We were thrilled to host a member screening of Uncut Gems, followed by a Q&A with Josh and Benny Safdie.
Josh and Benny talked to Danny Leigh about the story’s long journey to the screen, working with first-time actors, and shooting in the bustling streets of New York.
Catch up with all our live-tweets from the evening below.
We are so excited for our member screening of Uncut Gems, followed by a Q&A with the amazing Josh and Benny Safdie! Follow #DUKgems after the film for our live tweets. pic.twitter.com/ubuAId7zVL
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Wow, that’s just blown us away. Now we have our breath back, we’re live tweeting our Q&A with the amazing @JOSH_BENNY, moderated by @Dannytheleigh. Follow #DUKgems for the the tweets!
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Danny starts by asking how far back the story of Uncut Gems goes. Josh says it goes back to 2010, when they wrote their first draft. It’s had about 160 drafts since then. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Josh: It came from our father’s stories of working in the diamond district. He said every store had it’s own story. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Benny: When we’re casting we look for people who just can’t help but be themselves. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Josh: By the time Adam came on board, we had so much background material for his character. We threw him into the deep end. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Benny: Adam has this real ability in his comedies to root his characters in the emotional reality of the scene. This is so important for Uncut gems, because Howard is going to test you - you need to be rooting for him. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
#DUKgems pic.twitter.com/pY2PoBrjJD
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Benny: It’s a big set and crew making a major film like this. But we wanted it to feel hands-on, I run a boom when we’re on set. You want to be close and involved. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Josh and Benny day they couldn’t close down 47th street to shoot - but they were relieved! They wanted to keep the energy of the city. Even if they had total control in a scenario, they wanted to shoot as if they didn’t. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Danny hands it over to the audience for questions. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
A member asks how Josh and Benny divide their work as directors. Josh: Benny is on set and I’m framing things. But when it comes to directing performers it’s more of a vibes thing. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
#DUKgems pic.twitter.com/YNYrOg36vu
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
A member asks whether the film ended up how they first envisioned, given that there had been so many revisions in the script. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Josh and Benny say that generally it had - but they could never have imagined how much they developed themselves. #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
And that’s a wrap! Thank you so much to @JOSH_BENNY for a wonderful Q&A, and thank you to @dannytheleigh for moderating! #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
Uncut Gems is an absolute thrill. Do. Not. Miss. It! #DUKgems
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) December 5, 2019
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