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Richard Linklater: Boyhood

July 25, 2014

Director Q&As in New York and Los Angeles

The maturation of a boy into a young man is detailed in Director Richard Linklater’s audacious new feature Boyhood.

Filmed over a period of 12 years with the same cast, Linklater’s film is a literal coming-of-age tale told through the eyes of a boy named Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as he goes from the age of five to eighteen and interacts with his parents (Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette), his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) and the world at large. Boyhood earned Linklater the Silver Berlin Bear for “Best Director” at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival.

Linklater spoke about the making of the film in a conversation with Director Todd Haynes (Carol) after the DGA screening in New York on July 23. Linklater also participated in a Q&A with Director Jason Reitman (Men, Women & Children) following the Los Angeles DGA screening of Boyhood on July 24.

In addition to Boyhood, Linklater’s other films include the feature films Slacker, Dazed and Confused, SubUrbia, School of Rock, Bernie and the award-nominated trilogy Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight; the movie for television $5.15/Hr.; the documentaries Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach and Woodshock; and episodes of the television series Up to Speed. He has been a member of the DGA since 1997.

Pictures & Video

photos by Dag Bennstrom (New York) & Shane Karns (Los Angeles) - print courtesy of IFC Films

View slideshow
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FULL TALK (43:54): Director Richard Linklater talks about his new film Boyhood with Director Todd Haynes and takes audience questions from DGA membership in New York.
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Full Talk (27:03): Director Richard Linklater discusses his new film, Boyhood, with Jason Reitman.
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HIGHLIGHT: Director Richard Linklater describes the enormous decision of casting Ellar Coltrane as the lead actor in Boyhood at the age of six.
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HIGHLIGHT: Linklater recalls his editorial process over twelve years, and a small edit decision he made after ten years of consideration.
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HIGHLIGHT: Asked to consider the similarities between Boyhood and the 7 Up documentary series that follows a group of children through their entire lives, Linklater reveals a piece of advice given to him by the 7 Up Director and DGA Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted.
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HIGHLIGHT: Linklater describes how he shot a period film but in real time and incorporated real events into the lives of his characters.
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HIGHLIGHT: Linklater recalls the emotional moment shooting the final scene of a twelve-year production, and his crew's calls for sequel similar to his Before Sunrise series.
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HIGHLIGHT: Linklater describes his initial inspiration for his film covering one child's growth from 1st through 12th grade.
Ellar Coltrane and Ethan Hawke in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood - photo © 2014 IFC Films
Director Richard Linklater speaks about the making of Boyhood following the DGA membership screening in New York.
Director Richard Linklater speaks about the making of Boyhood with Director Todd Haynes (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.
Director Todd Haynes (moderator) asks Richard Linklater a question about the making of Boyhood.
Members of the DGA New York Theater audience hear Director Richard Linklater speak about the making of Boyhood.
Members of the DGA New York Theater audience ask Director Richard Linklater questions about the making of Boyhood following the DGA screening in New York.
Director Richard Linklater chats with an audience member following the DGA screening of Boyhood in New York.
Ellar Coltrane ages during the 12 years in the making of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood - photo © 2014 IFC Films
Director Richard Linklater speaks about the making of Boyhood following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.
Director Richard Linklater speaks about the making of Boyhood with Director Jason Reitman (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.
Director Jason Reitman (moderator) asks Director Richard Linklater a question about the making of Boyhood.
Audience members hear Director Richard Linklater speak about the making of Boyhood following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

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