2min chapter

The Big Picture cover image

How to Direct a Movie, With Sam Esmail

The Big Picture

CHAPTER

How Do You Direct a Movie?

Alex Ross: I don't think it's that different than- I don't direct TV differently than when I direct a movie. It's to me always a cinematic experience. And all I mean by that, not how you watch it, but just that you fill the frame with as much detail. By the way, just as a tangent, I listened to the James Gray interview. We're actually working on something together. But man, his interview with you is so- It's wonderful. He's so profound and articulate about art and the nature of art.

00:00
Speaker 1
That's when I came in with the-
Speaker 2
You'll be able to sell the movie all over again next year when it comes out. But what I think we both wanted to talk to you about, hopefully a both remedial and sophisticated way is how do you direct a movie? So it's been- You've directed a lot of TV since the last film, but I want to hear both about very nitty-gritty details of what it is to be a film director. Right. And also maybe how you've changed as a film director since your first film. Is
Speaker 1
this interesting to you, Amanda? Of course. It is. I love like
Speaker 3
really basic how does it work stuff? And I'm going to ask you a lot of very obvious questions. Please.
Speaker 1
I don't think it's that different than- I don't direct TV differently than when I direct a movie. It's the same to me. In fact, when I mix the movie, I do surround sound and Dolby Outness, even though with my TV shows, even though I know people are watching it on their phones. Don't gesture
Speaker 3
at me when you see my shit on their phones. I don't watch anything on my phone. That's good. I don't either. That's good. I know
Speaker 1
plenty of people that don't
Speaker 3
even own TVs. Oh, yeah. We have two. Jesus.
Speaker 2
I have five.
Speaker 1
So the difference- There are no differences. It's to me always a cinematic experience. And all I mean by that, not how you watch it, but just that you fill the frame with as much detail. By the way, just as a tangent, I listened to the James Gray interview. I love James Gray. We're actually working on something together. But man, his interview with you is so- It's wonderful. He's so profound and articulate about art and the nature of art. I agree. He's like in between directing operas in Italy.
Speaker 3
He's very special. Paris, actually. Yeah, because I was in a Golden Cage. I just
Speaker 1
feel like- And yeah, Alex Ross. Like this is- You're in the club when
Speaker 2
you're talking
Speaker 1
about it. No, but I just want listeners to lower their expectations. Because I'm not going to be- You're right there with James
Speaker 2
and Andrew.

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