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Mr. Beaks And Keith David Discuss THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, Randy Newman, And Throwing Down With The Piper!
SPOILER ALERT !!
The imposing physicality, the no-bullshit demeanor, that deep, deep bass... there's only one Keith David.
Though he's probably most identifiable in America as the commercial voice of the United States Navy, any self-respecting film geek knows him first as Childs, the badass sharing a bitterly cold belt of whiskey with MacReady at the end of John Carpenter's THE THING. Since then, David has made a number of indelible appearances in top-shelf prestige films like Clint Eastwood's BIRD, and in shamelessly entertaining B-movies like Steven Seagal's mighty fine MARKED FOR DEATH (screening this January at The New Beverly!), but if you're really lucky, you've seen the big fella stalk a Broadway stage in such August Wilson classics as JELLY'S LAST JAM or SEVEN GUITARS.
David is more than just a voice. He's one of the best character actors we've got.
And he's right at home as the duplicitous Doctor Facilier in Disney's THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, the studio's enjoyable return to tradition, hand-drawn animation. As we discussed in the below interview, Facilier is different from most Disney animated villains because he's motivated primarily by debt; sure, riches would be nice, but, right now, the guy just needs to get some rather unforgiving characters off his back. To do this, he'll squash just about anything in his path.
This was an unexpectedly brief interview, so I had to sort of force my last question. Thankfully, David seemed more than happy to talk about his seven-minute dance with Mr. Roddy Piper.
Here's Mr. David...
Mr. Beaks: The really great thing about Facilier is that he's not just some mustache-twirling villain. He's actually motivated by having debts of his own. Did you find that there was a little more depth to this villain than others you've played?
Keith David: I approached the character like I would approach a character that was live-action. He's got his motivations, he's got his raison d'être, and... it's all in the script. You didn't have to make anything up. A little bit of backstory perhaps, but that's just for my own enjoyment; that's what I like to do. But the wonderful thing about him is that he was on the page. We worked on this for over a year. You'd come in, and some things would change... it was a wonderful journey. And it was fascinating for me because... I've played parts in animated films before, but they were much smaller parts. I never realized how long it takes to do, with all the nuances, and the whole [animation] team that did the [Facilier's] shadows. It's a fascinating process.
Beaks: Over the course of that year, did you find that the character changed much?
David: He evolved. But, overall, did he change much? No. Things got enhanced; his relationship with his friends on the other side, for example, got a little more intense. I think when I first started, he didn't have to go back [to the other side]. That's something that came about later on, that he would have to go back and say, "Listen, man, I haven't quite got it all done. Can I get a little more time and a little more help?" Which ups the stakes a little more, I think.
Beaks: It's refreshing to see Facilier have to deal with these people, and how this drives him to do things that are a bit more dastardly than we're used to in an animated film like this. (David laughs.) And maybe that's something I shouldn't bring up because I don't want to spoil the film. But it is refreshing to see a villain go that far in a movie like this.
David: Oh, yeah, I think so, too!
Beaks: You've done a few animated films before, so were you surprised by how far they were willing to push [Facilier]?
David: Pleasantly. It's always nice for you to have something to do, some challenges to meet - and we had plenty, as far as what he was willing to do. It didn't come so easily for him. There were consequences to his actions, which you don't always see in villains. Usually, they seem to have all the answers, and get some kind of comeuppance - or not. Or they disappear into the woodwork. But he had dues to be paid, and he had to be held accountable. I really dug that accountability factor.
Beaks: When in the process did you get to hear the Randy Newman music, and what were your thoughts?
David: That was fairly early on. I heard the music, and, then, some of it evolved while he was writing it. I basically got the version that you hear very early, but I think there was one slight change, and a couple of notes here and a couple of notes there. But I'm a fan of Randy Newman's music, and getting to sing on my own was great. It was a gift!
Beaks: One of the things I really enjoyed about your performance in the film - and I guess what you would call the choreography - is the way the shadows reflect different parts of his personality, aspects he's trying to hide. Did you know they'd be incorporating that?
David: It was a nice surprise. A lot of things you can sit and talk about while you're recording, but... until you see it, you don't quite know how it's going to manifest. So I was pleasantly surprised. I was like, "Wow, that's great stuff, man!" (Laughs)
Beaks: When you get to do a film like this with all of these great performers... I mean, you say, "with", but really, for the most part, you're performing separately. Do you ever feel disappointed that you didn't get to share scenes with them physically.
David: No, that's the nature of the beast. Sometimes you get to work with everybody in the same room, but, for all kinds of reasons, you don't always do that. Anika [Noni Rose] was a friend; I've known Anika for a while. And Jenifer Lewis I had known for a very long time; I knew her before I got out of school.
(Seven minutes in, I get the wrap-it-up prompt.)
Beaks: Okay, before I get out of here, I've got to bring this up. You are one-half of one of the greatest fight scenes in the history of film. (David laughs.) And it's a great fight scene not just because of the duration, but because of what it's about. It's about one man refusing to be shaken from complacency [and another desperate to reveal the truth]. When you guys were shooting that scene, did you realize you were making something significant? And also, physically, Piper being a bit of a brawler, how draining was it?
David: That was some of the most fun I've ever had. Roddy Piper is a great guy: pound-for-pound, one of the strongest men I've ever met in my life. I never felt safer in an environment in my life; I'm certified in stage-combat, and I've never felt safer fighting with another actor. He was totally, totally safe and protective of me, and of what we were doing. He had such respect for the process. He taught me a lot about how to sell [a fight], and how to make it look real. It was a great time, another red-letter in my career. I had a great time working on [THEY LIVE], and particularly on that scene.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG is in theaters now.
