It's the same with virtually all cinematographers. You have to be empathetic to develop "the eye". I suppose there are bound to be outliers, but most cinematographers I have met are extremely empathetic.
@@prayforpeace2204 Agree, I think cines are often more empathetic than directors. But I also understand being the director (as I have on small projects). It's easy to get frustrated, so much is riding on the day and you're really tempted, if the actor is a diva or unprepared, to just yell, "Do your fucking job!" LOL. Because a director manages the "world" and an actor just has manage "their world." If that makes sense. This is why I never hold it against a director or an actor when somebody leaks a "blow-up" on set. Everybody is sleep deprived and the stakes are high.
I don't blame actors for needing their personal space. I work retail at a clothing store. While my experience is nowhere near the movie set experience, I'm still putting on a performance in front of strangers on a daily basis (being super friendly despite being shy and nervous, being informative despite me not knowing the answer all the time, and acting confident despite me being so insecure). Interacting with so many people on a daily basis gets mentally/emotionally exhausting though. By the end of the day or during my lunch break, I don't want to talk to ANYONE lol. I just need time to recharge my batteries.
What wasn't mentioned that I will mention here is what it takes to perform on cue with so many people watching behind the cameras. I've always believed that one gift that can't be acquired is the ability to be completely relaxed under the pressure of dozens of people, most of them intensely scrutinizing, and with cameras rolling. I doubt celebrity makes much difference, if I was a famous supporting actor I'd be a lot more worried about directors and producers than people jockeying to have a moment with me.
You sound like me! 😁 Another thing is that I will guess more actors than we think are introverts, so being around people constantly requires extra mental energy.
That's a fascinating insight. I used to teach English in Cambodia and a colleague and I called classes The Show. You wrote the script, and directed and starred in each performance. Some shows went better than others. Both of us were shy, and caring about the work was exhausting, so your observations struck a chord.
I'm a writer writing for 5 characters at once for 130 page's without losing focus requires solitude as a actor repeating something somebody else wrote in their frame of mind takes study and lots of times never get it right or your cast wrong for the part. Jessie eisenburg as lex Luther was a big mistake not his fault they said $250 k he said yes. Christian wig as cheeta in ww 84 big mistake $2 .5 million yes she said not her fault. Chris pine blue eyes Kirk did bill Shatner to a t except the eye's. Chris as captain America A+ him as Johnny storm f4 no.
I’ve helped record auditions in a casting office for a CW show. I remember seeing this one actress (reminded me of Lily Rabe) had the magic “it” thing. Especially after hearing the same repetitive sides over a hundred times, but she managed to breathe new life into the words like they were conjured from their own thoughts and you couldn’t help but pay attention, and it felt like what I was witnessing was too good to be seen for free. But even after all that, I could immediately tell the actress wasn’t the right fit for the particular role she was auditioning for. And then the show didn’t even go to air. But it taught me that rejection doesn’t have to be a reflection of your skills or your worth. There are so many other factors at play.
@@c.galindo9639 Some corny supernatural CW show for teens that never aired. I don't remember the title. But I recorded a lot of familiar faces! I felt really bad for an actor from Scott Pilgrim. They came in wearing a fragrance or deodorant (the casting director was supposedly allergic to scented fragrances and sent a notice to all actors coming in NOT to wear fragrances) and the casting director got really curt with them and was like "ugh whatever, just go." I could tell the actor went into the audition feeling rattled and bombed. I felt so bad. I'm glad they didn't bomb their Scott Pilgrim audition though. 🔪🔪
@@c.galindo9639 tbh the actor was also at fault for not following the instructions sent. I have asthma and I'm also allergic to scented fragrances. Actually, everyone in my family is except my mom, asthma comes from my dad's side. No perfumes or scented anything at home. Even detergents. Scented anything and we start sneezing like crazy, runny nose, migraine and then next thing I know, I can't work anymore. In university, my new friends didn't take my asthma seriously and thought my allergy to scented fragrance was a joke. Well they sprayed perfume next to me. I was out sick for a week. Missed 2 classes for every course I enrolled. Ever since then, they've been very careful to not spray perfume next to me. If they're wearing strong scents, I try to avoid as much as I can. Point is, the casting director can't afford to have the audition cancelled simply because someone didn't read the instructions.
So glad he acknowledged the difficulty of bunkering down and learning lines plus the attention seeking near celebrities. It can be brutal and it's awesome he tries to do his part to make it as easy as possible for them - sounds like a true professional in that respect.
9:00 They're not just carrying a lot in terms of hitting their marks; getting the blocking right - they have to be able to live truthfully under that imaginary circumstance; allow themselves to be open & vulnerable, even devastated. And this is after they've had several different people RUN up to them sticking things in your face like a make-up brush; then a light meter; then someone runs up to you with a tape measure to measure the EXACT distance from the tip of the lens to the tip of your nose..... "AAAAAAND ACTION!!!!" They scream at you. That actor may have just spent the past fifteen minutes doing emotional preparation for the scene and you just took them out of character by screaming at them. But that's exactly why Clint Eastwood treats his actors like horses. And by that I don't mean he bull whips them into submission - if you have loud noises or even fire on set, and you're working with horses - the horses will freak out and run or buck you off their back; ruining the scene. He doesn't scream through a bullhorn, it's a very quiet set; they use radios with earpieces so you don't hear a lot of radio chatter or noise on set - but you'd BETTER be paying attention. He's a great director because he's also a great actor.
I’m an actor as well and when I’m speaking on set to the director or producer who is nearby the actor, I always avert my gaze, and wait for a proper moment to jump in to say my piece, because I know how distracting it can be to have everyone yelling and futzing with your hair, and you haven’t had enough time to prep as much as you’d like. It’s a very stressful job
As an actor, I really, really appreciate you saying that if the actor is getting a lot of info on how to do a take, you won't overwhelm them with additional instruction on the first take. Seriously, thank you!! Sometimes, it gets so complicated when you have to process a ton of new information on the spot! You rock!!!!!!!
As an actor, I can't imagine showing up on set and not knowing my lines... As far as distractions like fussing with my hair, make up, marks, lighting taping for focus...i love all of that. It's all to help me and all of us
In aviation there's the concept of "task saturation", where stuff just keeps piling up faster than you can deal with it until you just get overwhelmed. We have the magical response "Unable", and a pilot absolutely will just respond with that one word and then ignore everything except their aircraft until they're back on top of things. Would be good if more professions had that option.
This dude sounds about as professional as it gets. Don’t know anything about ‘the business,’ but his approach to the craft grabbed my attention and kept me listening to the end
My takeaway: an unprepared actor and the ramifications of that lack affects everyone. As an actor and producer I know how much time goes into planning shots, which is connected to line items costs, equipment needed, and schedules. I mean, it’s incredible. You don’t know your lines? It can change the whole flow of a day, money, workload, and on and on. Prepare your ass off. Then prep some more. If you drop a line it’s cool, stay professional, but don’t freaking show up unprepared. That’s just selfish and crappy. Ok. My two cents.
i agree, i think especially with roles that a movie is built around, with someone like the lead, even the tone you set as member of the set can have big effects
Bless this man, I hope he works forever on whatever he wants. People rarely think of the actors' job in this way- he's 100% right. A ton going on, every take, sometimes for 15+ hour days for weeks or months. That being said- they're usually the best days ever and you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, doing anything else. It's not coal mining. But the empathy and understanding is very much appreciated indeed
One of the least obvious things about the challenge of acting is what an actor sees during a shoot. From the camera in, things look real. From the actor out, one is staring (or trying not to) at cameras, lighting trees, three guys on a dolly, anyone on set moving around, etc. In theater the actor stares out into a black void. That’s much easier than film work.
