‘When I See The First Cut Of My Movie I Want To Kill Myself.’ Ben Affleck Does Not Hold Back About What It Takes To Make His Own Movies

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Ben Affleck impresses not just through his exceptional acting abilities, but also with his proficient skills in filmmaking. He co-wrote the screenplay for “Good Will Hunting” alongside Matt Damon (available on your Paramount+ subscription), and made a strong directorial debut with “Gone Baby Gone” in 2007. When it comes to Affleck directing his own films, he doesn’t shy away from the challenges he faces, such as the emotions that come with viewing the initial edit.

Back in 2014, statistics said that Ben Affleck was the best director of the decade. That’s no surprise considering, with the exception of the box office bomb Live By Night, all movies directed by Affleck are in the Fresh ‘90s range on Rotten Tomatoes. With the Gone Girl actor’s superb ability to mix suspense with emotional depth as well as creating characters that feel human, Affleck is clearly gifted with a director’s vision. But making movies is no cakewalk. He explained on an episode of the Screen Off Script podcast what it’s felt like seeing the first cut of his films, and it sounds gruesome:

Initially viewing my own film’s rough draft, I feel an overwhelming urge to be frustrated. However, it’s crucial not to lose your cool over the initial version, as refinement and improvement come with subsequent stages of editing. The quality that truly shines only emerges after all the post-production work is done.

I get where the talented filmmaker is coming from – it’s similar to reviewing an initial draft of a paper or story. You can sense its potential for improvement. This underscores the significance of post-production in movies, as directing isn’t merely capturing footage but rather transforming rough elements into something stunning and polished.

Although Affleck hasn’t directed a full-on comedy, his films incorporate comedic aspects to lighten the weighty themes they address. The actor from Dazed and Confused, speaking on what has troubled him in initial takes with comical scenes, continued to discuss the matter.

Step inside, take a seat, and casually say something like, “Here’s what I find amusing about this situation.” Then, elaborate on your perspective of humor in the scene, explaining why you think it works well, as they might not see it right away. You might feel disappointed if it appears obvious to you but not to them, and it can be disheartening when you put effort into a project only to question its quality upon initial viewing. It’s an incredibly frustrating feeling, especially when it seems like your work has missed the mark entirely.

I can certainly relate when humor doesn’t translate as intended during filming, with those around me not sharing the laughter. As Ben Affleck eloquently put it, a director might find something amusing, but others may not. To ensure comedy shines, I often find myself returning to the footage and carefully selecting alternate shots or close-ups that underscore the joke, making it clearer for the audience when they should join in the laughter.

Despite the fact that Ben Affleck personally contributes to shaping his films, this does not imply he works entirely alone. In fact, the director of “Argo” emphasized the significance of collaboration to ensure a movie’s success.

When it comes to directing a movie with you as one of the actors, it’s crucial that I comprehend what makes you humorous, so we can effectively incorporate your comedic sensibility into the film. To achieve this, you might need to share your thoughts and explain your sense of humor, as that’s vital for me to grasp the factors that have contributed to your comedic success in the first place. It’s essential to foster open communication, because misunderstandings or unaddressed concerns can lead to disagreements, which I believe stem largely from ego-driven conflicts. Ego can be detrimental in any endeavor; it’s important to maintain an open mind and be receptive to constructive feedback, as the audience will ultimately serve as our greatest critic.

Collaborating with people who hold varying viewpoints during filmmaking can undeniably be challenging. However, I’m confident that a mutually agreeable solution will be found for crafting a scene effectively. If not, it’s much like what Ben Affleck stated; audiences are often the ones to voice concerns about parts that aren’t working, while professionals tend to notice issues first.

Ben Affleck possesses the ability to make hit films as a director, but it’s no simple task to piece them together when the initial edits seem disappointing. Fortunately, the talented actor behind Pearl Harbor benefits from a supportive team who can turn his raw footage into critically acclaimed movies.

Don’t miss out on Ben Affleck’s upcoming movie “The Accountant 2,” which is still showing in cinemas this year. Additionally, his next directorial venture, titled “Animals,” is now being filmed with a future release on Netflix.

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2025-05-30 03:07