After last year’s interview series, I wanted to create a real link between you guys and the people I interview. I want to get an almost photographic portrait through my interviews. To begin this new catching up series, I chose one of my favourite interviewees, for many reasons. It is pretty obvious, Matthew Gray Gubler is one of those people who can do everything. Whatever he touches turns to magic.
First, I asked Matthew to step into the photobooth. He did say this picture would hurt my eyes.
❤ What have you been up to since our last interview?
I have been working on a children’s book that I am 90% done with. Hopefully it will have some puppets to go along with it.
But mainly, I have just been trying to walk for the past 4.5 months after completly shattering my knee, that’s been the big priority.
❤ What is the idea behind Gublerland?
A friendly playground on the internet where everyone is welcome except bullies and fascists. When I was little my favourite thing to do was play with puppets and toys. I would give them dumb voices and make up fake scenarios. It’s kind of hilarious that twenty years later I’m doing the exact same thing only now instead of playing with plastic action heroes on my floor, I am now playing with pixel monsters I have drawn on my computer, and instead of doing all of this with my imaginary friend, I do it all with my real friend named Steve who helps bring them all to life. At least Steve tells me he’s real. That would be great if Steve Damstra ended up being my imaginary friend. Ha! Oh man. I hope that’s the case. Jaffe and Haruka too, what if it turned out you were just interviewing a total psychopath.
Anyway…
The site is going to keep growing. I am working on an underground Gublerland subterranean cave level and other hidden stuff.
Next we want to get into cartooning and alternate methods of story telling with fabric and pixels.
❤ What are you working on currently?
I have also been making puppets and little monsters with a friend of mine named Haruka. We collaborate very well together. we are from the same planet. She has the innate capability to basically bring whatever i think up to life in 3 dimensions. We’ve been turning my characters into finger puppets, buttons, sock puppets, bags, etc. I am making those, and also tee shirts. I am trying to do tons of other things, besides the acting stuff. I love hanging out at fabric stores.
My friend Jaffe Zinn (Haruka’s husband) is directing a movie called “Buhl” that starts filming in November. I play a character who’s going to be in his next movie (about Death Metal). He wanted to give the character some background, so he is introducing me in the prequel. I am so excited because it is the first time I get to work so closely with a friend on a feature length movie.
❤ Can you describe a normal day?
The only bummer is there are so many things I want to do and so many friends I want to collaborate with, I just don’t have time to do everything. It gets to a point when I just have to say “no” and that is really frustrating. I know it sounds lame, but I have so many great things going on, I sadly can’t do everything.
Bath time is the only time I am not technically working, although actually, I typically learn my lines in the bath so scratch that, i’m always working.
❤ What did you do during the summer break?
❤ What was the soundtrack to your summer?
Garfunkel & Oates are so good.
Truthfully though… Django Reinhardt and Angelo Badalamenti. The new Dinosaur Jr. tracks are also stellar.
❤ How was it working on 500 Days of Summer?
Zooey Deschanel is incredible in this, so is Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
I am proud of the message this movie sends, a completely accurate depiction of the rollercoaster known as love.
❤ Tell me more about How to be a Serial Killer.
❤ Tell me more about Cornstalk Recordings
I put out the albums; occasionally do artwork, direct a video, fund the records, etc. im like a sugar daddy only i get high fives instead of kisses.
❤ What is the craziest thing you have ever done for a love interest?
I once gave a girl a bloody fake ear in a TIffany jewlery box with a letter that said, “will you Gogh to prom with me” yeah, I guess I’m a romantic.
❤ Top Babes
Amelia Earheart (for too many reasons to list)
Mary Poppins (my first crush, beautiful voice, great style)
Elvira (oh man)
Lisa Bonet (one of the many reasons I loooove the Cosby Show)
Ashley Smith (a friend of mine photographed this painter/model in New York recently. I have no idea who she is but she has the most enchanting smile I have ever seen)
Casey Wilson from SNL (a sense of humor is the most attractive thing in the world to me, I also like the fact that she’s not emaciated. Ive seen so many beautiful curvy women gain success in hollywood and then wither into bobble headed stick figures in some grotesque attempt to fit a revolting hollywood trend) I like real women, not the broomsticks that Hollywood has been selling lately.
Winnie Cooper (when she broke Kevin’s heart in the “Wonder Years”, mine shattered into a million pieces, also the girl that plays her in real life, Danica McKellar, is a brilliant mathematician who has her own math theorem named after her)
Last but not least, I am wildly in love with pretty much all of the Disney princesses (that includes Jessica Rabbit). Their optimism/innocence/beautiful dresses/and old fashioned values drive me insane. Belle will always hold a soft spot for falling in love with the beast despite his horrific appearance.
❤ What’s your relationship with your fans?
I’ve never understood the notion of shunning or acting “too cool” for fans. I know, and occasionally work with, actors who seem to think it is beneath them to take 5 seconds to stop and sign an autograph or even shake hands with their admireres. To do that, you really have to be filled with a lot of self-hate and insecurity. An actors job is to entertain, how can you resent, or look down on the very people that find you entertaining? It would be like being a birthday clown who gets hired, goes to the party, shouts insults at the kids, and then kicks all the dads in the crotch. If you have the ability to make someone’s day by giving them a moment of your time DO IT!
❤ Favourite Horror Movies
Something Wicked this way comes – Jack Clayton 1983
Watcher in the woods – John Hough 1980
Halloween – John Carpenter 1978
Night of the Hunter – Charles Laughton 1955
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari – Robert Wiene 1920
❤ What is your interior style?
I really like small confined areas, not only because i prefer to live modestly but because I find them creatively stimulating.
My dream would be to live in a hollowed out tree.
I guess you would say each place has a Victorian library feel, old family photos, red walls, taxidermy, some of my friends art, strange artifacts etc.
❤ What are you going to be for Halloween this year?
Beaker and Bunsen from the Muppets with one of my friends if he agrees. I am not sure yet.