Q&A with Bandslam’s Gaelan Connell

Monday, 8/10/2009

What is your favorite book?

Either “A Wrinkle in Time,” “The Amber Spyglass” or “Gone With the Wind.”

What is your favorite movie?

The English Patient

Who was your favorite teacher?

I had an English teacher in 9th grade named Mr. Heilman, and not only was he incredibly challenging when it came to creative writing, he was equally humorous and inspiring. A good teacher to me is one that can be both fair in their criticism and at the same time inspire you to do better.

What inspires you?
Sometimes when I feel creatively stuck, I take my dog out for a full afternoon walk in the hundreds of acres of woods behind my house. Not only is it beautiful but it’s incredibly quiet and walking lets me clear my mind and get my creative juices going.

What is your favorite thing to eat?
Ribs. Hands down. Or for a snack, cut up watermelon chunks with lime juice squeezed on top. It’s incredible. 

What is the best advice you’ve been given?
It wasn’t exactly advice per say, but my parents convinced me to learn the cello at a very early age, and as I’ve gotten older and kept at it, I’ve realized what a gift that was.

What is your favorite pastime?

Writing. Or horseback riding, when I can. And on the weekends, getting all geared up and watching football.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Hopefully whatever it is, it hasn’t happened yet. I’m in the middle of writing a novel, I’ll be glad/excited when that’s finished.

What are you most proud of?
While at film school, I made this little animation called “Shadows” which went on to get a bit of recognition around NYC. It’s certainly not the thing I’m the most proud of, but it definitely sums up where I am in life now.

What is your most embarrassing moment? 
Too many to count! One particularly bad one was in elementary school, I asked out a girl in front of the whole class, and she said no. Oh well.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 
I probably say “like” too much. I’m working on it.

Which talent would you most like to have?
To be a good writer. I write a lot of letters to my close friends, but they usually involve collages, pictures and mix cd’s when my prose doesn’t hold up.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? 
Atticus Finch. Or maybe just Gregory Peck, if he was fictional.

What is your motto?
Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero. (“Seize the day and place no trust in tomorrow”). Although it’s been around for centuries, this particular phrase came to my attention after watching the remarkable film, “The Dead Poet’s Society.”

What was your favorite school subject?
I usually start off the year liking almost everything, it’s just when spring comes around and final season starts, classes become a little less enjoyable.

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