February 24, 2006
A blogger meets Russell Crowe
By Rob Irwin
Anyone who knows me, knows that I really like Russell Crowe. I think he's amazing onscreen and, off screen, I think he keeps it real and says and does precisely what he means to which to me is far more valuable in a person than the holier-than-thou personas which some actors try and adopt in order to keep their public image squeaky clean. They just shout FAKE to me.
Anyway as I mentioned over at my other blog in this post, I recently attended the launch of some new services from Sanity Digital. Part of this launch included live performances from Paulini (who some might remember from Australian Idol), followed by Russell Crowe and The Ordinary Fear Of God. Both artists can be downloaded via the new Sanity Digital service (as well as iTunes I hasten to add), hence their support on the night.
It was pretty amazing to see Russell perform, given that there weren't many people, relatively, at the event and my companions and I were able to stand as close to the stage as we wanted to. And, even though I've seen plenty of celebs in my time, I still found myself standing there thinking, fuck me hey everyone check it out it's Russell Crowe!
The gig went pretty well TOFOG can certainly get a good racket going but attempts by Russell at audience interaction fell on deaf ears. That's the nature of corporate gigs, I suppose. Half the people there don't care who's performing and the other half are acting too cool to clap in front of their peers, or wave their hands in the air at key moments, as Russell was trying to get us to do.
He actually got a bit peeved and, at one point, gave up on trying to involve the audience and said something like, OK, well just play music instead. So, later on, when the band left the stage, I was sure that was the last we would see of him and the boys. In my mind's eye, he was already jumping into a big black car backstage and zooming home to Danielle and Charlie at Woolloomooloo.
How wrong can a guy be?
Because I was there with work colleagues, I was still hanging around after the gig chatting away some 15 or 20 minutes later when one of them said, "Hey, here comes Russell." I looked around and, sure enough, Russell was walking among us. The room was almost empty and he went over to some people, who I assume must have organised some of the evening because he seemed to be on very good terms with them, shaking hands and kissing cheeks. Then a few stragglers moved over to say hi.
Now, despite being a MAJOR fan, the first inclination I had was to simply stand and watch him. It was a totally weird moment. The guy standing a few metres away was Bud White from LA Confidential, Maximus from Gladiator, Jack Aubrey from Master and Commander, Hando from Romper Stomper, heck, even Sid 6.7 from Virtuosity! All these movies I've loved and the man, the Oscar winner, the future owner of South Sydney, the family man, the friend of departed Hollywood legends like Richard Harris was right there in front of me. All these thoughts were rushing through my mind so what did I do next? Knowing she was a major fan, I actually encouraged one of my work colleagues to go and get his autograph instead!
After she returned, buzzing from the experience, I determined that this was a now-or-never kind of moment, so I walked over to Russell no security in sight and waited while he signed a few items for people. Then he looked at me.
OK, this sounds completely girlie, but I don't care he was looking at me. One of the few actors I have an absolute and genuine respect for and, for that moment in time, he and I were about to engage in conversation. It was totally weird. I'm sure just about everyone can name a person who would cause the same reaction if they were to actually meet them. For me, the moment had arrived.
I tried not to be too weird and said something like, "Would you mind signing this?" Holding out the white cardboard folder which the evening's press kit came in. I had folded it over so he could sign on the inside which is matte cardboard, rather than the outside which is all shiny and smooth and probably very bad for autographs, not that I'm any kind of expert, I hasten to add.
Russell said sure and, while I held the cardboard, he went to sign, asking, "Whats your name, mate?" I said, Rob, and watched as he signed. Rather oddly, I remember thinking, Hey, look at Russell Crowes hands as I watched him sign, then the job was done.
I looked him in the eye again and said, "Thanks mate, I appreciate that," and he gave a nod and might have said something like, No problem, but I really can't remember. My legs were already carrying me back to my colleagues even though there were 101 decent questions buzzing through my head that I knew I should have asked top among them being how he was going with production on the WWII movie he's been linked to for so long, and whether I should ever put any faith in rumours of a Gladiator prequel, which has been mentioned for years. Speaking of Gladiator, I could have even asking an ultra-geek question as I own a rubber prop cavalry sword from that film and could have asked if he had used one too, or just the stuntmen. Heck, I could have even just said, Good luck with the Souths takeover but, to be honest, words had failed me and I just acted like any other dazed autograph hunter. I'm sure he's met a few in his time.
