Directors don’t always get to speak candidly with other directors – particularly filmmakers with the stature of seven-time Oscar nominee Mike Leigh. So when directors Malcolm Washington (“The Piano Lesson”), RaMell Ross (“Nickel Boys”), and Marielle Heller (“Nightbitch”) were joined by Leigh on the recent Gold Derby Meet the Experts: Film Directors panel, they were more than happy to hear the “Hard Truths” director discuss what he felt like the night before every shoot. Watch the roundtable video above. Click each person’s name to view an individual interview.
“Well, I’ve made 28 films, and with no exception, I always sh-t myself,” Leigh jokes. The acclaimed writer and director has a unique process for making films that is unmatched by his peers. Rather than write a traditional script at the start, Leigh works with his actors to find the characters and builds the story from there. As a result, he usually requires an intense rehearsal process before filming begins. But even with that extra time not usually afforded to directors, Leigh says it’s still a struggle before he gets on set.
“We’re really solid in what we’re doing. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not terrifying,” he says. “But you get over it.”
“I don’t know if I feel better or worse about that,” says Washington in response.
“Well, I hope you feel worse because that keeps you on your toes,” says Leigh.
For Heller, the opportunity to speak with her peers in the industry is one she always loves to take advantage of whenever possible.
“The amount of pressure is so much greater than anyone could ever know, and that first day of shooting, that’s when all that pressure hits,” she says. “In a lot of ways, there’s probably a million talented people who could direct movies, but part of the reason that they don’t or can’t is because of the amount of pressure and responsibility that’s on your shoulders. I don’t think everybody can handle that level of pressure. It’s just so extreme.”
Fortunately, these four filmmakers can carry the load. Watch the full roundtable discussion above to find out more from these acclaimed directors about their processes.
