I just learned that they filmed PHM in order, and I am weirdly excited about it. One of the things that frustrates me most about filmed mediums, specifically, is that it's SO much more difficult for actors to be in character, locked in, when they haven't experienced something yet. It also allows for less improvisation (something they held in high esteem for PHM and is yet another thing I love about this film) due to continuity problems. Filming it in order also meant that Ryan Gosling had already spent weeks filming alone before Rocky showed up, which he himself said in an interview made it so much easier to embody Ryland. "By the time Rocky shows up, I genuinely need a friend." Direct quote!!! The fact that James Ortiz and his team were in sync enough with the Rocky puppet to do improv, so much so that Ryan didn't feel like he was acting with a puppet. The fact that Gosling selected this film specifically, asked Chris and Phil to direct, and then committed SO HARD to the character. He was SO involved in making this movie and it shows! I thought I was over it but I am not. Film of the decade for me guys.
