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    Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

    Chris Pine

    Wed May 08 2024
    filmmakingactingcreativityspiritualitystorytellingcharacter developmenteditingfuture planscraft in actingcollaborationchanges in the film industryfinancial challengespersonal growth

    Description

    This episode features a filmmaker reflecting on their creative journey, discussing topics such as ambition, upbringing, spirituality, nonlinear storytelling, character development, editing, future plans, craft in acting, transformative art, collaboration, changes in the film industry, financial challenges, and personal growth. The episode provides insights into the challenges and joys of filmmaking and acting.

    Insights

    The speaker reflects on the source of their ambition as they approach mid-life, questioning if it is a healthy fuel.

    The speaker's parents had different backgrounds and careers, with his mother being a former actress and his father transitioning to acting from a failed attempt at becoming a doctor.

    The desire to be witnessed and seen is fundamental to being human, especially for artists.

    The speaker shares experiences of seeing UFOs and ghosts, highlighting unexplainable phenomena.

    The speaker discusses their spiritual practice of using sage or sweet grass in new hotel rooms to communicate with spirits.

    The concept of 'Full Man' was born out of a moment of delight and has guided the speaker's creative process.

    The film draws inspiration from various cinematic predecessors like Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Wes Anderson, and others.

    There is a discussion on different approaches to storytelling, including traditional narrative structures versus more poetic and feeling-oriented filmmaking.

    The story is set in a future Los Angeles facing a major drought and corruption among politicians and real estate developers.

    Element electrolytes are promoted for hydration and improved performance, with various flavors available.

    Darren's backstory involves being adopted by an elderly couple in his early twenties and becoming an eccentric character who loves water.

    Jack Dennisoff's character is inspired by a horror movie director who moved away from Hollywood after a successful film.

    Changes were made to the film after the first screening, including adding voiceovers and clarifying certain sequences.

    The speaker faced challenges with the reception of the film after its release in Toronto.

    The speaker is reflecting on a sense of accomplishment and completeness in their creative output.

    They are considering what the next step in their career will be after reaching this peak.

    Craft in acting involves being open to direction and collaboration with directors.

    Actors engage in various activities during downtime on set, such as reading and language study.

    Working on oneself can lead to more interesting and better art

    The use of music and score in films can greatly impact storytelling

    Chapters

    1. Reflections on Ambition and Upbringing
    2. The Desire for Witnessing and Embracing the Unknown
    3. Spiritual Practices and Creative Process
    4. Evolution of the Film and Nonlinear Storytelling
    5. Character Development and Dystopian Setting
    6. Surrogate Parents and Test Screenings
    7. Editing and Reflection on Art
    8. Reflections on Accomplishment and Future Plans
    9. Craft in Acting and Achieving Comfort
    10. Transformative Art and Challenges in the Industry
    11. Collaboration and Changes in the Film Industry
    12. Financial Challenges and Personal Growth
    Summary
    Transcript

    Reflections on Ambition and Upbringing

    00:02 - 08:10

    • The speaker reflects on the source of their ambition as they approach mid-life, questioning if it is a healthy fuel.
    • The speaker's parents had different backgrounds and careers, with his mother being a former actress and his father transitioning to acting from a failed attempt at becoming a doctor.
    • Growing up, the speaker felt social anxiety and sensitivity to overwhelming stimuli, leading to the creation of a comforting environment at home with specific lighting and music preferences.
    • The speaker values conversations that make him feel grounded and connected, expressing frustration with interactions lacking genuine presence or relationality.

    The Desire for Witnessing and Embracing the Unknown

    07:41 - 15:12

    • The speaker reflects on the exhaustion of performing a dance for others as they get older.
    • The desire to be witnessed and seen is fundamental to being human, especially for artists.
    • The speaker shares experiences of seeing UFOs and ghosts, highlighting unexplainable phenomena.
    • A shared ghost encounter with a co-star in a haunted hotel leads to a realization about the existence of spirits.
    • The speaker emphasizes the importance of being in awe and embracing the unknown in the face of unexplainable events.

    Spiritual Practices and Creative Process

    14:42 - 22:43

    • The speaker discusses their spiritual practice of using sage or sweet grass in new hotel rooms to communicate with spirits.
    • The speaker reminisces about growing up in a small, Hollywood-centric universe surrounded by people in the entertainment industry.
    • The concept of 'Full Man' was born out of a moment of delight and has guided the speaker's creative process.
    • Nicotine is highlighted as a brain-boosting compound used by Lucy to create clean nicotine products backed by research.
    • The speaker reflects on directing their first feature film, finding the experience blissful and drawing on their acting background for advantage.

