Much Taller, Still Plastered: On Set for Arthur
The New York Times has done a thoughtful, interesting feature on the filming of Arthur, which you can read here.
An excerpt:
On this day the cast and crew had assembled to shoot Arthur’s first encounter with his dream woman (Ms. Gerwig). In 1981 the character was a brassy shoplifter; today, she scams out-of-towners by conducting nonsense-filled walking tours. Better-known actresses tested with Mr. Brand, but according to one of the producers, Kevin McCormick, Ms. Gerwig “was the one who brought out a sweetness in him and also the one who could keep up with him.”
As Mr. Brand, bedecked in a Lincoln stovepipe hat, staggers up to her, kicking off each take with a different opening line, she quickly decides he’s a street crazy and incorporates him into her patter, comparing him in successive takes to Dylan Thomas, Willy Wonka and a cast member of the musical “Grand Hotel.”
Mr. Baynham, listening for what works and what doesn’t, took notes, refining their riffs into new jokes for later takes, and Mr. Winer frequently sprung from his chair to talk to the actors, then returned to study the monitors. After several takes, he realized what wasn’t working: There was no moment when Ms. Gerwig’s character stopped to take Arthur in with a look. After some discussion about whether a line was required, Mr. Winer decided to address it with a change in Ms. Gerwig’s blocking and body language.
All of this is more controlled than it sounds. “It’s unlike most other film experiences, where you don’t change lines that much,” Ms. Mirren said. “But Russell isn’t a wild cannon. He’s actually very careful about all the technical requirements, continuity and marks and all that stuff. He has an incredible comedian’s brain, but he pays attention to detail.”
Tags: arthur, article, filming, greta gerwig, helen mirren, new york times, nyc, on set
at least helen mirren seems to really understand who russell really is and that he is going to be a terrific actor.
this may be the answer to what we were wondering, what’s in the bottom of the bottle? pray tell:
“Mr. Brand became sober several years ago; these days the closest he comes to drinking is taking a sniff of the booze that an assistant keeps in the bottom of a water bottle; the smell helps him get into character for the scenes in which Arthur is drunk; i.e., all of them”. (quote from article)
… he’s very, very careful about it …
Christine – yup, saw that and am glad they addressed it. It’s reassuring to know that it’s definitely for the role and that he’s being very careful about it.
Finally an answer to the bottle thing! We all knew it was booze but it was causing quite a stir with some people. I for one couldn’t be bothered unless he were tripping over himself on the way to the set and reeking of scotch or something. I never doubted good ol’ Russ