Kevin Bacon on Being Directed by Wife Kyra Sedgwick & His Butt Appearing in Val Kilmer Documentary

TL;DR

Kevin Bacon shares insights on acting, directing, and his upcoming projects.

Transcript

our first guest tonight is a loose footed man with a resume that is second to none he plays Boston FBI agent Jackie Roar on City on a Hill season 3 premieres July 31st on Showtime please welcome Kevin [Applause] [Applause] Bacon very good to see you Kevin you thank you I know you were in New York last night for the Tribeca Film Festival I was yes u... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Kevin Bacon emphasizes the importance of collaboration in film, especially when working with family members like Kira Sedgwick.
• 👻 He highlights the difficulty of maintaining a balance between guiding an actor's performance and allowing them to interpret the character.
• 🫥 Bacon illustrates how a simple line can become complex during the film production process, emphasizing communication between actors and directors.
• 🏃 The interview underscores the unique experiences and deep character development possible in long-running television series compared to films.
• 🧑‍🏭 Bacon shares his experiences with other actor-directors, recognizing the valuable perspective they offer in production.
• 😋 He humorously discusses a fast food restaurant in Argentina named after him, showcasing the unexpected nature of fame.
• 🧑‍🏭 Bacon's insights into the nature of acting reveal his understanding of the emotional and technical aspects of performance.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Kevin Bacon feel about working with his wife as a director?

Kevin Bacon expresses a deep admiration for his wife, Kira Sedgwick, acknowledging her talent as a director while sharing the challenges they face. He humorously recounts how she's skilled at guiding his performance without explicitly giving line readings, a task he admits can be tough for any actor being directed by a partner.

Q: What is the significance of the "okay" line in the context of Bacon's discussion?

The "okay" line represents a pivotal moment in the filming process that illustrates the challenges of communication between actors and directors. Bacon playful details how he struggled to deliver the simple line correctly, leading to multiple takes and requests from Kira for variations, showcasing the nuances of performance in acting.

Q: What does Bacon think about the role of actor-directors?

Bacon believes actor-directors can often bring unique insights and understanding to filmmaking due to their firsthand experience as performers. However, he also acknowledges the challenge of resisting the urge to guide actors too much, which can hinder their personal interpretation of a character.

Q: How does Kevin Bacon describe his character in "City on a Hill"?

Bacon describes his character, FBI agent Jackie Roar, as possessing a rhythmic quality in his speech and movement that he envisions vividly. He notes that the character came to him clearly while reading the script, emphasizing the depth of character development opportunities presented in a series format over the course of three seasons.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kevin Bacon promotes his upcoming role as Jackie Roar in Showtime’s "City on a Hill" Season 3 while sharing a humorous anecdote about working with his wife, Kira Sedgwick, who directed him in her film "Space Oddity."

• The conversation highlights the challenges actors face when directed by their partners, especially the difficulty of balancing direction with the emotional and interpretative aspects of a performance.

• Bacon also touches upon the unique experience of acting in a television series versus film, emphasizing the deeper character exploration afforded by long-running shows.