Description

American Director Michael Mann discusses watching Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove 1964 for the first time and ‘realising he could make ‘independent’ films and still be a part of the mainstream media impacting on lots of people’. Mann’s goes on to say that his first film Thief 1981, was inspired by the industrial landscape of Chicago where he grew up. In preparation for Thief he spent time ‘hanging out with real life cops and thieves’ and from this experience wrote the screenplay. Manhunter 1986 clip is shown. Mann discusses how he chooses projects, it’s never in any ‘logical way’, for example it can be from a visual sequence in his head from childhood, as was the case for Last of the Mohicans 1992 starring Daniel Day Lewis. The next film discussed is Heat 1995 Mann talks about the characters played by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, two men on the opposite sides of the law, the protagonists, who share a mutual respect, but would kill each other if it served their needs. Mann says Heat is about the collision of these two characters. Public Enemies 2009 Mann praises Johnny Depp and his natural acting ability, his intuitive talent. He adds that Depp really related to his character John Dillinger and had to go to some deep and dark places to get the right level of emotion out of the character. The Insider 1999 Mann describes how critical the sound and music had to be, everything was incredible, intense and suspenseful. Ali 2001 a demanding production shot in Africa, Mann talk of being responsible for a lot of cast and crew in ‘difficult surroundings’. A high level of ambition, and a team that was heavily invested in supporting Will Smith in his portrayal of Cassius Clay, a role he was deeply committed to. Mann goes on to talk about the importance of editing, during filming and at the end, the intricate process in which he crafts his story, to get the right perspective and how he corrects things if he has made a mistake. The television series Luck 2011 - 2012 starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte follows next. Mann read the screenplay and says he had to make the drama, in which you are parachuted into the world of horse racing and gambling. Mann describes this particular production as having a harmonious set and hard working, dedicated cast. Mann closes as he discusses working with a vast array of talented actors throughout his career and how he likes to bring himself to understanding the process of, very committed people who all excel in what they do.

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