TDog cements his place on ZombieSurvivalCrew

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Mad, mad  love to Robert “IronE” Singleton

 – TDog on AMC’s hit television show The Walking Dead –

for taking on the #zombiesurvivalcrew in this epic battle to the death of his fingers!!

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He took all of the, ummmm, creative questions – including a last minute entry from me (bow, scrape, beg) — and did it up hard core in true #zombiesurvivalcrew style!!! He even added a special message for all the crew at the end!

I had a blast reading through his responses and was truly impressed with the obvious time and thought he put into his answers – and his quirky sense of humor. IronE, you are DEFINITELY #zombiesurvivalcrew material man and we are very, very happy to have you officially on the bus!

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So, without further ado ……

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Juliette/@jterzieff – In my work I constantly urge every individual to stand up and make their voice heard on the issues that matter to them personally whatever they may be — free speech, women’s rights, political repression in Burma, illiteracy, offshore oil drilling, hunger, etc. What issues do you feel particularly strong about? And do you believe it is important for every individual to make a contribution to solving our collective challenges?

IronE: I believe that change starts from within and manifests itself from without. I think that it is necessary for each and every individual to focus on becoming a better person, because we can’t control other peoples actions. …only our own. As we do that, we build credibility, people recognize and respect it, and want to do the same for themselves. In turn, they make more humane decisions and the world becomes a better place. Having said that, I feel strongly about each issue you mentioned and then some. And yes, I feel that each individual has an obligation to make a contribution 1st through how he/she lives, which can then serve as an example for others.   

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@actingnodrama – I love that Mr. Singleton is doing this. What an amazing way to reach out to the fans in a creative way. I’ll have to think long and hard about my question. Don’t want to waste the opportunity

IronE: It’s is my absolute pleasure, Ben.

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@Alta03 – Thanks for being so awesome and coming for a visit! My question: What did you learn about yourself while filming The Walking Dead? Thanks! Alta from the “Z-crew”

IronE: Hi Alta, my pleasure. I would say that in extremely hot temperatures, I would probably pass out. Given my decade plus of football experience… practicing in the most extreme conditions during Georgia summers, I thought I was invincible to heat exhaustion. Boy, was I wrong!!! I almost had a heat stroke when we shot episode 2 on the rooftop. I guess I learned that I’m not as tough as I thought I was…when it pertains to dealing with heat, of course…not zombies. Hahahaha. 

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@KyleD03 – IronE, great fan of your work. (even more so because of your humble and social personality) I’m wondering if at any time during filming you’ve found yourself so engulfed in the scene that true emotions take over and separation becomes difficult…or if you just get creeped out by the walkers. In such a dramatic production, it seems so very likely. Again, great work! Thanks for your time!

IronE: Hi, Kyle and thank you for your thoughtfulness. Yes, true emotions do take over but separation never becomes difficult. As an actor, my job is to become as emotionally connected to the scene as possible…to believe everything that I’m doing so the audience can believe it, too. If that doesn’t happen, I might want to rethink this acting career of mine. Take care. 

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@jogden38 – Thanks IronE, we greatly appreciate you taking time out to do this. You make our day! So a question lets see, im the comedian of the group but i will try to rope in my comedic talent and get serious for a minute here. Out of all the roles you have played what has been the most important character to you and why? Basically what role do you think made you a better person/actor?

Thanks,jennifer the “Z-crew”

IronE: Thanks and I appreciate you, Jennifer. That’s a pretty serious question. Alton (The Blind Side) has been the most important character because it made Hollywood notice me and gave me a bigger platform on which to be heard and seen. Every single role I’ve ever played has contributed to making me a better person. I’d have to say that intellect (open-mindedness) contributes immensely to making a person better. My connotative definition for intellect is being able to see things from different perspectives and coming to a reasonable conclusion based on those perspectives, collectively and not just one. Each and every character I’ve ever played has given me a different perspective on the human psyche which gives me a greater appreciation for each person I meet and for life. Everyone’s perspective matters.  

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@RCMurphy – Effing sweet, dude. So nice of you to come chit-chat with us crazies… er fans. Yeah, that. Heh… Anyways… I’ve done my fair share of time in zombie makeup. Would you, if given the opportunity, get dolled up like a zombie? Thanks, R.C.

