Ridley Scott (Gladiator II), Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part 2), Coralie Ferguito (Substance), Ramel Ross (The Nickel Boys), Brady Corbet (The Brutal Filmmakers like Edward Berger (“Conclave”) and Edward Berger (“Conclave”) rarely appear. We gather in one room and talk about our work.
The Hollywood Reporter’s latest Directors Roundtable has arrived, offering insightful and entertaining sit-downs with these acclaimed creators. Filmmakers share perspectives, experiences, and even laughs about the art and challenges of putting a film together. From the nerves of opening day to navigating a huge set, this hour-long conversation is a treasure trove for movie lovers.
Set the mood for the first day
The roundtable begins with questions about opening day rituals. Brady Corbet didn’t hold back when he quipped: “I had a panic attack,” while Ramel Ross dryly added: “I tested positive for coronavirus.” Denis Villeneuve shared a more heartfelt tradition. “I love listening to the music of Francois Truffaut’s La Nuit Americane. It’s the fire of cinema. I love that song,” Ridley Scott replied, amused. That’s very nice,” he playfully asked Villeneuve to hum the song, but Villeneuve politely declined.
Balance confidence and doubt
The directors explored how to balance the need for confidence with the inevitable moments of doubt. “In private,” Scott said flatly, “if you show any doubts to an actor, they’ll eat you alive.” Corbett, reflecting on his acting days, said: So when I started facing a lot of things about myself, I stopped worrying so much. ” Villeneuve proposed a contrasting approach. “If I have a question, I can just give myself the space to say, ‘Step back,’ and the space to just think.”
Challenge to time
When discussing the balance between long films and short attention spans, Scott joked about audience tolerance, saying, “If you’re going to run for three hours, you have to have what I call a ‘pain in the butt’ factor. It’s better to match,” he said. Villeneuve added, “We’ve all seen five-minute short films that last forever, or three-hour films that end like that. It’s about the emotional impact of the film.” Fergito shared her views as follows: “It’s okay to get bored sometimes during a movie. You don’t have to be excited all the time.”
Create an immersive world
The director’s commitment to the set shines through. Scott describes his vision for the Colosseum in Gladiator II: “My Colosseum is about 10% bigger because when the horses are running at full speed, I don’t want them to hit the walls,” Ferguito says of The Substance’s innovative recreation of Los Angeles He said: “We chose a poetic backdrop…When the L.A. backdrop arrived, I remember walking on set and thinking, ‘Oh my God.'” It felt so real. ”
Risk and studio dynamics
The conversation also touched on the dynamics of working with studios. Ross admitted he was skeptical at first. “I thought the idea of working with a studio might be restrictive…but it left me with great hope,” Villeneuve said of the gamble. “When you make a movie, if you fail, the door is closed. That’s part of the game. You’re always as good as the last one.”
Watch the full discussion below.
Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros.
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