Definitely some truth to this one. Having worked many times on set as part of the crew, and as an actor … That being said, I believe the craziest distraction for actors is locking eyes with non actors on set… it’s best not to look at the actors in the eye on set as a crew member when shooting a take, just in case they catch eye contact with you … I believe that is probably the number one distraction, and can throw off a performance - because it is a natural inclination to lock eyes with someone looking at you… so it’s always best to not look at the actors in the eyes while they are acting, unless they are the eyes of another actor in the scene. It’s a good courtesy, and good policy, since time on set is money.
I'd imagine that over time this is not really a challenge and you just adjust to these sorts of things gradually. The mind is less likely to notice what it's accustomed to.
@@artistryartistry7239 This. As a stage and film actor, you do just learn to know where to look. It becomes increasingly easy to ignore everything except the objective in the scene. I've been doing it for 11 years now and it's second nature at this point. I don't even think about cameras, lights, crew, etc. I just know *where* they are and my peripherals do the rest to keep me in check.
I mean...theater acting has it's own challenges. They're different. In theater acting, you also have the natural progression of the character and the plot, so an emotional buildup is easier but also, it's live and everything is on your shoulders. You only get the one take for every scene and if you mess up in any way, you have to make up for it. The feedback is also very different, while theater actors get immediate feedback, at the very least at the end of the play, film actors usually get really delayed feedback. I grew up in the theater but I've been doing film for over 10 years, they're just different beasts because of these things.
Theatre acting is much more difficult. Dark void? I don't think so. It's a live audience and an actor interacts with the audience. As far as learning lines, that's equivalent to learning the rules of a game. It's not a critical aspect of acting. It's the bare minimum.
i can speak as an actor, im glad that Andy said it is about the prep work, but, also mentioning that we get told A TON of things. I had to do a walk and talk for a feature called Zoonotic just recently which had about 8 pages of dialogue, plus specific action, marks, playing to camera, knowing what the other character is going to say, and, the fact that we have a schedule to maintain & not wanting to go over. Filmmaking is hard work and its more than just saying lines to camera. Thank you for this interview and with Andy just putting it out there everyone has a tough role. Everyone pulls their own weight.
Walk and talks are the worst!! I did one for this gig and man… I’m so dissatisfied with the Tina product. And everyone around you is telling you it’s great. But there’s always so much more that could have made the cut. At a certain point I had to understand the show wasn’t about my character so on some level it’s just, “bang it out.” Still. Those are hard to do well.
I love how, when he talks about being professional, being prepared, putting in the work and not being a dick actually applies to anyone’s job and how that contributes to them being successful
Film Courage - would be great to interview more directors, chief sound mixers, cinematographers and 1st ADs. It helps getting their perspectives on everything.
Worked with Toby Stephens on Black Sails. Consummate professional, great guy, confident and powerful on camera. Prepared but often had his sides in his back pocket to have a quick peek before a take. He had stacks of dialogue and always being rewritten last minute. Always had time for people. Being prepared is key for any actor, but, myself included, it’s always possible to have a brain malfunction at anytime! I had word salad on a particular line, just wouldn’t come out! I had said it about 30 times perfectly on the reverse shots 🤷♂️. Seen tough guy actors puking in their trailers with nerves and another crying on the phone to their spouse because they dried on camera and couldn’t get the speech out. Can be tough. I think sometimes over rehearsed can be as a bad as under prepared.
Black Sails is possibly the most understated show of this generation. You guys did amazing work. It only makes sense Toby was so prepared for his scenes.
@@Raymando wholeheartedly agree! My fave show of all time, I still can't believe it actually got made and aired. Thank you for all your hard work Richard.
Not surprised to hear that about TS. He is a classically trained theatre actor, with a stellar stage career in the UK. And he might have picked up the right attitude from his mom, Dame Maggie Smith!
Connection between a cinematographer and actor/actress is just like a soundman and instrument player. A good communication for the greatest output from both part is needed
Can we just talk about how empathetic and gentle this dude is.... also such a soothing voice. He needs a podcast I'd listen to him talk about anything.
The enormous sense of empathy, of cooperation that‘s necessary for things to work is one of the reasons I love being on set and in sound post production. Yes, it can be exhausting, but it‘s also exilerating while it happens. So far I haven‘t experienced this to such a degree in any other professions.
A very informative discussion. Andy Rydzewski, the cinematographer, seems wise, kind, considerate, caring and professional. He seems like an excellent person to have on your team. Thank you for sharing this.
This interview is pure class. The knowledge, and more importantly the empathy, is very revealing of the work and effort of acting, directing, and film making in general. Wonderful insights into the world of cinematography!
This was one of the best interviews I’ve heard. Really thought provoking. Be prepared, be kind, be professional. Inside information on the struggles of cast and crew and kindest towards actors I’ve heard in a long time. So well said.
I usually direct and DP my projects. A big thing is to listen to the talent's suggestions and read their mood. They are the ones who everyone sees and need to feel like they have a say in the production.
hearing him talk about his craft further instills why us screenwriters should only be implying shots (as well as listing set specifics only when integral to theme or a Chekhov’s gun). cinematography needs to be respected as an in-depth complex craft/art if we wish for screenwriting to be respected in the same way. implication is how the screenwriter can enter deeper into the collaboration between the director and cinematographer.
I don't think a cameraman should be suggesting which shot a director should choose. The director is the storyteller, the soundman, designers, lighting and cameraman are there to put his ideas over effectively. I think it's OK to offer different possibilities for a shot, but a movie is the director's vision. That's why, even after Welles stopped using Toland his films still had the same strong visual quality. That was Welles' vision
@@mesolithicman164 i would agree to an extent. the director is def the last word and the final vision, but the best seem to take part in a true collaboration with their dp’s. cameramen, yeah, fasho, they’re doing their job in the macro collab like all the others, but the cinematographer is a different role than the cameraman. *and directors are a substantial enough majority of the vision even still that interchanging dp’s can leave the director’s vision entact, so yeah i agree for the most part. my point is more so just to treat cinematography as a complex art like us writers wish screenwriting to be treated by at least the other artists involved if not the suits as well.
@@therunawayrascal I think you do yourself a disservice as a writer. I'm talking scripts here. You, as the writer, know the meaning, story wise, of every scene, how it furthers the narrative, reveals character, etc. So from that point of view I think you're quite justified in suggesting when a close up is necessary. You are also mentally staging scenes as you write ie 'Wilson rises from his chair and walks to the window.' If you put that direction in its for a purpose, telling us something about a character's state of mind. Actually that's more important than a director trying to find bits of business for an actor to do to enliven a static scene. I don't think a great film can be made without a great script and a 'good' director. All the other elements should be in service to telling the story as effectively as possible. Personally I mostly prefer older movies I find them more satisfying storywise and I love the craftsmanship of old Hollywood. Today, everything's about naturalism but I hate, for example, interior scenes when they're illuminated by bog standard incandescent domestic bulbs. In Hollywood lighting was an art nowadays it's not given adequate attention. I could ramble on in the same way about set design etc but I'll spare you. Suffice to say Hollywood under the so called 'stifling' contract system turned out literally hundreds of great films by the decade. It's just making dreck these days.
