Tom O'Neil: tell us what you think personally of the real Ira Hayes and what his life was like

Adam Beach: Tom, from what I know, and personally feel, in portraying Ira is that he wore his heart on his sleeve, respected the individual, but didn't want other people to bother with his personal life or glorify his situation in the war

Roberto_Orellana: As a fellow Canadian, do you think that our movie industry is getting better or worse?

Adam Beach: Most definitely the Canadian movie industry is getting better, but we shouldn't worry as Americans are already complaining that we take too much of the work

Tom O'Neil: What happened to him in real life after the period depicted in the film?

Adam Beach: He tried to live a normal life, working with his family, but buried his emotions with alcohol, which ultimately everyone talks about. However thousand and thousands of veterans tried to escape the horrors of WWII with the bottle too

K-Dogg: so adam...clint has gotten oscars for morgan freeman, gene hackman, hilary swank, tim robbins, sean penn, as well as other nominations. It seems that, as of today, you're the only one from your film being considered. How does it make you feel that you might be nominated for (and hopefully win! :)) the Oscar and Golden Globe?

Adam Beach: For me being considered for such an honor, will reflect not only with me, and for me, but really for ALL NATIVE AMERICANS, as they share my success as their success

K-Dogg: you'd be one of a few...chief george and greene have been the only nominees and i think the woman in Dances with Wolves, althought technically caucasian, played a native american as well

Adam Beach: Yes, and no native American has ever won. But it is great company to be with

Adam Beach: A lot of people don't understand what Native Americans have been through, as America was established, so its important when anyone helps acknowledge our history

jurisdoctor07: I'm a Cherokee Indian and I live in the heart of the Osage Nation (in Oklahoma), so I can respect any actor/artist/advocate for better parts of Native Americans

Adam Beach: So Tom, what do you think, you spend lots of time predicting

Tom O'Neil: Just a week or so ago, your Globe and Oscar chances started looking grim when Flags didn't make a billion bucks at the box office, but the Dec release of 'Iwo Jima' is a masterstroke of Oscar strategy -- the one-two punch hits on all sides. You're back in the game, kiddo

Adam Beach: Thanks Tom. Hate to think that it's only about box office, but I know you are the master at this

Tom O'Neil: It's not about box office, really, it's about a film appearing to be successful, that's all. Given the huge $90 million budget of 'Flags' and the huge rollout to thousands of theaters in the first week, you were facing almost impossible odds without a Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts sharing the screen. As is, 'Flags' did OK, but it needs an extra push right now and 'Iwo Jima' may do it

Pats12Fan: Adam that bothers me too! I am probably the biggest Flags supporter here and I find myself saying all the time since when does box office determine the quality of a film and its Oscar chances

Adam Beach: Well, I would like you to know that people I have met who have watched the movie tend to give me a big hug, and say, "Great performance!" Maybe the right people will watch it when the screeners come through

jurisdoctor07: Adam...what was your favorite part before Flags of Our Fathers, and why?

Adam Beach: 'Dance Me Outside,' a Canadian film, a dark comedy. and of course 'SMOKE SIGNALS'

Pats12Fan: I'm glad I finally made it to one of these chats. Hey Adam, I'm a huge fan.

Adam Beach: Thanks, Pats

dumbo1: What was it like to work with Sherman Alexie, and how has Smoke Signals changed the way you take on roles?

Adam Beach: parts are getting better, yeah

K-Dogg: any big-name directors you're dying to work with?

Adam Beach: Oliver Stone, 'cause I heard he is tough as nails. And my friend Adrian Langly, and Robert Redford, who starts on 'LIONS FOR LAMBS' soon. I want to be a part of that movie.

Tom O'Neil: If you got cast in 'Lions for Lambs,' you'd be starring with Tom Cruise. ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE READY FOR THAT? SURVIVING WORLD WAR II IS ONE THING, MR. CRUISE IS ANOTHER

Adam Beach: Funny, Tom. I'll take my chances.

Tom O'Neil: Cruise was just cast as a U.S. Senator being pursued by investigative reporter Meryl Streep

Adam Beach: Yes, and I would play one of two students that were in Robert's class, who are currently in Afghanistan. Or I hope to play.

K-Dogg: have you spoken with Redford about a role in it?

Adam Beach: Just missed him, but have spoken with others on the movie

Adam Beach: I worked with with Redford in the Tony Hillerman mini-series for PBS in 2002 or so

Tom O'Neil: Paul Haggis did another ace job shading interesting characters in "Flags"

Adam Beach: Paul Haggis's writing is so connected to the emotions you play, it gives you a safety net to release the emotions

jurisdoctor07: If It can win some precursor awards (like critics awards), that will put it in a good position as well

Adam Beach: Thanks, Dude. It was an awesome part to play

K-Dogg: what was your very first screen role?

Adam Beach: LOST IN THE BANDS, an extra, and SPIRIT RIDER was my first MOW

Pats12Fan: And about the budget; it seems that as days go by that gets higher and higher. I recently just read that now Flags had a budget "of upwards of $150 million". Next week it'll be the most expensive film ever made at this rate.

Tom O'Neil: The $150 million includes marketing costs

Adam Beach: 'Flags' was 60 million, and 'Iwo Jima' was 30, or so I thought

Roberto_Orellana: what are your thoughts on Robert Altman who just passed away.

