Denis Goodman interview #2

Friday, October 29, 2021 – 9:50 a.m.

Denis Goodman is the resident playwright for the Yoknapatawpha Players.

Detectives Magee and Beckwith spoke with him again at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants

• Detective P. Beckwith
• Detective J. Magee
• Denis Goodman

Detective Beckwith: Hello again, Mr. Goodman. This won't take long. We just have a few follow-up questions.

Denis Goodman: No worries.

Detective Magee: Please state your name and address for the record.

Denis Goodman: Denis Owen Goodman, 503 Brittany Drive, Apartment #23, Oxford.

Detective Magee: Thank you. At the rehearsal, were you aware of any problems with the play?

Denis Goodman: Well, the dialogue in the middle section could've been tightened, but I was under such pressure to make sure Martin got his Iron Man moment⏤

Detective Beckwith: No, no, Mr. Goodman. Problems during rehearsal, not problems with your writing.

Denis Goodman: Oh. Of course, sorry. I think I told you before that I didn't watch the rehearsal. I don't have any first-hand knowledge, but I heard a crap-load after the rehearsal was over. Sorry, that sounded disrespectful. Right after rehearsal, before Scott was found, there was a lot of chatter.

Detective Magee: What did you hear?

Denis Goodman: Complaints of things having nothing to do with the script.

Detective Beckwith: For instance?

Denis Goodman: That Neal and Erv switched teams. That Heath is a douche. That Cherie moved too slow to break a sweat. That Martin was amazing. Of course, that came from Martin himself. That Martin's weapon wasn't set exactly where he'd asked for it to be set. That Janet left Heath in the quarantine room. That the zombies were dragging out their death scenes and stealing focus. Again, from Martin.

Detective Magee: Were any of these things, either alone or in combination, detrimental to the outcome of the play?

Denis Goodman: Well, the team switch wouldn't matter. Everyone knows Heath is a douche. Cherie never breaks a sweat. Martin found the spiked club, so it must've been close to where it was supposed to be. And the zombie deaths are good entertainment, so Martin should quit whining. That guy…

Detective Magee: What about that guy?

Denis Goodman: He's so self-involved. He could use his position to help, but he doesn't.

Detective Beckwith: What position?

Denis Goodman: His place on the board. He could advocate for the rest of the actors, but he really just advocates for himself.

Detective Magee: How so?

Denis Goodman: Mostly the size of his roles and his paycheck, and other demands for dressing room space and his own comfort. Really petty things. He could be asking for things to benefit the other actors, like a paid fight choreographer or more money for everyone who contributes, but he doesn't.

Detective Beckwith: Did this cause tension with the other actors?

Denis Goodman: I don't think they know. Scott and Woody knew about the fight choreography because they realized Martin had exaggerated about his training. They both were concerned that Martin was having inexperienced actors do things that were not exactly safe.

Detective Beckwith: Did either of them discuss this with you?

Denis Goodman: Yes, because they were asking for some minor dialogue changes within the fight scenes to minimize the action of the fights.

Detective Magee: Did Anna know that?

Denis Goodman: No, by then, it was so late in the game that it was just between me and the stage management team. It was minor stuff script-wise, and it simplified the fight choreography. As familiar as Anna was with the script, I don't think she even noticed.

Detective Magee: Wouldn't any changes have to be approved by Anna?

Denis Goodman: Major ones, yes. But these were minor and were for the safety of the cast and crew. Martin was a little miffed, but he got over it.

Detective Beckwith: Was he miffed about anything else?

Denis Goodman: Other than the prop weapon? Not too much. The thing about Martin is, he has a short memory about these things as long as he gets his uninterrupted moment to shine.

Detective Beckwith: Did anyone else request script changes for safety concerns? Or for any other reason?

Denis Goodman: Uh, no. What safety concerns?

Detective Magee: Maybe concerns about the stability of the set? Were you asked to make script accommodations to avoid certain playing areas?

Denis Goodman: No.

Detective Beckwith: What about to include certain playing areas?

Denis Goodman: No, sir. No. Absolutely not.

Detective Magee: Okay. Thank you for your time, Mr. Goodman.

Denis Goodman: No problem.

Interview ended – 10:06 a.m.