@@mesolithicman164 The roll of a DP and A cam op is too help out the director with shots and suggest solutions if they are not working. A director and DP will have a large discussion about the shots in pre production usually where they will has all this house. They all work in tandem as the directors job is working with the actors while the DP is responsible for the entire look of the shot.
@@corail53 Actually not true. If you look at the work of 3 masters, Welles, Ford and Hitchcok you will see a continuity of visual ideas through their respective bodies of work, despite having different cinematographers from film to film. Why is that? Because the directors have a visual identity, an 'eye', that the cinematographers are expected to deliver. The cinematographer has the technical know how to deliver certain shots that a director might explain to him or that may be on a storyboard. A director can't let a cinematographer impose his vision over the director's. The cinematographer should be making his own film if that's what he's trying to do.
Some fantastic advice here from this man. The ability to know when to throw another direction on to the actor is invaluable. As an actor I can tell you how stressful it is when there are people who do not sense that. There is a limit to how many new directions you can remember each take without becoming distracted and losing your truthfulness. Also completely agreed about being prepared. Your preparation is the only thing you can really control, so do it! Everyone can be doing their job well, the camera op making the perfect move, focus puller nailing the focus, even your scene partner nailing their best take, but if you fuck your lines up the take is ruined. So please be prepared actors!
I'm just a scare actor, but especially the bit about knowing the meaning behind your words when saying them is so so important. My form of acting is mainly improvisation, staying in the same role with similar skits over and over. I want to get very good at this field and stand out, and this helped alot. Thank you.
I know we don’t know each other, but you’re not “just” a scare actor. You clearly give a shit. Which in my opinion is most of the battle. I expect greatness from you my friend. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
As an actor I 100% agree on not “hanging out” between scenes. Let’s hang out at the premiere or any other time. Between scenes I’m studying my lines, aka - doing what I’ve been paid to do. I don’t get paid to hang out on set. I get paid to deliver when the director says action. Out of respect for everyone involved in the film, with the exception of a 30 minute lunch, I’m working the whole day. There is too much at stake for me to not give 100% effort to the character that I’m playing and knowing my lines as best as I can. 👍
I have so much respect for this guy, and learned a lot about what it means to be a great cinematographer, too! It's fascinating to see how the different areas influence and work with each other. Never knew that an actor not knowing their lines could have such a huge impact on the cuts. I thought they just force them to read the lines until it's right.
5:30 There's also a lot to be said about having a good REHEARSAL because the actor might know their lines inside and out but if they try to do that scene; with blocking & camera on a dolly track, sometimes you just don't really get the tempo and rhythm of the scene going through it over and over and over - get it down during rehearsal; then do a "camera rehearsal" - THEN shoot the scene. And some directors will say "Ok let's do a camera rehearsal" but WHISPER to the camera operator "Let's just go ahead and roll on the camera rehearsal" because sometimes the best performance was when the actor didn't know cameras were rolling. But amateur directors don't give their actors enough time to rehears the scene before shooting it AND/OR don't give their camera operator enough to just get in a few camera rehearsals. Sometimes the camera has to rehearse the scene too - if the blocking is complex; they have to step down a curb in the middle of an important shot or trip over cables or the focus puller is way off and HE/SHE needs another run through. Sometimes everything is perfect but one of your damn background actors looks DIRECTLY into the camera - or points at his dick like at the end of "Back To The Future III". With every adjustment the actor makes; the camera operator has to make adjustments. With every adjustment the camera operator makes the focus puller also has to make adjustments - as does the boom operator. The only difference is that when you're the performer - all eyes are on you.
@@nerychristian That's more for static shots where there isn't a lot of complex movement; so they can measure distance from actor to camera or set the lighting for the static shots. Like when they're setting up for an over the shoulder "two shot" which can take a long time. For dynamic shots where there's more movement or if the actor is doing his own stunts they won't usually use a double because if the blocking has to change and the actor isn't there in the shot then the actor isn't going to know their blocking. The actor has to rehearse the blocking either way but if it's relatively simple they might bring a stand-in once they've settled on blocking. Then the actor can go back to their trailer and go over their dialogue & emotional preparation (if necessary).
I appreciate the compassion that you have for the actor's load. It's no doubt sensed and appreciated, or in the cases that it might not be, it would still be contributing to a generally positive and productive working environment and best possible end product.
I took some theater courses in college. One of my professors was a professional actor. He said that one gets used to memorizing scripts, he could memorize a 100 page script, all parts, in a week or less. I have no idea how true that is for all actors. I can't memorize a 20 line poem. The difficult part of acting is getting to the emotion of a scene, figuring out the right tone and pitch of the lines, rising tension vs. falling, figuring out what to do with your hands, maintaining eye contact, etc.
Steven Soderbergh said similar things about working with him on "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" -- that Spader was humble, quiet, considerate, and in between projects would occasionally take regular jobs just to stay down to earth (and he would drive himself cross-country from job to job, and kept a map of his journeys). Really high praise.
Used to shoot racing. Always gave the race drivers space even though they were accessible. They carried heavy loads. Always looked for that look or “permission” to let their guard down to chat. Same thing I imagine.
What Andy so accurately described is what happens. Why proper casting information and rehearsal of a scene is so important. Before you put it on print. Thank you, Andy.
Thanks for sharing this info. I thought only amateur actors frequently forgot their lines and came unprepared. At least now I know it happens even with the big guys.
Being able to learn lines is great, but hardly required, some of the greatest actors forget their lines. Sometimes It's a lack of preparation, sometimes a learning disorder and sometimes it's because the dialogue isn't in character. Depending on the writer, direction and production, it may not even matter. Christopher Guest did films with a bunch of improvised lines.
I absolutely love these presentations. This is great to hear the thoughts of an excellent cinematographer. What he said in describing the prepared actor made me think of... Frank Sinatra vs Gene Kelly in their movies. Kelly was a perfectionist and incredibly prepared whereas Sinatra seldom knew his lines and partied all night then showed up on set and would say, "okay, let's go!"
I talked to Bill Bob Thornton once, and during the conversation, he slipped into his Sling Blade voice as a joke. It was stunningly creepy, to see the man before you disappear, and become Karl. It was the most impressive magic trick I've seen.
Speaking with directors I have worked with on a personal level here at home, and what they go through have helped me greatly as an actor. I love this interview and others like this. Keep going.
I love exploring different works and performances from the same actor/actress because you can see just how good they are when interpreting the roles. You can get to know them better by the roles they act. I've seen actors who usually and almost through all of their career pick the same type of roles and play very similar characters, it makes me feel as though I'm always watching the same character, but in different movies. This also makes it difficult to appreciate their acting. I like actors who take on roles that vary from each other. That it's blatantly clear it's a completely different character and maybe even hard to believe that the same person is playing it. I like to see very natural interactions in conversations and human reactions to the different externl and internal stimulation. I admire actors/actresses who are able to portray internal conflict through their acting in a way that, without a word, you are able to completely understand the mental turmoil their character is suffering. I also admire when they are good with accents. (Colin Morgan is one of my favorite actors.)
Such a great interview, Andy officially represents my dream cinematographer to work with. I've worked with Henry Ian Cusick and Ever Carradine, they were both phenomenal as actors and as people. 😊
We all are actors... But the one,who can feel free front of cameras will do the job! Problably best actor is the one,who can show up emotions and the one who have the role what fits with personality
Was moving toward production on a short I had written. This young girl was so good, it all but brought me to tears listening to her during the table read. I saw her audition reel and I couldn't help but write this part for her. Sadly, life had other plans and she moved on to other things in her life and this never got made. She ruined this part for anyone else she was so good. Sigh.
