The producer of The Secret Life, Roger Birnbaum said: "The idea of creating a story about the CIA recruiting cadets was very challenging. What kind of Young people are willing to do this kind of work that most people are not willing to do? How does the
CIA recruit for this kind of work? Those are the questions people want to know." Nora's idea of interpreting such a story was equally irresistible. Producer Gary Barber said: "He's a symbol, and every film he's in is convincing."
Roger Donelson, the film's director, said: It's a psychological thriller with twists and turns, where you can't tell who the good guys are or what's going to happen until the truth comes out. Although the story takes place in a CIA training camp, Al Pacino's performance is what The heart of the film." Roger Donelson has directed films including the political thriller "No Way Out" and "Thirteen Days."
Producer Gary Barber added: "On another level, this is also the story of a young man searching for his father, and it tells the story of James' compromising efforts to investigate the mystery of his father's disappearance."
Producer Jeff A "Spy training doesn't come from books, it requires a lot of skills, including explosives and skydiving that test people's will, and intelligence that tests people's intelligence, disguise themselves, play characters and ultimately become a great actor," said Poe. Burr had previously overseen a successful film, "In the Line of fire," featuring the Secret Service of the U.S. Treasury Department, which is as secretive as the CIA.
Insights from CIA spokesman Chase Blanton on the CIA's facilities, methods, and complex recruiting process, including how to find the right people, how to recruit, and how to train them to become intelligence officers, were helpful.
"We do have a secret training ground for intelligence officers, and I know people think we call it a 'farm,' and to answer in classic CIA fashion, I neither confirm nor deny that there is such a location," Brandon said. It exists, but I would say that if we were going to name our training camp, it would be 'farm'."
Brandon arranged for the filmmakers to visit the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and did as much as possible Some situations that have a direct impact on the film are provided. "We had the opportunity to see how it worked and, more importantly, get to know the people who were there," recalls Arp.
Director Roger Donelson was chosen to bring the story to the screen. Barber and Birnbaum are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Donelson, who is known for his ability to create films that are nuanced and suspenseful. "Gary and I think Roger's film No Way Out is similar to Recruit," said Birnbaum.
Birnbaum and Barber "We've known Roger for a long time," he said. "We worked together on the thriller White Sands before, and it's great to be working with him again."
Donelson said he likes directing thrillers very much . piece. "I've made a lot of thrilling films, and even the plays I've directed have always had some elements of danger, violence and intrigue. I've made films about Washington, Thirteen Days ( Thirteen Days was filmed in the White House, No Way Out was filmed in the Pentagon, and this film is about the CIA.”
In addition to the appeal of the story itself and its theme, let Ai The idea of El Pacino playing CIA instructor Walter Burke and Colin Farrell playing rookie James Clayton also made it easier for the director to work. Donelson said: "Al and Colin are the best actors today, and it's easy to work with actors as talented as them."
Roger Birnbaum explains their options. "Al and Colin are both true actors, very true to their careers. Al has a complex and varied personality, while giving a sense of authority and mystery at the same time. Audiences think that when Al speaks He knows what he shouldn't say. Who else is better suited to play a spy?"
Like many directors before, Donelson gave Pacino the highest praise for his professionalism. He said: "Al is the best actor of their generation, he is a perfectionist, he is very strict with himself, no one is more demanding than him, and this is the most fortunate for the director. It's my job to let Al know that he's doing a really good job."
Even Farrell's voice changed when he talked about his experience with Al. "I got on so well with him and I really love him so much. He's so smart and talented, I didn't expect him to be so funny, he was so funny, it made my stomach hurt. I also learned a lot about changing the way I acted and staying fresh. Some people say no one is perfect, but in terms of talent he can do everything."
Pacino had the same influence on other actors, who most often said One of the phrases is "go to class", and all the actors do not need to perform when shooting the scenes of the class. Moyhanna recounts the experience, "All of my shots with Al were shot in a classroom setting, and I'm glad I got a front-row seat in one of the best acting classes in film. You don't have to. You don't have to listen, Al Pacino's performances have to give you your full attention."
