Making of ‘Boyhood': Richard Linklater Talks About Building Around Life’s Little Moments (Exclusive Video)
“I was really trying to go for those off-kilter moments,” said the writer-director. “They’re not trying to say any big statement about growing up. It’s just another moment in your life”
Richard Linklater created something unique and memorable with “Boyhood,” fresh off a three-win night at the Golden Globe Sunday. The coming-of-age movie, filmed over a 12-year period took home honors for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress for Patricia Arquette.
Written and directed by Linklater, who lovingly steered his film for more than a decade, “Boyhood” succeeds by keeping its focus on all those everyday little things that make up life.
In TheWrap’s exclusive behind-the-scenes video, Linklater talked about his inspiration for his saga of a young boy growing from six-years old into young adulthood.
“It’s funny the way memory works. I’m kind of obsessed with that,” he said. “So this film I was really trying to go for those off-kilter moments. You know, they’re not trying to say any big statement about growing up. It’s just another moment in your life.”
The idea wasn’t to focus on the highlights of a life — those moments that resonate in our memories — but rather on simpler moments. “There’s a lot of drama in and around, but to varying degrees,” he said of the moments in the film. “What’s dramatic? What’s not dramatic? What’s banal? What’s poetry?”
Sandra Adair, the film’s editor, admitted that putting this film together taught her something about life. “I think the primary thing I learned on ‘Boyhood’ was how to really pay attention to the small moments,” she said. “The little expressions, the space between the words. And to have patience.”
Working on a film over a span of 12 years or more certainly demands patience, and a strong sense of vision. But those efforts have certainly paid off, with “Boyhood” receiving near universal acclaim, dominating critics’ year-end lists and earning a slew of awards nominations and wins.
“Boyhood” was written and directed by Richard Linklater, who also produced alongside Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss and Cathleen Sutherland. The film stars Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater.
Golden Globe Awards: Winners Gallery (Photos)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture -- J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television -- Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey”
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television -- Billy Bob Thorton, “Fargo”
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical -- Gina Rodriguez, “Jane the Virgin”
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Best Original Song – Motion Picture -- “Glory” – “Selma,” Music by: John Legend, Common, Lyrics by: John Legend, Common
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television -- Matt Bomer, "The Normal Heart"
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical -- Amy Adams, "Big Eyes"
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture -- Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical -- Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television -- Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Honorable Woman”
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama -- Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama -- Ruth Wilson, “The Affair”
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George Clooney won the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award
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Best Director – Motion Picture -- Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
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Best Screenplay – Motion Picture -- Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, “Birdman”
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Best Foreign Language Film -- "Leviathan" (Russia)
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Best Television Series – Drama -- “The Affair,” Showtime, Showtime Presents, Sheleg, Higlewater
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama -- Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
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Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical -- “Transparent,” Amazon, Amazon Studios Instant Video
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Best Original Score – Motion Picture -- Johann Johannsson, “The Theory of Everything”
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Best Motion Picture – Drama -- “Boyhood,” IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction; IFC Films
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Best Animated Feature Film -- “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” DreamWorks Animation LLC; Twentieth Century Fox
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama -- Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical -- Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
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Amy Adams, Gina Rodriguez, J.K. Simmons and Matt Bomer were among the stars who took home trophies at the 72nd Annual Golden Globes Awards on Sunday
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture -- J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"