I remember seeing an interview with Samuel L Jackson where they asked how do you be a good actor and his answer was “Show up on time an know your fucking lines”. Lol I thought perfect.
This POV is fascinating .These are the people who know the truth. Everything that aims to go up on the screen must meet through the lens and the cinematographer's eye..Like turning dreaming, vapor and wind into something solid then a flash.
In my first film short which was based Onan excerpt from my books, my actors knew the lines well and they were well rehearsed. In comes the most unprofessional film maker ever, she changes up the lines and the blocking. She keeps us forever redoing scenes which were fine for me and then had the audacity to shout at me when the cast was doing ADR. Boy she could not be gone fast enough for me. Never again. Second film short two unprofessionals did a fantastic job and then we were amazed by the results. Third film shoot, better than the first but a little disappointing on the edit. When all of the aspects of the team work together, there can only be excellent. Halle Berry in her acceptance speech talked about the fact that you should always be professional and know your lines. I say Be professional and do whatever your job is and make the film experience, the best times of your life. Teamwork makes a dream work.
This cinematographer is very understanding with the people he works with. Sometimes we get to see the' behind the scene stuff' and see that actors get the giggles. That must be hard voor directors and Camara men to get things done in time. And it gives extra pressures on the actors so the giggles might get toucher.🙄 It would be a releave when they(everyone) also get the giggles. Most of the time it starts because of tension that comes with this work. I guess when I listen to this man in the video🤔 Wel being an actor keeps growing grey brain cells that's for sure🤣❤️👍
Great video, I found a lot of this enjoyable. I worked with Lili Reinhart recently and she was a total sweetheart. I definitely made sure to respect everyone’s space while giving myself permission to feel comfortable amidst the chaos of the set. A good actor must know how to give him/herself permission - otherwise you will shy away from making unique choices.
Ben Affleck. I worked on Live By Night as a Cuban dancer and had an opportunity to observe his scene work in close and have a short conversation with him.
Im really glad o got to hear this interview...it was very interesting listening to the point of view of a person who has such major part in making film but we dont usually hear from ....
many times the media paints these big directors, producers and stuff as money hungry bafoons and then seening interviews like this restore my faith in actual craftspeople, artists and professionals who care about things. love it❤
I would consider preparing for a role as a base minimum for this job. Amazing that just doing the standard and being a decent person is considered exceptional. But, it's Hollywood.
I like the fact that he said that any actors can be good if he's well cast, and well directed. I think an actor can be good if you put him in the best conditions. So the work of the all directors (cinematographer, filmaker ect) is very importan. You can't say : "Yeah he's a genius , he's gonna a nailed it anyway"
Acting is one of those activities that _looks_ like it just _has_ to be _so-o-o-o easy!_ But it's not. It's just that the ones who are great at it worked so hard to get it down pat so that it would _look_ like it was easy.
i like what he said about casting. clooney is a perfecr example of this. he always plays george clooney, but most of the time it works for the character. i think actors with no range can still be incredible if cast correctly
I used to do local theater. At the time our theater was in the top 10 in the nation for civic theater. I wasn't good; I could sing and I loved to be on stage, but I couldn't act very well. I didn't have "IT". I have seen ordinary people morph into other humans and other creators. One very good actor told me you have to become the character and total lose yourself. You no longer live on earth but in the scene itself; the outside world no longer exist. I tried out for the part of Lazar Wolfe in Fiddler on the Roof. I was last to audition so I had an hour to read and re-read my lines. In that hour I became Lazar Wolfe. When I auditioned it was like being outside of my body viewing the audition as a by-stander. It shock me so much, I snapped out of the moment. I got in the play on the strength of my voice (ensamble) and I always wondered if I had gone with the flow, would I have gotten the part.
I met Justin Long once. I was surprised how small he is. He came to my home town college. To support Barack Obama. I absolutely understand the power of shock. He seemed like a kewl dude.
Bummed I moved to Humboldt around the time he was on his way out. We have mutual friends that said he’s amazing to be around and super passionate. I really enjoy his work. Love seeing this 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 - Justin
I took a acting class to scratch a itch, it was really hard. One of the hardest parts for me was what do I do when I am in a scene and Imam not performing.
I've forgotten my own lines that I wrote sometimes, so I get it, haha. But also, there's a clear difference between forgetting a few lines and being unprepared. And an unprepared actor is like a DP without a camera. But the worst worst thing is an unprepared non-actor, then you know you're not going to shoot anything that day.
This guy's empathic abilities are through the roof
It's the same with virtually all cinematographers. You have to be empathetic to develop "the eye". I suppose there are bound to be outliers, but most cinematographers I have met are extremely empathetic.
@@prayforpeace2204 Agree, I think cines are often more empathetic than directors. But I also understand being the director (as I have on small projects). It's easy to get frustrated, so much is riding on the day and you're really tempted, if the actor is a diva or unprepared, to just yell, "Do your fucking job!" LOL. Because a director manages the "world" and an actor just has manage "their world." If that makes sense. This is why I never hold it against a director or an actor when somebody leaks a "blow-up" on set. Everybody is sleep deprived and the stakes are high.
Experience
He's an observer who's trained to observe. Get that pseudoscience bs outta here
"Don't be a dick and be prepared." Great advice for every aspect of life.
Yes. And lose the tude, is another one.
And yet there are so many dicks.
Too bad a majority of people lack that type of advice
@@davemckay4359 Tude falls under "don't be a dick".
@@c.galindo9639 ... what nonsense are you babbling about, here?
I don't blame actors for needing their personal space. I work retail at a clothing store. While my experience is nowhere near the movie set experience, I'm still putting on a performance in front of strangers on a daily basis (being super friendly despite being shy and nervous, being informative despite me not knowing the answer all the time, and acting confident despite me being so insecure). Interacting with so many people on a daily basis gets mentally/emotionally exhausting though. By the end of the day or during my lunch break, I don't want to talk to ANYONE lol. I just need time to recharge my batteries.
Very true. Great comment!
What wasn't mentioned that I will mention here is what it takes to perform on cue with so many people watching behind the cameras. I've always believed that one gift that can't be acquired is the ability to be completely relaxed under the pressure of dozens of people, most of them intensely scrutinizing, and with cameras rolling. I doubt celebrity makes much difference, if I was a famous supporting actor I'd be a lot more worried about directors and producers than people jockeying to have a moment with me.
You sound like me! 😁 Another thing is that I will guess more actors than we think are introverts, so being around people constantly requires extra mental energy.
That's a fascinating insight. I used to teach English in Cambodia and a colleague and I called classes The Show. You wrote the script, and directed and starred in each performance. Some shows went better than others. Both of us were shy, and caring about the work was exhausting, so your observations struck a chord.
I'm a writer writing for 5 characters at once for 130 page's without losing focus requires solitude as a actor repeating something somebody else wrote in their frame of mind takes study and lots of times never get it right or your cast wrong for the part. Jessie eisenburg as lex Luther was a big mistake not his fault they said $250 k he said yes. Christian wig as cheeta in ww 84 big mistake $2 .5 million yes she said not her fault. Chris pine blue eyes Kirk did bill Shatner to a t except the eye's. Chris as captain America A+ him as Johnny storm f4 no.
