was improvised.

16. Can you relate to your character Eric in any way? Were you like him in High School?

I wasn’t really like Eric at all in High School but I do relate with the awkwardness of being a teenager.

17. Will you be in Eclipse?

Yes.

18. What was it like starring with the likes of Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd in the movie Crossing Over? Did you feel intimidated?

No, it’s just another job and they are merely people.

19. You have an intense [amazing acting on your part by the way!] scene in Crossing Over where you are holding a gun to an innocent woman’s head and crying because you’re confused as to what you should do to get out of the situation you’re in, while a cop points a gun at you. How did you prepare for that scene? What were you making yourself feel when you were acting it out? Was it hard displaying those kinds of emotions?

That was a very difficult scene. There is nothing I did in particular to prepare for that one scene. It was preparation I did for the whole film that contributed. It was a very hard movie to do.

20. What message would you like to convey through Ink, to your fans in South Asia?

I would like to say thanks for enjoying me in Twilight and I hope that all of you will continue to support my acting career. I will try my best to entertain and move you guys … thanks soooo much.

100% -Beverley Knight

www.beverleyknight.com

She’s 100% the real deal when it comes to international fame and being the reigning UK queen of soul. Beverley Knight, over the course of 15 long years, has cumulatively had over one million album sales, performed countless sell-out shows, and made tremendous collaborations with everyone from Take That, Prince, Carlos Santana, Chris Martin and Stevie Wonder, to many more. We thought it befitting to feature an exclusive interview with this most talented lady, coinciding with the global release of her album ‘100%’, which hits stores today!

1. How far do you feel you have come from 1995, when you released your debut album?

In the years I have been making music I have literally matured in every way. I am not the same totally green naive person I was back then and yet from Flavour of the Old School (1994) to now, does not feel like 15 years! It feels like yesterday in some respects!!!

2. When did you experience a turning point in your career? How was it a turning point?

When in 2001 “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda” became a huge hit, I knew nothing would be the same again. With one song I had become a “mainstream” artist. The album sales and fame grew, and the creative control I had enjoyed began to slip from my fingers. You must be prepared for the highs and lows of success and what it brings. Importantly, I began to finance all my touring myself which was the most important part of my career because that’s how you build and sustain a fan base. Financing my own tours through my own production company paved the way for me to eventually set up my own record label. That was the second turning point in my career.

3. How and why did you decide to set up your own record label Hurricane Records? Which other artists does this label represent?

I left Parlophone/EMI for a variety of reasons. I had come to the natural end of my relationship with them and I felt that they – and every major label – are in danger of becoming obsolete. The digital age means that someone like me can gather a team of marketing/ advertising/distribution people around them, and go and make, market and distribute an album more easily than ever. The internet has been instrumental in making that happen. I got some private investment and used that and some of my own money to set up the label. At the moment I am the sole artist on Hurricane Records.

4. What can your fans look forward to hearing in ‘100%’, your album released just today? Will they be surprised?

“100%” will be no surprise to older fans who remember songs like “Made it Back” and “Damn”. To newer fans they will hear a more up to date, contemporary sound and maybe be surprised at the “modernness” of it! Everyone will be surprised and I hope happy when they hear my duet with Chaka Khan!

5. Why have you named the album ‘100%’?

The album is called 100% because it represents the level at which I do everything. I put 100% of myself into every aspect of my music and my shows. Also, I have 100% control over this album!! instead the compromises you have to make with a regular record deal! The title track describes the level of effort I put in and commitment I have to the relationship I am in too.

6. What is the track ‘Every Step’ about? How have fans reacted to it so far?

The song Every Step is my summary of the life I have lived thus far. I am happy with it, and if I were to live on earth a second time, I would change nothing! From the reaction to the track, neither would the fans!! They seem to love it!

7. Where do you derive your creativity and influences in music from? Who & what are you inspired by as a singer?

I was given the gift of music at birth, and I am so grateful for it. My Mum and Dad are both musically minded; the creativity in music comes from Mum’s side of the family. Most of us through that bloodline are musical, including my sister Cynthia and my brother Adrian. I was influenced by Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and the biggest music influence on my life was and is Prince.