IronE: Thanks, Renee and it’s nice of you to have me. You seem like you’d be a great party partner. Heck yeah, I’d get dolled up. That would be pretty cool.  Hahahaha.

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@HC_Palmquist – would thoroughly express my gratitude for you doing this, but time is of the essence if we are to stay alive, so here’s my question. What is the one thing you would brave a horde of zombies to get? A friend, a loved one, your pets, a Twinkie…

IronE: Hilarious, H.C. Thanks for that laugh. Anything that’s worth it. All of the above. A Twinkie? I don’t think so. Maybe a cupcake. Hahaha.

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@Jinxie_G – Of course HC would mention the Twinkie. Ever since Zombieland, we’ve had a stockpile for the zombiepocalypse. Which reminds me, I need to send a box to Australia, since they have none. *gasps* I know, it’s just wrong!

Thanks for taking the time to review these questions. Now to put on my interviewer hat … What weapon do you feel would be the most vital to have with you? For instance, I have a compound bow, a 30/30, and a .22 rifle, but I’d probably prefer a crossbow. Thanks! Now I must go write about vampires

IronE: WOW Jinxie. I guess I should call you Daryl Dixon from here out… with your bow and arrow. Hahaha. Of your three, I’d prefer the bow because it’s quiet and it will keep the other zombies away. However, my preference is something not as time consuming – a big hammer. I’d lay a big blow to the head (of zombies, of course) and keep on trucking.  

 p.s. It should be illegal to deprive a country of TWINKIES!!!!! Tyranny, I tell ya!!!!!!! Hahahaha

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Sherry – i was just wondering….if faced with a life or death situation…..would you run to save your own life or would you fight till death in order to protect your family?

IronE: The fight or flight instinct is an involuntary response, Sherry. You never know ‘til it happens. Knowing the type of person that I am, I’d fight ‘til death if it’s worth it and take off running if it’s not. But family is worth fighting for ‘til death.   

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@JLCoburn – Two questions one on acting and one more fitting for the crew. What genuine life experience do you think contributed most to developing the character of T-Dog most for you?

What item would you consider essential to grab when things go down, but isn’t necessarily something that would help with survival? E.g. Lori Grimes character grabbing family pictures, or for me, grabbing my pocket hard drive with my writing, family photos and music.

~JL Z-Crew Member “Bombmaker”

IronE: Thanks, Jon. My life experience contributed most to developing T-Dog. My bio is at www.ironesingleton.com if you’d like to know my story. I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t really have much sentimental attachment to worldly things. My focus would be on my loved ones more so than my loved things.   

@novemberbrain – The 6 episode have some surprise?

IronE: Thanks, Jamile. No huge surprises but lots of suspense and excitement. (winks)

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@launicaangelina – Hi IronE! First of all, thank you so much for doing this! It’s so amazing that you are very connected to your fans and it’s greatly appreciated!!

If you had been in Andrea’s shoes, would you have stayed by your loved one’s side until they reanimated as a zombie or would you have shot them before they returned? Personally, I would have done it before the reanimation for fear they would feel something. I know they would be a zombie at that point, and I’d shoot any if given the chance, but still…it’s a loved one.

IronE: Thanks, Angelina. My fans make me, and I love you for that. It would have been hard to shoot my loved one. I probably would have let someone else, who is not Daryl Dixon, do it…preferably before reanimation, as well. 

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@aspiringmama – This is awesome! I love the show but don’t have time to watch as often as I would like. Here is my question for IronE: After working on The Walking Dead, how do you think you would do in a zombie apocalypse? Thank you for doing this, by the way.

IronE: The survival tactics work on TV because we control that “world.” The real world doesn’t guarantee the same.  The zombies in real life probably won’t listen to the director when s/he tells them not to eat us. Hahahaa. The rules would be totally different. Your luck would be as good as mine so who knows?!!! However, we do stand a better chance than many being with Juliette and a part of the Z-Crew.

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@lkgg – I think it is awesome that you are willing to take questions, thanks so much. This is fantastic & thanks to Juliette for making it happen. So… my question, hmmm.

