The Oscar-nominated actor and director revealed that when he directs a film, he doesn't pay attention to how scenes are played and, as an unusual directing method, he also doesn't use chairs.
The versatile Bradley Cooper's professionalism transcends all boundaries. The director, co-writer and star of the film “Maestro” shows that Hollywood is a breeding ground for him Techniques and methods to promote creativity in your work. In a recent interview with Variety, Cooper revealed that he employs an unconventional practice in the film industry: banning a director from chairs and other essentials while filming a film.
The Oscar nominee and Grammy winner's career has been on the rise thanks to innovative methods and increasingly sophisticated performances, especially since he entered the world of directing in 2018 with “A Star is Born,” in which he starred alongside Lady Gaga. In 2023, his latest production, directed by Cooper, looks poised to shine at the Oscars, as it continues to be the talk of the town weeks after its premiere after she declared, “When I direct, I don't watch replays.”
In an exclusive conversation with his colleague Spike Lee for Variety, the 48-year-old star said that during the filming of his films there were “no chairs” on the set, which is why neither he nor his team were allowed to rest like that. Behavior. “I've always hated chairs on set, the energy goes down once you sit on a chair. “There is no video village,” he explained, citing the lack of the director’s monitors and their immediate surroundings on set.
Cooper revealed that he has always hated chairs on set because “his energy goes down once you sit in a chair” (Jason McDonald/Netflix via AP)
According to Cooper, such distractions are absent from his productions, allowing him to perfectly realize his vision, as was the case with his last project, Maestro, where Lee also served as director. The Netflix film tells the complex love affair of the famous musical genius Leonard Bernstein, played by Cooper himself, and his wife Felicia Montealegre, played by Carey Mulligan, 37 years old.
You can tell that the film features a luxury job because of the names behind it: Steven Spielberg is one of the producers, as is filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Although Spielberg initially wanted to take the lead and make the project his own, he eventually handed the reins over to Bradley Cooper after selecting him for the lead role.
In addition to his outstanding commitment as a director and his collaboration on the script, the protagonist of “Qué Pasó Ayer” immersed himself in his role as the late Bernstein in order to be as similar to him as possible and to impress even the conductor's children. In fact, Bernstein's eldest daughter Jamie publicly expressed her admiration for the actor.
At the premiere of “Maestro” in Los Angeles, Bradley Cooper had a special moment as he introduced his daughter Lea De Seine, 6, who made a cameo in the film, on the red carpet (Portal/Mike Blake)
“We had no idea that Bradley would show so much intensity and commitment to something when he has it in his hands,” Jamie Bernstein said in an interview with People. “There are even certain moments in the film where he looks so exactly like our father in motion that it blows our minds.” When his own daughter says that, there's no doubt that Cooper was on top of his game.
To strengthen this authenticity, Irina Shayk's former partner maintained a close collaboration not only with Jamie, but also with Alexander and Nina Bernstein, her other two children. In this way, he ensured that his father's legacy was preserved with the utmost respect and loyalty. “The way he embraced us throughout the project was very open,” Jamie revealed. “In the end we felt like we could trust him.”
At the premiere of “Maestro” in Los Angeles, Bradley Cooper had a special moment and introduced his daughter Lea De Seine, 6, from his relationship with Irina Shayk, on the red carpet. The little girl made a cameo appearance in the film, playing the younger version of a character played by Maya Hawke.
“Maestro” will premiere on the Netflix platform on December 20th.