I’ve helped record auditions in a casting office for a CW show. I remember seeing this one actress (reminded me of Lily Rabe) had the magic “it” thing. Especially after hearing the same repetitive sides over a hundred times, but she managed to breathe new life into the words like they were conjured from their own thoughts and you couldn’t help but pay attention, and it felt like what I was witnessing was too good to be seen for free. But even after all that, I could immediately tell the actress wasn’t the right fit for the particular role she was auditioning for. And then the show didn’t even go to air.
But it taught me that rejection doesn’t have to be a reflection of your skills or your worth. There are so many other factors at play.
Great comment, thank you for posting D Sohn!
Cool. What was the show?
@@c.galindo9639 Some corny supernatural CW show for teens that never aired. I don't remember the title. But I recorded a lot of familiar faces!
I felt really bad for an actor from Scott Pilgrim. They came in wearing a fragrance or deodorant (the casting director was supposedly allergic to scented fragrances and sent a notice to all actors coming in NOT to wear fragrances) and the casting director got really curt with them and was like "ugh whatever, just go." I could tell the actor went into the audition feeling rattled and bombed. I felt so bad.
I'm glad they didn't bomb their Scott Pilgrim audition though. 🔪🔪
@@sohndustin yeah. Show business sucks when egos get the best of everyone
@@c.galindo9639 tbh the actor was also at fault for not following the instructions sent. I have asthma and I'm also allergic to scented fragrances. Actually, everyone in my family is except my mom, asthma comes from my dad's side. No perfumes or scented anything at home. Even detergents. Scented anything and we start sneezing like crazy, runny nose, migraine and then next thing I know, I can't work anymore.
In university, my new friends didn't take my asthma seriously and thought my allergy to scented fragrance was a joke. Well they sprayed perfume next to me. I was out sick for a week. Missed 2 classes for every course I enrolled. Ever since then, they've been very careful to not spray perfume next to me. If they're wearing strong scents, I try to avoid as much as I can.
Point is, the casting director can't afford to have the audition cancelled simply because someone didn't read the instructions.
So glad he acknowledged the difficulty of bunkering down and learning lines plus the attention seeking near celebrities. It can be brutal and it's awesome he tries to do his part to make it as easy as possible for them - sounds like a true professional in that respect.
Yup I could never remember my lines... To nervous and its to overwhelming. Behind the camera now.
Hunker down not bunker down
@@lachjack7384 I was planning on saying this lol
It all comes into your confidence and preparation
"Maybe that's another thing."
"Maybe that's another thing."
Indeed, preparation is everything.
I've worked with him. Superb DP. Handles himself great on set and his work is solid. Hiring him as DP is money in the bank.
whats DP stand for?
@@mandymourey9207 director of photography
@@ilonadragomir1184 thank you!
@@mandymourey9207 😘
9:00 They're not just carrying a lot in terms of hitting their marks; getting the blocking right - they have to be able to live truthfully under that imaginary circumstance; allow themselves to be open & vulnerable, even devastated. And this is after they've had several different people RUN up to them sticking things in your face like a make-up brush; then a light meter; then someone runs up to you with a tape measure to measure the EXACT distance from the tip of the lens to the tip of your nose..... "AAAAAAND ACTION!!!!" They scream at you. That actor may have just spent the past fifteen minutes doing emotional preparation for the scene and you just took them out of character by screaming at them.
But that's exactly why Clint Eastwood treats his actors like horses. And by that I don't mean he bull whips them into submission - if you have loud noises or even fire on set, and you're working with horses - the horses will freak out and run or buck you off their back; ruining the scene. He doesn't scream through a bullhorn, it's a very quiet set; they use radios with earpieces so you don't hear a lot of radio chatter or noise on set - but you'd BETTER be paying attention. He's a great director because he's also a great actor.
Spot on. So well put and such a great analogy from Eastwood 👌
I’m an actor as well and when I’m speaking on set to the director or producer who is nearby the actor, I always avert my gaze, and wait for a proper moment to jump in to say my piece, because I know how distracting it can be to have everyone yelling and futzing with your hair, and you haven’t had enough time to prep as much as you’d like. It’s a very stressful job
You sound like you’ve studied Meisner!
If you look at Clint's career he's studiously absorbed all the great tricks and techniques from the directors he's worked with. As has Ron Howard.
easy .....EEEEK!!!
As an actor, I really, really appreciate you saying that if the actor is getting a lot of info on how to do a take, you won't overwhelm them with additional instruction on the first take. Seriously, thank you!! Sometimes, it gets so complicated when you have to process a ton of new information on the spot! You rock!!!!!!!
Love this!
As an actor, I can't imagine showing up on set and not knowing my lines... As far as distractions like fussing with my hair, make up, marks, lighting taping for focus...i love all of that. It's all to help me and all of us
just be prepared olga
In aviation there's the concept of "task saturation", where stuff just keeps piling up faster than you can deal with it until you just get overwhelmed. We have the magical response "Unable", and a pilot absolutely will just respond with that one word and then ignore everything except their aircraft until they're back on top of things.
Would be good if more professions had that option.
This dude sounds about as professional as it gets. Don’t know anything about ‘the business,’ but his approach to the craft grabbed my attention and kept me listening to the end
Same here.
He's very wise.
As an actor, ive always bonded more with cinematographers than directors or actors. This guy deserves a billion likes for his sensitivity.
My takeaway: an unprepared actor and the ramifications of that lack affects everyone.
As an actor and producer I know how much time goes into planning shots, which is connected to line items costs, equipment needed, and schedules. I mean, it’s incredible.
You don’t know your lines? It can change the whole flow of a day, money, workload, and on and on.
Prepare your ass off. Then prep some more. If you drop a line it’s cool, stay professional, but don’t freaking show up unprepared. That’s just selfish and crappy.
Ok. My two cents.
i agree, i think especially with roles that a movie is built around, with someone like the lead, even the tone you set as member of the set can have big effects
Bless this man, I hope he works forever on whatever he wants. People rarely think of the actors' job in this way- he's 100% right. A ton going on, every take, sometimes for 15+ hour days for weeks or months. That being said- they're usually the best days ever and you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, doing anything else. It's not coal mining. But the empathy and understanding is very much appreciated indeed
One of the least obvious things about the challenge of acting is what an actor sees during a shoot. From the camera in, things look real. From the actor out, one is staring (or trying not to) at cameras, lighting trees, three guys on a dolly, anyone on set moving around, etc. In theater the actor stares out into a black void. That’s much easier than film work.
Definitely some truth to this one. Having worked many times on set as part of the crew, and as an actor … That being said, I believe the craziest distraction for actors is locking eyes with non actors on set… it’s best not to look at the actors in the eye on set as a crew member when shooting a take, just in case they catch eye contact with you … I believe that is probably the number one distraction, and can throw off a performance - because it is a natural inclination to lock eyes with someone looking at you… so it’s always best to not look at the actors in the eyes while they are acting, unless they are the eyes of another actor in the scene. It’s a good courtesy, and good policy, since time on set is money.
I'd imagine that over time this is not really a challenge and you just adjust to these sorts of things gradually. The mind is less likely to notice what it's accustomed to.
@@artistryartistry7239 This. As a stage and film actor, you do just learn to know where to look. It becomes increasingly easy to ignore everything except the objective in the scene. I've been doing it for 11 years now and it's second nature at this point. I don't even think about cameras, lights, crew, etc. I just know *where* they are and my peripherals do the rest to keep me in check.
