Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"CARL TOOP"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: You played "Alien Warrior" in 1986's "ALIENS", how did you land that role? How long did it take to film?
CARL: I was working in the West End of London in a play called ‘Jumpers’ by Tom Stoppard and in one of the scenes I was dressed as an astronaut and I was on wires flying across the stages to the music from ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’, ( very dramatic!). And because of this scene and my training as a dancer, my agent phoned me to ask if I was interested in auditioning for the role of an Alien Warrior in a film called ‘Aliens’. Well I had rent to pay so I agreed to go along and take my chances! When I got to Pinewood studios, where the audition was taking place, I walked into the audition studio and it looked like the world and his partner had turned up! Anyway,I got through the first audition, and the second audition and we got to the third audition and we had been whittled down to about twenty and they told us they were only looking for one ‘dancing’ Alien Warrior and they would let us know! How many times had I heard that!! Well, when I got home the phone rang and my agent told me I had been selected. Oh boy, did i celebrate that night. The day after, my agent called again to say that there was a little problem, as the contract was for four months and starting in two weeks time and the problem was I was still contracted to the theatre in London. Being young and brave at the time I suggested that I film during the day and play at the theatre in the evenings and have my understudy cover me for the matinee performances. And believe it or not the theatre management and Twentieth Century Fox agreed to this and the deal was done!
STANDISH: What was it llike working with James Cameron?
CARL: Working with someone like James Cameron is an amazing experience. He knew what he wanted and how to get it. He is a perfectionist and expects others to have the same values. He would explain a scene to me and tell me where he wanted me to start the shot and where to finish it and in between I was given free rein to create the movement of the creature. Nine times out of ten we got it right!! He has an amazing imagination and memory and can explain in detail what he wants.
STANDISH: How long was the process of getting full "Alien Warrior" costume?
CARL: The process of getting into the main costume was pretty quick as it was just a Lycra body suit with rubber elements glued on. But then all the attachments had to be put on, the hands, the feet, the rib cage, the back pipes, the head and if required for the scene, the tail. So the whole process took about one hour and a half hours . And once I was in it, I was in for the rest of the day!
STANDISH: After the success of Aliens, did James ever reach out to you?
CARL: NO!!!! Because I was based in the Uk and had my life and work there and he was based in Canada and the US it was easier (and cheaper!) to use people nearby. That is my reasoning, and I am sticking to it!!!
STANDISH: Tell us a little about your overall mission, Carl -
CARL: My main mission in life is to make the most of every second of it.
STANDISH: How does it feel to be such an inspiration in the Horror community?
CARL: I must admit I didn’t know I was such an inspiration until I started doing conventions and meeting the fans. I didn’t realise how much the film had touched people and inspired some people to get into the world of cinema or theatre either for acting or creating SFX. Some of the cosplayers I see at conventions have created some amazing costumes. It is a real honour when they come up to me and show me their work and we can talk about it in detail. So to answer your question, it feels great!
STANDISH: if you could play 1 dream role, what would it be?
CARL: I don’t really have a dream role (i’ll take whatever I am offered!) But when I was a kid, there was a Japanese cartoon called ‘Marine Boy’. He saved the sea from villains, had a dolphin called Splasher as a friend, his father created a chewing gum which produced oxygen so that he could stay under what for ages, and lots of other gadgets. And I as a kid I wanted to be marine boy.
STANDISH: If you could give any advice to the younger generation, what would it be?
CARL: If you want it, go for it and don’t give up. And don’t forget you can be kind and successful at the same time!
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
CARL: Well next year is the 40th anniversary of the release of Aliens . So next year I am going to busy with cast reunions and celebrations.
STANDISH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
CARL: Happy and contented.
STANDISH: Who are some of your mentors?
CARL: My parents for teaching me life’s ethics.
Fred Astaire for inspiring me to dance.
Barbra Streisand for convincing me.
And my partner for just being there.
STANDISH: What do you enjoy most about dancing?
CARL: Losing my inhibitions. Escaping from my shy self. And being able to express myself through my body
STANDISH: What was the first thing you ever remember cooking? Favorite dish?
CARL: Was with my mother. We baked jam tarts. We made our own pastry, filled them with jam. Baked them in the oven.But the jam burnt before before the pastry was cooked. So lesson learnt was put the jam in after you cooked the pastry. I have improved a bit since then!
My favorite dish is one that has been cooked for me.
STANDISH: What are your social links?
Instagram: carltoop.alienwarrior1986
Facebook: Alien Warrior-Carl Toop
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