Thread
DIRECTORS & ACTORS
A love story
A love story
1. SYDNEY & DUSTIN
While making “Tootsie,” Dustin Hoffman was driving Sydney Pollack crazy. No matter what direction he gave, Hoffman would object and it would devolve into an endless discussion as they fell farther and farther behind schedule. Pollack was beside himself.
While making “Tootsie,” Dustin Hoffman was driving Sydney Pollack crazy. No matter what direction he gave, Hoffman would object and it would devolve into an endless discussion as they fell farther and farther behind schedule. Pollack was beside himself.
2. ROPE-A-DOPE
When I asked how he dealt with it, Pollack said, “I went limp.” When it was time to stage a new scene, rather than give direction he'd say nothing. As rehearsal began, if Dustin asked where he should sit. Pollack’s response was, “wherever you want.”
When I asked how he dealt with it, Pollack said, “I went limp.” When it was time to stage a new scene, rather than give direction he'd say nothing. As rehearsal began, if Dustin asked where he should sit. Pollack’s response was, “wherever you want.”
3. A HAPPY ENDING
After a while Hoffman knew his performance was suffering. Without someone to fight, he was lost. Finally, he apologized. “Just let me be an asshole,” Sydney, “and I’ll do whatever you want.” Pollack smiled and they got back to work. The rest is history.
After a while Hoffman knew his performance was suffering. Without someone to fight, he was lost. Finally, he apologized. “Just let me be an asshole,” Sydney, “and I’ll do whatever you want.” Pollack smiled and they got back to work. The rest is history.
4. RESONANCES
Years later, while directing my first movie, I got into a stupid pissing match with Jim Belushi. We were on “the el” train in Chicago. I wanted him to begin speaking the moment the doors opened. For some reason he kept waiting until they closed. I got upset.
Years later, while directing my first movie, I got into a stupid pissing match with Jim Belushi. We were on “the el” train in Chicago. I wanted him to begin speaking the moment the doors opened. For some reason he kept waiting until they closed. I got upset.
5. THE LIMIT
After each blown take the train would make another loop around the city. We were losing the light., Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. In the middle of a take I yelled, “Cut!” Belushi turned on me and bellowed, “What the fuck did you do that for?”
After each blown take the train would make another loop around the city. We were losing the light., Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. In the middle of a take I yelled, “Cut!” Belushi turned on me and bellowed, “What the fuck did you do that for?”
6. CONFLAGRATION
“Because you didn’t take my direction,” I said. “Why the fuck should I?” he bellowed. “Because I’m the fucking director!” I yelled back. At which point the train’s doors opened and he stormed out, muttering “Fuck you!” I followed. Did I mention it was snowing?
“Because you didn’t take my direction,” I said. “Why the fuck should I?” he bellowed. “Because I’m the fucking director!” I yelled back. At which point the train’s doors opened and he stormed out, muttering “Fuck you!” I followed. Did I mention it was snowing?
7. ALONE IN THE SNOW
As we stood on the platform shouting ‘Fuck You, No, Fuck You’ the train sped off for another loop. With it went the crew. I remember the producer’s horrified face pressed against the window as they disappeared. The deserted platform was suddenly quiet.
As we stood on the platform shouting ‘Fuck You, No, Fuck You’ the train sped off for another loop. With it went the crew. I remember the producer’s horrified face pressed against the window as they disappeared. The deserted platform was suddenly quiet.
8. AN UNEXPECTED TURN
After a few more fuck you’s we were running out of dialogue. Suddenly I heard myself say, “Jim… I’m scared. If we fall behind, I’ll get fired. Maybe they’ll fire us both.” He looked at me. “Aw, don’t worry,” he said, “I got ya.” And pulled me into a hug.
After a few more fuck you’s we were running out of dialogue. Suddenly I heard myself say, “Jim… I’m scared. If we fall behind, I’ll get fired. Maybe they’ll fire us both.” He looked at me. “Aw, don’t worry,” he said, “I got ya.” And pulled me into a hug.
9. ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING
From that day on, Jim was my greatest ally and his performance was brilliant. To this day, I don’t know how I came to admit my fear as we stood yelling fuck you in the snow. I do know, at that moment I learned something that’s served me ever since.
From that day on, Jim was my greatest ally and his performance was brilliant. To this day, I don’t know how I came to admit my fear as we stood yelling fuck you in the snow. I do know, at that moment I learned something that’s served me ever since.
10. LIVE AND (SOMETIMES) LEARN
I used to think a director had to be an authority figure. It turns out admitting you’re a human being works even better. And the more real I occasionally am, the more authentic my work becomes. To some, this may sound banal. To me it’s a credo.
I used to think a director had to be an authority figure. It turns out admitting you’re a human being works even better. And the more real I occasionally am, the more authentic my work becomes. To some, this may sound banal. To me it’s a credo.
