DIGGER PRODUCTION
nominations, he is incredibly modest. “I couldn’t have done this without my crew,” he says. “The collaborators on this project are so good at what they do and much better than what I could do. It’s like working with teachers. It’s fantastic to go to work and be able to learn all this stuff from these masters.” The project was also his first time working with Tom Cruise. “He’s so knowledgeable about lenses, eye lines and distances of the camera, to the point that it’s intimidating. I think his performance in this film is absolutely a miracle. I also love that this film is not derivative. It didn’t come from a novel or another movie. It’s just the mind of Alejandro and his writers, talking about a theme that is probably the most important thing right now.” IT’S fantastic TO GO TO WORK AND LEARN all this stuff FROM THESE masters ”
technique he learnt from Michael Mann when filming Ali . “That was the first time I used dummies,” he recalls. “We actually used them for Birdman too, as we didn’t have the money to fill the theatre with real people. We didn’t want the audience to notice in that film, but obviously we wanted [them] to for this one. It also ties in with the theme of these characters just being dummies that are sitting there brainless and opinionless.” Digger was shot across a period of 50 days, with an extended prep due to the proxy sets. “We had a troupe of incredible actors that stayed with us throughout the movie. Alejandro was open to their suggestions, but you have a very good layout of what the movie is going to be and how it’s going to look and how it’s going to be shot. Once we establish the rules and regulations, I like to stay within the parameters for the movie to achieve a style. Otherwise, you go crazy.” Working with Iñárritu is always a joy for Chivo. “I talk to Alejandro about
everything,” he says. “I complain and he complains. We always fight in Spanish and people look at us confused. He’s very giving and an incredible artist. His drive is impeccable and I admire him a lot. It’s fantastic watching him work.” For someone with three Academy Awards to their name and a further five
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DEFINITIONMAGS
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