So this is what it's like...
Put a pair of method actors, some relatively inexperienced filmmakers and some real tough text inside a 95 degree crumbling blue cabin surrounded by blinding lights at 2 am and I guess you're asking for this. During take 20 or so of the scene, the lead actress breaks character and yells at the lead actor that she didn't feel intimidated by him and thus felt as if she was faking her emotions. Now I'm already feeling queasy from some bad water and I'm tempted to quote Olivier and say "Why don't you try acting" but the girl is method, after all, and her best stuff comes when she's right there with the character.
We try it a few more times, all to the same effect, and the tension in the room is getting so high that I wish I had a cigarette even though I don't smoke. Deciding this to be the last take (we're all too tired) I try one more tactic: make them afraid to pop the frustration we were all feeling. After yelling cut, the lead says "Y'know, maybe we'd better just do this some other night", which is exactly the cue I want. I yell "Fuck no. We're finishing this shit tonight. Get into places, both of you. I don't care what happens, do NOT fucking break character. I don't want another word. Rolling. Sound. Action. Go."
Unfortunately, the tactic works and the lead actress gets her real tears, but things don't end when we wrap. She just kind of sits there on the bed while we pack up. The lead actor breaks into tears when he finds out I wasn't for real. My queasiness comes to a climax so I just walk outside and vomit.
The next day, we take a break from a hectic rehearsal schedule to go get some really good pie in the nearby town of Blanco. I wonder whether or not the last night's wounds will leave scars, since we don't laugh that much despite the departure from all things familiar and tense. Later that day, the actor gets a call from his dad that his cousin has died and he needs to leave immediately, since traditionally Jewish funerals must be held within 24 hours. He drives out within the hour and the whole movie goes into sleep mode, while still costing Jared 35 bucks a day.
And the worst thing is, I'm still not sure we got that scene.
Fuck it. I'm gonna go buy fireworks. Call me if you wanna chill over the next coupla days.
We try it a few more times, all to the same effect, and the tension in the room is getting so high that I wish I had a cigarette even though I don't smoke. Deciding this to be the last take (we're all too tired) I try one more tactic: make them afraid to pop the frustration we were all feeling. After yelling cut, the lead says "Y'know, maybe we'd better just do this some other night", which is exactly the cue I want. I yell "Fuck no. We're finishing this shit tonight. Get into places, both of you. I don't care what happens, do NOT fucking break character. I don't want another word. Rolling. Sound. Action. Go."
Unfortunately, the tactic works and the lead actress gets her real tears, but things don't end when we wrap. She just kind of sits there on the bed while we pack up. The lead actor breaks into tears when he finds out I wasn't for real. My queasiness comes to a climax so I just walk outside and vomit.
The next day, we take a break from a hectic rehearsal schedule to go get some really good pie in the nearby town of Blanco. I wonder whether or not the last night's wounds will leave scars, since we don't laugh that much despite the departure from all things familiar and tense. Later that day, the actor gets a call from his dad that his cousin has died and he needs to leave immediately, since traditionally Jewish funerals must be held within 24 hours. He drives out within the hour and the whole movie goes into sleep mode, while still costing Jared 35 bucks a day.
And the worst thing is, I'm still not sure we got that scene.
Fuck it. I'm gonna go buy fireworks. Call me if you wanna chill over the next coupla days.