Academy Award-winning film director, producer and actor Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and more recently The Interpreter with Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn) will be speaking at Makor after a screening of his first documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry. In the 1950s he studied and taught acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse before embarking on a remarkable career. He has spent much time in New York (living and working) but has called Southern California home for the last 30 years.

We decided to use the opportunity of his appearance to launch a regular Q&A feature on this blog called 92YQ. Not an intelligence test; rather, we like to think it’s best described as a geographical twist on the Proust Questionnaire. It’s adapted from 92Y Blog co-editor Andrew Krucoff’s “Young Manhattanite Interview,” which once ran regularly on Gothamist. We’ll be featuring many of our guests, on both coasts and points between, from the upcoming season. Stay tuned. 

Sydney Pollack: Film director, producer and actor

Since no one actually lives “in” L.A. , how would you describe your geographical relationship with the area?
A great place to return to, to relax after the energy and activity of an ‘outdoor’ city like NY.

What’s your best (or worst) freeway story?
The best is how you can get five times the length of Manhattan in five or six minutes when there’s no traffic, the worst is trying to get anywhere in rush hour.

What era, day or event in L.A.’s history would you like to re-live?
The big studio era of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Sure looks like fun.

What’s your L.A. motto?
Don’t go to any event, party, lunch or dinner you aren’t really passionate to go to.

Describe that low, low moment when you thought you just might have to leave L.A. for good.
I leave so often I don’t ever have to think about it. 

What was your best dining experience in L.A. ?
The very first days of the very first Spago.

With a nod to Randy Newman, how much do you really love L.A. ?
As a permanent place - OK, but as a place to come back to - a lot. It’s getting better and better.

Of all the movies made about or highly associated with L.A. , what role would you have liked to be cast in?
William Holden in Sunset Blvd. Or maybe Kirk Douglas in The Bad and the Beautiful.

What happened the last time you went to NYC?
I had a great time, ate well and worked well - which is usually the case.

If you could change one thing about L.A., what would it be?
Traffic.

The End of The World is finally happening. What are you going to do with your last 24 hours in L.A. ?
Cook a meal and drink some sensational wine.

[Sketches of Frank Gehry with Sydney Pollack: 9/26/06]