MP: Cast as the Indian all the time, but you'd prefer to be offered a role because you're a good actor? Obviously, one of the only ways to do that, since there's not too many opportunities in Hollywood or the whole industry in general . you have to sort of start making your own ES: Well, we did boycott the set one day because all the extras were getting shit on. A film that tries to cover too much historical ground at least 40 years in too little screen time and winds up becoming a bore because of it. And the colors. the picture that was taken of this mask, the colors were a bit off. That's because people listen to them. Yeah, probably the Magua scrap was my favorite. and I saw the most amazing art work in this school. And we had to do a lot of running and stuff. infringement! They both have the same kind of drive so it was pretty funny. And you know, most of them are but where most of them will do 3 or 4 takes of something, whether it's a close up or an establishing shot he'll take 12 [laughs] . or 13. MP: And as opposed to what you do .. acting . doesn't that put you in the spotlight? On the featurette that is included with the THX video, you say something to the effect that director Michael Mann has created a monumental work. One of our problems is finding a voice and speaking up, speaking out really loud too, if you want to. So I told everybody from the beginning. They found around 300 copperhead snakes and it took quite awhile to build the thing. You've given a positive image of a Native American. Guide book STILL And it's really hard, I guess it's hard, I've never been a parent, but it'd be hard to differentiate your child's freedom and their safety. With the village? He seems like a good guy. A little better, though. AMAZON.COM/LOTM STOREFRONT. MP: Yeah, it was a good scene. it pure business, more or less? I see a lot of people who look all over the place for answers, except inside themselves. I didn't think it would make this much money! Ex mercenaries that have seen and done horrible things decide to retire and open up a used car lot. My birth name is Ray Dean Thrasher while my adopted legal name is Eric Kurt Schweig. SOUNDTRACK || It was the 1700's, so unless you're over 200 years old you can't really say what went on back there. of symbolic imagery. A lot of elders are sharper than most 16 year olds 20 or 30, they're sharper than people half their age. We were down there for about a month and we worked with this guy with a beard who was a real outdoorsman. And I get with her. That It starts with the individual person. different states and different coliseums .. and they're harmless! She is the New York-based writer/podcast editor for Filmoria and film contributor at The Interrobang. If they were operable it would have been more fun. retrospect, how do you feel about the quality of that film? MP: It is really scary to be a parent now. No problem. But you know, it's expected. I didn't have to say that much, just stand around tapping my feet. You know what? I assume that you didn't have much knowledge, before landing the role of Uncas, of the period history behind LOTM not only of It is hard to do this if someone is not interested in itmind, body and soul. EARLY Are you satisfied with the caliber and supply of Native acting talent these days? I: Well, that explains that! ES: Tell them, "Thanks for your support. effects - without our expressed, written permission, constitutes copyright I love. He exhibits a fine sense of humor. But I've got another offer in Russia, in a production called The Wolves, starting at the end of the month. It wasn't too heavy. There's this woman Claudia who's the Cause they just kind of stuck us in this little part of the field, when in the 1700s there was a thousand guys on the damn field guys getting killed, bones being broken. seen any film maker come up with. I play an Alaskan conservationist who comes to help him out, because the mining company starts poisoning all his wolves. That scene has repeatedly come up because following that, when you're getting your wound dressed by Cora ES: Oh yes. ES: No, not really. It's cool, everything's cool. well, it's getting better, If there was a young boy who could not keep his hands off his father's or uncles' hunting implements and then he whined when they went out hunting, chances were that thats what he wanted to do. Regarding the love scene; you said in another interview several years ago that it was filmed and then cut out. PATHFINDING || ES: Oh You know, I can't remember. Col. Dave Webster runs this thing out of Columbus, You should do a mask. MUSINGS || Zusammenfassung: An interview with the director of the series. Before taking the role, did you have any familiarity with muskets or did you have to train for that? the answers, and everybody does that well, basically as human beings we know the difference between right and wrong. AMERICAN HISTORICAL SIMULATIONS, ADOPTION SPEECH DELIVERED BY ERIC SCHWEIG. ES: Yeah. I didn't know the Russians, the Europeans, came from the west coast. It's kind of difficult.. You see a lot of, well, I ES: Yeah, THE INDIAN. You know.. just in town here, right beside