Ten years on, Richard Linklater reflects on his revolutionary masterpiece Boyhood: 'I thought: Am I making a mistake?'

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the making of the film "Boyhood" by director Richard Linklater, which was shot over 12 years and followed the life of a young boy from age 6 to 17. It explores Linklater's approach to storytelling, the challenges faced by the cast, and the film's unique place in cinema history.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Making of "Boyhood"

1. What was the unique approach Linklater took in making "Boyhood"?

• Linklater shot the film over 12 years, filming scenes with the same cast near his home in Texas every year, to capture the growth and evolution of the characters.
• This was a completely new approach that had never been attempted before in filmmaking.

2. How did the long shooting process impact the cast, especially the young actors?

• The young actors, Ellar Coltrane and Linklater's own daughter Lorelei, were affected by having their formative years documented on film for public scrutiny.
• Lorelei in particular struggled with seeing her changing appearance and body image issues over the years.

3. What were Linklater's initial doubts about the film's approach?

• Linklater was unsure if the "low-stakes" and "banal" nature of the story would work, given the epic structure of filming over 12 years.
• However, he ultimately had the "courage of [his] convictions" and believed the cumulative experience would be powerful.

[02] Linklater's Filmmaking Style

1. How does "Boyhood" fit into Linklater's broader filmmaking style and interests?

• Linklater is drawn to stories about people, especially young people, learning and evolving, as seen in films like "Dazed and Confused" and "School of Rock".
• "Boyhood" exemplifies this interest in characters figuring out who they are meant to be in the world.

2. What observations did Linklater make about the portrayal of the 2000s in "Boyhood"?

• Linklater noted that while technology advanced rapidly, other aspects of life like fashion and cars remained largely unchanged during the film's 12-year timeframe.
• This contrasted with the dramatic changes he experienced growing up in the 1960s and 1970s.

3. How does "Boyhood" compare to Linklater's other long-running projects?

• "Boyhood" is similar in approach to Linklater's "Before" trilogy, which checks in on the same characters every 9 years.
• However, the 12-year filming process for "Boyhood" was unprecedented and an even more ambitious undertaking.