Academy Award Winner Errol Morris

I worked on a KFC commercial today, which was directed by Errol Morris. He didn't tell any of the actors what we'd be doing in advance and he even went so far as to bar us from the sound stage so we couldn't hear the other actors working. Once I was in front of the camera, Errol's face appeared in the lens - a technique he invented in order for the subject to feel like he was talking directly to him (and therefore, the audience). He talked out lines, intimating with his tone how I should say them. I don't like being locked to a line reading so I often veered from the tone and toyed with different readings. Errol seemed to go with it. In fact, I felt like we were bonding without actually saying much more to each other than "$5.00 for all this? Wow. That's a good deal." But, maybe that's his talent.

I had heard he could be tough on set, but he was far from it. He put his tray down to eat with the actors, which I've never seen when working on commercials. When I told him about this project, he asked me what kind of advice I had gotten. I said, "Get a good job," seemed to be a big theme. He nodded... in agreement?

I had seen a couple of Errol's documentaries and before the shoot I read up on his life. He was born in Hewlett, NY in 1948. I was born next door to Hewlett - in Woodmere. I know it's my sad desperation for a father figure to want to connect to a man who is a contemporary of my dad and who's also a New York Jew from the same town. I found myself feeling the need to "push" conversation during lunch. I felt embarrassed when he walked away because I realized how much I wanted him to like me.

During shooting, I asked Errol if I could interview him before I went home. He said, "I could be open to that, if there's time." After I was wrapped, I ran to get my camera. Errol just had me dancing like a lunatic all over the sound stage and I was winded. Another actor was getting into position and I only had a short window to talk to him. He was meeting with his producer to go over some agency notes and as soon as there was a break in the conversation, I grabbed him. I was out of breath and felt a little rushed, so I know I could have done a much better job (or at least a slightly better job) with a little bit of time. But, such is the life of a documentarian as Errol knows well. We talked for a minute and then I clicked on the camera. I mentioned my dead dad. Oy, I'm pitiful. Why can't I stop talking?! Errol ended the video with a strongly worded, "And if you're in this business... find an alternative." And then, just as I'm clicking off the camera, he smiled slightly and said, "You did great today." I thanked him and went to shake his hand. He gave me a hug.

Errol Morris, Director.