This week at the Studio we're working on the technical aspects and eyework involved with acting phonecalls. Our homework as we’re working on these sides has been to watch and study a scene this renowned scene from ‘All The President’s Men’ - which was shot in one-take with no edits:
Watch Redford’s intensity of purpose - he wants to get something. It's in every action. It’s especially in his eyes. Watch the eye work from start to finish.
Watch the physicality - using the whole area of his desk, phone book, phone, and drawer to get a notepad and pen and having to focus with the noisy background. Watch him turn and talk to his assistant without blocking her.
Watch as the director pushes in - in this ONE take - how Redford starts to still and ground his movement and uses only his eyes.
And watch the famous mistake. Redford at the end calls Dahlberg, "Mr. MacGregor", but keeps going and says "Mr. Dahlberg, I'm sorry." Then digs in as an actor, begins typing, and finishes the scene with Bernstein on the phone.
We hope you find this interesting and inspirational. And as always if you want to learn more about eye work, we have the ‘Eye Exam’ video workshop series available here.