Bones And All Interviews: We sit down with Taylor Russell and Director Luca Guadagnino

Summary

In this engaging interview, Taylor and Luca discuss their creative process and collaboration on the film *Bones and All*. Taylor reflects on the deep personal connection she developed with her character, Marin, highlighting the time and freedom she had to explore the role. Luca emphasizes his approach to storytelling, where character behavior and emotional depth drive the narrative, blending romance with horror. Both speak highly of their cast members, especially Timothée Chalamet, noting the ease of their collaboration. The conversation reveals a thoughtful and introspective journey behind the making of this emotionally complex film.

Takeaways

• 😀 Taylor's approach to playing the character Marin in 'Bones and All' was deeply influenced by the time spent preparing, as she had six months to mentally immerse herself in the role.
• 😀 The collaborative environment on set with Luca and the cast allowed Taylor to refine her character through constant learning and discovery.
• 😀 Luca Guadagnino is known for his flexibility, open-mindedness, and ability to create a judgment-free space on set, which influences both the actors and the overall tone of his films.
• 😀 Taylor admires Luca's nurturing approach to creating complex, loving characters, especially for women, as seen in his past films like 'Call Me By Your Name' and 'Suspiria'.
• 😀 Taylor and Timothée Chalamet share a similar working style, allowing the environment and circumstances of each day to shape their performances.
• 😀 Taylor describes Luca's filmmaking as non-codified and rooted in storytelling, emphasizing the importance of behavior over strict genre conventions.
• 😀 Luca sees the film as an exploration of characters dealing with their inevitable doom while still striving to find love, which drew him to the project.
• 😀 Luca approaches genres like horror and romance fluidly, focusing more on the behavior of characters and the emotional truth behind their actions rather than fitting into genre boxes.
• 😀 The film represents Luca's first truly American story, and he took great care to explore America from an open-minded, unprejudiced perspective.
• 😀 The casting of Taylor and Timothée was a deliberate choice, with Luca feeling that Taylor's performance in 'Waves' made her the perfect fit for the role of Marin.

Q & A

What is the significance of being open-minded according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that being open-minded and flexible in one's thinking is key to staying youthful. This openness allows individuals to question assumptions and stay receptive to new ideas, which ultimately helps in personal growth and in connecting with diverse people.

How does Taylor describe her preparation for playing the character Marin?

Taylor explains that she had around six months to prepare for the role of Marin. During this time, she prioritized daydreaming and reflecting on the character’s journey, allowing discomfort to guide her into fully experiencing Marin's story. She also appreciated the collaborative environment on set with Luca and the rest of the team.

What makes Luca's approach to filmmaking and character creation unique?

Luca's approach is described as being flexible and open-minded. He avoids assumptions about people or the world and is always willing to learn and include diverse perspectives. This creates an environment where both the crew and cast feel accepted and free from judgment, which is reflected in the loving gaze of his films.

How do Taylor and Timothée Chalamet work together on set?

Taylor mentions that she and Timothée work in a similar way, allowing the events of the day to influence their decisions and adapting to the moment. Their collaboration feels easy because they both care deeply about the project and trust the process, which fosters a seamless working dynamic.

Why did Taylor agree to take on the role of Marin in 'Bones and All'?

Taylor was drawn to the script by David Kajanik, which she found beautiful. She was particularly interested in the complexity of the characters, their doomed fate, and their determination to find love amidst their struggles, which aligned with her personal interests.

How does Luca approach blending romance and horror in his films?

Luca focuses on storytelling and character behavior rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions. His process involves trusting his actors and collaborators to bring authenticity to the performance, which helps balance the elements of romance and horror seamlessly.

What is Luca's view on storytelling, particularly in relation to 'Bones and All'?

Luca mentions that 'Bones and All' is his first true American story, and his approach was to see America at an equal level rather than from a top-down perspective. This humble, open-minded approach helped him discover and explore the heart of the story without preconceived judgments.

How did Luca decide to cast Taylor and Timothée for the lead roles?

Luca knew from reading the script that Taylor was the right fit for Marin, recalling her performance in 'Waves.' As for Timothée, Luca felt that the character of Lee immediately suited him once the character came to life on the page.

How does Luca stay involved in the script and creative process throughout the filmmaking stages?

Luca remains deeply involved throughout the process, from working on the script before filming to making adjustments during shooting. He views filmmaking as a process of continuous writing, revising the script during filming and editing to ensure the story aligns with the performance and overall vision.

What does Luca's filmmaking process suggest about his relationship with his cast and crew?

Luca’s filmmaking process highlights his collaborative nature. He values the input and contributions of his cast and crew, believing that great collaboration and mutual respect lead to the best results. This is evident in the way he adapts the script and performance to the evolving dynamic on set.