David Duchovny, actor, writer, and musician, discusses his high school experience living with JFK Junior, important lessons learned from Don Rickles and Gary Shandling, his thesis at Yale, why he won't write a memoir, how he kept faith in himself as an artist, an entertaining encounter playing tennis next to John McEnroe, and his thoughts on bands like The Who and The Kinks.
David Duchovny values integrating his life experiences into his work as a form of art and storytelling, choosing not to write a memoir to avoid score-settling and betraying personal relationships.
Acting requires a balance between intellect and raw emotional reactions, as overthinking and analyzing can hinder authentic performances.
Duchovny finds value in embracing the unexpected when writing, allowing characters to guide the story and remaining open to surprises and ideas.
Deep dives
Kepler: A graphic novel exploring humanity and its interaction with other hominids
Kepler is a graphic novel that delves into the concept of humanity's interaction with other hominids, drawing inspiration from historical records and scientific theories. The story poses the question of what would have happened if our species had interfered in the competition between different hominid groups on another planet, similar to our own prehistoric past. The novel also explores themes of violence, appropriation, and cultural identity in a thought-provoking and allegorical narrative. The book is a departure from the author's previous works and offers a fresh perspective on human existence and its impact on other species.
A personal and insightful journey with memoirs
While memoirs can provide an intimate glimpse into an author's life, David Duchovny opts not to write one, citing a desire to avoid score-settling and betraying personal relationships. He highlights the importance of transmuting personal experiences into art while acknowledging that memoirs can be subjective and highlight one person's memory of events. Ultimately, Duchovny finds satisfaction in integrating his life into his work where the lessons can be explored and shared in a new and meaningful way.
The art of acting and the challenges of intellect
As an actor, David Duchovny discusses the potential challenges of intellect in the craft. He explains that too much intellectual pursuit can hinder the raw emotional reactions necessary for effective acting. Duchovny recalls experiences with acting teachers who highlighted the importance of reacting instinctively and emotionally, rather than overthinking and analyzing every aspect of a performance. Learning to quiet the mind and embrace the unpredictable nature of acting can lead to more authentic and captivating performances.
Exploring the joys and challenges of writing
David Duchovny has embraced writing as a creative outlet and enjoys the surprises that come with the process. While he outlines his stories to an extent, he often begins writing without a fully formed plan, allowing himself to be surprised by the characters and their journeys. Duchovny emphasizes the importance of being open to unexpected ideas and following the characters' lead rather than rigidly sticking to predefined outlines. Additionally, he has found therapeutic value in writing songs and collaborating with a band, allowing him to express himself creatively through music as well.
Balancing personal and professional life
Reflecting on his career and personal life, David Duchovny emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between the two. He acknowledges the challenges of being an actor and writer, particularly in regards to time management and maintaining focus. Duchovny navigates this by prioritizing his role as a parent and ensuring he is present for his children. Striving to find this balance allows him to pursue his passions while being there for his family, providing him with a sense of fulfillment and contentment.
David Duchovny: Paloma, or Tequila Greyhound (2 ounces tequila blanco, 2 ounces grapefruit juice, splash of club soda)
David discusses bunking up with JFK Junior while in high school, shares important lessons learned from Don Rickles and Gary Shandling, reviews his thesis for his PhD at Yale, reveals why he won't write a memoir, describes how he kept faith in himself as an artist during the early years of his career, tells about an entertaining encounter playing tennis next to John McEnroe, gives some thoughts on musical bands like The Who and The Kinks, examines the power of a quiet mind.
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