Cast Talk David Yates

Pottermore have just released an interview with the Fantastic Beasts cast where they discuss director David Yates.

In addition to this, they have released four brand new movie stills which can be seen in HI-RES in our gallery:

‘David has such a lovely manner,’ Eddie Redmayne tells me. ‘He has an incredible kindness and warmth. He brings out the best in people. When you’re the director on a film like this, you are juggling so many departments. It’s like you are having to man this huge liner of a ship.

‘From an actor’s point of view, you can get a little worried that with so much else going on… will the director be focused on making sure the performances are right? What’s wonderful about David is that, for all that chaos, he is the strongest of acting directors. I’ve just enjoyed his company so much.’

That much is obvious when you see David on set, with Eddie or any of his actors. There’s genuine joy in his direction that’s infectious, particularly when he describes what he’s envisaging.
‘He is a storyteller and very visually descriptive,’ beams Alison Sudol. ‘He can see everything and he makes you feel like a little kid listening to a bedtime story when he’s telling you about a scene.

‘He’s very gentle with us. He allows us a lot of freedom and space… but you feel the responsibility because you’ve been given that freedom. He’s like, “I trust you.” He’s always wonderful, he never raises his voice… He knows what he wants and is very clear. He gets the performance he needs, but is never anything but lovely about it.’
Part of his ease working on this particular film may come from the fact that David has worked within J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world before. As Katherine Waterston tells me, he knows the territory.

‘The real thing that trickles down from the top is his faith in the process because he’s been here before,’ she says. ‘Usually you’re all going into new territory, you’re like, “Is there going to be quicksand round the corner? Are there wolves waiting to attack?” Whereas he’s like, “We’re going to take a left here, avoid the quicksand.” You know, he’s really got this kind of shorthand and a comfort with the world, he’s not precious with it. There’s something really comforting in that.’

David Yates manages, by the sound of it, to be both comforting and inspiring.
‘He creates this playground where – yes, we’re working on one of the largest franchises in the world – he makes it feel like it’s this little intimate movie,’ Dan Fogler tells me.

‘You know, [David]’s got this energy. He’s got an amazing eye and I trust him – he’s always right! You think you may be feeling it and then you look at the camera and he’s telling you what’s best – and he’s always right! He’s an actor’s director. It’s the best creative experience I’ve ever had with a director. That man is an angel in my life; he changed my life.’
According to Ezra Miller, David’s talents are almost supernatural.

‘You should know that David Yates is a psychic,’ he says, with conviction. ‘I’m telling you that man is telepathic. David’s directing has been flawless. That’s the word. He is connected to the creativity of the universe. He is inside your mind when he is directing. He bounds up to you with these bright, shining eyes, happy like a child, and tells you exactly what to do. He’s a joy. He’s feeling exactly what needs to happen but is as cool as a cucumber, because he knows you can do it and he shows you how.

‘This actually happened,’ Ezra continues. ‘So, there’s a part we’re shooting where it’s dark and I really need to draw on my own life experiences, so I’m holding these memories in my mind during a take to get me to the right place for Credence. When we cut, David comes up to me and his one note is, “I think we’re getting too personal here. That was too Ezra and we’ve just got to get back to Credence.” I promise you, the man is a psychic.’
Psychic, angel, storyteller: whoever you speak to about David, they are insistent about how kind he is. When we meet on set, I ask if he knows this about his reputation.

‘I think I get it from my mum,’ he smiles, broadly. ‘You know, it’s such a fun thing to be doing, making these films. It’s never stressful. And kind? How could you not be? Why wouldn’t you enjoy this process and the game we get to play together? It’s so much fun. It’s like being nine years old and someone gives you a big train set and they say, “Go on, have fun.” And so you do. “And remember to bring your favourite friends to play!” The studio’s supportive, my producer is lovely, J.K. Rowling is lovely, my cast is lovely… Everyone is very kind, too, so it just kind of works. It’s easy.’

He tips his navy blue hat modestly, as though making a gargantuan movie like Fantastic Beasts is the easiest thing in the world. Maybe it is easy, if you run your set with kindness and a little bit of mind-reading. Maybe it’s just a joy.