8. Who directed the new video ‘Beautiful Night’? What feedback have you received about it so far? What do you like about this video the most?

JT is a well respected British director and shot the video. It is such a beautiful looking video; I love the story of beautiful night being described through dance. The reaction has been fantastic!

9. You were recently put in ‘Twitter Jail’ as your fans are calling it. Can you tell us how and why this happened? Have your fans been able to successfully protest against this injustice? Why is it important for you to interact with fans online?

I exceeded the amount of tweets one is allowed to send in any given hour. When you go over the limit, they “lock you out” of twitter, meaning you can’t send any tweets for an hour! It keeps happening to me as I actually reply to my fellow tweeters!!! Sadly twitter have not granted me a “get out of jail” pass yet! I love to chat, and my fellow twitteroos like to chat to me. When I was growing up, my idols were as remote as the moon, now with social networking sites, I can be a bit closer to my fans.

10. Are you a big Michael Jackson fan? How did you feel when you learnt of his death?

I admired MJ a great deal, I wasn’t a superfan, but always thought of him as being a very special talent. I was saddened, but not surprised at his death. I did not see how he could live to old age with the amount of pressure and troubles in his private life. He got his wish; he never will grow old now.

11. You contributed to a tribute video for MJ on Mobo:TV. What message did you want to send out through it?

I wanted people to remember the entertainment contribution he made to the world, which was immense. It was in danger of being utterly lost because of the shocking and often disturbing details of his life away from music.

12. Why did you decide to allow giving out a free copy of your new single ‘Every Step’ to your fans, for 2 weeks?

The reason I gave away “Every Step” was as a taster to the rest of the album. When you are confident in the album you have made, you can afford to give a sample away to get people excited! The fans have spent money on my music and kept my career alive; this was a little thank you.

13. When will you be going on tour next? Will it coincide with the release of your new album?

The album is released 14th September, and the tour kicks off in Ipswich, UK, on 3rd November. Can’t wait!

14. Have you ever considered performing in this part of the world [South Asia]?

I would love to perform in South Asia!!!! I just need to get my album released there, and then get a South Asian promoter!!! Sir Jimmy Choo keeps telling me I must go!!!

15. What charity work are you involved in these days, and why is doing social work important to you?

I have been involved with the same charities for years now, The Terence Higgins Trust, Health Initiatives (HIV/AIDS charities) and Christian Aid, and also various cancer charities. It is important to help sustain the ones who are unable to sustain themselves. So much has been given to me in life; I must therefore give back.

16. Which artists would you like to collaborate with in the future?

It would be great singing with a legend like Aretha Franklin. More than anyone, I wish I could have sung with the father of soul himself, Sam Cooke. Sadly he died a decade before I was born.

17. What is your secret to success as an artist?

I don’t think I have a secret. I have worked hard and consistently for 15 years. I am driven, and I love what I do!! I have a great team of people who support me and most importantly, I have built my career slowly and surely, built I hope, to last.

18. What message would you like to send out to your South Asian fans and readers of Ink?

Thank you for all the years of support and I am desperate to come and perform for you!!!!! Tell your promoters to book me!! LOL!!!!

** Beverley’s album ‘100%’, hits stores globally today! -Get your copy now!**

Fasi Zaka

[Very informal Chit Chat]

1. Is your image what you had in mind for yourself when you started out, or has it been shaped by your fans and the industry? (Or any other external factors)
It has been shaped primarily by the audiences, who are quite disparate. Those who read my political columns in The News have no idea about my anti-intellectual radio show, and vice versa. A holistic impression is not out there. At one point all I was known for was in relation to music, and because of distance from it with the political satire show News Views and Confused, that has abated.

2. What were the difficulties you faced when you tried to establish yourself?
I think I have been extraordinarily lucky because it has not been really difficult. A confluence of chance events helped me enormously. Plus since I have never quit my day job and career, downtime in media for me is not a life or death situation. But where I have had difficulty is in nagging a straight up political analysis show because everyone wants to slot me into something with humor.

3. Are you open to experiments and trying out new things when working?
Well once something is established, I rarely mess with it until a naturally evolved new idea comes to mind. But what I do always do is make sure none of my material is repeated across different mediums, which is why I never include one liners in my serious column, or try to intellectualize something too much on radio. Discrete personas for every medium.