Markt recalls: "I loved working with Al because it's not every day you get a chance to work with American Idol and learn from him. The way he works. I really admire his performance in the film and the great danger he takes.
Pharrell concludes: "When I found out I was going to be working with Al, I was overwhelmed with joy. He is a legend, a master, a genius. I love working with him. "
Speaking of his role, Farrell said: "He's become a multi-personality because of a huge life change, which seems to appeal to me. James was 12 when his father died in a plane crash, and when he was 14, his father died in a plane crash. His mother passed away, he had an indifferent attitude to the world, but he was really serious about everything. What interests me is that he was so traumatized, but still so innocent at 25 years old, He hadn't discovered himself yet because his parents didn't impress him, he lacked a standard of reference."
The dramatic core of the film was another factor that inspired Farrell. "It's a very nice thing to give a character a direction. It's a wonderful process to start from one place and end up in another after going through some things, and let the events serve to shape the living characters, Instead of letting ready-made characters serve the storyline."
Farrell likened James and Burke's relationship to a father-son relationship. "It was a very tense relationship. James saw a shadow of his father in Burke, even though Burke played him. Burke was always manipulating and playing with James, sometimes close, sometimes distant, all that. It's all about reaching his end."
Donelson instinctively felt that Pharrell was the perfect candidate. "Colin is an extremely talented and energetic actor, and his good looks don't stand in the way of his progress. He prepares to the best of his ability every day according to the script."
Bridget Moyner Han plays Laura Moore, another CIA cadet on the show. The script for the film has been revised several times, but her impression of her character has not changed every time she watched it. "Laura is a very smart woman, with a firm stand and lofty aspirations. Her life goals are very clear and consistent. At the same time, her inner emotional world is very rich and sensitive, so there are often fierce ideological conflicts. I I think that's what a lot of strong business women have been through. She's the type of person I really identify with." The
filmmakers knew exactly what type of woman they needed to play Laura, and Moyhanna Fully up to their standards. "We needed a young woman, not a girl, to play Laura," Barber said. "Bridget is a smart, pretty, show-stopper, and she brings Laura to life."
Donelson really enjoyed working with the actors on the show, even though he didn't know some of them well when he cast them. "It's difficult to create a suspense film with actors you don't know much about, and their performances often deviate from your creative intent. But the cast of this film gives the director more creative freedom."
Although the time is limited, but Actors still find ways to prepare for their roles. "I read all kinds of books while I was working on the film," recalls Markt, "I read My Spy - A Spy Wife by Bina Kady Kiyanagar. and Ted Gup's "Handbook of Honor," which gives some revelations about the secret lives of CIA agents. I also read a magazine covering the CIA, the NSA, the MIG, and the FBI, Very informative. I also played a CIA agent who was a surveillance expert in a film last year, for which I read some books about Delta Force and lived with a commando who told me I’ve got stories about training commandos to become CIA agents, so I can say I’m very comfortable with it.”
Although these actors are very fond of playing spies on screen, none of them have any intention of pursuing that career in real life. Moyhanna explained: "When I read books about the life of a spy, the thing that baffles me the most is how well they lied to their loved ones. I can't imagine living a double life like that. It's impossible to be a spy. No, but it's too hard to lie to all the people you love."
Farrell toured the MIT campus to find out what it was like to be a student, but at the same time he worked hard on his accent, which He trains with dialogue coach Michael Buster. Michael Buster has also been in charge of dialogue training for Farrell's first five American films, including last summer's hit "Minority Report." Every day for the three weeks leading up to the filming of "Spy Insider," they worked every day to change Pharrell's German accent, making Pharrell's accent one of what Baster calls "inaudible." A standard American accent of regional characteristics, so that it does not carry any specific color".
Like everyone else, Donelson was amazed at "Colin's ability to use his accent at will."
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