I mean...theater acting has it's own challenges. They're different. In theater acting, you also have the natural progression of the character and the plot, so an emotional buildup is easier but also, it's live and everything is on your shoulders. You only get the one take for every scene and if you mess up in any way, you have to make up for it. The feedback is also very different, while theater actors get immediate feedback, at the very least at the end of the play, film actors usually get really delayed feedback. I grew up in the theater but I've been doing film for over 10 years, they're just different beasts because of these things.
Theatre acting is much more difficult. Dark void? I don't think so. It's a live audience and an actor interacts with the audience. As far as learning lines, that's equivalent to learning the rules of a game. It's not a critical aspect of acting. It's the bare minimum.
i can speak as an actor, im glad that Andy said it is about the prep work, but, also mentioning that we get told A TON of things. I had to do a walk and talk for a feature called Zoonotic just recently which had about 8 pages of dialogue, plus specific action, marks, playing to camera, knowing what the other character is going to say, and, the fact that we have a schedule to maintain & not wanting to go over.
Filmmaking is hard work and its more than just saying lines to camera.
Thank you for this interview and with Andy just putting it out there everyone has a tough role. Everyone pulls their own weight.
I completely agree man!
Walk and talks are the worst!! I did one for this gig and man… I’m so dissatisfied with the Tina product. And everyone around you is telling you it’s great. But there’s always so much more that could have made the cut. At a certain point I had to understand the show wasn’t about my character so on some level it’s just, “bang it out.” Still. Those are hard to do well.
It is what it is. Just take it all in stride and act accordingly
I appreciate the humility the man has for his role and the empathy for those he works with. I think that reflects a great respect for the art.
I love how, when he talks about being professional, being prepared, putting in the work and not being a dick actually applies to anyone’s job and how that contributes to them being successful
Film Courage - would be great to interview more directors, chief sound mixers, cinematographers and 1st ADs. It helps getting their perspectives on everything.
Worked with Toby Stephens on Black Sails. Consummate professional, great guy, confident and powerful on camera. Prepared but often had his sides in his back pocket to have a quick peek before a take. He had stacks of dialogue and always being rewritten last minute. Always had time for people. Being prepared is key for any actor, but, myself included, it’s always possible to have a brain malfunction at anytime! I had word salad on a particular line, just wouldn’t come out! I had said it about 30 times perfectly on the reverse shots 🤷♂️. Seen tough guy actors puking in their trailers with nerves and another crying on the phone to their spouse because they dried on camera and couldn’t get the speech out. Can be tough. I think sometimes over rehearsed can be as a bad as under prepared.
Black Sails is possibly the most understated show of this generation. You guys did amazing work. It only makes sense Toby was so prepared for his scenes.
Wow top info
@@Raymando wholeheartedly agree! My fave show of all time, I still can't believe it actually got made and aired. Thank you for all your hard work Richard.
Not surprised to hear that about TS. He is a classically trained theatre actor, with a stellar stage career in the UK. And he might have picked up the right attitude from his mom, Dame Maggie Smith!
thanks forcomment about Toby Stephens … one of my favorite actors 💕
Connection between a cinematographer and actor/actress is just like a soundman and instrument player. A good communication for the greatest output from both part is needed
This guys voice is so calming and I love it
Can we just talk about how empathetic and gentle this dude is.... also such a soothing voice. He needs a podcast I'd listen to him talk about anything.
Andy oozes empathy. Class act.
Look at how confident, knowledgeable and downright handsome this gentleman is. My goodness.
The enormous sense of empathy, of cooperation that‘s necessary for things to work is one of the reasons I love being on set and in sound post production. Yes, it can be exhausting, but it‘s also exilerating while it happens. So far I haven‘t experienced this to such a degree in any other professions.
A very informative discussion. Andy Rydzewski, the cinematographer, seems wise, kind, considerate, caring and professional. He seems like an excellent person to have on your team. Thank you for sharing this.
This interview is pure class. The knowledge, and more importantly the empathy, is very revealing of the work and effort of acting, directing, and film making in general. Wonderful insights into the world of cinematography!
This was one of the best interviews I’ve heard. Really thought provoking. Be prepared, be kind, be professional. Inside information on the struggles of cast and crew and kindest towards actors I’ve heard in a long time. So well said.
This guy’s attitude to his craft and his approach and humanity is amazing.
this guy is the consummate professional. direct, lucid, no ego. id work w him any time. great interview.
I usually direct and DP my projects. A big thing is to listen to the talent's suggestions and read their mood. They are the ones who everyone sees and need to feel like they have a say in the production.
Amen to that, bruddah director. I mean -- hot snot, look at Bruce Willis these days ... wtf happened ..?
hearing him talk about his craft further instills why us screenwriters should only be implying shots (as well as listing set specifics only when integral to theme or a Chekhov’s gun). cinematography needs to be respected as an in-depth complex craft/art if we wish for screenwriting to be respected in the same way.
implication is how the screenwriter can enter deeper into the collaboration between the director and cinematographer.
I don't think a cameraman should be suggesting which shot a director should choose. The director is the storyteller, the soundman, designers, lighting and cameraman are there to put his ideas over effectively. I think it's OK to offer different possibilities for a shot, but a movie is the director's vision. That's why, even after Welles stopped using Toland his films still had the same strong visual quality. That was Welles' vision
@@mesolithicman164 i would agree to an extent. the director is def the last word and the final vision, but the best seem to take part in a true collaboration with their dp’s. cameramen, yeah, fasho, they’re doing their job in the macro collab like all the others, but the cinematographer is a different role than the cameraman. *and directors are a substantial enough majority of the vision even still that interchanging dp’s can leave the director’s vision entact, so yeah i agree for the most part.
my point is more so just to treat cinematography as a complex art like us writers wish screenwriting to be treated by at least the other artists involved if not the suits as well.
@@therunawayrascal
I think you do yourself a disservice as a writer. I'm talking scripts here. You, as the writer, know the meaning, story wise, of every scene, how it furthers the narrative, reveals character, etc. So from that point of view I think you're quite justified in suggesting when a close up is necessary. You are also mentally staging scenes as you write ie 'Wilson rises from his chair and walks to the window.' If you put that direction in its for a purpose, telling us something about a character's state of mind. Actually that's more important than a director trying to find bits of business for an actor to do to enliven a static scene. I don't think a great film can be made without a great script and a 'good' director. All the other elements should be in service to telling the story as effectively as possible.
Personally I mostly prefer older movies I find them more satisfying storywise and I love the craftsmanship of old Hollywood. Today, everything's about naturalism but I hate, for example, interior scenes when they're illuminated by bog standard incandescent domestic bulbs. In Hollywood lighting was an art nowadays it's not given adequate attention. I could ramble on in the same way about set design etc but I'll spare you. Suffice to say Hollywood under the so called 'stifling' contract system turned out literally hundreds of great films by the decade. It's just making dreck these days.
@@mesolithicman164 The roll of a DP and A cam op is too help out the director with shots and suggest solutions if they are not working. A director and DP will have a large discussion about the shots in pre production usually where they will has all this house. They all work in tandem as the directors job is working with the actors while the DP is responsible for the entire look of the shot.
@@corail53
Actually not true. If you look at the work of 3 masters, Welles, Ford and Hitchcok you will see a continuity of visual ideas through their respective bodies of work, despite having different cinematographers from film to film.