the baseball field.. and this is a small town, there's about 10,000 people. right beside the ball field, this young girl, about a year and Sitting out there in a big flotilla and it was really windy. The Cliff Trails. I wish they wouldn't. Stars: Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Alexander Calvert, Sarah Troyer, Jonathan Cherry, Eric Schweig Writer: Davy Perez, series created by Eric Kripke Director: Nina Lopez-Corrado . They employed 250 carpenters and they smacked it all up. I told everybody right from the beginning, listen man.. we better take advantage of this while it lasts because they're gonna flog it to death. Other than that, everybody got along. They can get egotistical. MP: I know you've had experience framing houses. EARLY Did you ever get a feeling of really being in that What we'd like to start with is for you to paint a picture of who you feel you are for us. There's absolutely no guarantee, but if I'm not doing anything MP: Well, I hate to say "great" that you're not working, but if you're not working it would be great if you could come. RIGHTS RESERVED - Use of material elsewhere - including text, images, and before it was a tad more difficult than we'd anticipated. You know, even though they stole them, they kept them in excellent condition to put on the front of this book so you can duplicate it. Personal use on your own home PC is permissible! In an interview with ICTMN, Schweig discussed life experiences that have helped him to play his role in Blackstone, his belief in giving back to the community, and how he has obtained such success in his career. I think we were there till you know, we started at like 6 or 7 in the morning on the first day. EARLY Did you find that different from other film experiences? Our impression of Eric Schweig was that he is gracious, friendly, humorous and sincere. [laughs] There could have been a few more women. MP: I imagine they do! If you're ever in Asheville, there's a guy that ran the restaurant downstairs from the hotel. ES: Uhhh no.. not my adopted family, but I hang out with my Uncle Willie from my biological family once in a while. E: I've just finished this thing in Atlanta, Georgia, maybe two months ago, called Shenandoah. edged sword because for one thing they kept the masks in really good shape. Was it just a kiss? He interjects things, seemingly out of nowhere, which had little to do with the question, leading one to suspect there was an agenda waiting to spew forth. Georgia and me, Wes, Russell, Daniel, and Steven Waddington went out there for about a month and that was about as close to bonding we got. Over near Lake James. Did he really think the movie would "stink"? I'm an actor who just happens to be an Indian. I didn't do a lot of talking. Please Note: This interview is the property of Mohican Press. time or was it just.. you know, "I'm just doing this"? They just. a lot of it was really dark but it was incredible. I thought it would stink! MP: Do you think society all societies. have lost their sense of nurturing and protecting. or seeing children for what they are? wasn't the only time he did that. Or WE start making films of our own, which a lot of us has. And they came to Vancouver and I auditioned once down here and then flew to Los Angeles and auditioned once or twice there on the same day and then flew back flew back down for another one and then flew to North Carolina for two more. Okay, you recently turned your attention to yet another craft; wood carving. Yeah, they're making they're redeeming themselves. That a European version of an event is no less valid than an Indian version? I told Vern about that. Available - Free Downloads Only! It's all hard to fathom it goes against our grain. SOUNDTRACK || He's normal. They were the two stars so they couldn't take the focus off of them. I had more fun in that one month than I did in principal photography! Enjoy! there. You know, if you get beaten down for so long and then you [Laughter] "Hold on! The Indians were ambushed by Russians. For example, the beginning of the movie in the woods Day-Lewis' shirt appears and disappears! you know, and isn't psychotic. I: Where there any significant problems with the movie? E: I'll stay in movies until I can get enough money to buy a ranch in Montana, live the life of a hermit get 10 or 15 dogs sounds good, doesn't it? You know what I want to do, I want to get a bunch of jackets for them, a bunch of Drama Club jackets and put the name of their band on it. E: Michael Mann was running around behind everyone in the editing room making them do it shouting, "What are you doing?". So, that's what I'm going to try to do with these guys this week. Personal use on your own home PC is permissible! In COLOR! But we are running out of actors and we need new blood. I think, anyway. There was really very little dialogue between the two of you, but, you both presented a very strong relationship on film despite the lack of dialogue. ES: Yes. They could either. because they'll wind up either dead or in jail. ES: Yeah.it's a.. yeah. E: There are six different nations in the Mohawk nation. The general public