Adam Beach: We are going to miss him. Its a huge loss.

rezinator: Adam, how do you respond to people, both from within and outside the Aboriginal community, who say that the character of Ira Hayes in this film was underdeveloped and one-dimensional (i.e., he was constantly shown drunk) and therefore that the character in this film reinforces stereotypes about Native Americans because it doesn’t really explore the forces in his life that led to his alcoholism (which according to the Bradley book apparently predated the war bonds tour)?

Adam Beach: Thousands of veterans, and millions of people struggle with alcohol, Ira was one of them. I think the war experience, even as depicted in the film, could drive anyone to drink.

Adam Beach: It will always be hard to understand why people look to alcohol to help with their issues.

Tom O'Neil: What do you know about "Letters from Iwo Jima"? I interviewed Jesse Bradford two days ago and was surprised that he really knew very, very little

Tom O'Neil: It's very artsy in its approach, right? Not big battle scenes

Adam Beach: I saw a ten minute trailer, but that's really it. It deals with the Japanese side, but is more a battle film than FLAGS

Tom O'Neil: Jesse said that's because the Japanese were buried in those caves and dugouts so the camera tells their story in intimate scenes

Adam Beach: Yes, not about big war scenes, more about how thy prepared for and dealt with a battle they all knew they would lose. They were all told they were going to die on the island

Tom O'Neil: Oh, it's MORE of a battle film than FLags???? Interesting

rezinator: It seems there would be extra pressure and responsibility when portraying a real person, especially from a cultural group that's not often portrayed, so how did you research your role as Ira Hayes?

Adam Beach: A lot about me that relates to Ira. And being Native, there is a reality that we all share, with the personal struggles we all faced. I wanted to be true to that more than anything, and true to the emotional struggles he faced

Boomer: I am looking forward to the tv miniseries "Comanche Moon". Can you give us some details about it and your experience?

Adam Beach: You are GOING TO LOVE 'COMMANCHE MOON' - It's visually as beautiful as 'Lonesome Dove.' You are not going to like my character, though. He likes to do very bad things.

K-Dogg: that would be awesome

rezinator: good! It'd be great to see you in that sort of role.

Boomer: Maybe an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year??

Adam Beach: Trying not to go there, as it al feels like too much.

Tom O'Neil: We like people who do bad things -- makes stories GOOD

Adam Beach: LOL

K-Dogg: adam, would you consider doing an animated film, especially for your children?

Adam Beach: I am writing a mini-series in 8 short parts, of my children's story, that could be animated

K-Dogg: cool -- could you give us a brief synopsis?

Adam Beach: Not yet

Boomer: Have you ever been to any of these major awards shows? What are you looking forward to?

Adam Beach: Have not gone, (though invited a couple times). Want my first time to be when I have a "reason" to be there.

FlickPaddy: Adam Beach: What are your feelings on the disappointing box office returns for "Flags of Our Fathers"

Adam Beach: Not too disappointing considering how Clint's films are received in the long run. Maybe it should have been released over this Thanksgiving Holiday, but his films normally find new footing as the awards and top ten lists come out

FlickPaddy: I agree.

dumbo1: That's true it could have a revival

FlickPaddy: This film I hope don't get lost in the shuffle including your heart wrenching performance

Tom O'Neil: yeah, 'Flags' will stay in theaters throughout Oscar season and will get lots of bumps along the way

Adam Beach: I hope so, Tom. It really is an extraordinary film

Boomer: As an actor himself and a long-time director, what kinds of direction do you get from Clint Eastwood?

Adam Beach: Boomer, Clint creates an environment that makes you so self aware, and confident that he just lets you breathe and your best work comes out, by not telling you what do but trusting you to do your best work

FlickPaddy: Adam: Would you say "Flags of Our Fathers" is your greatest achievement yet as an actor?

Adam Beach: YES, 'Flags' is number one.

FlickPaddy: You've appeared on several television shows in the past. What current show would you want to be a part of? I think you be perfect for "Lost" or "24"

Adam Beach: The people on LAW and ORDER SVU have asked me to join that show

jurisdoctor07: awesome! Such an amazing show!

FlickPaddy: Really you've be great on that as well

Tom O'Neil: WOW, a steady paycheck! The actors' dream come true

FlickPaddy: Marsika Hartigay is fantastic

Adam Beach: yeah, it could be a great option, we will see.

K-Dogg: would it just be a guest appearance or a recurring role?

Adam Beach: They want me to join the show as a regular, but maybe we will approach it in stages

FlickPaddy: Adam: I love you in "Smoke Signals". Would you ever appear in a film like that again?

Adam Beach: Would love to do a 'SMOKE SIGNALS 2,' which is being written right now.

Boomer: What was the process to get the role in Flags? How did you get into position to land the part?

Adam Beach: Its been great chatting with everyone. To answer the question about the process. I wanted to make it as personal as I could to show what he went through. My mother passed away when I was 8 years old. 2 months later my father died, but it was those two months I tried to portray as the sadness within Ira Hayes.

K-Dogg: happy birthday!

FlickPaddy: It was a pleasure talking with you Adam. I hope all the best to your career and a possible Oscar nod!

K-Dogg: :)

Adam Beach: Thanks, yeah Nov. 11. Thanks for chatting everyone.

Tom O'Neil: THANKS, ADAM!

letthieri: thank you for stopping by

rezinator: Looking forward to seeing you in your next films. Best

jurisdoctor07: Thank You Adam!

Tom O'Neil: We appreciate yourdropping by

Adam Beach: TOM, thanks for having me. If things "go well" lets do it again.

Boomer: Thanks so much. Build up your stamina for all of the awards shows and parties you'll be attending over the next few months.;)

Adam Beach: Happy Thanksgiving everyone