Taylor Hackford

Birthday: 31 December 1944, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Birth Name: Taylor Edwin Hackford

Height: 188 cm

Taylor Hackford was born on December 31, 1944 in Santa Barbara, California, USA as Taylor Edwin Hackford. He is a producer and director, known for The Devil's Advocate (1997), Ray (2004) and Park ...Show More

Look at Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster: It's an incredible performance. Look at Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster: It's an incredible performance.

It's much easier to work with an unknown. It's much easier to work with an unknown.

And it's a question of how far we're willing to go in order to let the ego shine, in order to let th Show more And it's a question of how far we're willing to go in order to let the ego shine, in order to let that beacon penetrate not only the local scene but the world. Hide

The whole concept of the devil is a metaphor on one level. The whole concept of the devil is a metaphor on one level.

I try to get the best performance an actor can give. I try to get the best performance an actor can give.

I make films about working class people. I make films about working class people.

Music has always been an important thing to me in my life and understand I've worked in the music bu Show more Music has always been an important thing to me in my life and understand I've worked in the music business. Hide

If people are worried about the size of their trailers, I kind of say their priorities are off. If people are worried about the size of their trailers, I kind of say their priorities are off.

Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not onc Show more Ray Charles, in his own way, it's like at the beginning, Ray Charles changed American music, not once but twice. Hide

The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself. The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.

When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again. When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again.

It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is Show more It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is ego. Hide

Show business is one of those things that people can use to get themselves out of the lower rung of Show more Show business is one of those things that people can use to get themselves out of the lower rung of society. Hide

This devil loves mankind because men are going to always make the choice that will send him into asc Show more This devil loves mankind because men are going to always make the choice that will send him into ascendancy. He's been winning the game for a long time. Hide

You've got to respect the script's integrity. The changes you make should complement the project ins Show more You've got to respect the script's integrity. The changes you make should complement the project instead of fighting it... the bottom line of any film is the script. Hide

Well I don't think I've scored my life exclusively to Ray Charles. Well I don't think I've scored my life exclusively to Ray Charles.

But, unfortunately, sometimes that affirmation creates a sense that you deserve special treatment an Show more But, unfortunately, sometimes that affirmation creates a sense that you deserve special treatment and recognition in areas where you're not so talented. Hide

But a writer's contribution is literary and a film is not literary. When you take that stuff off the Show more But a writer's contribution is literary and a film is not literary. When you take that stuff off the page, and cast the people who are going to fit into those roles, that's what being a director is. Hide

My creative partner is a writer, and he's got an executive producing credit on this film. We've made Show more My creative partner is a writer, and he's got an executive producing credit on this film. We've made three films together and I would never underestimate the impact of a writer. Hide

It was the era of Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson; they all had a certain look. It was the era of Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson; they all had a certain look.

It isn't glamorous until after the film is finished, and you are at the premiere and getting your pi Show more It isn't glamorous until after the film is finished, and you are at the premiere and getting your picture on the cover of magazines. Hide

I really believe you can predict when someone has a great attitude, a real well of talent. I really believe you can predict when someone has a great attitude, a real well of talent.

Russell Crowe is very difficult, but it's worth it. He's the real thing. I can tell you this. Russel Show more Russell Crowe is very difficult, but it's worth it. He's the real thing. I can tell you this. Russell Crowe was just as difficult before he was an international star as he was afterwards. Hide

We all get paid very, very well, and we have responsibilities. We all get paid very, very well, and we have responsibilities.

You'd be surprised how many movie stars still care about the work. You'd be surprised how many movie stars still care about the work.

I'm not in front of the camera, they are. I encourage them; I build up as much of their confidence a Show more I'm not in front of the camera, they are. I encourage them; I build up as much of their confidence and ego as possible. They've got to take control; I can't act it out. Hide

I also know what looks good before the camera, how to move the camera, and how to get a story on the Show more I also know what looks good before the camera, how to move the camera, and how to get a story on the screen. Hide

The SAS is the most elite of the special forces in the world. They are not people who go out and adv Show more The SAS is the most elite of the special forces in the world. They are not people who go out and advertise; they keep it inside. They don't want anybody to know about them. Hide

In terms of input, I think that when the director gets involved, the script usually changes a bit. I Show more In terms of input, I think that when the director gets involved, the script usually changes a bit. It's written from a particular point of view, and the director's the one to visualize it, interpret what the story is up on the screen. I just think that those people who say well, the script is incidental, its all my stamp and so forth, are full of baloney. Hide

But the process of making a film is not glamorous. Certainly not my films. But the process of making a film is not glamorous. Certainly not my films.

I feel very comfortable shooting music, and I think you can see that. I feel very comfortable shooting music, and I think you can see that.

An actor has to embody a role. An actor has to embody a role.

Because when you have millions of people with this kind of need for gratification, and the culture i Show more Because when you have millions of people with this kind of need for gratification, and the culture is saying that it's possible for everyone to satisfy all of their needs and desires all of the time, there are obviously going to be clashes - clashes of ego. Hide

Taylor Hackford's FILMOGRAPHY

All as Actor (10) as Director (8) as Creator (1)

Ray (2004)