THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND Thread - 2002-2014 discussions

[RayKelly]

Hi JMarie,
Peter Tonguette did a wonderful interview for his book Orson Welles Remembered.
Mike Teal and I recently talked about catching up with Mr. Random as TOSOTW nears competition.

[JMarie]

In Orson Welles interview from Spain he spoke about having a script but not giving it to the actors. Instead he would tell them where their character was within the story and letting the actor improvise which I understand happened quite a bit in OSOTW. This was very innovative and I would think interesting from perspective of an older seasoned actor such as John Huston compared to a younger actor such as Robert Random. While many actors were known for improvising to some extent, to allow an actor to develope his character would be fascinating.

[Le Chiffre]

There has been some footage put online that does look improvised for the most part, for example, the discussion between Henry Jaglom, Paul Mazursky, and Welles (standing in as Hannaford), but there is also a script that has clearly mapped out dialogue amongst the main characters, with footage that seems to conform to that script pretty closely. It's likely that the finished film will have both elements.

[RayKelly]

Bob Random (aka John Dale) graciously fielded questions Mike Teal and I put together about The Other Side of the Wind.
You can read the interview at http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=11441

[JMarie]

That was a fascinating interview. Thank you for posting it. It's interesting hearing the perspective from a then young actor and his respect for Orson Welles. I too wonder about the party scene. I think he (Welles) knew Random was at the party. Can't wait to see the OSOTW and what party scene makes it on film. I like the Pepsi commercial!

[JMarie]

Another thing of interest is that Robert Random said he never saw a script just Orson calling out directions. Wonder if that was throughout the film or just in the scenes with Random and Oja Kodar?

[Roger Ryan]

It doesn't surprise me that all of Bob Random's scenes would be improvised - he doesn't even have any lines in the film, does he? I thought it was very astute of him to recognize that Welles may have been inspired by his presence at the party to work that idea into the film. It sounds like there is no filmed interaction between Dale and Hannaford (apart from Hannaford "directing" him in the bed spring scene) with Random actually present.

[JMarie]

Here's where I'm confused...he (Random) says he wasn't in the party scene yet some details of the scene mention a confrontation between him and Hannaford when he rebuffs Hannafords advances. If that aspect of Hannaford must have been filmed away from the party scene and edited in. There had also been speculation of a couple different party scenes and endings and a 'wait and see' what direction the movie takes. If course that could be just speculation on the part of bloggers.

[Roger Ryan]

Keep in mind there was not one definitive version of the script and Welles was not necessarily strictly adhering to a script when he was shooting. Almost all speculation pertaining to plot details is based on one or more of the various scripts, not what was actually shot. Once all of the footage is reviewed, the producers will have a better idea how to structure the finished work to best tell the story Welles intended. Obviously, Mr. Marshall and company feel confident they can whip it into some kind of shape.

[Wellesnet]

Nice article from Cinecatic on TOSOTW:
http://www.cinecatic.com/2014/12/inheri ... ished.html

[Wellesnet]

Thread locked.