James Marsters

Describe your process as a book-on-tape reader in finding ways to evoke the emotions and actions of the story using only your voice.

My process is to complain and bitch to my very patient producer Bob! I’m always wanting to get lost in a story and he’s always wanting to concentrate on things like pronouncing the words and correcting my lisp.

What barriers do you feel women still face in Hollywood?

Sighs.... Hollywood is a progressive town but it also has its ear to the ground and will give the country the entertainment it wants, so in a way it’s very conservative too. But I remember the 70’s when tv and movies were very progressive – if we could combine that with the present female-infused Hollywood power structure I’m not sure how many barriers would be left. Steve however reminds me that there is not equal pay for equal work in Hollywood; maybe some of these questions should go to Steve in the future!

When you are in polite company and someone is being a real jerk, do you think it’s better to speak your mind or sit and fume?

I’m never in polite company. Just kidding. When I’m in polite company I speak my mind but politely and hopefully with a joke.

Imagine you are setting out to perform a task when you come across a stranger who offers you a trade. Do you firmly hang on to your cow or are you persuaded to take the magic beans, and why?

Cow, cow, cow. Franklin was right and a good steak is the best magic I know of.

Given the stress you have recently with your various guitars, I wondered how do you go about choosing a new guitar? Is there a technical process or do you go with more of a ’gut feeling’?

Ummmmmm.. Everything is revealed when you start playing a guitar. For me it all comes down to tone and action. Action is how far the strings are above the fret board at the twelve fret. If the string is too high the action is not good. I like a good warm low tone, so I am attracted to Gibson, but if you are looking for a deal check out Washburn.

Name someone you consider a genius.

James Carville.

What do you do to prepare for an audition?

I read the script. I memorize the lines. I try not to plan too much. I try to find the character in me and I know it’s working when I get a simple flash of “oh this guy is just like me.” Then I stop acting and it’s good.

Favorites:

Shakespeare theme: That we are all human and all share an ocean – it’s called humanism and Shakespeare was a humanist,