Episode 607 - Haley Joel Osment / Jerry Stahl

Spielberg's Direction

Haley Joel Osment shares his unique experience working with Steven Spielberg on the film AI. He describes Spielberg as an extraordinary director who maintains personal connections with his actors, even sending notes on special occasions 1. Osment recalls rehearsing at Spielberg's home, where they explored character movements alongside Jude Law, who had undergone extensive dance training for his role. This collaborative environment allowed for creative exploration, as Osment notes, "We all wanted us having a kind of almost wizard of audience. Wizard of Ozian" 1.

   

Theater Journey

Osment's journey into theater, particularly on Broadway, provided him with a rich educational experience. He studied at NYU's Experimental Theater Wing, where he engaged in avant-garde techniques like Grotowski's plastique and contact improv 2. Osment performed in the Broadway revival of "American Buffalo," though it had a short run due to mixed reviews. Reflecting on his time in theater, he emphasizes the importance of studying with peers, saying, "I just knew that going to college would be important and to study with people my own age" 3.