“Something harder than making a movie is not making a movie.”
– Gus Van Sant, Director (PROMISED LAND)
Indies Unchained!
Breaking into Film/TV on our own terms.
Tag Archives: Promised Land
THR’s Writers Roundtable or That Time I Learned To Take Judd Apatow Seriously
It wasn’t exactly a shocker that Ben Affleck would included in THR’s Directors Roundtable (ARGO was superb), but I definitely rubbed my eyes in disbelief at seeing Judd “40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN” Apatow sitting alongside award-winning scribes Mark Boal (ZERO DARK THIRTY) and Michael Haneke (AMOUR). I’ll watch KNOCKED UP when it’s on TV, but after FUNNY PEOPLE. I kinda felt “meh” about the guy himself. Apatow held his own, though. As the only comedy writer on the couch, I was expecting him to interject on every question ala Tarantino, but that wasn’t the case. Another reason why I love watching these interviews every year. Forget the frat-boy Apatow persona you think you know and meet Judd, a man brave enough to cast a movie with his wife and daughters in story pretty much taken directly from his own life.
THR’s Directors Roundtable: Typical Boy’s Club or Stellar Group of Artists Who Happen To Be Male?
Whatever your opinion, I hope that you will take the time check out the full interview. I prefer this style of Awards Season coverage because it finally intimately spotlights the artists, letting them speak for themselves about their work. I wouldn’t necessarily call either of these guys my favorite director, but I learned a ton from their roundtable. The moderator’s questions are insightful and egos seem to be checked at the door. Yes, I too am wondering why Kathryn Bigelow (ZERO DARK THIRTY) and Ava DuVernay (MIDDLE OF NOWHERE) weren’t included, but perhaps this is just another time to earnestly listen to who is featured.
My favorite moments:
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