TWILIGHTERS ANONYMOUS EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH SOLOMON TRIMBLE

As many of you know, we here at Twilighters Anonymous were given the great opportunity to interview the lovely and talented Solomon Trimble, who plays Sam Uley in ‘Twilight’. We asked you, the readers, to submit your burning questions for Solomon, and you contributed some awesome ones, so keep your eye out and you might find that one of your questions was included! So, without further ado, here is our exclusive interview with Solomon Trimble:

Many fans are very curious about your poetry. A few wanted to know who your favorite poet is, and who or what inspires you?

Solomon: I have yet to find a poet that I would call my favorite. Edgar Allan Poe is a good one, and Mos Def. I guess it’s Common, the hip-hop artist. I try to let everything inspire me. I’ve been preoccupied with synesthesia lately. I try to keep it random and also try to make each poem sound like it has different authors.

If you had the opportunity to play any other character in Twilight (other than Sam), who would it be and why?

Solomon: Paul or Carlisle. Paul because it would be nice to try a Hulk like character, and Carlisle because I would like to play an old compassionate soul.

Did the character of Sam had more lines in Twilight which were cut in the end? And what part of New Moon are you hoping will be in the movie?

Solomon: I know there were many versions of the script; I was told of a bonfire scene that we weren’t able to shoot due to time. Who knows what was cut from beginning to end? So I guess a bonfire scene would be nice to shoot.

How has all of the Twilight hype affected you? Has it opened more doors for you? Do you get recognized a lot more?

Solomon: I don’t feel as though my personality has changed at all. I think it has made me more me. It has opened more doors, just doors in a different direction. I was planning a carrier in raising the quality of life on Native American reservations, and those doors have been opening up since before Twilight and also now, simultaneously. I think I have found a way to use hype to benefit those I’ve always wanted to help. I get recognized sporadically, yet the amount of times I get recognized is usually proportional to the proximity of me and high school or bookstore.

What advice do you give to aspiring Natives actors who want to make acting their profession, but are often not accepted into movies because there are no roles for Natives in the Mainstream?

Solomon: I think now is the time for Native American actors to break in. Twilight has raised a large amount of awareness on this very subject. I know in the past it was hard for African Americans to get roles that weren’t specifically for an African American, let alone be acclimated for it. I used to think it would take a while for an audience to accept a Native American as a non-specified role; moreover, I think we’ve arrived at a time where the average audience can accept the fact that a character is just a character that just so happens to be portrayed by a Native American actor. This is an emotional subject for me because I also can’t ignore that fact that there are so little Native American actors because of the third world living conditions on reservations that don’t tend to nurture or have the resources to nurture aspiring actors; but I must stop myself here and answer the question. I’m not sure that the issue is production companies being afraid to put money into films that have no audience, it’s just proximity. Authentic Native people are usually isolated by reservations. I would say that there needs to be a movement towards a universal casting company for Native peoples. Until that time comes it is up to an aspiring Native Actor to make themselves as available as possible. I was found in a city.

Do you feel the Quileute tribe was accurately portrayed in the books and/or movie? When you spent time with the Quileutes and learned about them, which things about their culture most interested you?

Solomon: I think Stephanie Meyer did a good job of writing the Quileute characters as just that, characters. She didn’t get into ceremonies or tribal issues. She kept to her story and I think that’s why it’s so successful. What interested me most about the Quileute is that they revere the bear as much as they do the wolf.

We’ve heard from other cast members like Ashley Greene, Edi Gathegi, Rachelle Lefevre, and others on the news that Taylor Lautner will be returning as Jacob. How do you feel about this news? Do you think Taylor will do the role of Jacob justice?

Solomon: I think everything is as it should be. I can’t imagine anyone else in that role. Taylor has taken to it very seriously and deserves the role. He’ll do more than justice.

Provided that you do get to return to play the role of “Sam”, how will you prepare in such a short amount of time to bulk up for the part?

I’ve been bulking up since Twilight wrapped, so almost a year really isn’t a short amount of time. I’ll just add that I hate weight gainer shakes; they’ve ruined the taste of milk shakes for me.

In the books, Sam and the other werewolves/shape shifters end up cutting their hair. If you do reprise your role as Sam, would you be willing to cut your own hair?

Solomon: Yes and No. I mean I’d let a professional cut my hair. If I did it myself I would end up missing an ear or two.

With this being your first major role in a movie and only having two lines in Twilight, did you have any idea that your fan base would be so huge? And what do you think of your newfound popularity?

Solomon: I had a little inclination at first. My sister in law had a book club and they read Twilight. Just seeing a grown woman’s irrational reaction to the idea that I was cast in the film was a big wake up call for me. This being my first mainstream role I took it very seriously. I think most fans found their way to me through reading up that I was the contact between the Quileute and the other actors, and my work with wardrobe-specifically for the Quileute. I just had a real drive to and a sense of obligation to bring authenticity to the film even beyond my role. I love my fans, the popularity is great, and I’ve always liked meeting new people.

Are you aware of the countless petitions all over the web to support you and bring you back for New Moon? How do you feel about the dedication that all of your fans display?

Solomon: I’ve just recently become aware of the petitions and feel so supported by the fans. I am deeply moved. It helps me focus in the gym and keeps me motivated to stay on my Quileute studies. They’re awesome.

Is there anything else you would like fans to know, or any final words you’d like to end on for your fans reading this interview?

Solomon: Although I cannot expect my fans to agree with any changes, I do not want anything negative to be said in my behalf. Being a song writer and a poet, I know what it is like to want to have full creative control over a project. So whatever my participation is in New Moon, I just feel blessed to have been a part of Twilight.

A million thank you’s to Solomon for participating in the interview, and Nicole for allowing it to happen!

So TAers, what do you think? We want to hear your thoughts on the questions and Solomon’s responses.