The film industry is a business that finds itself in a consistent state of flux. With technology constantly evolving, filmmakers regularly change their approaches to keep up. The fundamental shift that has taken place within the styles of directors is something that has not gone unnoticed by Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver, and she seems to think that the biggest difference between old directors and young filmmakers is that the younger ones do not work as closely with their actors. The Ellen Ripley actress explained:
I think there are fewer conversations [between actors and directors] now. I was never a big yakker, but at the same time, I feel like directors don't direct you as much as they used to. I don't know whether that's because they don't think I need direction --- which of course is not true, actors always need direction --- but I think either they don't have the experience to know that they can be very helpful or they're hoping you can just get along without them. The young directors now, it's harder for them to get the experience they need with actors sometimes.
One of the biggest reasons for this shift, according to Sigourney Weaver, is the fact that the director-actor relationship has lost its sense of partnership. With relatively untested indie directors being drafted to work on big budget blockbusters, producers have stepped in to keep one hand on the wheel. As a result of this, younger filmmakers find themselves thinking in more of a "big picture" sense than actually helping the actors deliver the performances that they want. In the end, it becomes just as much about business as it is about art.
Of course, Sigourney Weaver's comments to EW definitely undersell the fact that she has delivered some of her best performances in recent memory under the guidance of younger, fresher directors. The most notable example of the bunch is her role in J.A. Bayona's A Monster Calls -- in which she plays the emotionally distant grandmother of the film's young protagonist. Directors may have generally changed, but good ones are still pulling great performances out of seasoned professionals like Weaver.
These comments kind of make you wonder if Sigourney Weaver will ever step behind the camera to try her hand at directing. She has never helmed a feature, but she has admitted that she is interested in doing so someday. Considering her observations about the qualities of young directors, something tells us that she will likely be incredibly attentive to her actors if she ever decides to make that jump. That is something that we would definitely like to see.
As for Sigourney Weaver, she will make her next major on-screen appearance when Marvel's The Defenders debuts on Netflix on Friday, August 18. In the silver screen realm, make sure to check out our movie premiere guide for more information related to the rest of 2017's major film releases!
