Lecture Notes: Discussion on 'Captain Fantastic' and SAG Awards

Introduction

• Discussion participants include actors and directors from the movie 'Captain Fantastic'.
• The conversation touches upon the actors' experiences, their journeys in the industry, and personal anecdotes related to the movie.

SAG Card and Early Career Experiences

• SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Card:
  • One participant got their SAG card through 'Purple Rose of Cairo', despite being cut from the film.
  • Another mentions getting their card possibly via 'PCU' or 'Pushing Tin'.
  • Some actors recall their initial experiences upon receiving their SAG cards, aligning with their first substantial roles.

Background and Inspiration for 'Captain Fantastic'

• Matt, the Director:
  • Draws inspiration from personal life, being a father of two, and reflections on family values.
  • The movie contains semi-autobiographical elements, including living in rural communes in Oregon.
  • The story explores themes of parental aspirations versus professional life.

Script and Film Development

• Viggo Mortensen (Actor):
  • Talks about his initial reaction to the script, describing it as an engaging and surprising read.
  • Describes the film as not politically motivated but rich with contradictions and character depths.
  • Initially unable to work on the project due to scheduling conflicts, but eventually joined after a seven-month gap.

Working with the Director

• Viggo appreciated the director’s past work and acting experience.
• Their initial meeting was long and fruitful, leading to a collaboration despite initial scheduling issues.

Casting and Audition Experiences

• Young Actors:
  • Many started acting from a young age, influenced by family or early opportunities.
  • Some were already fans of Viggo Mortensen from his previous works like 'Lord of the Rings'.

On-Set Experiences

• The cast engaged in a two-week bonding session before filming.
• Viggo discussed initial nervousness working with talented young actors.
• Young actors shared feelings of excitement and intimidation working with established stars.

Conclusion

• Emphasis on the quality of the script and the talented cast being crucial to the film’s success.
• The conversation ends with thoughts on casting and the importance of finding talented actors for specific roles.