4. What are 5 things fans don’t know about you?

a. I got a second division in my FSC
b. I was President for Graduates at my College in Oxford.
c. I once did research for the World Bank\
d. I bite my nails to the extent of disfiguring my fingers.
e. I am actually not very social, avoid gatherings and parties.

5. How good are you with money? Do you handle your own finances or let your manager/accountant/sibling/partner/mum/cat handle them for you?
I am terrible with money, my needs expand proportionately with what I make. Have made good money over the years but have no savings, no car.

6. What is the latest thing you bought and why? Was it money well spent or just a waste?
A pair of caterpillar shoes, have been wearing two pairs of Birkenstock sandals for years now, needed something to cover my feet. I like it, but I miss the freedom of sandals.

7. What are the top 3 things on your birthday wishlist?

a. A Nintendo Wii
b. A 1972 Celica
c. An apnea sleep mask.

8. Which ONE song is your absolute favorite?
Night Train by Guns’n'Roses.

9. What was the wierdest thing a fan ever did /said [on air, through e-mail, in person etc]?
A guy once came over to my office who I had been avoiding for two years because he kept calling liked a crazed stalker. When I finally met him he said he wanted to learn from me, I offered to help him with whatever he needed. Then he said he wanted to live with me and would bring his stuff over in two days. Had to deal with him politely and have been avoiding him ever since.

10. What part of being a celebrity do you like? What part do you dislike?
I like the mails people send sometimes, they are full of trust and genuine affection. What I don’t like is when people stare politely, I would rather have them come over and say hello.

11. What music are you currently listening to [what's on your i-Pod]? Name one song you wish with all your might, your heart and your soul you had written?
Times Like These by the Foo Fighters.

12. How easy is it to promote yourself in Pakistan? And abroad?
Well, it’s pretty much difficult anywhere in the world; if you are extraordinary then it will make sense for everyone to help you out. Abroad is infinitely more difficult than Pakistan.

13. When signing a contract, what do you look at first? Besides the money, I mean.
Contracts don’t matter. What really matters is the level of understanding between the two parties on what they want, and some level of trust. Very few people actually ever go back and look at the contract, dispute resolution rarely quote that.

17. What do you expect to see in a new entertainment magazine such as Ink?
Hopefully a lot of insightful pieces about the entertainment industry that moves beyond the superficial understanding of people in it.

Tamer Youssef

Tamer Youssef – talented Egyptian Cartoonist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer, living & working in the States, talks to Ink candidly.

What made you want to become a cartoonist?

I did not want to become a cartoonist … really. My plans were to study cinema and work as a filmmaker! I did not choose my career, my career chose me. I was just a student at school when I started working in the late eighties for the daily French newspaper “Le Progrés Egyptian” as a professional illustrator. But later on comics attracted me, and I found myself in this type of art, so I became a cartoonist, caricaturist and illustrator.

Have you had some formal training in the art?

No, I did not. I consider myself Lucky not to be an academic artist. I’m self taught. Art in general is not an academic subject. You can study Art History, but nobody can teach you taste or feeling. People in the street are my teacher; they inspire me and give me the ideas too. On the other hand, I practice everyday in each sketch or draft. I develop my technique and style through mass work. That’s much better than studying in art schools for 2-5 years.

What are you trying to portray through your caricatures of politicians from around the world?

I found myself in the political section, which attracted me more than culture or sport sections. I assume 90% of my caricatures are for politicians comparing to 10% only for writers, singers, actors and athletics. I’m facing all the politicians and showing their true figure and character to the readers.

Tell us a bit about your latest exhibition?
Le Monde de Caricature de Tamer Youssef 2 – it was the second edition of my solo exhibition held at the Alliance Francaise of San Francisco – California – USA, from January 31 till February 13, 2009. I exposed 75 political caricatures of my newest artworks created during 2008. It was a great chance to remember the most important news of 2008. In my point of view the American Presidential Election was on the top of news for so long during 2008 and will stay in memory for the coming years too, that’s why you’ll find portraits for Obama, McCain and Hilary Clinton in my exhibition. Also the catastrophe in Gaza takes a big part of my show.