The next day at work I commented to a colleague, who was there on the night, that I could probably meet any other actor in the world now and it probably wouldn't be that big a deal in comparison. For me, both as a fan of Russell's and a movie buff in general, there probably aren't any other actors I'd rather meet more. Mel Gibson would probably be on the same level as Russell and anyone else would come a rung or two below that.
How amazing that I not only got to see an idol of mine, performing with his band in an intimate setting, I also got to talk to him and bag an autograph all without the hint of security or crush of other screaming fans, which are the kind of things you'd expect if you were to ever meet someone like this. Amazing.
(editor's note - see February 15)
Source: The Herald Sun
February 24, 2001
Crowe: Melbourne is my stomping ground
By Adam Zwar
Photo: Matty Bouwmeester
Russell Crowe has defended his decision to hold the premiere of his latest film in Melbourne.
The actor, twice nominated for an Academy Award, remained loyal to the city in which he grew up - describing it as his stomping ground and the place he launched his international career. "There was something in the paper in Sydney yesterday about how rude it was that I had chosen to have the Proof of Life party in Melbourne and not Sydney," Crowe said. "Sydney people tend to forget that if it wasn't for the opportunities of Melbourne theatre - and if it wasn't for me meeting a group of young film makers who are Melbourne - based - I wouldn't be where I am."
An unrepentant Crowe said he cut his teeth on classics of Australian cinema such as Proof, Spotswood and Romper Stomper, all of which were Melbourne productions.
"Those films mean I have a very intense relationship with Melbourne," he said. "I really like the city."
Just 16 hours before, hundreds of Melbournians turned out for the film's launch at Hawthorn's Rivoli cinemas. After the screening, a who's who of Melbourne showbiz and sport joined Crowe for a rooftop party at the Rivoli complex. Crowe and his entourage then returned to his suite at the Park Hyatt for another party rumored to have raged until 5am.
Yesterday's press conference time was changed from 11:30am to 3pm to accommodate the actor - who was said to have been affected by travel and partying. When the conference finally started, Crowe continued his attack on Taylor Hackford after the Proof of Life director blamed him for the film's poor showing in the United States. Hackford was quoted on Friday as saying that Crowe's off-screen romance with co-star Meg Ryan overshadowed and damaged the film's US release.
Crowe said the director, whose credits include An Officer and a Gentleman and When We Were Kings, was out of line.
"I think Taylor was being impolite . . . and silly by saying that sort of thing," Crowe said. "He's under a lot of pressure. He's got to find the budget for his next movie." Crowe, wearing a full beard and shaggy hair, reacted angrily when a reporter asked him to explain the term "nob" - the actor's description for Hackford.
"Is that the best you can do, mate?" Crowe said to the reporter. "You've thought about (the question) for days."
Crowe then accused the director of leaving him in a "situation".
"I thought what he had done was a little inappropriate," he said. "And that was my instinctive answer when I walked into a room with 80 journalists and the director left me in that situation."
At Friday night's premiere, hundreds turned out to support the former local lad and cheered during the scene where he kisses Meg Ryan.
"I love that scene too," he said. "I can't help myself, can I?"
Crowe was then asked whether he cared what people read about him - in light of his relationship with Ryan and his link to the break-up of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. "I don't care what people read," he said, dragging on a cigarette.
"Actually, I do. I do care what people read. I just think it's appalling what is allowed to be printed in those magazines. It's bullshit and quite destructive. How can people bring home a wage doing that? Where's the line of truth? Where's the veracity? Where is proof of your sources? It totally undermines the work of proper journalists - people who do this job with a sense of honor."
To that, Crowe received applause. "I'm doing well, aren't I?" he said.
Crowe spoke at length on how he railed against the Hollywood star system when he first arrived in Los Angeles. "I did an audition for Shawshank Redemption," he said. "I was told I'd be meeting the director. But I ended up meeting with the casting director and one of the producers - which basically means you've got no hope of being seriously considered.
"At the end of the meeting the casting director walked out and said, 'You can't walk into a room and talk with that (Australian) accent'.
"She told me to pick a place in America and learn that accent. And I told her that I was an actor and I could do any number of accents.
"If I go into a room and a director hires me because I fooled him on that level, how could I possibly respect him as a director? I told her she was wrong. I don't get asked that question anymore."
Crowe would not elaborate on his chances for next month's Academy Awards, saying he was surprised to be nominated for his role in Gladiator. "I have no glib lines about it," he said. "I was surprised last year when I was nominated, and I think even more surprised this year."
