Latest news with #directing
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson felt typecast as a sex symbol
Scarlett Johansson felt typecast as a sex symbol during her younger years. The 40-year-old actress is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but Scarlett felt she was only valued for her "desirability" during her early days in the movie business. Speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper, Scarlett explained: "When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered, or I went for, had their ambitions or character arcs revolving around their own desirability, or the male gaze, or a male-centred story." Scarlett has overcome the issue by rejecting "unfulfilling" roles and patiently waiting for the right opportunities to come her way. The actress - who has Rose, ten, with Romain Dauriac, and Cosmo, three, with husband Colin Jost - said: "I just waited. "I had to become comfortable with the idea that it could take some time. Which is hard when you're a young actor, but at that time I didn't have any children." Scarlett recently made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, the drama movie that starred June Squibb. The actress subsequently revealed that she found directing to be a "really rewarding" experience. She told Extra: "I have a different perspective on just the process of, you know, pre-production and then what goes on after we all leave. I think, as an actor, you're hoping that the director sees kind of what you were doing and follows, you know, pulls the right thread and all of that stuff, but you don't know. "You have no, kind of, control over it and now, you know, having experienced the other side of it, it just gives you, I think, an interesting insight into how people, other directors make their choices and the process that they go through to, you know, make it all happen. "It's a lot of work, but it can be really rewarding." Scarlett premiered the movie at the Cannes Film Festival, and she relished walking the red carpet with the film's stars. She said: "Just being able to stand alongside Erin Kellyman and June Squibb after the film premiered and feel the warmth of the audience and the love from the audience for the film and for the incredible performances in it, it was such a moving moment."


Washington Post
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Marlee Matlin tells her story in an intimate and groundbreaking documentary
When American Masters approached Marlee Matlin about doing a documentary, Matlin had one name in mind to direct: Shoshanna Stern. Like Matlin, Stern is deaf. She also hadn't directed before. But Matlin, who herself became the first deaf person in the Directors Guild of America just a few years ago, was certain she was up to the task.


The Independent
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
‘Unsung' pioneering actress and director Esme Church honoured with blue plaque
An 'unsung' actress and director who founded a theatre school that taught future stars including three-time Bafta winner Billie Whitelaw has been honoured with a blue plaque. The recognition in Bradford, where she ran the Northern Theatre School, will allow Esme Church to take her 'rightful place in the cultural memory of this country', Historic England said. Born on 11 February 1893 in Marylebone, London, she trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Rada before making her stage debut in the 1920s, and later joining the Old Vic Company. She performed major Shakespearean roles such as Lady Macbeth and Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, and led the Old Vic's drama school from 1936. Her career as a director began in the 1930s when she became artistic director of the Greyhound Theatre in Croydon, before moving on to Bradford Civic Playhouse where she took up the same role during the 1940s and 1950s. There, she championed regional theatre, established the Northern Theatre School, and mentored The Omen actress Whitelaw, who won a film Bafta in 1969 for best supporting actress for her roles in thriller Twisted Nerve and comedy Charlie Bubbles, along with two Bafta TV gongs. Other actors such as Dorothy L Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey star Edward Petherbridge, Secret Army actor Bernard Hepton and theatre actor Sir Robert Stephens, Dame Maggie Smith's former husband, were also among those mentored by Church. Lord Neil Mendoza, chairman of Historic England, called Church a 'formidable force in British theatre' who was among the 'trailblazing women' who have 'not received the national recognition (they) deserve'. He added: 'It is time that Esme Church takes her rightful place in the cultural memory of this country.' The plaque, which will be unveiled on Friday at 26 Chapel Street, Little Germany, reads: 'Esme Church, 1893-1972, actress and director ran the Northern Theatre School here.' Bruce Durham, the great-nephew of Church, said it is 'giving her the recognition that she deserves for all her contributions to the arts'. He said: 'Growing up with Esme around, it was always wonderful to see and hear about her work – whether it was entertaining troops in France during the First World War, becoming the head of The Old Vic Theatre School, or travelling to and from New York. 'It's important that not only my great-aunt Esme is recognised but being able to use brilliant platforms such as Ancestry to uncover the many unsung women who made a significant impact during the early 20th century.' Church's contribution comes as Bradford celebrates its year as UK City of Culture in 2025. Si Cunningham, chairman of Bradford Civic Society, said: 'It's thrilling to see yet more national recognition for Bradford's pioneering, creative heritage. 'Esme Church is an incredibly deserving recipient of a national blue plaque, which perfectly complements the city's own growing blue plaque scheme. 'I hope this beautiful plaque, and Esme's fascinating story, inspires a new generation of creative Bradfordians to do great things for their city.' Historic England and genealogy site Ancestry are calling on the public to uncover further inspiring women or girls from the 20th century, who may have been forgotten and deserve their place in history. The eight-week public nomination period for the National Blue Plaque Scheme is open until July 10 2025.


The Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street star making a comeback to the show 15 years after being killed off – but WON'T be seen on screen
CORONATION Street star Reece Dinsdale is making an epic comeback to the cobbles - 15 years after he was killed off. The actor played Gail Platt's fourth husband Joe McIntyre before he met his demise after he tried to fake his death to claim insurance money. 5 5 5 But before ITV fans get excited, Reece won't be reprising his role - instead he's taken a job from behind the camera. Reece has directed tonight's and Friday's episodes. Taking to his X account, he wrote: "Tonight's episodes of Coronation Street (and both of Friday's) are directed by yours truly. Loved every second of making them. Hope you enjoy, too!" Reece confirmed that the episodes were filmed around six to eight weeks ago. In the comment section, Reece admitted he "loves" being a director on the show as fans shared their excitement ahead of the installments. In April, Reece revealed he was making a return to the beloved soap. He revealed he recently directed four episodes that month. Reece is no stranger to directing Coronation Street and has made eight episodes since 2022. He has also directed 42 episodes of Emmerdale since 2020, and helmed episodes of shows such as Pitching In, Moving On, and Secrets and Words. The actor's gig behind the camera comes after he was forced to defend his career prospects when he left Emmerdale. In 2024, Reece announced he would be taking a break from directing the soap following the death of his mother. He told fans: 'Following the death of my Ma (& moving house), at 64 I've taken a decision to have some time out from work. Many months in fact. I've never done that consciously. 'I've stuff lined up down the line, so I know that's easy for me to say. However, I'm loving every bloody second of it!' Reece also played villain Paul Ashdale on Emmerdale in 2020 for a two-year stint, before he was killed off. 5 5

News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
The Phoenician Scheme cast spill secrets from A-list set
The all-star cast of The Phoenician Scheme share secrets from the Wes Anderson set - including his very unique directing trick, what stories Tom Hanks tells in his downtime, and the best advice they've ever received.