"It was nice, though, to have the long term benefit to be able to pare away those things and eventually make the character my own and put my own unique stamp"

In this quote, Michael Shanks is assessing the process of developing a character over a long period of time. He acknowledges that it can be challenging to work with pre-existing product, but also acknowledges the worth in being able to gradually shape and mold the character into something that feels genuine and personal. By "paring away" particular elements and including his own "special stamp," Shanks has the ability to make the character his own and bring a fresh perspective to the function. This process enables a deeper connection to the character and ultimately results in a more dynamic and nuanced efficiency.