Quiet ON SET
Brent Ryan Green discusses his ‘Silence’ set visit and meeting Martin Scorsese
B rent Ryan Green couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The Oklahoma native and filmmaker flew to Taiwan and visited the set of MartinScorsese’s latest film “Silence.” Green learned firsthand how seriously the movie was being taken. Lead actors Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver’s diets were reduced to a couple of grapes during an entire day of filming.
The movie focuses on two Jesuit priests who go to great lengths to find their lost mentor while spreading Catholicism, which was banned in Japan during the 17th century. Green’s an associate producer on the film, which gets a limited release Friday and will expand to Oklahoma on Jan. 13.
“All films start with a story,” Green said. “‘Silence’ is based on the book of the same title by Shusaku Endo and has a very intricate and beautiful storyline that I believe will resonate with the audience. Scorsese has been pursuing this project for quite a while, it’s defiantly a special film.”
Green, 32, splits his time between Oklahoma City and Los
Angeles these days and recently wrapped his directorial full-length debut “The Veil” after three years of production. Also, he scored distribution for a 2017 release date. I emailed the filmmaker to ask about what a producer does, meeting Scorsese and lessons from the set of “Silence.”
Q: How did you get in the position to produce “Silence?” I know you’re a director but what experience do you have as a producer?
Brent Ryan Green: I began working toward a career in producing on my first film “End of the Spear” back in 2004. From there, I began developing the skills I would need to progress in this business. When we founded Toy Gun Films back in 2009, I produced our first film “En Tus Manos.” My experience working on that film is what started my interest in directing, but producing has always been a big part of what I do.
Q: What does a producer on a major motion picture do?
Green: A producer is someone who makes the film happen. The lead producers on a film stewards the project from the inception to the release of the film. I’ve taken on the role of lead producer on every project that I’ve directed. There are also associate and executive producers that make the film a possibility by bringing in resources that make the film possible. I have served as an executive or a co-producer on a lot of films. That’s why when you look on my IMDB you will see more than 30 producing credits. Many of which were films shot in Oklahoma that I came on to help advise. This was also my role with “Silence.” Q: Were you able to spend any time on set? Green: Yes, I was able to go to Taiwan during production. Filming was taking place during postproduction of “The Veil,” so I was only on location for a of couple weeks. My time on set was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I learned so much by watching Martin Scorsese and his team at work.
Q: Did you spend any time with Scorsese one-on-one?
Green: Coming in just having directed my first feature film, I had a better awareness of how demanding and stressful days on set as a director can be. Scorsese and I were able to briefly chat on
set about the book. I told him how much I liked the script and that everything I was seeing in the monitors looked amazing.
Q: Did you learn anything during your visit that you were glad you walked away with?
Green: My biggest takeaway from my time in Taiwan was that essentially all productions from a logistical prospective are the same. They have the same crew positions, same routines and same goals. I saw many of the same struggles I personally experienced while working on “The Veil” happen on the set of “Silence.” There is no secret sauce in the process. The secret is in the people. Martin Scorsese is one of the most prolific directors of all time and the key talent on this project are leaders in their field. I had the chance to see firsthand that there are no shortcuts or tricks to making a masterpiece. There’s just experience, passion and extremely talented people.
Q: Do you see yourself continuing to produce?
Green: Working in film is what I love to do. Being a part of creating a great film in any capacity is a worthwhile venture for me. However, since “The Veil,” I am really focused on directing.