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76: Redoing my Life, Daniel Adler and the 12 Angry Men pt.2
🕑 Added 2024-06-23 17:16:34 +0000 UTC“Yeah, this looks right,” I said to the woman standing in front of me, holding a prop for the movie. Her name was Tracy, and she was holding the diagram of the apartment, an important prop for the film.
"Thank you, Mr. Adler," Tracy said, walking away with the diagram.
Today was the first day of filming, and as decided by Ron, we were going to shoot the courtroom scene and the first few minutes in the jury room. Last week, all the actors had a costume fitting, and pre-production wrapped up. There was one major change made to the set: we decided to add more parts to simulate rainfall outside the window for the later scenes. Initially, we had decided on CGI, but after I raised concerns that it might not look as good as we originally thought, we opted for a more practical approach.
As I walked towards the set of the courtroom, events from yesterday replayed in my mind. I had been talking with Gary Oldman and Pedro Pascal when Gary asked me how I had written such a script. He said he found it hard to believe a man of my age could write a script like this.
I had to come up with a believable story on the spot.
"Well," I began, "two years ago, I got really into watching '50s courtroom dramas. Around the same time, my stepfather had jury duty. That got me thinking about the dynamics of jury deliberations, especially with people from diverse backgrounds tasked with deciding someone's fate.”
“I was already writing a story related to crime and decided to change it to a story that focused on the jurors. It took about two years, and with some help from more experienced writers I consider mentors, I was able to finish it,” I explained.
Gary and Pedro, along with a few other actors who had joined in, were impressed. They seemed to buy my story.
12 Angry Men was a story about twelve jurors who are tasked with deliberating the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murder. The story unfolds in a single room where the jurors must confront their own prejudices, biases, and moral compasses. The central theme revolves around justice, reasonable doubt, and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Juror 8, played by Tom Hanks, is the sole person to vote not guilty at the beginning. Over the course of the movie, he persuades the others to change their minds, with Juror 3, played by J.K. Simmons, being the antagonist of the story. All characters have different personalities that they must convey successfully to the audience, or the movie won't work. All of that was in the hands of the actors and the director.
In the end, the audience must understand the core value of the movie: the importance of due process and the responsibility of a jury to look beyond their preconceptions and consider the evidence impartially. It underscores the idea that justice must be blind and that the legal system, despite its flaws, is designed to protect the innocent as much as to punish the guilty.
I was also learning a lot from shadowing Ron yesterday. He was showing me how to use the camera to enhance the feeling of confinement to avoid static cinematography during filming. It was a challenge that they faced when filming this movie.
Another important aspect of the movie was its lighting. We spent the week working on it. At the beginning, it's bright daylight, and as the movie goes on, it becomes dark and stormy, mirroring the tension in the room. By the end, the storm passes, and daylight shines again, symbolizing the resolution and clarity the jurors have reached.
Everything was ready as pre production had gone smoothly. Now, all we had to do was shoot the movie.
As I arrived at the set with a coffee cup in hand, I saw all the cast assembled there. The courtroom scene was an important scene as it is where the audience sees the jurors for the first time, their actions in the jury box reflecting their personalities, which the audience would learn about later in the jury room. It is also where the audience is introduced to what the story is about.
I stood by Ron, observing him as he talked to the 12 cast members. There was an actor playing the judge, the bailiff, and the boy who played the accused as well.
Ron addressed the cast, giving instructions on the expressions and demeanor they needed to convey during the scene. He approached J.K. Simmons, who was playing Juror 3.
"J.K., you're convinced of the boy's guilt right from the start. Your expressions should be stern, perhaps even a bit impatient, like you can't wait to deliver the guilty verdict and move on with your life."
J.K. nodded, his face already adopting the stern, no-nonsense look that characterized Juror 3.
Next, Ron turned to Tom Hanks, who was playing Juror 8.
"Tom, you should look thoughtful, almost pensive. Show the audience that you're not entirely convinced by the prosecution's case. Your eyes should convey the weight of the responsibility you feel, and there should be a hint of determination in your expression."
Tom listened intently, then gave a slight nod, his face already shifting into a contemplative, serious demeanor.
Finally, Ron approached Jon Hamm, who was playing Juror 12.
"Jon, you're more concerned about how you appear and less about the gravity of the situation. Your expressions should be somewhat aloof, maybe even a bit bored."
Jon Hamm nodded, adopting a look of mild disinterest, his eyes wandering around the courtroom as if he had more important things to think about.
With the instructions given, Ron stepped back and looked at the entire cast. "Remember, this is the audience's first impression of your characters. We have to get this right."
Ron walked over to me and sat in the director's chair, watching the actors prepare for the scene. He saw me and called me over to sit next to him.