Faithfully submitted,
Mr. Beaks
Beaks: Okay, before I get out of here, I've got to bring this up. You are one-half of one of the greatest fight scenes in the history of film. (David laughs.) And it's a great fight scene not just because of the duration, but because of what it's about. It's about one man refusing to be shaken from complacency [and another desperate to reveal the truth]. When you guys were shooting that scene, did you realize you were making something significant? And also, physically, Piper being a bit of a brawler, how draining was it?
Faithfully submitted,
Mr. Beaks
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That's all.
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I guess everyone else got midnight tix for Avatar tonight, lol. I'll have to wait until Saturday. Rest in peace Chris Henry. Alright. Back to typing this paper. Peace out everyone.
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He talks about the making of They Live, Platoon, The Thing, Quick and the Dead and many others. www.CharacterKingsBook.com
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so aintitcool.com doesn't do obits anymore?? what's the deal? sure it's easy to write him off as being a priveleged mofo born into a lucky situation riding on his rich coattails. But at least he had the balls to stand up to a greedy corporate cunt sack board of directors motivated only to pump out shitty direct to DisneyDVD(tm) films. He advocated a return to classic animated theatrical movies a la Princess and the Frog. He pushed for Disney to produce quality animated movies, Pixar quality movies, and for that he got ousted from the Disney company. And for that he has my respect.
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Brilliant performer.
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If you want to write about Roy E. Disney, please send your remembrance to mrbeaks@yahoo.com. I'll post it. I just don't know enough about Roy's life to write a meaningful obit. Sorry.
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We are almost back to the same kind of economic times. The Rock or John Cena as Roddy Piper's "Nada" character and Ving Rhames as Keith David's "Frank" character. Dennis Burkley as Buck Flowers Drifter character. Milla Jovovich with contact lens or cgi altered eyes as Meg Fosters "Holly" character. Do it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do it now!!!!! What are you waiting for!?!?!?!?!?!
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Gargoyles has to be one of the greatest animated series ever produced. How does Davids work on that not be mentioned?
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I'm going to see this film because of him, New Orleans, and voodo. fact.
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If they ever make a live action HALO film he's got to do the voice of the The Arbiter in it as well.
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He'll be chilling beers with Walt's head case in heaven now.
/"Nazi Supermen Are Our Superiors"
//Keith David rules - but The Princess and The Frog is the worst kind of pandering crap. Now, Spike Lee's The Princess And The Frog - that I'd pay to see
///Or John Carpenter's The Princess and The Frog, for that matter -
think it's about time for the anticipated Men at Work sequel to drop. Carl and James finally build their surf shop?
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Friends On The Other Side is a fucking shame! Anyone involved with the Golden Globes should be ashamed of them selves.
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That man could read his grocery list and make it sound profound. His vocal presence elevates every project he's in. Gargoyles? OK cartoon... KD as Goliath? NOW I'm watching every week (and as a grown-up, might I add...) Actually, one of my FAVORITE screen appearances: Men At Work. Little known fact: Keith David is hilarious.
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You should have recorded this.
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Is one of the best fight scenes, of all time.
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Right up there with some of the classic villain songs. Plus, it's probably the only song from a Disney flick I am not embarrassed to sing in public...David makes it sound that good.
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That's one of the best movie quotes of all time.
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Dec 18, 2009 11:06:18 AM CST
I always have to think before I say Keith David
by grammaton cleric binks
or David Keith. Both are great actors, but it's a big faux pas to flip flop them.
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That's a late 80s Spielberg piece worth watching.
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"Oh man! How'd you get the beans above the frank?"
A classic, if not disturbing scene!
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Turn in your nerd card, Beaks.
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I'm pretty sure it was DelRoy Lindo in Something About Mary. That movie was Something I Wish I'd Never Seen. I'll never understand why people think its funny.
David Keith is the man. I was pleasantly surprised to hear his voice when I took the kids to see The Princess and the Frog. -
That guy is in SOOO many things. 176 IMDb entries and climbing quickly. Requiem for a Dream, ATL and his voice work in Coraline are favs for me. Not big parts, but those are the ones I remember most. Still have this on my scheduled - trying to work it out so I can take my 5 year old nephew.
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It was David Keith. Somehow I mixed up Something About Mary with A Life Less Ordinary. Gotta adjust my meds.
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voicework credits in one place.
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Dec 18, 2009 2:51:02 PM CST
"Do you believe any of this voodoo bullshit, Blair?"
by nasty in the pasty
"Childs...! What if we're wrong about him?""WELL THEN WE'RE WRONG!"
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That was definitely Keith David as Mary's dad in There's Something About Mary. My god that man's filmography is impressive. 17 credits in 2009 alone!
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All though, I hadn't become totally aware of him, until Gargoyles, was on TV.
Goliath was one of my favorite charecters, on the show. -
One Of The Funniest Lines Ever.I Love Men At Work.
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Thanks for reminding me of K.D. in Men At Work, Broseph.
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Keith David has the most Bad Ass voice ever. I always thought he should have been the voice of the lion in "The Lion witch and the wardrobe".
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there is supposed to be a new season coming out! why wasn't this asked about???
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You all saw both and know it too.
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That was Steven Whatshisfuck from 21 Jump Street & Blues Brothers, decidedly not Keith David in "Better Off Dead". Williams? Think that's it. And, for what it's worth, best two KD roles to date have been the hired gun in "Quick & the Dead" and showing up at the end of "Requiem for a Dream"... although a case could be made for "Men at Work". I mean, Estevez AND the ma-Sheen? Come on...
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That is all.
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...but they're only showing it in the dump theatre in town...I suppose I will wait for the film to make it on to DVD. Shame...
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