On Sunday 9 December we were treated to a special screening of Mary Queen of Scots, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Josie Rourke.
Josie spoke to Roger Michell (Notting Hill, My Cousin Rachel) about making the transition from film to theatre, impostor syndrome and colourblind casting. Catch up with all the live-tweets from the event below!
We’re excited for our screening of #MaryQueenOfScots followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Josie Rourke. Follow #DUKMary for the tweets after the film! pic.twitter.com/BVMR0p3ceG
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
We’ve just watched and loved Mary Queen of Scots, and how it’s time for the screening with the film’s director Josie Rourke, moderated by Roger Michell #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Roger begins by asking Josie what her first day on set felt like, moving straight to feature films after theatre. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie tells us she suffered from impostor syndrome. “I’m actually quite clumsy too, and there are so many more things on a set - it’s amazing I haven’t fallen over yet” #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
“People talk about working with actors as if that’s something theatre directors do more naturally than screen directors - I’m not sure that’s necessarily the case” #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
It was very interesting to see actors just before performance. In theatre you can go quite close to actors in rehearsal but then you leave them at the half - in film you see them just before performance and it’s really revealing. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
#DUKMary pic.twitter.com/S6Luq8C9Se
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie felt like she articulate something new about Mary through the film - a figure she feels have effectively been slut-shamed for 400 years. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: When I began in the theatre there were very few women leading and directing. Now when I look at films I don’t think there are enough stories about how women reconcile their femininity with having to be the leader in the room. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: We did two weeks rehearsal, which was great to get. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: Some period dramas look like the clothes are wearing the actors when it should be the other way around. You can tell actors with period experience by the way they wear their clothes. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Audience questions now. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
A member asks about the film’s colourblind casting. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: Well, the first thing to note is that we know this wasn’t an all-white period. But also, l’ve always done this in theatre. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: I think Adrian Lester is one of our finest classical actors - there’s no way I would miss the opportunity to work with him! #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: I think Adrian Lester is one of our finest classical actors - there’s no way I would miss the opportunity to work with him! #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Roger asks why film has been so slow to adopt colourblind casting, compared to theatre. “Truthfully I think theatre is more real, and more politically aware - in theatre you’re more likely to be held to account”. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
A member asks if there was anything Josie had to unlearn from theatre in order to direct the film. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Josie: In theatre you often have to deflect just enough so that your cast retain their confidence and instinct. Whereas in film I had to find another language for that, so that they could retain their instinct but also know what to do over multiple takes. #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
Mary Queen of Scots is released January next year - don’t miss it! #DUKMary
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 9, 2018
A royal feast for the eyes today with Mary Queen of Scots. Director Josie Rourke (hailing from theatre) spoke about the pleasure of being with her actors until the moment before action, reversing 400 years of 'slut shaming', and the role of gender in holding power #DUKMary pic.twitter.com/KcbHhowoVo
— Mike Rymer (@Mike_Rymer) December 9, 2018
Have Your Say
Join the discussion on Facebook