Assistant Director

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/14/matt-damon-bourne-elysium-comic-con_n_1672927.html

A very interesting and candid interview by a guy who, frankly doesn’t see any reason to be anything other than honest, but being a bit more tactful lately after a few rants and comments got taken the wrong way. But one of the comments he says really made me think about the need to explain to the audience.

do you feel that way about “The Bourne Legacy” now that the marketing campaign has really kicked in and the commercial are on television all of the time?
No, I mean … I don’t have anything to do with that movie.

Your character’s name is in the title. So there’s no emotion?
No, no. Look, all of my friends are working on that movie. They have a lot of the same crew and Frank [Marshall] is producing it. You know, I made the other three and Frank was there every day for the other three. You know, I wish that movie well. But it doesn’t feel like … I don’t feel a … I guess for one, Jeremy is not playing Bourne.

Right.
So, it feels like a very different movie.

But then Frank Marshall comes out and says that his dream is to have you and Jeremy back for a fifth movie.
Yeah, I mean, if they could get a script. You know what I mean? All Paul and I ever wanted was a script. 

Now most people will read that and say “Big deal, then write the thing.” or “Whatever, its just a script, go in and get your paycheck.”

No, that is not the case. The script just doesn’t magically appear, the actors don’t just automatically know their lines. The props and locations don’t fall into place. What you’ve asked is to get an actor emotionally invested in a script, of a person he must become, must believe in. You’ve given emotional ownership to that actor. So of course he’s going to ask for a complete script to read and comment on. Then, being a human being, he knows how hard a half ass script is on the crew. No AD I know likes sitting on set after you’ve finished the last set up of the current scene you’re on, and then going to the location manager, producer and Director and asking “So, where to next?” No prop master likes instantly pulling flowers out of their ass for your recently concocted love scene. No one likes the stress of not knowing whats next. And an AD’s job is all about informing people on whats next. I understand the studios urge to have the “Next big money maker.” but in this age of release dates before writers are hired, its great to hear one person stand up and say 

“You know, I’d really like to read what we’re doing first.” 

I hate networking. Its the worst part of this business. I could almost deal with the low pay and long hours if it meant I’d never have to tell someone I loved his shitty short film. And spending countless hours at the bar listening to the writer bawl because the actors aren’t saying things the way he thought they sounded in his head…

About that. You should really not be listening to voices in your head. People will stare.