"So, what do you think?" he asked, referring to the rehearsal the actors had done for the scene they were about to shoot.
"I think we're going to finish this ahead of schedule," I said, impressed with how well the cast was doing.
"Haha," Ron chuckled. "Remember, Daniel, don't take it too fast unless there's a studio executive breathing down your neck asking for changes in the script."
"Thankfully, we got rid of those here," I replied, prompting more laughter from Ron.
The set was meticulously prepared. Multiple cameras were positioned to capture every angle of the courtroom. One camera was set up for wide shots to show the entire jury box and the courtroom setting. Another was positioned for medium shots to focus on smaller groups of jurors, capturing their interactions and body language. A third camera was designated for close-up shots, emphasizing the expressions and emotions on the jurors' faces.
The cast was dressed in 1950s American clothing, adding authenticity to the scene. The men wore suits and ties, some with fedoras resting on the table beside them. The colors were muted, in shades of grey, brown, and navy, reflecting the era's style. The actors playing the judge and the bailiff were in their respective uniforms, lending an air of formality to the setting. The boy who played the accused wore a simple shirt and slacks, looking nervous and out of place in the courtroom.
Ron glanced around, making sure everything was in place. "Alright, everyone, let's get into character," Ron called out, focusing the actors' attention.
Mark Ruffalo, as the Foreman, Juror 1, looked serious and composed. J.K. Simmons, playing Juror 3, had a stern and slightly impatient look, his eyes drifting towards where the defendant would be sitting. Gary Oldman, as Juror 10, moved his head back and forth nervously, reflecting his anxious and angry nature. Jon Hamm, portraying Juror 12, appeared aloof and disinterested, occasionally glancing around as if bored.
"Action," Ron called out.
The camera panned across the faces of the jurors as the judge's voice began to speak in slow, measured tones.
"Murder in the first degree—premeditated homicide—is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts. You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fancy. One man is dead. The life of another is at stake. If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused... then you must declare him not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty. Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous. I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, gentlemen."
There was a long pause as the weight of the judge's words settled over the jurors. The camera captured the varying expressions: Juror 7 looking down at his hands, Juror 3 staring off in another direction, Juror 10's head moving nervously, and Juror 8's thoughtful and contemplative demeanor.
"The jury will retire," the clerk droned.
Slowly, almost hesitantly, the members of the jury began to rise. Awkwardly, they filed out of the jury box and off camera to the left. The camera held on the now-empty jury box for a moment, emphasizing the gravity of their task.
Ron called, "Cut!"
"Great job, everyone," he said, standing up. "That was exactly what we needed."
The cast relaxed slightly, exchanging nods and smiles, knowing they had nailed an important part of the film. Ron had them take a couple more takes, one focusing on the judge and one on the accused. By the time it ended, it was already time for lunch.
.
.
.
After lunch, we found ourselves on the set of the jury room. Ron wanted to get the perfect shot of the jurors entering the room by the end of the day, and the cast was more than up for the challenge as Gary Oldman challenged Ron that they could get it in one take.
There was no dialogue in this scene, so it all depended on the actors' body language and expression. In such a character-heavy story like this, it was very important.
Ron explained what all the actors had to do and what positions they had to be in. "The shot will be from above, and it will be the 12 of you walking inside the room along with the guard," Ron said. "We will end it with Bob and Tom standing at the window. I want the camera ready to move from the high position, following Bob after he tries to turn on the fan on the wall."
Everyone got into position, and I took my seat beside Ron.
The actors began the scene as Ron yelled out, "Action!"
They shot the empty room for a few seconds, and Ron gave the signal for the actors to come in. A uniformed guard held the door open. Slowly, almost self-consciously, the twelve jurors filed in. The guard counted them as they entered the door, his lips moving, but no sound coming forth. Four of the jurors lit cigarettes as they entered the room. Stanley Tucci lit his pipe. Jim Broadbent, who played the elder Juror No. 9, went into the washroom, which was a room attached to the jury room. Several of the jurors took seats at the table, while others stood awkwardly around the room. Some looked out the windows.
Juror No. 7, played by Bob Odenkirk, tried to turn on the fan on the wall but was disappointed when it did not turn on.
Ron gave the signal for the camera to follow Bob.
Bob walked to the window and tried to open it. He took out a pack of gum, took a piece, and offered it to No. 8, played by Tom Hanks, who declined. He then asked the others, but there were no takers.
"Cut!" Ron called out, standing up. "Great job, everyone. Let's do it one more time."
The cast reset, and the scene was done a few more times until Ron was satisfied with the shot. By the end of the day, they had captured the perfect take.
