In a recent interview, acclaimed director Ron Howard reflected on how his experience working with Robert De Niro on the film *Backdraft* profoundly influenced his approach to directing the 1994 film *The Paper*. Speaking candidly with Ben Mankiewicz for the Talking Pictures podcast, Howard described how De Niro’s dedication to his craft inspired him, ultimately shaping the authenticity he sought in his own films.
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At 72, Howard recounted the lesson he learned while working with De Niro on *Backdraft*, a project that was not based on real events but rather shared a fictional narrative. “Even though it was fiction, I learned something important,” Howard revealed. He noted that despite De Niro’s six-figure paycheck for just four weeks of work, the actor engaged deeply with the material. “He could have phoned it in,” Howard remarked, “but he really dug deep to understand the dynamics of fire as he prepared for his role as an investigator.”
De Niro’s process involved comprehensive research, including conversing with actual firefighters. According to Howard, De Niro’s commitment went beyond rote memorization of lines. “He met three different firefighters who were investigators and kept talking to them, getting them to read the script back to him,” Howard explained. This meticulous preparation became apparent during production, as Howard observed De Niro’s nuanced performance that infused the character with life.
Howard described how he noted the subtleties of De Niro’s work, which transformed the script into a vivid portrayal. “I realised this wasn’t just a Robert De Niro performance,” he stated. “He wasn’t trying to be a chameleon. Instead, he adopted the posture, cadences, and intensity of the real people he had interacted with.” This level of observational acting, Howard felt, added an authenticity to the film that resonated with audiences.
Inspired by De Niro’s dedication, Howard applied a similar approach while crafting *The Paper*, a film set within the bustling environment of a newsroom. To accurately capture the essence of journalism, Howard immersed himself in the culture surrounding the profession. He spent time with journalist Pete Hamill at the New York Post and regularly visited The Daily News, keen to pick up on the language and behaviour of journalists. “I took a lot of notes and encouraged my actors to join me, to observe and experience the environment first-hand,” he shared.
*The Paper*, which stars an ensemble cast including Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, Marisa Tomei, and Randy Quaid, portrays a chaotic 24-hour period in the fictional newsroom of *The New York Sun*. Howard disclosed an interesting fact during the podcast: Glenn Close’s character was initially conceived as male. “I thought it felt a bit traditional, that sort of typical oppositional character,” he recalled. After observing capable women in senior editorial roles, he proposed a simple but powerful change to the script.
“Why not just change the name and cast a woman?” Howard suggested to the Koepp brothers, who wrote the film. The response was enthusiastic, as they approved the potential casting, provided Howard could secure Glenn Close for the role. That proved to be an easy task, as Close expressed excitement upon reading the script. “She was giddy with the idea,” Howard recounted. “She said, ‘I get to fight? I get to fight somebody?’ and I replied, ‘Why not?’ She absolutely excelled in the role.”
The decision to cast Close not only transformed the narrative but also contributed to a more nuanced representation of women in leadership within the film’s context. This change further amplified the authenticity Howard aimed to showcase, mirroring the dynamic environment he had observed during his research.
In blending his experiences with the professional world of firefighting alongside the demanding atmosphere of a newsroom, Howard has demonstrated a dedicated understanding of his subjects. The authenticity acquired through his collaboration with actors and real-world professionals is a hallmark of his directing style, a feature that audiences have come to associate with his work.
Howard’s reflections on the sessions with De Niro and his experiences during the making of *The Paper* highlight the importance of dedication in filmmaking. His commitment to authentic storytelling resonates through his body of work and serves as an inspiration for emerging filmmakers and actors who aspire to capture the truth of their narratives in powerful ways.