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


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Learn More: Hollywood Unscripted


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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


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