    Evolution of the Film and Nonlinear Storytelling

    22:22 - 30:41

    • The filmmaker discusses the evolution of the film from the original script to the final product, highlighting the core theme of joy and playfulness.
    • The film draws inspiration from various cinematic predecessors like Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Wes Anderson, and others.
    • The writing process involved following what made the creator happy and excited rather than strictly adhering to a linear structure.
    • There is a discussion on different approaches to storytelling, including traditional narrative structures versus more poetic and feeling-oriented filmmaking.
    • The creative process started with envisioning the character and gradually developing the story around him in a nonlinear manner.

    Character Development and Dystopian Setting

    30:14 - 38:37

    • The process of writing involved a lot of visual imagery and external descriptions before delving into emotions and character development.
    • The story is set in a future Los Angeles facing a major drought and corruption among politicians and real estate developers.
    • The main character, Darren Barriman, embarks on a journey to discover disruption within himself and find wholeness.
    • Element electrolytes are promoted for hydration and improved performance, with various flavors available.

    Surrogate Parents and Test Screenings

    38:10 - 45:48

    • The next characters in the story are the surrogate parents, best friends, Jack Dennisoff played by Danny DeVito, and Diane Esplanade played by Annette Benning.
    • Darren's backstory involves being adopted by an elderly couple in his early twenties and becoming an eccentric character who loves water.
    • Jack Dennisoff's character is inspired by a horror movie director who moved away from Hollywood after a successful film.
    • The main character's interactions with Jack and Diane reflect the dynamic between the podcaster's own parents.
    • The filmmaker experienced mixed reactions to the movie during test screenings but found value in audience feedback for editing improvements.

    Editing and Reflection on Art

    45:19 - 52:32

    • The speaker learned valuable lessons about editing and refining their film to make it better.
    • Changes were made to the film after the first screening, including adding voiceovers and clarifying certain sequences.
    • Financial constraints led to creative solutions in filming certain scenes.
    • The speaker faced challenges with the reception of the film after its release in Toronto.
    • The speaker reflects on the nature of art, failure, and self-expression.
    • The completion of the film marked a significant moment for the speaker after years of work.

    Reflections on Accomplishment and Future Plans

    52:02 - 59:40

    • The speaker is reflecting on a sense of accomplishment and completeness in their creative output.
    • They are considering what the next step in their career will be after reaching this peak.
    • The speaker discusses the importance of being open to new opportunities and experiences without setting rigid goals.
    • They mention the possibility of engaging in smaller projects or different roles moving forward.
    • The speaker also shares insights on their experience with theater acting and the unique connection it provides with live audiences.

    Craft in Acting and Achieving Comfort

    59:21 - 1:06:29

    • Craft in acting involves being open to direction and collaboration with directors.
    • Actors have varying preferences for directorial involvement, some preferring more guidance while others prefer autonomy.
    • Directors provide a range of suggestions to actors, from simple adjustments to detailed character motivations.
    • Actors engage in various activities during downtime on set, such as reading and language study.
    • Achieving deep comfort both on and off camera requires practice and self-improvement.

    Transformative Art and Challenges in the Industry

    1:06:00 - 1:14:07

    • Working on oneself can lead to more interesting and better art
    • Seeking joy can be a transformative North Star in life
    • Engaging holistically in creative and spiritual practices can bring meaning and flexibility to one's work
    • Body language plays a crucial role in acting, contributing to the visual storytelling aspect of a performance
    • Balancing character creation with not overshadowing the story is essential for leading roles in acting
    • Making choices as an actor, such as adding personal touches or lines, can sometimes conflict with the director's vision

    Collaboration and Changes in the Film Industry

    1:13:37 - 1:21:31

    • Actors sometimes disagree with directors on how a scene should be played out
    • The ultimate goal for actors is to make the scene work for the camera and the audience
    • The use of music and score in films can greatly impact storytelling
    • Improvisation in acting can lead to unexpected and exciting outcomes
    • The film and television industry has undergone significant changes over the years, affecting actors' earnings

    Financial Challenges and Personal Growth

    1:21:02 - 1:29:25

    • Financial challenges in the acting industry have affected the middle class of actors for close to 30 years.
    • The speaker has a family connection to an older history of Hollywood through their father and grandmother's involvement in the industry.
    • The speaker discusses playing the character Captain Kirk and how they approached it differently from William Shatner.
    • The speaker felt pressure leading their first major film, but enjoyed working with director JJ Abrams.
    • The speaker reflects on meditation, mentioning that there is no equation for joy and discussing their experience with different meditation styles.
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