Sean Baker, an independent film director acclaimed for his realistic portrayals of marginalized communities, joins Ben Bailey Smith for an insightful conversation. They dive into Baker's unique process of self-evaluation and how time alters his perspective on past works. The duo explores innovative casting techniques and the necessity of authenticity in character portrayals. Baker also shares his love for Chihuahuas and discusses the soundtrack, highlighting a Take That song that enhances his latest film, ANORA, promoting diverse representation in storytelling.
Director Sean Baker discusses his ongoing struggle to judge his own films, realizing their value only years post-release through collaborative feedback.
Baker highlights his unconventional casting process that emphasizes thorough research and improvisation, leading to more authentic and nuanced character portrayals.
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Sean Baker's Creative Process in Film Making
Director Sean Baker discusses the challenge of judging his work, admitting that he doesn't feel capable of accurately assessing his films until many years have passed after their release. He cites his experience watching 'Tangerine' on the big screen nearly a decade later and finally recognizing it as a decent film. Baker also emphasizes his commitment to editing his own films, stressing the importance of maintaining a cohesive vision. He relies heavily on feedback from trusted collaborators to navigate the inherent subjectivity of self-judgment in his filmmaking.
Innovative Casting and Character Development
Baker explains his unconventional casting process, often considering actors long before the screenplay is written, which helps shape their characters authentically. He values the importance of thorough research and improvisation, allowing actors to bring spontaneity to their roles, as seen with Mikey in 'Onora', who undertook significant preparation to accurately portray her character. This dedication enables Baker to create more nuanced, three-dimensional characters that go beyond simplistic stereotypes often found in mainstream representations. The result is a richer exploration of the flawed human experience, fostering greater empathy and connection with audiences.
ANORA has been one of the most talked-about films of 2024 so we sent supersub BEN BAILEY SMITH to speak to director Sean Baker.
In this interview you can hear Ben talk to Sean about how he judges his own work, his love of Chihuahuas, that home invasion scene, little Orphan Annie, and of course Ben asked him about the Take That needledrop.