What is has been your favorite part of the TWD experience? Enquiring minds want to know.

IronE: Thank you, LK. Juliette’s great, isn’t she? So are you for being a ZCrew Member. The one on one time spent with cast and crew was my favorite. The one on one time is when disclosure took place and I learned so much about each person. It taught me a lot about them and broadened my perspective on life.

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@kysilka – Hey, wow, thanks for the great opportunity. I’ll make it short and sweet. IronE, what would be your dream role to play in a movie?

IronE: Hey, Karen. You’re welcome. I love the role of a hero… especially if he’s saving the world (Bruce Willis from ARMEGEDDON) or an underdog role (Michael Oher from THE BLIND SIDE or ROCKY). 

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@veertothewrite – Hey IronE! You are my favorite character on WD. I love how you quietly portray the depth of your character. It’s intense! Question: If you were sitting with a group of survivors chatting possible scenarios, would you tell them to shoot you immediately were you to be infected? Also, could you take out a friend/family member who you knew was infected? Thanks for your time!

IronE: Thanks, Michelle. I love you for that kind remark! I’m such an optimist; I’d believe someone would, eventually, find a cure. So I’d rather ride out the zombie thing until the cure is found and hope to only feed off the dead and not be responsible for anyone’s death.  Like I told Angelina, I really don’t think I could take out a loved one. I’d leave it to someone else.

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@creativeconduit – Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! I have two (I’m greedy like that…just another reason I’d survive the zombie apocalypse). What is your favorite book and if you have a celebrity crush, who is it?

Jennifer Joseph

IronE: Hahaha. We’re the ZCrew, Jennifer. Who’s not “greedy like that?” I think we’d all survive it. hahaha I have 2 favorite books: INSPIRATION by Dr. Wayne Dyer and THE BLIND SIDE by Michael Lewis. Although I admire the talent of a bunch of actresses, I have no crushes.

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@PatriciaIVicens – Hi, IronE! In order to endure a zombiecalypse, you would have to have a well developed survival instinct as well as a pretty wide range of skills. What is T-Dog’s best quality?

PS – Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to thrill us fans!

IronE: Thank you, Patricia. I was raised in an inner city project, so my survival instinct is well intact. My integrity is my best quality, but I don’t think that would stop a zombie from chomping down on me. Hahaha. I don’t like to lose… especially to a zombie. So I guess winning is one of my better qualities. I’d do whatever it takes to survive unless a loved one is left behind in a precarious situation. That’s when my integrity supercedes my winning.  

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@vdemetros – Wow, great that you’re taking the time to do this! Thanks.

I love launicaangelina’s question…if you were in Andrea’s shoes would you have waited that long for someone you love to become a zombie, then kill them? Thanks again

IronE: Thank you, Valerie. Michelle was as curious about your 1st question as Angelina. Hmmm. I wonder whyyy… Inquiring minds would like to know. Hahaha. Hopefully, the answers I gave them should suffice. Also, trauma is an overwhelming thing. I couldn’t totally imagine what I’d do if I were in Andrea’s shoes. …only speculate.

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@actingnodrama – Okay, here’s my question, and it may be a kinda weird one. Zombies, at least in the fantasy genre, are continually decomposing but never falling apart. What would you say the mythology is in this more urban “realistic” setting?

IronE: Hey, Buddy Ben! I’d say the mythology is the same. I’d venture to say that in both realms, the zombies, eventually, fall apart, but since I don’t know the general life span of a zombie, I’d rather not speculate too much. It could be hours, days, months or maybe years, but I’m no zombieologist(?) hahaha.         

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@ReganWrites – So…if I were to stop by the set… WOULD YOU HELP ME BE A ZOMBIE?!

Ok, better question… Do you ever get grossed out by the gory scenes you’re in?

IronE: Hi, Regan. There are strict regulations regarding who becomes a zombie. That’s why it’s important that you watch the show and enter the drawing to become a zombie. Yes, it is pretty gross at times, but it doesn’t ruin a meal for me. hahaha 

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Stephanie – Hey IronE! Couple of questions… 1) Did you ever have a moment during filming The Walking Dead where you actually felt scared for a second? Like, “OH DEAR GOD A ZOMBIE IS GOING TO EAT ME ALIVE!” scared?

