The way I've described Helen's sort of rigorous honesty I just think he also has tremendously. It's very strange... he just has this sort of way of making it happen really. You're not really aware of being directed, so much as being a part of this thing.
I work through the actors, and the more successful I am, the less my work is apparent.
The really expert riders of horses let the horse know immediately who is in control, but then they guide the horse with loose reins and very seldom use the spurs. So it was with our chief [William Rehnquist]. He guided us with loose reins and used the spurs only rarely to get us up to speed with our work.
I'm not a director who feels I should be in your face all the time. I really want you to watch the actors and listen to the play.
I always aspire to that, where it feels like the film was made by the characters as opposed to the filmmakers. I try to be invisible.
The style of direction in 'Room,' maybe a little bit like 'Spotlight,' tries to be hidden.
A movie like 'The Apartment' is beautifully directed, but you can't put your finger on why it's such a good movie. It just is, because of all these things that Billy Wilder is subtly doing. That level of filmmaking is something I aspire to.