doesn't like I: Well, I've learned a lot today from you and I really thank you for all the time you've given me. MP: Well, what I mean is that you guys, in the movie of course, went through every possible trial and tribulation. It was a really good script and a good concept. It is a dramatic thriller, set in 1950s Montana, about two grandparents (Diane Lane and Kevin Costner) hoping to get their grandson back after the death of their son. MP: That's true. and.. of course they're not gonna care and they're gonna forget everything. taken care of and respected and THAT is what makes them, keeps them wise. ES: Basically, yeah. That's how it has to be; even Freddy Krueger was the bastard son of 1000 maniacs. I: The scene on the mountain when you run to save Alice at the end you didn't wait for Hawkeye and your father, as per the book? The Indian guys were okay. I've never told anyone I am a Marlon Brando or whoever. Gregory Harrison . ES: He's more meticulous, he's a perfectionist to the power of 10. What am I doing working in the movies? I said "You know what? He's pretty likeable. MENUS! They'll get a kick out of that. MP: The scenes filmed at Cameron's Cabin; you've got the night scene when you guys gather around the table, then the next day when the Lt. is trying to recruit colonials to support the British Army, and then later on, when you guys revisit the cabin and I: Yes, I guess that's a little difficult to survive. MP: Is this role already accepted or is it something you're considering? I: When the movie first premiered, did you think it would be such a hit as it has been? Personal use on your own home PC is permissible! MESSAGE BOARD, STOREFRONTS! Is there anything that you are aware of any possibilities on the horizon that they can look forward to? We were in contact in regard to showcasing Eric's Inuit wood carvings here on our Site, not to discuss this or any other interview. There are some we really WISH we asked. Okay, you're a carver, an actor, a musician, and a drama coach. That's one of the nicest small towns I've ever been in. [Laughter] We just stood there with those guys. Senility is a social disease. It was incredible. ES: Well .. it was more or less just business to me because nothing's ever historically correct. Mohawks all over the place! I lived in hostels and I was an alcoholic until 14 years ago. Since we came upon, posted, and discussed the above interview, both here and on the WWW Board, we have had the good fortune to be able to talk with Eric Schweig directly. MUSINGS || We were in Columbus, Georgia for about a month. It's scheduled for June in North Carolina. I can't remember. You can find some of his films, including his two favorites, "Tom and Huck" and "Pontiac Moon", listed E: Well, they are using real Indians now. But when someone shouts at me, I shout back! You know, what goes around comes around. As a former foster child himself, he knows all too well the obstacles that youth can face when growing up in care. Of course then he will do something that is sweet and redeeming. ES: Uhmm. No, it wasn't a sex scene. Try to balance it, you know.. go Faye Marie. So, no, not to me. ES: I guess I'll have to. It'll probably never happen, but if it came around, I would. Although at one point they wanted to shave everybody's hair off. We chose to post them on this site because a great deal of it is relevant to the making of the movie and we felt most of you would be interested in reading it. And you take care of yourself Whew! [Sad voice. Historical films will always be. They worked everybody like dogs, so that was the only beef anyone had. I'll see you at the movies.". There's not enough of us. Put us into 1992 along with everyone else. If they were good sticks .. it was kind of a bummer .. it would've been a better game. So what if the film was not shot in the Interviewing is something we hadn't done ES: Oh yeah! Deidre phoned me up and told me . it's a contemporary thing where I play a sheriff. I'd go in there and buy 50 CDs at a time. I was homeless when I was a kid. He's extremely I: How do you feel about Indians being depicted in films by white people, in earlier movies? You know, he hung out and he talked to . anybody. It's sad whenever kids have an abusive childhood. ES: Yeah, I just get a real charge out of it.. so does anybody who's listening. All of this helps a lot in my performance. His filmographic credentials include a slew of TV series such as . We have feasts around here and they eat first. have anything to do with carving. It was kind of disappointing because it fit right in. Available - Free Downloads Only! Born on the 19th June, 1967, Inuvik, Canada FILMOGRAPHY 1990 : The Shaman's Source : Robert Crow 1992 : By Way of the Stars (TV) :. unless they start writing scripts about contemporary things. private or he was. It was an alternative school for troubled teens who couldn't cope with a regular school curriculum so they booted them all out and put them all in a big building. But you know who they don't ban? Eric Schweig was originally born as Ray Dean Thresher, in Inuvik, Northwest Territories on June . MP: Okay! There were guys from all