What feedback did you receive after the exhibition?
It was a successful exhibition event; number of visitors showing that. Also for the second year they asked me at the Alliance to extend my exhibition in order to give a chance for more art students to visit my gallery.

Do you plan on exhibiting in other countries at some point; Pakistan maybe?
For sure. I’ve some invitations to exhibit my caricatures in Ukraine and Czech Republic. Also I wish I can visit Pakistan one day and draw more caricature for more Pakistani leaders. Also I have to confess, I’m a big fan of the Pakistani culture and Nussrat Fateh Ali Khan (may he R.I.P.).

Why did you decide to include a caricature of the late Benazir Bhutto?
Pakistan is a great country which has a great history and the Bhutto family including Benazir (may she R.I.P.) draws the history of this nation. So drawing a caricature for her is just a simple belief in the role she played. Also I was so sad by her dramatic death.

What do some of your future activities involve?
You know if life deals you lemons, make lemonade … and I’m Lecturing about my art experience in so many universities and art schools in the US. This keeps me busy all the time; plus I’m one of the artists who keeps their hands occupied. But the most important upcoming event for me is my exhibition at de Young museum.

Do you think there is a bright future for a cartoonist in your country? Does it pay well?
There are some themes I can not draw – one of them is the future. But I’m optimistic about the young cartoonists’ generation in Egypt. But sadly when the world economy slows down … the art market slows down too. It’s a hard time for artists, especially cartoonists. That’s why I’m not expecting good payment or salaries.

What message would you like to send readers of Ink?
“Home is where the heart is”.

Tamer Youssef is currently the vice president of the Federation of Cartoonists Organizations (FECO). He is a creative cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. His work has appeared in many newspapers and publications around the world, including Le Progrés Egyptien, The Egyptian Gazette, Live Colors, and Al-Ahram Weekly in Egypt as well as in publications in France, Romania and the United States. His work has been shown in Egypt, Korea, France, Cyprus and Taiwan. He is a member of the Egyptian Association for Caricature and the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI).

For more about Tamer Youssef please visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tameryoussef

Also Tamer Youssef’s Caricature World on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4681496106

Christian Campbell visited Pakistan last year, and took an abundance of photographs. We at Ink had the good luck of interviewing him.
Read on…

1. Why have you taken up photography?

I took up photography and started getting interested in it when I was living in Germany.
I have done a lot of traveling from the age of 19 to around 25. I lived in Germany for a little while, France for a little while, and you know there was just a lot to see. I wanted to document it and the more I documented it I realised what worked and what didn’t aesthetically for me in terms of framing, lighting conditions and what not. So I started getting that eye and curiosity. Then when I moved back to North America, I was quickly cast into a TV series down in Los Angeles. I went down there and just wanted to continue photography as my hobby. LA wasn’t that stimulating to me though in terms of visuals and what to photograph. I don’t like still life, I love people and situations. I’m an actor so I like to see life, people’s faces, and all the various forms. At that time I was still doing emulsion – it wasn’t digital yet. I would go to these rental dark rooms that you have in the market in LA and just spend days, focusing on my work and experimenting and learning how to focus papers and also what I needed to do out in the field as it was effecting what I was doing in the dark room. And then I went digital.

2. How was that switch?

It was easy for me because I enjoyed learning about electronics. I love deconstructing things – reverse engineering things – with digital photography I loved learning about the editing afterwards. Something that appeals to my mind is just figuring things out. I like computers – I like the ease with which you can just go back and forth. You get a lot more latitude when you get into digital.

3. But do you think it is as authentic?

I don’t think it is authentic when you Photoshop the hell out of it. I prefer doing only very little. If I have to do too much to a photo then it really isn’t a photo worth keeping and I discard it pretty quickly. I try to get it right the first time – when I’m taking photographs I try to get the conditions right. And then I’ll do little adjustments digitally later – I tweak it.