2) Which scene from The Walking Dead grossed you out the most?

3) What would you do in a real zombie invasion?

4) What do you RECOMMEND to all of us in the case of a real zombie invasion?

5) What are you scared of and is it zombies?

Okay, five’s my limit. Sorry for all the zombie related questions, this show’s got me really hyped up haha Feel free to only answer one, I just really wanted to know any of them. Huge fan, stay safe for all of us out there who are Team T-Dog all the way!! <3 <3

IronE: Hi, Stephanie. I’m as excited as you but don’t be mad at me for not elaborating on my answers, because you have a BUNCH of questions. Hahaha

Yes! That’s because as an actor I’m living it as it is happening.

 Episode 2 when we smeared Rick and Glen with guts.

In no particular order: Run, fight and hide. Oh… and eat… and sleep. You get my point.

Refer to the answer for 3.

I’m not afraid of zombies, but I am afraid of failure.  

Thanks!

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@CKHBFiction – Okay, here’s my question…Can you tell Jeff DeMunn that I said “hi”?

I’m a former child actor, we were in a movie called SESSIONS together, and he was so nice to me throughout filming, and I’ve been watching his career ever since. He’s on my list of “people I would come out of acting retirement to work with again.” (You know, assuming I could still get hired.)

Thanks for answering all these questions, I’m loving the show and ALL your performances.

IronE: 10-4, Carrie!!! Jeff has a very gentle spirit. I think we’re kindred spirits. Thanks a bunch. I’ll be on the lookout for SESSIONS, too.

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@BigWords88 – Ooh. I finally thought of a question worth bothering people with.

How much, if anything, do you believe the current political climate is tempering the resurgence of the zombie apocalypse genre; and – if I am allowed a run-on question – do you see the genre outliving any passing cultural touchstones to become as mythic as vampires have become?

IronE: Hi Gary! That is a great question.  I think there is a correlation between the two…just as there is between everything else in the world.  The corruption and lack of integrity that seems to have overrun the global political system has led to a sense of ambivalence and indifference amongst humanity.  Our compassion toward one another has been mutilated, putting us in a morally antagonizing position. This riff also has a major influence on the art (TV, movies, music, etc.) we produce and can relate to. Hence, “THE WALKING DEAD.” Was Merle wrong for calling T-Dog a ni—r?  Does T-Dog try to save Merle Dixon or not?  Is Shane wrong for sleeping with his best friend’s wife?  Should Rick kill Shane if/when he finds out about it?  The deep philosophical question in the show for me is: Who are the real walking dead, the zombies or the humans?  Or are we one and the same?  Didn’t mean to be so long winded, but that was definitely a great question. Thanks!

p.s. I think zombies are as mythical as vampires already, depending on which circles you roam.           

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Nat – Hi IronE, I really appreciate you doing this for us. You are doing a fantastic job on The Walking Dead and I’m looking forward to seeing you in more things.

1. Who did you bond with on set?

2. Can you tell us more about your character T-Dog? What’s his story?

3. What is T-Dog’s weapon of choice?

4. What type of roles peak your interest?

Thanks for answering my questions.

IronE: You’re all right with me, Nat. Thanks.

Believe it or not, I bonded with every person I interacted with on the set. …everyone from the cast, to wardrobe, catering, extras. …even the ones that pretend to be hard pressed and act as if they’re the only one in the world that has problems. I approach every encounter from a place of truth and love. And when I do that, a bond is created. If you can find someone on that show I didn’t bond with, tell me and I’ll call the bank and put a stop on their check. Hahahahaha.

I could tell you more about T-Dog but the writers might have a different story. They create the boundaries for T-Dog’s history, personality and traits.

It hasn’t been decided. Hopefully, a big hammer.

The hero and the underdog.   

Final thought from IronE:

You guys tickle me with all of this excitement surrounding the show. You make me smile. I am as excited as you are. I thank you and love you from the bottom of my mind, body and soul for going on this journey with us.

Sincerely,

IronE-PEACE!