over the place. First, how were you chosen for the role of Uncas? He doesn't really think that just because an American Indian becomes a director that he will be able to craft a totally objective, and accurate, film? impact, and it's art imitating life and vice versa. So, while you guys were filming this did you have any sense of bonding? MP: Okay. On days when it got really hot they would carry two or three guys off with the heat. He was in good humor throughout. Nobody gives a the historic events, but also of the people, particularly the northeastern woodland Indians? I don't get it because those are our babies. Most of that was because there were so many people in there all the time. ES: No. ES: Yeah, it's a drag man, our children usually wind up paying the price for society's sins. Not necessarily on a compassionate level because I wouldn't describe Andy Fraser as a compassionate character. ES: There's about 14 or 15 kids in it and we get together.. actually, I'm waiting for some plays to come in to a local bookstore here. We go down to the gym and I just. my girlfriend and I, we look around for different monologues and scenes for MP: Okay. Even Daniel did. To imply that Hollywood is still "sucking the blood" of the Indian is downright misleading. The point is that it's not really ES: Well, you know, it's a period piece. E: Pretty good, thank you! But that was a superb scene! If the movie makes $80 million, they don't care what I say. Could you tell us about it? Eric Schweig has spoken freely about his alcoholism. AMERICAN HISTORICAL SIMULATIONS ], 45's and shot guns. Hollywood for many years, echoed public perception and stereotyped the culture. E: I caught that myself! I don't know what Russell's up to. I believe you have been growing it for eight years? MP: Okay.. again, regarding art.. a strong quality of any artist's work is the individuality of their creations. A lot of people said, "Why were you running up the hill when you hardly exchange a glance with the girl". I try to say this to kids: It has to do with that fear of success. We have this image of . perpetual image of running around with battle axes and screaming and yelling .. and running around in loin cloths and hats. I'm getting a script in a couple of days. ES: Oh, that took all night. films. So, it it is somewhat difficult to have to knock his words. That would've been really cool if they'd have done that. COURIER || Either your adopted or your natural family? Was that difficult to achieve? Really.. if it were possible, we could work out something.. maybe we could do something to "showcase" the kids in your drama group. it's not that big a deal whether they're historically correct or not because they never can be. the least. Not to portray these times would be to "twist" history. couple of days we had it down to 20 or 30 seconds. effects - without our expressed, written permission, constitutes copyright MP: What did you think of her being there? Uhm hmm. ES: Yeah, Asheville's really nice. Twitter @VinceSchilling TikTok @VinceSchilling Email vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com he is also the opinions editor , to submit email: opinion@indiancountrytoday.com. With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CRESST researchers conducted a multi-year evaluation of a major school reform project at Alain Leroy Locke High School, historically one of California's lowest performing secondary schools. MP: Please correct me if I'm getting the wrong assumptions here. I don't know what either one of them is doing. shoot. MP: Then they'll be there for future generations? . You see a lot of people, like I was telling Gail the other day, you see the PMRC , the Parents Music Resource Center, and Tipper Gore and her butt head husband and they're running around bands like Marilyn Manson, and they're banning them from We have to take advantage of this because it's gonna burn out, they're gonna flog the shit out of it and then there's gonna be nothing." They reminded me of me. You know I told everybody when this started. He expects the same from his cast and his crew. Eric Schweig is a Canadian born Inuit actor, who is best renowned for his work in the 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans in which he stars as Chingachgook's son, Uncas. Guide book STILL As long as Europeans or Euro-American film makers are making movies about Indian people, there is always going to be this. That's why we had, sometimes, 15 or 16 hour days. Because it took so long to shoot, six months to shoot that and so many things went on. For those who have missed it, requested it, or just now found it, we place it here again. The James Fenimore Cooper book was fiction! I'll never forget his annoying voice. Just a cop. ES: Yes, I have You know who that was? ES: Yeah, it didn't have to be as epic as the battle scene in the valley there, but maybe with half the all the guys but not the inten [breaks off] let's have a hockey game! Some people actually got hurt. The following interview with Eric Schweig was conducted, via telephone, on February 1 and 2, 1998. 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