In July, 1996, William Shockley answered written questions posed by the High Hussy and
members of the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman email discussion group (DQMW-L). The interview provides a rare glimpse
into this intelligent man's philosophies about acting, music, art, and the world around him. The following is the
interview text in its entirety.
I'd like to ask you
about "Hank Lawson." Since I'm the self-appointed, in-depth analyst of the character of "Hank Lawson"
on the DQMW-List, I would be greatly interested in learning how the man who actually plays the role views him.
Who and what is Hank, which of the early scripts made him "gel" for you, and how much input have you
had into the development of this character?
In the world of television
pilots and feature films, you only get one shot to show what you have. In the case of "Dr. Quinn," we
had an order for a pilot only. No additional shows. There was no grace period to "figure things out"
or "find our rhythm." The entire production clicked from the word go. Beth Sullivan wrote a brilliant
story, and subsequent scripts allowed different shades of "Hank" to be revealed.
I feel the greatest input I've had into the development of my character has been to do the homework. At the end
of the day, I've hopefully made interesting choices with natural execution. Everything else is up to the spirits...
Did you originally
audition for the role of "Hank" or another role?
I auditioned for "Hank"
originally.
If you could be a
different character in Colorado Springs, who would it be?
I wouldn't want to be
anybody other than "Hank Lawson."
How different is "Hank"
from William? Are you similar in any way?
"Hank" is a
character. I'm me.
Would you like for "Hank"
to have a love interest on the show? What kind of woman would it take for him to really give her his heart?
Absolutely, I would like
for "Hank" to have a love interest on the show. The woman would have to be strong, honest, and sexy.
What's "Hank's"
biggest fear? Biggest weakness?
Commitment.
If you were asked to
write a script that focused on "Hank," what would the storyline be? What would you like to reveal about
him and his past? What direction would you like to see the character grow in as we enter Season Five?
I would like a story about
Hank and Sully. Man to man. Man vs. man. I think it would be great to see Sully peel back a layer of Hank, and
in turn, see Hank reveal a part of Sully.
As far as Season Five goes, I would have to say that Beth Sullivan and Carl Binder have a perfect handle on the
situation.
Are you aware of the
group of supporters of yours who call themselves "Hank's Hussies"? What do you think of them and have
you seen the "Hussy" certificates?
I'm definitely aware of
"Hank's Hussies," and each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart, my saloon, and my
whorehouse. And yes, I've seen the certificates and they have my seal of approval. Thanks, "High Hussy!!"
Let's chat for a while
about the TV series, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." If I could only keep three episodes of DQMW, I would
choose "The Secret", "Man In The Moon", and "Woman of the Year", although I would
fight to keep "Fathers and Sons" as well. What three are your personal favorites from the l00 episodes
that you've done so far?
"Woman of the Year,"
"The Secret," "Man in the Moon."
I've recently watched
some of the early episodes again, and even though you were in the pilot of "Medicine Woman", and you
were a member of the ensemble from the beginning of the series, your name did not appear in the credits. Why?
Fast forward to the end
credits.
I'm definitely not a
morning person, and a 6:00 A.M. call to be in makeup would undoubtedly see me driving to the "P-Ranch"
still wet from the shower, with one eye barely open. What are mornings like for you when you're working? What's
a typical day like on the set?
Every morning is different.
Every day is different. That's part of the job that makes it all work for me. Variety.
There is obviously a
lot of "down-time" in your job while you are waiting for cameras and lighting and other details to be
arranged. Doyou have any stories that you'd be willing to share with us of things that you and the other cast members
have done to "amuse" yourself while you are hanging around the set?
There is a lot of "down-time"
on the set, but if you have a lot of time on your hands, you can do a lot of things. So that's what I do. A lot
of things. Every day is a different ride at the amusement park. So much happens, I can't remember any of it.
What is your most
memorable experience in working on "Dr. Quinn"?
The pilot. Birth is always
quite exciting.
We have a large number
of Joe Lando fans here. What three words would you use to best describe him?
Solid. Kind. Flowers.
Are you and Joe friends
away from the set?
Fear not, "Lando Lovers',
Joe and I are very good friends, on and off the set. We're kind of like Jordan and Rodman from the Chicago Bulls.
Good guy/bad guy, and both necessary for the team to work.
Jane Seymour also has
a huge following of fans on the List. What three words would you choose to describe the lady who plays Michaela?
Smart. Watercolors. Family.
What episode was the
most fun to shoot?
The episode where "Jake"
and "Hank" played practical jokes on each other was pretty fun. Blowing up the outhouse. The beer keg
exploding. "Hank" falling into the water trough. Boys will be boys...