Why is that? Because the directors have a visual identity, an 'eye', that the cinematographers are expected to deliver. The cinematographer has the technical know how to deliver certain shots that a director might explain to him or that may be on a storyboard.
A director can't let a cinematographer impose his vision over the director's.
The cinematographer should be making his own film if that's what he's trying to do.
Some fantastic advice here from this man. The ability to know when to throw another direction on to the actor is invaluable. As an actor I can tell you how stressful it is when there are people who do not sense that. There is a limit to how many new directions you can remember each take without becoming distracted and losing your truthfulness. Also completely agreed about being prepared. Your preparation is the only thing you can really control, so do it! Everyone can be doing their job well, the camera op making the perfect move, focus puller nailing the focus, even your scene partner nailing their best take, but if you fuck your lines up the take is ruined. So please be prepared actors!
1) Put in the work
2) Show up on time
3) Be a pleasure to work with
And you can get by on any 2 of the 3.
I'm just a scare actor, but especially the bit about knowing the meaning behind your words when saying them is so so important. My form of acting is mainly improvisation, staying in the same role with similar skits over and over. I want to get very good at this field and stand out, and this helped alot. Thank you.
Nice to hear, thank you for sharing! Our best to you as you move forward with your craft!
I know we don’t know each other, but you’re not “just” a scare actor. You clearly give a shit. Which in my opinion is most of the battle. I expect greatness from you my friend. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
As an actor I 100% agree on not “hanging out” between scenes. Let’s hang out at the premiere or any other time. Between scenes I’m studying my lines, aka - doing what I’ve been paid to do. I don’t get paid to hang out on set. I get paid to deliver when the director says action. Out of respect for everyone involved in the film, with the exception of a 30 minute lunch, I’m working the whole day. There is too much at stake for me to not give 100% effort to the character that I’m playing and knowing my lines as best as I can. 👍
I've been acting since I was 5 years old, and I totally relate to everything he says. From directing, to acting or cinematography. I understand
This is beautiful! Thank you. As an actor, I need this perspective. Being prepared is definitely needed for every actor.
Our best to you!
I have so much respect for this guy, and learned a lot about what it means to be a great cinematographer, too! It's fascinating to see how the different areas influence and work with each other. Never knew that an actor not knowing their lines could have such a huge impact on the cuts. I thought they just force them to read the lines until it's right.
“You want the performance to work. If the performance doesn’t work it doesn’t matter how pretty my light is.”
5:30 There's also a lot to be said about having a good REHEARSAL because the actor might know their lines inside and out but if they try to do that scene; with blocking & camera on a dolly track, sometimes you just don't really get the tempo and rhythm of the scene going through it over and over and over - get it down during rehearsal; then do a "camera rehearsal" - THEN shoot the scene. And some directors will say "Ok let's do a camera rehearsal" but WHISPER to the camera operator "Let's just go ahead and roll on the camera rehearsal" because sometimes the best performance was when the actor didn't know cameras were rolling. But amateur directors don't give their actors enough time to rehears the scene before shooting it AND/OR don't give their camera operator enough to just get in a few camera rehearsals.
Sometimes the camera has to rehearse the scene too - if the blocking is complex; they have to step down a curb in the middle of an important shot or trip over cables or the focus puller is way off and HE/SHE needs another run through. Sometimes everything is perfect but one of your damn background actors looks DIRECTLY into the camera - or points at his dick like at the end of "Back To The Future III".
With every adjustment the actor makes; the camera operator has to make adjustments. With every adjustment the camera operator makes the focus puller also has to make adjustments - as does the boom operator. The only difference is that when you're the performer - all eyes are on you.
Don't they have "stand ins" that are used for camera people to rehearse how they will shoot a scene?
@@nerychristian That's more for static shots where there isn't a lot of complex movement; so they can measure distance from actor to camera or set the lighting for the static shots. Like when they're setting up for an over the shoulder "two shot" which can take a long time.
For dynamic shots where there's more movement or if the actor is doing his own stunts they won't usually use a double because if the blocking has to change and the actor isn't there in the shot then the actor isn't going to know their blocking. The actor has to rehearse the blocking either way but if it's relatively simple they might bring a stand-in once they've settled on blocking. Then the actor can go back to their trailer and go over their dialogue & emotional preparation (if necessary).
I appreciate the compassion that you have for the actor's load. It's no doubt sensed and appreciated, or in the cases that it might not be, it would still be contributing to a generally positive and productive working environment and best possible end product.
I took some theater courses in college. One of my professors was a professional actor. He said that one gets used to memorizing scripts, he could memorize a 100 page script, all parts, in a week or less. I have no idea how true that is for all actors. I can't memorize a 20 line poem. The difficult part of acting is getting to the emotion of a scene, figuring out the right tone and pitch of the lines, rising tension vs. falling, figuring out what to do with your hands, maintaining eye contact, etc.
Joey Pantoliano was functionally illiterate. More to acting than just memorizing scripts for sure.
Memorizing something is the easy part! Making those lines your own thoughts so that they are believable to anyone outside of you is the real work.
James Spader is a consummate professional on the set of "The Blacklist." His decades of experience show.
I LOVE THIS SHOWWWWW!! I'm on season 3 rn!!
Steven Soderbergh said similar things about working with him on "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" -- that Spader was humble, quiet, considerate, and in between projects would occasionally take regular jobs just to stay down to earth (and he would drive himself cross-country from job to job, and kept a map of his journeys). Really high praise.
The whole time, I was waiting for him to say "Pay him...pay that man his money." Lol.
This! 😂
He beat me fair and square
Andy Rydzewski is pretty charismatic and memorable himself...actually...
Used to shoot racing. Always gave the race drivers space even though they were accessible. They carried heavy loads. Always looked for that look or “permission” to let their guard down to chat. Same thing I imagine.
That was brilliant. Kudos!
This covered an extraordinary amount of ground in ten minutes. Very practical, even for folks working on small projects with local talent.
Not sure whom this cinematographer is but his astuteness lends me to think he is a master of his craft. Thoughtful and empathic. Futures so bright 😎
This guy loves the craft...
What Andy so accurately described is what happens. Why proper casting information and rehearsal of a scene is so important. Before you put it on print. Thank you, Andy.
Tyson Fury does a very convincing american accent.
So does Hugh Laurie
😂
Thanks for sharing this info. I thought only amateur actors frequently forgot their lines and came unprepared. At least now I know it happens even with the big guys.
Being able to learn lines is great, but hardly required, some of the greatest actors forget their lines. Sometimes It's a lack of preparation, sometimes a learning disorder and sometimes it's because the dialogue isn't in character.
Depending on the writer, direction and production, it may not even matter. Christopher Guest did films with a bunch of improvised lines.
I absolutely love these presentations. This is great to hear the thoughts of an excellent cinematographer. What he said in describing the prepared actor made me think of... Frank Sinatra vs Gene Kelly in their movies. Kelly was a perfectionist and incredibly prepared whereas Sinatra seldom knew his lines and partied all night then showed up on set and would say, "okay, let's go!"
I talked to Bill Bob Thornton once, and during the conversation, he slipped into his Sling Blade voice as a joke. It was stunningly creepy, to see the man before you disappear, and become Karl. It was the most impressive magic trick I've seen.
Speaking with directors I have worked with on a personal level here at home, and what they go through have helped me greatly as an actor. I love this interview and others like this. Keep going.
Intriguing. This guy seems like a really cool guy to work with.
