The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast Nouvelle Vague with Richard Linklater and Jason Reitman (Ep. 587)
Dec 5, 2025
Richard Linklater, acclaimed filmmaker known for his character-driven works like Boyhood, joins fellow director Jason Reitman to discuss his film Nouvelle Vague. He shares challenges of creating a French film without fluency in the language and his meticulous research into Godard’s Breathless. Linklater delves into using visual effects to recreate 1959 Paris, his naturalistic rehearsal processes, and how he captures authentic character moments. Their conversation is filled with insights into filmmaking's spontaneous nature and cinematic nostalgia.
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Capture People In The Moment
- Richard Linklater aims to "drop a camera down" and capture people in a specific moment rather than present them as icons.
- He focuses on immediacy and discovery to make characters feel like they're finding themselves in real time.
Rehearse, Rewrite, Then Translate
- Rehearse extensively and rewrite during rehearsals to find naturalistic performances.
- Translate director manifestos for non-English actors and rely on translated notes to communicate intentions.
Polish Dialogue By Ear
- Polish dialogue through rehearsal and actor input until the performance 'sings' naturally.
- Trust your instinct: move on when the pitch and rhythm feel right in the room.