Are the interiors
of the saloon actually shot there?
Yes.
You may be aware that
many list members participated in our "Fool For Hank" campaign on April l as an attempt to get "California,"
the spin-off from "Medicine Woman", onto the fall or mid-season schedule. Can you tell us its status
as a possible new series? Is there anything more that your fans can do to show how much we would like to see this
series aired?
"California"
is in the hands of CBS. I suppose it couldn't hurt anything if they knew the show had a lot of support before it
even aired. But who knows? That's not my job.
Why don't we switch
gears again and talk about William instead of "Hank." What was your childhood like? Do you ever feel
that something was lost because your family moved so often? Do you remember much about living in Kansas or did
you leave it at an early age?
I was born to run. When
all you know is constant change, you don't have anything else to judge it against. Moving all the time taught me
how to adapt. Kansas is an old memory. Texas is my soil. My parents were products of their generation. Get an education.
Get a job. Move a million times if you have to in order to keep the brass ring in sight.
Did you hate those curls
when you were a kid? How long have you worn your hair long?
My parents chopped my hair
when I was a kid. I started doing my own thing when I flew the coop.
We've read that Joe
would like nothing better than for "Sully" to visit "Jake" and get rid of his long hair. Given
your choice, would "Hank" leave his own long blond locks on the barber shop floor, too? Or do you like
your hair this way?
I'm fine with how things
are.
Have you ever cut
it short to get a role or turned down a role to avoid doing so?
Each role has led to the
next. The hair has been short. The hair has been long. It's all an experiment at the end of the day anyway.
According to a magazine
article, you graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in political science and plans to go to law school.
What made you decide that you were on the wrong path? How did you decide to become an actor?
I was on a path. I wouldn't
call it the "wrong" path. It got me to where I am today. I didn't "decide" to become an actor.
It was either be an artist, or be insane.
A native Lubbockite
is curious as to why you chose political science as a major and "Texas Tech, of all places, to attain it."
I spent an important part
of my youth in Lubbock, Texas, and Texas Tech University happens to be a great school. As for earning a political
science degree, it was, at the time, a course of study that came easily.
Was "Houston
Knights" your next role after "Robocop"?
Yes.
How did you go about
fulfilling your dream of becoming an actor?
The dream unravels day
by day. Vision, discipline, evolution.
What male character
from a classic movie or play would you like to have had a chance to portray?
Brando. "Last Tango
in Paris."
Do you have a favorite
writer?
My favorite writers are
those that write solid stories. As the cliche goes, "If it's not on the page, it's not on the stage."
Is there an actor
whose work you really admire more than anyone else's in the business?
Brando.
Since you've worked
in both movies and television, are there any differences or adjustments in the way you approach a role as an actor
for the small screen as opposed to the big screen?
A role is a role is a
role. You better attack it: on the street or on the moon.
And do you prefer
one medium over the other? And if so, why?
I prefer being an artist.
The medium of acting isn't really the object of focus. It's the craft itself that is important.
Out of all the roles
that you've played, which was your favorite? Why?
It's hard not to say "Hank
Lawson". After four years, I still love putting on the clothes and the character. Outside of "Hank",
I would say playing "General George Custer" in the upcoming CBS movie "Stolen Women" was a
total challenge and a total joy.
Would you have wanted
to live your life in the time of "Dr. Quinn", being one of the early settlers in the West?
Playing "Hank"
is close enough to 1870.
Do you prefer contemporary
or period drama?
I prefer all periods
of time, dramatic and comedic.
What is your philosophy
about acting, and what can your character give to an audience?
My philosophy about acting
is to be fluid, like water. Hopefully a character will have an impact, leaving an impression, whether it be a positive
or a negative one.
Quite a few of the roles
you've chosen to play were that of the "bad guy", althought "Hank" is more of the "anti-hero",
who's basically misunderstood. Have you had any negative experiences with people who get the actor confused with
the role in any of your projects?
I think if you "step
outside of the line" in any situation: fashion, profession, spiritual belief, etc., and yes, unfortunately,
even in the arts, certain people will think that you "represent" a performance or "you are the character."
That's a load of rubbish. I'm doing my job, plain and simple. Some artists choose to paint with three or four colors.
I'm looking for every tube of paint on the planet.
I understand that you
paint watercolor portraits. Do you have any plans for a show, or is this simply a hobby of yours?
I don't work with watercolors.
I work with oil and ink.
What other hobbies/interests
do you have that you pursue in your off time?
Music.