4. What exactly have you shot so far in Pakistan?

Everything from architecture, mosques, and street scenes – I’m really into street scenes. The first day I got into Lahore, I went to the fort and did some photography there. It was a tour of people so I didn’t really have enough time to sit down. But I did go out to the old market, and there the faces, the people … I mean Steven Spielberg couldn’t pay enough to get a set like that. It is just incredible. You are transported in time, hundreds if not thousands of years back – nothing has changed except the odd vehicle and some of the products. It is just fascinating to me so I was snapping a lot of photos while eating my ‘kabab’.

5. So you like our food?

I do love the food – although if you could just get rid of the ‘naan’ it is the perfect Atkins diet. It has been a challenge finding vegetables. The Spinach and Potato dish that you have, that’s very good. I had it at Food Street today.

6. Have you had any formal education in Photography?

Formal – no. I think the only formal education I got was specifically for having an eye for framing, from being an actor and being on movie sets with the Director of Photography [DOP].So I understand framework; how to cut a frame and make it interesting and all. And then also my stepfather who is a big part of my life, began our family business which is a printing company, which is one of the larger ones in Canada. Graphic Design was also happening in-house, so for me it was always about specifics. It was always about looking for the details on a printed page, color saturation etc. So I guess, maybe that was my formal education? Other than that I just read a lot of books.

7. How does it feel being on the other side of a still camera?

I hate being in front of a still camera. I’m ok with acting in front of a camera because it is moving. Being in front of a still camera feels very awkward to me. I’m an actor and I need to move. I feel so stiff and false when I stand there smiling for a still camera.

8. How do you juggle between your acting and your photography?

Often my acting provides a lot of opportunity to photograph, because it takes me to far flung places. Often sets are pretty cool in terms of what theme they are created on e.g. Western Town [Period Films]. So when you are photographing you get transported back in time, much like the old market in Lahore.

9. So your camera is with you all the time?

I try to take it with me on set and yet try not to get in anyone’s way. And try to get work done as well as be an actor.

10. What do you do with your photography? Do you exhibit it?

Well yeah. I haven’t exhibited. For me it’s personal. I do it for me and my family and for them to see. I do it for myself personally. I mean I meet people all the time who say “oh wow you do photography and that’s great”. Maybe one day I’ll create and exhibit.
If one day I can find a theme through my work and a thread, then sure I’ll do an exhibit. At this point I haven’t done an exhibit. Now that I’ve done digital, you know strangely enough, I rarely ever print. Which is terrible. I mean that’s what photographs should be. They should be printed and put on walls. But I’m also a transient human being and I’m always traveling and moving apartments, so my pictures – if I hang them up, soon it’ll just be nails all over the place. And then I’ll have to lug them around every time I move. I don’t print a lot and probably one day I’ll start printing.

11. Have you been to Pakistan before? OR is this your first trip?

First Time

12. So why did you want to come down here?

Well, a friend had invited me for a party that she was throwing for her father’s 65th birthday in Islamabad. She had sent out a blast email to all her friends if anyone wanted to come down for the party. And because I was already making a plan to back pack throughout India with my camera on my own, since I’ve never been to this region, I thought I’ll go to Pakistan. I flew in to Mumbai, and the very next day to Pakistan. I went to the party. But then the Indian consulate messed up my visa and only gave me a single entry visa, so now I’m stuck.

13. So where are you going to go now?

Tomorrow I’m going to go to Karachi. Spend the rest of my time in Karachi and try to get out to the countryside in Sindh.

14. What inspires you the most when you are photographing?

People. People’s faces. What seems probably normal and banal to you guys is fascinating for me. The first few days I was here, I wanted to shoot everything because everyone is dressed differently, it’s just such a foreign thing that you only see in movies, its dream like to me. So it’s fascinating to me.

15. And how was the episode yesterday with Papoo Saheen?

Papoo Saheen. It was pretty fascinating. It was great. But the lights went out so it didn’t make it photographically very great. I managed to get some stuff just before the lights went out and some stuff in the other room upstairs where there was something going on. But the push and the throng, and the throb of the throngs really made it difficult to get in there and work. I’m also trying to figure out the sensitivity of the people here, whether they want to be photographed, you know. That’s something I’m always sensitive to, its just not invading anyone’s space.

