This week, we joined Spike Lee and Sam Mendes for a fantastic online Da 5 Bloods Q&A. In a lockdown that’s been full of Zoom calls, this one was a cut above!
Spike and Sam treated us to a fascinating discussion of the different cinematic elements employed in Da 5 Bloods, from aspect ratios to soundtrack, performance to script. This was a whirlwind tour of a fantastic new film — available to watch on Netflix now — and we’ve collected all of our live-tweets from the event below.
Scroll below if you want to catch up with event, or just re-live it again!
We're just about to kick off our online #Da5Bloods member Q&A, with the amazing Spike Lee and Sam Mendes in conversation! We'll be tweeting live from the event, so make sure you follow the #DUKSpikeLee hashtag for all the latest. pic.twitter.com/rD6EXWWupG
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike tells Sam: "We're just shooting the s**t, and I love that the other directors out there are eavesdropping!" #Da5Bloods #DUKSpikeLee
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Now that's a Zoom call! #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods pic.twitter.com/gaGWtf2IwY
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike explains that they had to work on a budget, so de-ageing effects were out of the window. "I respect the intelligence of the audience. I knew the first time (the characters appear in flashback) it would be jarring, but I always knew the audience would get it" #DUKSpikeLee
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Sam on Paul (Delroy Lindo's) direct address to camera: "It's an amazing performance, and bravura filmmaking." Spike responds: "I think one of the worst things we can do as artists is put handcuffs on ourselves." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
On the switching up of aspect ratios, Sam says: "It's incredibly stylish, enjoyable to watch, and fantastic storytelling — you know you're being led by a director with a story to tell." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike: "Very rarely do I want to be in a position where I'm having to figure things out on the spot. We're in the middle of the jungle, it's 100 degrees plus, that is not the time you want to be discussing character motivation!" #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike continues: "But we had a 2 week rehearsal boot camp, I have a shot list, and every morning I had a meeting. One of the worst things you can do as a director is not give people information." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike's key piece of advice for directors: "You have to get your first shot in within an hour. Otherwise you get behind...and you rarely catch up." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike: "For me, music is as important as the script, as acting, editing, costume...it's another tool we use! I know not everyone works that way, some people think about the score right at the end...that's total disrespect for what music can do for you!" #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Talking music, directing and #Da5Bloods with Sam Mendes and Spike Lee. #DUKSpikeLee pic.twitter.com/mqMwKVbdZd
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Sam turns the conversation to the performances. On Delroy Lindo, Spike says: "He was reluctant to wear *that* hat, but he worked it out with his character...and the rest is history. He was in the zone!" #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike on what grounds him: "I am *blessed* because I'm doing what I love — the majority of people on this earth go to their grave hating their job." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
Spike says he thought he'd have at least one script done during this pandemic, but he hasn't been able to get anything done. "This is the first time since 1985 that I've not been writing." #DUKSpikeLee #Da5Bloods
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
And that's a wrap! What a treat that was — huge thanks to Spike Lee and Sam Mendes for an amazing conversation. If you haven't seen #Da5Bloods yet, it's burning up Netflix right now. So do it! #Da5Bloods #DUKSpikeLee
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) June 17, 2020
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