What can you tell us
about your band, Hippie Hollow? What type of music do you play? Are you the lead vocalist? What instruments do
you play?
*HIPPIE HOLLOW* is alive
and well. Greg Babuscio, who played bass with me on "ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT", and I have written numerous
songs. We're currently rehearsing with the band, which features a new drummer and new guitarist. The four of us
will be recording a demo tape this summer and we'll be playing out when the tape is completed.
I hate to label anything, but I'm sure you'll be able to find our record under the "Rock" section of
your music store. And yes, I'm the lead vocalist and I sometimes play rhythm guitar. Greg takes care of the music.
I take care of the lyrics.
Who are/were some of
your musical influences? Since you once lived there, were you influenced by some of the singer-songwriters that
have found their way out of Austin?
My influences were the
singer/poets. John Lennon. Cat Stevens. Bob Dylan.
Where would we find
a schedule of your "gigs"?
*HIPPIE HOLLOW* has a web
site on the Internet set aside. When the time comes, the web site will provide all the information on the band.
You have been quoted
as saying, "When people first meet me they think I'm a drop-out from the sixties." Do you ever feel that
you might have been born a few years too late: that you would have enjoyed coming of age during the late sixties
and early seventies?
If people have a preconceived
notion about appearance, they're missing the boat in the first place. I was born at the time I was meant to be
here. I admire the late 60s and early 70s for the spirit, music, rebellion, and change. But I'm alive *today*,
along with everyone else, and it's very boring and uncreative to want to "be" or "live" something
that has already been.
What would you like
to change about the decade of the 90's?
Public education would
be a great place to start. The first issue at hand would be to immediately double or triple the salaries of our
public educators. Give these women and men the respect and wages that they deserve, and in return, require competency
exams of the educators themselves. With proper benefits and salaries available, more qualified people would be
involved in educating our children. This in turn would provide better foundations for our youth. As it stands now,
we pay our public educators wages that are simply offensive. With tenure and proven competency, public educators
should be heavily rewarded, not disrespected and humiliated as they are today.
A second platform would be to focus on crime. Once again, pay our law enforcement officers more money to help keep
the streets clean and safe, and in return, require reviews and competency exams of these officers. Crime is out
of control, and there is only one way to stop it. Treat criminals the way they need to be treated; and that is
with no leniency and no respect. End of story. An eye for an eye. If a person wishes to jeopardize, threaten, or
harm another person's life, they should receive the harshest penalty available. We have to have strict guidelines,
and the guidelines have to be enforced.
Describe your idea
of a perfect day that you spend all alone, doing whatever you want to do.
If I'm doing it all alone,
I should probably keep it a secret.
What is your greatest
fear?
Fear is a real killer.
I try to trudge through the jungle with as little fear as possible.
What is your biggest
regret?
Regret is unnecessary.
Think before you act.
Women: what physical
type attracts you the most?
The exterior is but part
of the whole.
If you were ready for
a serious relationship with a woman, what traits do you think it would be essential for her to have?
A serious relationship
requires that magical blend that nobody has a potion for.
What commonalities
would the two of you have to have in order for it to work?
I don't think it's a matter
of "what commonalities," but instead, "how many" commonalities can one find in another person.
On top of that, we're all constantly changing. Therefore, relationships are a day-to-day work of art.
Describe your perfect
fantasy date.
The perfect fantasy date
would involve all of the animal indulgences and living to tell about it.
What is your greatest
strength?
Strength is belief.
What is your biggest
weakness?
Weakness should be understood,
and nurtured towards a strength.
If you could live anywhere
in the world, without any need to work and had enough money to be comfortable, where would you settle down and
why?
On a boat, free to roam.
Is there a vacation
spot that you return to again and again?
I try not to go back
to the same place too often.
If you could keep only
one possession out of everything that you own, what would it be and why?
My art. It's all I have.
What projects do you
have planned this summer during the hiatus?
*HIPPIE HOLLOW*
Do you have any plans
to do the "talk show" circuit?
Yes, if they want my
band to play.
Are there any interviews
planned for major publications?
If you guys know anybody
at "Rolling Stone," have them give me a call.
Ten years from now,
where do you hope to be professionally and personally?
Ten years from now is impossible
to talk about. Yesterday's gone forever and tomorrow may never come, which leaves the present moment.
Several people on the
list have requested fan club information. Does a fan club now exist; if not, are there plans for one?
There is no fan club at
the moment, but I think I should organize one. Hopefully, "Hank's Hussies" will all be charter members.
One last question about
my favorite character on DQMW: What would it take to make "Hank" happy?
Seeing "California"
on the CBS schedule.
