Woody Harrelson on the Best Director He Has Worked With
Woody Harrelson is a distinctive figure both on-screen and off, leading a life as vibrant as the eccentric films he stars in. In the late 1980s, few expected the young Texan actor, famous for playing Woody Boyd on Cheers, to become one of the most respected actors of his generation.
Harrelson is a versatile actor, able to physically and emotionally transform for roles ranging from villains and heroes to historical figures, whom he described as characters that "just say exactly what they’re feeling at any moment."
Throughout his career, Harrelson has collaborated with esteemed directors such as Martin McDonagh, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, Terrence Malick, and Barry Levinson. Despite this, he revealed in an interview with The AV Club that the director who impressed him the most was Israeli-American filmmaker Oren Moverman.
“The way Oren works is, he’ll give you great words to say, he’ll give you all the tools, great direction, help you with the backstory and get you into the character, set you up in a space, and give you no rehearsal,” Harrelson explained. “You don’t even hang out with the actor ahead of time.”
Harrelson’s Praise for Oren Moverman’s Unique Directing Style
- Moverman provides clear, impactful dialogue and thorough character background.
- He creates the environment needed for the actor to fully immerse without prior rehearsal.
- His method involves minimal pre-shoot interaction between actors to maintain authenticity.
This approach contrasts with more traditional directing methods, emphasizing spontaneity and raw performance.
Author’s Summary
Woody Harrelson admires Oren Moverman’s unique directing style, highlighting his ability to prepare actors thoroughly while embracing spontaneity and authenticity on set.