Interview with actor Dan Butler

This is part 2 of my interview with actor Dan Butler. Today we discuss subjects ranging from how directing the medium of film differs from directing plays to Dan's memories of being part of the cast of Frazier.

JV: Since you've directed both plays and your first movie, how do you feel the mediums differ? DB: The're both story telling, just in a different fashion. I think within a film it's completely the director and editors medium. I mean, yes it's great when you have wonderful actors there, but really the director and editor have the power to sew the film and all the parts of the film together in whatever order or whatever shot they want. In a play, the story telling emphasis though guided by the director, I think is really on the actors shoulders because they're out there the whole time. And it's just a different stamina. But they're both story telling. JV: Did you ever consider releasing your film theatrically ? DB: Oh yes. It's one of those things where people love it, and don't quite know where to put it. Though it deals with politics I don't really consider it a political film. I just think that forms the back drop and then it's this sort of twisted romantic/tragedy. When the film was ready in the spring of 2007,that's when we first went to festivals, I think they may at first must have thought, " Oh well, this is dated now. It's the Bush administration." From audiences reactions at film festivals,private screenings and now with the dvd release, I don't think it's I don't think it's limited to the Bush era. And also what's great is Mr Rove is doing some publicity for us right now with all the White House emails being revealed. So that's good. JV: Now Dan, since your most famous role is that of Bob ' Bull Dog' Briscoe on Frazier, I 'd like to ask you what are some of your favorite memories of doing that show? DB: Oh gosh, it was wonderful. When I was doing it, I was a recurring character who was there often but not all the time; it was just a lot of fun. I was working with people I respected and cared a great deal about. Many of us had known each other from the theatre in days past. The stories, the writing, the people you work for; it was all terrific. It was like the stars where crossed. Everything was synchronistic in bringing all these people together at that certain time in our lives and it all gelled. I didn't think there was anything like it at the time on TV. I got to direct there a little bit on the show. If you would pitch writing ideas or you might disagree the way a character was portrayed in an episode, the writers could listen to you and take it into account. So,it was a terrific working environment. JV: Are there any future plans or projects you can tell us about? DB: Oh, just doing more of what I do. No specific plans. I'm living back east now. Most of my work is out of New York, auditioning and writing. Some of the specifics I want to keep to myself.