Casting is an art and it's super underrated
Wow. thanks!. Interesting to hear a Cinematographers view. He seemed genuine and honest in all his comments
I love exploring different works and performances from the same actor/actress because you can see just how good they are when interpreting the roles. You can get to know them better by the roles they act. I've seen actors who usually and almost through all of their career pick the same type of roles and play very similar characters, it makes me feel as though I'm always watching the same character, but in different movies. This also makes it difficult to appreciate their acting. I like actors who take on roles that vary from each other. That it's blatantly clear it's a completely different character and maybe even hard to believe that the same person is playing it. I like to see very natural interactions in conversations and human reactions to the different externl and internal stimulation. I admire actors/actresses who are able to portray internal conflict through their acting in a way that, without a word, you are able to completely understand the mental turmoil their character is suffering. I also admire when they are good with accents.
(Colin Morgan is one of my favorite actors.)
Such a great interview, Andy officially represents my dream cinematographer to work with. I've worked with Henry Ian Cusick and Ever Carradine, they were both phenomenal as actors and as people. 😊
I want this guy on all my productions. Awesome interview !!! 💯💯💯
We all are actors...
But the one,who can feel free front of cameras will do the job!
Problably best actor is the one,who can show up emotions and the one who have the role what fits with personality
Honest and enlightening take. Thank you.
If you look closely, his mannerisms and way of talking reminds of Oscar Martinez from The Office. Just focus ❤️
Who is the best actor you have ever worked with? Give them a shout out here.
Kris Tash
Was moving toward production on a short I had written. This young girl was so good, it all but brought me to tears listening to her during the table read. I saw her audition reel and I couldn't help but write this part for her. Sadly, life had other plans and she moved on to other things in her life and this never got made. She ruined this part for anyone else she was so good. Sigh.
@@lemoinedrake you worked with the late John Hurt??? Wow
I remember seeing an interview with Samuel L Jackson where they asked how do you be a good actor and his answer was “Show up on time an know your fucking lines”. Lol I thought perfect.
This POV is fascinating .These are the people who know the truth. Everything that aims to go up on the screen must meet through the lens and the cinematographer's eye..Like turning dreaming, vapor and wind into something solid then a flash.
In my first film short which was based Onan excerpt from my books, my actors knew the lines well and they were well rehearsed.
In comes the most unprofessional film maker ever, she changes up the lines and the blocking. She keeps us forever redoing scenes which were fine for me and then had the audacity to shout at me when the cast was doing ADR.
Boy she could not be gone fast enough for me. Never again. Second film short two unprofessionals did a fantastic job and then we were amazed by the results.
Third film shoot, better than the first but a little disappointing on the edit. When all of the aspects of the team work together, there can only be excellent.
Halle Berry in her acceptance speech talked about the fact that you should always be professional and know your lines.
I say Be professional and do whatever your job is and make the film experience, the best times of your life.
Teamwork makes a dream work.
1:22 exactly. It's down to a role and right casting most of the time.
I'm a struggling actor here in Hollywood. Just wanna say thanks for this vid. It ain't easy....cheers
Great to see this video find you! Definitely not easy. Our best to you.
Good job bro. Can you tell me what it’s like? I really do want to purse my acting career.
So great to have his perspective! Thank you!
Thanks for watching
Excellent video. This chap seems like a real professional and would be an asset on any set.
VERY helpful video. Thank you.
This cinematographer is very understanding with the people he works with. Sometimes we get to see the' behind the scene stuff' and see that actors get the giggles. That must be hard voor directors and Camara men to get things done in time. And it gives extra pressures on the actors so the giggles might get toucher.🙄 It would be a releave when they(everyone) also get the giggles. Most of the time it starts because of tension that comes with this work. I guess when I listen to this man in the video🤔 Wel being an actor keeps growing grey brain cells that's for sure🤣❤️👍
Great video, I found a lot of this enjoyable. I worked with Lili Reinhart recently and she was a total sweetheart. I definitely made sure to respect everyone’s space while giving myself permission to feel comfortable amidst the chaos of the set. A good actor must know how to give him/herself permission - otherwise you will shy away from making unique choices.
Ben Affleck. I worked on Live By Night as a Cuban dancer and had an opportunity to observe his scene work in close and have a short conversation with him.
was he good or bad
beautiful guy! sensitive and thoughtful
Im really glad o got to hear this interview...it was very interesting listening to the point of view of a person who has such major part in making film but we dont usually hear from ....
What a thoughtful person
many times the media paints these big directors, producers and stuff as money hungry bafoons and then seening interviews like this restore my faith in actual craftspeople, artists and professionals who care about things. love it❤
This video has opened my eyes to things I didn't even know I needed to
I would consider preparing for a role as a base minimum for this job. Amazing that just doing the standard and being a decent person is considered exceptional. But, it's Hollywood.
Thank you! This was so useful to hear from this brilliant cinematographer. Perspective shifting and eye-opening as an Actor.
I like the fact that he said that any actors can be good if he's well cast, and well directed. I think an actor can be good if you put him in the best conditions. So the work of the all directors (cinematographer, filmaker ect) is very importan. You can't say : "Yeah he's a genius , he's gonna a nailed it anyway"
My god! I wish many more people see and hear this!!!😍😍😍😍
Acting is one of those activities that _looks_ like it just _has_ to be _so-o-o-o easy!_ But it's not. It's just that the ones who are great at it worked so hard to get it down pat so that it would _look_ like it was easy.
That was really interesting. I think I’ve found a favorite new channel.
Cheers Andrew! Hope you continue to find value here.
Im pretty sure it was Sir Laurence Olivier who said 50% of great acting is knowing your lines
i like what he said about casting. clooney is a perfecr example of this. he always plays george clooney, but most of the time it works for the character. i think actors with no range can still be incredible if cast correctly
Actors are so brave. Honestly the real hero’s
This guys in a master cat herder. Mad respect having that patience
I used to do local theater. At the time our theater was in the top 10 in the nation for civic theater. I wasn't good; I could sing and I loved to be on stage, but I couldn't act very well. I didn't have "IT". I have seen ordinary people morph into other humans and other creators. One very good actor told me you have to become the character and total lose yourself. You no longer live on earth but in the scene itself; the outside world no longer exist. I tried out for the part of Lazar Wolfe in Fiddler on the Roof. I was last to audition so I had an hour to read and re-read my lines. In that hour I became Lazar Wolfe. When I auditioned it was like being outside of my body viewing the audition as a by-stander. It shock me so much, I snapped out of the moment. I got in the play on the strength of my voice (ensamble) and I always wondered if I had gone with the flow, would I have gotten the part.
That beard is magnific
I met Justin Long once. I was surprised how small he is. He came to my home town college. To support Barack Obama. I absolutely understand the power of shock. He seemed like a kewl dude.
Bummed I moved to Humboldt around the time he was on his way out. We have mutual friends that said he’s amazing to be around and super passionate. I really enjoy his work. Love seeing this 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 - Justin
Andy is great... can confirm. Genuine good dude, great at his job... and a Bills Fan!
What an amazing guy
I took a acting class to scratch a itch, it was really hard. One of the hardest parts for me was what do I do when I am in a scene and Imam not performing.
I've forgotten my own lines that I wrote sometimes, so I get it, haha. But also, there's a clear difference between forgetting a few lines and being unprepared. And an unprepared actor is like a DP without a camera. But the worst worst thing is an unprepared non-actor, then you know you're not going to shoot anything that day.
A smart & interesting guy, and clearly a master of the craft.