If Ethan Hawke’s career has a recurring theme, it’s the passage of time. The actor’s exceptional films with director Richard Linklater – particularly the critically acclaimed “Boyhood” and the “Before Sunrise” trilogy – are celebrations of the shifting perspectives, ever-evolving characters and the years-long accumulation of small joys and sorrows that give depth and dimension to the life of the common man. Hawke was branded for years, even by himself, as the personification of youthful promise. Today, at 44, he has segued into middle age with a voracious curiosity to find out what it all means, what is essential to happiness and what can be cast aside. In conversation with Off Camera, Hawke ponders the joys and follies of youth, the lessons of aging and the invaluable wisdom learned from an uncommonly happy old man.
If Ethan Hawke’s career has a recurring theme, it’s the passage of time. The actor’s exceptional films with director Richard Linklater – particularly the critically acclaimed “Boyhood” and the “Before Sunrise” trilogy – are celebrations of the shifting perspectives, ever-evolving characters and the years-long accumulation of small joys and sorrows that give depth and dimension to the life of the common man. Hawke was branded for years, even by himself, as the personification of youthful promise. Today, at 44, he has segued into middle age with a voracious curiosity to find out what it all means, what is essential to happiness and what can be cast aside. In conversation with Off Camera, Hawke ponders the joys and follies of youth, the lessons of aging and the invaluable wisdom learned from an uncommonly happy old man.
If Ethan Hawke’s career has a recurring theme, it’s the passage of time. The actor’s exceptional films with director Richard Linklater – particularly the critically acclaimed “Boyhood” and the “Before Sunrise” trilogy – are celebrations of the shifting perspectives, ever-evolving characters and the years-long accumulation of small joys and sorrows that give depth and dimension to the life of the common man. Hawke was branded for years, even by himself, as the personification of youthful promise. Today, at 44, he has segued into middle age with a voracious curiosity to find out what it all means, what is essential to happiness and what can be cast aside. In conversation with Off Camera, Hawke ponders the joys and follies of youth, the lessons of aging and the invaluable wisdom learned from an uncommonly happy old man.
What’s so funny about Will Ferrell? Almost everything, yes, but why? Why do we love his parade of odd, yet universally engaging characters and movies? Don’t ask him. We tried, and got the most un-definitive, but probably most honest answer: We don’t know. No one ever truly knows what makes a movie or a sketch or a character work. So why not just have fun with them? Ferrell talks to Off Camera about his path from standup to Saturday Night Live to film, and the haphazard beginning of Funny or Die – arguably the first successful sketch comedy on the Internet (you know you’ve started something when Michelle Obama asks you “Where’s my money, bitch?”)
We talk to him about the self-inflicted weirdest moment of his career…en español, why the best SNL sketches are the ones you’ve probably never seen and breaking the rules of comedy – assuming you believe there are any. It’s all good stuff, but what’s most fascinating is how no matter what personae he pulls from his grab bag of inventions, they all manage to connect a believable, engaging way. Perhaps it’s his penchant for being naked. Perhaps he’s so willing to bare all and be vulnerable in service to his art. Or maybe he just likes it.
What’s so funny about Will Ferrell? Almost everything, yes, but why? Why do we love his parade of odd, yet universally engaging characters and movies? Don’t ask him. We tried, and got the most un-definitive, but probably most honest answer: We don’t know. No one ever truly knows what makes a movie or a sketch or a character work. So why not just have fun with them? Ferrell talks to Off Camera about his path from standup to Saturday Night Live to film, and the haphazard beginning of Funny or Die – arguably the first successful sketch comedy on the Internet (you know you’ve started something when Michelle Obama asks you “Where’s my money, bitch?”)
We talk to him about the self-inflicted weirdest moment of his career…en español, why the best SNL sketches are the ones you’ve probably never seen and breaking the rules of comedy – assuming you believe there are any. It’s all good stuff, but what’s most fascinating is how no matter what personae he pulls from his grab bag of inventions, they all manage to connect a believable, engaging way. Perhaps it’s his penchant for being naked. Perhaps he’s so willing to bare all and be vulnerable in service to his art. Or maybe he just likes it.
What’s so funny about Will Ferrell? Almost everything, yes, but why? Why do we love his parade of odd, yet universally engaging characters and movies? Don’t ask him. We tried, and got the most un-definitive, but probably most honest answer: We don’t know. No one ever truly knows what makes a movie or a sketch or a character work. So why not just have fun with them? Ferrell talks to Off Camera about his path from standup to Saturday Night Live to film, and the haphazard beginning of Funny or Die – arguably the first successful sketch comedy on the Internet (you know you’ve started something when Michelle Obama asks you “Where’s my money, bitch?”)
We talk to him about the self-inflicted weirdest moment of his career…en español, why the best SNL sketches are the ones you’ve probably never seen and breaking the rules of comedy – assuming you believe there are any. It’s all good stuff, but what’s most fascinating is how no matter what personae he pulls from his grab bag of inventions, they all manage to connect a believable, engaging way. Perhaps it’s his penchant for being naked. Perhaps he’s so willing to bare all and be vulnerable in service to his art. Or maybe he just likes it.
In its review of Jolene, the New York Observer said Jessica Chastain “not only holds her own corner of every scene, she’s the only thing you want to watch.” And that was before she suddenly became the most known unknown in the business and instantly labeled as one of the finest actors of her generation. Listen in as Chastain talks with Off Camera about her Julliard audition (the phrase “an interesting choice” comes to mind…), her forensic approach to character study and why preparation is something best done in moderation. That, and how a sex change courtesy of Interstellar Christopher Nolan and a little movie parlor game called The Bechdel Test inspired her never to look at a script the same way again. She’s an artist who not only prepares to be surprised, but always to surprise – and one we couldn’t wait to talk to.
In its review of Jolene, the New York Observer said Jessica Chastain “not only holds her own corner of every scene, she’s the only thing you want to watch.” And that was before she suddenly became the most known unknown in the business and instantly labeled as one of the finest actors of her generation. Listen in as Chastain talks with Off Camera about her Julliard audition (the phrase “an interesting choice” comes to mind…), her forensic approach to character study and why preparation is something best done in moderation. That, and how a sex change courtesy of Interstellar Christopher Nolan and a little movie parlor game called The Bechdel Test inspired her never to look at a script the same way again. She’s an artist who not only prepares to be surprised, but always to surprise – and one we couldn’t wait to talk to.
