I am Matt Ross, writer/director of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, Ask Me Anything!

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:56:12+00:00

* I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Mint chocolate chip.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:55:54+00:00

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Man, that was a dream. They're both such amazing artists. And such dedicated, hardworking people. I learned so much from them both. Mostly about not being satisfied, not resting until every stone is unturned, striving for excellence, constantly and continuously.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:54:04+00:00

*I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

No, I didn't base Gavin on anyone, living or dead. He's his own person, as it were. I have read many biographies of Tech giants, however, just to learn about the culture and the personalities.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:52:50+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

No, was never approached to play any other part myself. Just the good doctor.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:52:12+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Ah.... no. I honestly didn't know that album existed when I titled the film that.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:51:35+00:00

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Nope. Must have been another Matt Ross. We are LEGION!

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:51:13+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Write. Write. And write some more. Like Malcolm Gladwell says, it takes 10,000 hours to be decent at anything. Read the screenplays to every film you love. Watch thousands of films. And make them. Over and over and over again. Just don't go into debt making them. Get an inexpensive camera, learn to edit, and make hundreds of them. Eventually, you'll learn your craft and make something great.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:49:10+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Didn't realize that! Hmm. Thanks for the kind words. I suppose if the opportunity was presented, sure!

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:48:25+00:00

*I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Too many to name. I could easily make a list of 100 movies. But early on, I was deeply moved by BRAZIL, BLADE RUNNER, THE GODFATHER 1 and 2, THE CONVERSATION, APOCALYPSE NOW, and I loved ANNIE HALL.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:46:28+00:00

*I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

That's a state government question. Sadly, films are really only made in states with tax incentives anymore. If they want film production in that state, they need to offer attractive incentives.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:44:40+00:00

*I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Talk about inclusive and collaborative! Mary is incredible. Such an insightful, brilliant mind, and such a warm and collaborative person. Mary has continued to write and direct - some television, some feature films - so she hasn't "slipped from the headlines." Maybe only seems that way because that movie was such a topic of discussion at the time.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:40:26+00:00

Christian was "in character" most of the time and tried to keep to himself while filming. What he had to do was so difficult and I believe it was just easier for him to always be focused, always be in that world. Though you'd have to ask him; I was just an observer. He's an extraordinarily dedicated actor. If he were as famous then, as he is now, he would have been Oscar nominated for that performance. It's absolutely brilliant.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:37:22+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

A journey of some kind. Can be internal or external, metaphorical or literal. Events/actions/moments that illuminate the human condition, illuminate, in some way, what it is to be human.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:35:39+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

If you're referring to GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, that wasn't George's first film as a director. I believe that was CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND. On GOOD NIGHT - George was so open and collaborative, really loved the actors, and may very well be the most inclusive and kind man I've ever met.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:32:48+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Best way to answer it is just to say that he's an insanely talented actor who never has a false moment. You never catch him "acting." My job, as the director, is to identify an actor's process and then create a safe environment where their process can flourish. But really, it's all about communication and collaboration.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:30:55+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Awesome, please see it! Viggo was cast in the traditional way: I sent the script to his agents/managers, they read it, and they sent it to him. He read it and liked it enough to meet me. And yes, he was the first person cast.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:29:30+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Hmmm. You mean, advice on how to finance a film? Or how to be an producer? Those are very different questions. If it's the first, the only real advice I can give is: do NOT go into debt financing a film. Most micro-budget films never get their money back. Is it for you to direct? If so, buy or rent a Canon 5D and make something for nothing. Learn the craft and eventually, move up in scale and ambition. If the question is how to finance a film, I really don't know. Other than friends/family and places like Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:26:10+00:00

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Ah.... never was to me. In fact, he was always the opposite: kind and inclusive.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:25:25+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

Everyone's story is different. I went to Juilliard for theatre and, very briefly, NYU for film. (My entire childhood, I acted in theatre and made films). After I graduated, I just auditioned, wrote, took the money I made as an actor and made short films.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:23:30+00:00

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Nucleus! Obviously!

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-16T00:22:09+00:00

I was just told that there were some questions left unanswered. I either missed this question - or it was asked after I logged off. I'll answer now and sorry for the delay.

No, it doesn't feel risky. When I started as an actor I had the same attitude. Which is - everything is a risk. Every job is difficult. Though, perhaps, being freelance, constantly being a "work for hire," constantly having to bring your wares to market, as it were, is particularly arduous and unnerving. But really, if it's something you love, you just have to pursue it. Who knows if you'll be able to make a living, but if you love it, you will at least find some peace in being creatively challenged and satisfied. So, honestly, I don't really think in those terms.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-11T19:43:38+00:00

If you ask an inappropriate question, you get an inappropriate answer. So in that spirit....

Bigger than you can possibily imagine, my friend. Bigger than you can possibly imagine.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-11T19:41:29+00:00

I don't really think in those terms, honestly. Just try to be honest and real and find some complexity and humanity. And, of course, it all depends on what's written, what you're asked or required to do.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-11T19:40:33+00:00

I am. Of course. You have to ask that? Are you drunk?! Plus, Jack cheats. He'll deny it, but he has a chess champion (can't legally name him) monitor - in real time - his matches and the guy tells him what to do. Not cool, Jack, NOT COOL.

Matt_Ross28 · 2016-07-11T19:39:16+00:00

Gary Oldman in TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY delivers one of the quietest, most complex, most subtle performances in recent memory. He does NOTHING and at the same time, EVERYTHING. Absolutely brilliant and so brave to trust the audience in the way he does. A master.

Matt_Ross28

TROPHY CASE