Todd Field Tells us How to Study Character in Tar

It is great when you have the opportunity to interpret a film for yourself and decide what it means for you. Filmmaker Todd Field offers this opportunity in the film, Tár. The film takes us through an epic character study that mirrors the way we humans experience the world. Tár is in theaters and available on streaming platforms.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Todd’s inspiration to write and direct the film
• Putting the character in a position of great power 
• How the character lives in a way that is contrary to the advice she gives others
• Letting the movie and music speak for itself
• The intent in writing the character as a real human being
• The very simple rules for this film
• What the editing and testing process was like
• Why Todd believes it is healthy to have differing opinions
• The pleasure of being the originator of the story 

Memorable Quotes

• “My writing life has been, for the most part, in adapting material.” [2:29]
• “Human beings…sometimes they operate with their better angels and sometimes they’re monsters.” [12:35]
• “This film is about this character. It’s about having an opportunity to meet this character in different facets of their life during this period of time. A public one, a sort of professional one, and a private one.” [16:32]
• “The secret dream of many filmmakers is you never have to go through production. You would just go straight to the edit.” [20:03]
• “That’s why we make films. We want the greatest possible engagement.” [24:07]
• “I think being a filmmaker now is probably the most exciting thing you can possibly do.” [27:16]

Mentioned in the episode:

Tár

Find No Film School everywhere:

On the Web

https://nofilmschool.com/

 

Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool

 

Twitter 

https://twitter.com/nofilmschool

 

YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool

Get your questions answered on the podcast by emailing editor@nofilmschool.com!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices