Have you ever used Cinemorphics yourself?
Do you mean have I ever created another persona for myself and used it in “real” life?
Yeah…that’s the question.
Couple of times, yes. The most recent instance of this involves a fictitious character named Hieronymus P. Moondog that I created and used in various pieces several years ago. On many occasions my friends have referred to me as Moondog, and in the past few months, I have "made appearances" as Moondog on the internet.
How so?
Several blogs and websites…created and written as Moondog. Also, I have gotten ordained as Moondog and plan to get an advanced degree as Moondog.
Yeah...as a Dudeist priest...
Buddhist priest?
Dudeist...Dudeist priest...the Dude, man...look it up...
Er...so your fictitious character has taken over and is on the loose…
I guess you could put it that way…what a trip!.
Do you think a fictitious character like Moondog can effectively operate in the real world?
I don't see why not. You are as fictitious as Moondog...how are you doing in the real world?
Uhhh...let's see (checks notes)...are you Moondog all the time now?
Don't want to answer that one, huh?...OK…I move in and out of character. I write as Moondog, and occasionally am in character as Moondog when I leave the house.
Is there a special Moondog costume?
Moondog and I dress pretty much alike.
Have other people done this…sounds kind of strange.
Yeah…lots. Check out the Cinemorphics blog. Some people even get apartments, I.D., bank accounts, and so on as their “fictitious” alter ego.
Didn’t Carlos Castaneda use this as one of his techniques?
Lots of people have done similar things for a wide variety of reasons…
But I thought that Castaneda…
No more talk of Castaneda. Why don’t you ask me about Andy Warhol?
What about Andy Warhol?
He did this in reverse…
What do you mean?
He found actors who looked like him, made them up, rehearsed them, them sent them out on the college circuit in the 60s. Of course, with him, you could never tell whether he was real or fake even if you knew it was the “real” Andy standing there.
You’re making my head spin.
Good. How do you know that you are the real you and not some made up you that turned out this way by chance and can be re-worked? Who is the real you…really?
Can we get back to the interview?
This is the interview.
Uhhh…let me look at my questions. Aren’t there legal implications?
Coward. (long pause) OK…It’s a boring question, but I’ll answer it. (another long pause) No…not if you aren’t trying to con somebody out of money. I mean…its common in a way. Many writers use pseudonyms and even do interviews and book signings in character. Same with musicians, actors…con men, of course.
Where can we find the writings of H.P. Moondog on the net?
Search “Satori Tango” and “Pin Dudeism”.
Strange titles. Can you tell us something about them?
Just do the search and read for yourself.
I didn’t mean to offend you.
No offense taken.
Are you Moondog now…or Webb?
I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Any advice if someone wanted to play around with this?
Read the blog and the sourcebook…”Who’s Asking?”(below) After you’ve done that, get back in touch.
Thank you Mr. Webb.
Rev. Moondog to you…
Thank you Rev. Moondog. Could I ask you just one more thing?
Sure.
How did you come up with the name Hieronymus P. Moondog?
I'll leave that a mystery for now...
