What did JJ Abrams say to her?

[James Thayer]

If you haven't seen Super 8, do yourself a favor and watch it. It's an all around good film with comedy, action, scifi, suspense, romance, and adventure rolled into one.

Now, there is one specific scene I have a question about. It's the one where Elle Fanning has an extremely emotional delivery at the train tracks. At the end of it all the boys look at her with jaws dropped. I take it she has wonderful talent, but what, if you had to guess, did JJ Abrams say to her when directing that scene?

I ask because I need to direct a drama here soon and it is filled with scenes that need that kind of emotion conveyed. Any advice is appreciated.

- James

[Mitch Gross]

Act, please?

[Ted Spencer]

It's completely situational, so there's no way to say without having been there, or heard otherwise from the horse's mouth. For a great general answer to this question however, check out Judith Weston's book "Directing Actors" if you haven't already done so. It goes directly to this sort of thing, and does so better than any other resource I've ever found.

[James Thayer]

Act, please?

Probably considered the 1st act of the movie.

It's completely situational, so there's no way to say without having been there, or heard otherwise from the horse's mouth. For a great general answer to this question however, check out Judith Weston's book "Directing Actors" if you haven't already done so. It goes directly to this sort of thing, and does so better than any other resource I've ever found.

I'm actually reading it right now. Have you ever had to direct a really emotional piece before? Care to share your experience?

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Probably considered the 1st act of the movie.

hahahaha, oh double meanings.


He meant:

JJ Abrams: "Act, please?"

[James Thayer]

hahahaha, oh double meanings.


He meant:

JJ Abrams: "Act, please?"

haha, gotcha.

[refocusedmedia]

Where is the eyeroll emoticon when you need it..

[Rippie]

He probably told her the following..
"so there is this truck that hits a train head on. The train will fly off the tracks in an amazing fireball of action that makes the train debris fly
in all directions with explosions everywhere. The truck will however not explode, not break into a million pieces and not only will the driver still be alive, he'll still be in the drivers seat."

With that the little girl broke down in tears and got emotional thinking "why did I agree to this crap?"

[Stefanos]

He probably told her the following..
"so there is this truck that hits a train head on. The train will fly off the tracks in an amazing fireball of action that makes the train debris fly
in all directions with explosions everywhere. The truck will however not explode, not break into a million pieces and not only will the driver still be alive, he'll still be in the drivers seat."

With that the little girl broke down in tears and got emotional thinking "why did I agree to this crap?"

best ever. So true. LOL

[Gregg Juke]

"Suspend your disbelief," fellas...

GJ