But the film for me that changed things wasPlatoon.
Its the one that I had my MFA in acting and writing.
Ad content continues below
How was the shoot ofPlatoon?
Oliver Stone sets are renowned for being a little bit different…!
We had mock battles at night.
But coming from a theatrical background it felt like rehearsal for me.
I saw a lot of things, grown men weep.
And that for you, even appreciating your acting background beforehand, it all must have been quite special?
How many films have spawned that many actors who are currently working?
In different ways we would never have imagined or predicted for ourselves.
I think it shows on film.
It felt like a platoon.
He gave me a job inX-Filesyears ago.
They have machinery that works for them.
But that character was so powerful.
He stormed the White House, he slaps the president.
But what I didnt know is that if you slap the president, you are about to die!
[Laughs] Is that it?
They never gave me the law book!
When youre meeting people at conventions such as these, what is the work theyre discussing with you?
Are you involved inTransformers3 do you think?
You want to quote me?
What I was told last month, yes.
Is there anything you might tell us about it?
Its got to be worth a try.
Theres more of it!
[Laughs, starts thumping desk and making explosion sound effects].
Something along those lines!
It must be fun to do?
I felt like a big kid.
I said, Okay, you havent called me in ten years!
He said, Ive been busy!
I said, Ive been busy too Michael, glad we could make our schedules match!
I can see the joy in him, because hes a big kid with a directors set.
How many days were you on it?
I did ten sessions, and the sessions usually last for three or four hours.
So they sent me to a remote place which is not like Michael, because hes very hands on.
They were not looking at me.
It was top secret shit or something.
It just said Tony Todds lines.
So I knew that the fear of God had been instilled.
Thats when I knew I was in a Michael Bay film!
And then he was directing me over the phone, my cell phone.
Rightfully so, I guess.
Hows Michael Bay changed betweenThe RockandTransformers2?
Michaels not going to change.
Whats he going to change for?
Im going to be directing soon.
My approach is completely different.
Im a hands-on guy…
What are you going to be directing?
My approach is hands on.
Im going to cast it with actors Ive worked with.
I have a shorthand, I think, after working on so many films.
Michaels films are a more typical directors set.
And both ways are completely valid.
Thats the beautiful thing about this business.
Whatever it takes to get the shot.
Presumably, its an independent movie?
Yeah, of course.
I dont have $250m!
Theyre getting more complex things done quicker?
Yeah, I think just what you said.
People who come through television, if they dont get distracted, they learn how to shoot fast.
They dont get shocked.
Thats why as I get older and older I do less and less television.
I only do television if its something really good like24.
This wasnt by design, but it happened.
Im a huge fan ofChuck.
Was there a real camaraderie to that as well?
Was it a case of anybody could join in the fun?
But unfortunately, but my end of the story wasnt the fun part!
And when24came along, I had to hasten the demise of my character.
I miss the experience.
I loveChuck, and I hopeChuckcontinues.
Its a good crew, and good, good people.
I have a horror film calledCatalytic.
And when they found him there was a smell, and there were 12 bodies in the back yard.
Then theres a little kid that stabs his parents.
And then with every rip there has to be somebody who comes along and repairs it.
Thats the gist of it, but I wanted to examine why people are freaking out.
So youd humanise it?
Ill say it again!
Tony Todd, many thanks for your time.
Find out more on Tony Todd atwww.tonytoddonline.com.
And many thanks to the fine folks at Memorabilia for setting up the interview.
The Memorabilia Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham, England on 27-28th March 2010.
