Megann Horstead
Content Producer
Patton Oswalt recently visited North Central College to host his latest book signing and discussion for “Silver Screen Fiend,” a follow-up to his New York Times Bestseller “Zombie Spaceship Wasteland.”
Oswalt headlined the Anderson’s Bookshop-organized event held Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall. Chicago Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper made an appearance as a moderator for Oswalt’s book discussion.
His latest book chronicles his life as he sought to inform his notions of acting, writing, comedy and relationships through his love for film.
“Because I was still young and very insecure and feeling like I didn’t really take up any space or significance in the universe, similar to the way people latch onto a sports team, I was just like if I am attached to this much bigger art form, I now take up more space and have more importance in the world,” Oswalt said.
Oswalt compares his desire to break into the industry to an athlete’s drive during competition. He says that, if he developed a system, just as an athlete does, he would have the confidence. Although he says that this system was superstitious, he found that it was a placebo that worked–for a time, at least.
“The thing that you think is serving you, you become a slave to it.”
Oswalt says his love for film ultimately became his life from 1995 to 1999.
He said his love for film has evolved and continues to inspire him to explore different ways of thinking today.
“It’s a nice reminder that there are a million different perspectives on everything and everyone took a journey to get to even the little moments,” Oswalt said. “It helps you to take a breath when maybe you’re dealing with somebody face-to-face or online.”
Oswalt says he would find balance between his love for film and his career as a comedian with different opportunities coming his way.
“The only way I can square my creativity, which I think is sinful, is if I just paint what I’m looking at,” Oswalt said. “Paint something from memory because your imagination will add things to it.”
Oswalt shares what makes his comedic work so fulfilling to him.
“There’s a thrill in when you begin to set up a joke,” Oswalt said. “There’s silence and you begin to think that this might not work. And then if they laugh, there’s a rush. With comedy you’re addicted to the terror, the terror is what makes the rush so amazing. It’s like skydiving.”
However, Oswalt is not just a comedian and author. He’s an actor with experience on the big screen and TV. He comments on what inspires him to tackle different forms of expression.
“I think the variety of it keeps me really creative,” Oswalt said. “You kind of get in a rut with each pursuit. If I keep circulating from each one, then there’s a little bit of spillover from one to the next, so I’m always doing it slightly different every time.”
Patton Oswalt’s latest memoir “Silver Screen Fiend” is now available at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville. For more information, visit www.andersonsbookshop.com.
