44 - Alan Ball and Stephen Root (Uncle Frank)
Writer/director Alan Ball and actor Stephen Root join host Jenny Curtis to talk about their processes, career paths and new film, UNCLE FRANK. Through the conversation they discuss: 1:02 - their experiences in quarantine 1:42 - Alan’s history and how it inspired Uncle Frank 3:29 - Stephen being drawn in by the script 4:40 - Why now was the time to make this film 5:05 - Casting Alan’s wishlist of actors 6:00 - Stephen’s take on Alan’s directing style 6:34 - Alan’s take on working with Stephen as an actor 7:57 - The cast’s fun off-set 8:28 - Alan’s memories from set 9:20 - Starting in theater in each of their careers and making the switch to film/tv 11:50 - Alan’s Oscar win with AMERICAN BEAUTY 12:58 - Being drawn to dark comedy 13:55 - Stephen’s experiences on the set of BARRY 15:42 - BARRY episode 5’s unique character and storyline 17:23 - TRUE BLOOD and the scene that Alan could not believe they made. 18:30 - Stephen’s time on TRUE BLOOD 19:11 - The best death scene Stephen has had. 19:37 - Alan’s writing process in TV versus Film 20:49 - Sounding boards Alan has for writing 21:35 - Alan writing direction into the script 22:32 - Stephen working with directors who have written the script (including the Coen Brothers, Mike Judge, and Ben Stiller) 23:42 - One of the most memorable direction Stephen has received 24:19 - How Alan figures out communication with each actor 25:03 - Stephen’s process in creating a character, but in live action and in voice work 27:39 - Finding inspiration 28:39 - Alan’s reviewing of his scripts 29:30 - Working with Paul Bettany 30:44 - Alan seeing his scripts come to life 31:26 - Stephen learning on set every day 31:53 - Challenges Alan faces 32:32 - Reinforced lessons from UNCLE FRANK 33:26 - Meditating for Alan to deal with stress 34:00 - The inspirations that they steal from in their crafts 35:20 - Their need to have a life in storytelling ----------------- Learn More: Hollywood Unscripted Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Hosted and Produced by: Jenny Curtis Edited by: J Whiting Executive Producer: Stuart Halperin Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick A CurtCo Media Production See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.