16. So did you feel that they were, but they were out of it anyways?

Yeah they were the easiest people to photograph, cuz most of them were staring right at me the whole time because I looked so foreign to them, So I figured well if you’re staring at me I guess I get the right to take pictures. So I would just snap at them and they would continue they would stare right down the barrel. And it was great, it was posed, it was fantastic, dilated pupils, perfect, click. Couldn’t beat it.

17. Where do you prefer living? I mean you move around a lot, UK, Canada, US?

Well right now because I have been in the US for so long, New York city is definitely my place. It’s where my heart is. It’s where so much has happened for me in the past 6, 7 years. And Los Angeles, definitely no, I don’t like that place, but I do spend a lot of time there. And then I mean, Canada is always my home, home, but my new home now is definitely New York City and the people in New York, and all of that. I love it. The stimulation
of the place.

18. And what are you doing with regard to acting these days? What are some of your projects?

Uh. I just finished a project. Well I didn’t just finish it up. We just screened it. It premiered at the Austin South by South West film festival and it was an absurdist comedy that a friend and I made through a shoe string budget, but it got accepted as competition and got great reviews and all that stuff. So did that … very strange film, I don’t even know if I get it; and I helped make it. And then I did 2 other films, one with Malissa George, its a thriller for MGM. And that hasn’t come out yet, its still in post. And the other one with Shannon Elizabeth that is in post as well. Both of them I just recently shot.

19. Have you worked with your sister?

She and I have worked twice. Well we worked a lot as kids together because my dad would direct us in shows together. Then we produced movies back in 1998 called “Too Smooth”, which was just a very light hearted romantic comedy, and we most recently did a movie, which we’re both really proud of. That was sort, its become a cult classic in the US, its sort of a rocky horror show, it was originally a play and I helped to, I originated the role of it back in 1999 and performed then, went to New York, then started in LA, back to New York again. It’s kind of a political satire of a very bad anti-marijuana film that was made in 1936. It’s an anti-propaganda film about how the government can manipulate you to think certain ways and what not. So its become a real cult hit now and its being performed all over in high schools.

20. Have you ever thought of directing?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I directed theatre. I ran a theatre for 5 years in LA and I have directed plays. Haven’t directed any film or television. But that will come.

21. How would you describe your photography style?

Um. I couldn’t tell you. I think I’m finding that still. I think for me its hard to find my style because its hard for me to be objective. Same thing about acting, you know. I’m so in it that its hard for me. I’d have to talk to someone else who sees it and they could maybe describe it to me. I think I’m trying to find a style still. When I travel, I’m photographing, for one is capturing memories, and secondarily is trying to make those
memories really something worth looking at over and over again, not just a snapshot that jogs your memory, I’d like to save something which is a snapshot but is also a moving image.

22. When you’re looking through the lens while taking a picture, is there something going through your mind? Is there a feeling?

What I enjoy about photography is that it really focuses my attention on details around me. So it’s not just what’s happening through the lens. As soon as I take my eye away from the lens, the world, everything is a potential shot. What’s going on with the light over there? How would that look through the lens? And how would I frame that? The mundane becomes interesting. Little details that you just don’t see normally or we take
for granted suddenly are seen with new eyes. Its kind of child like in a way. So I like that because it makes you really hyper aware of things that you normally don’t see. Most of the time I just float through life asleep. So photography helps me wake up. I guess that’s my feeling Sometimes a shot is like playing pool for me. You just know when the shot is right, and you take it. It’s an innate feeling, you don’t know why, its not cognitive, you just take it
and you know now’s the time to strike. And so you strike. And you look at it and you’re happy with it.

Which photographer’s have you been inspired by?

Ansel Adams was one of the first ones that really struck me. Although I like to work a lot with black and white which is also romantic and made you look great! And it was great in the dark room too with black and white. I like guerilla shots that look beautiful. I’m not in to setting up lights; frankly I don’t really know how to use lights. I do know how to use lights, working in the film industry; I know how to back light, fore light, key light. I just don’t like it, because I don’t like the whole set up. I think the set up creates an atmosphere of “we’re about to take a shot” and that makes your subject or your subject matter very scientific, like quantum physics, where the results will change because of the observer.

All pictures taken
by Christian Campbell

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