Paul Thomas Anderson directing PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION?
July 18th, 2005 by Cinema Eye
The set of PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION has already been a rich source of gossip and rumors, but most of it to date has been about Lindsey Lohan. Recently, word began leaking out that a mystery director was essentially directing the film because Robert Altman was basically too old and tired to leave his directors chair. Now, we have some clarification, including confirmation that the mystery director is none other than BOOGIE NIGHTS auteur Paul Thomas Anderson (or P.T. as we like to call him).
On the set, Anderson works much more directly with the actors, simply because Altman can’t travel the distance of the theater (from monitors to stage). Between cuts, Robert belts directions over a mic while PT runs up to stage and speaks with the actors directly.
Anderson will be credited as an Executive Producer. Via MNSpeak
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the PT Anderson rumor is BS. The insurance company handling the film hired PT to be a back up director in case Altman gets sick or dies, etc. Altman is 80 years old, and his age is enough to make insurance companies nervous enough to hire someone to back up the director in case of emergency.
Mike’s right...P.T. Anderson was approached as a favor to Altman (they’re friends) because Altman’s film was needing a ghost director thanks to the insurance companies’ concerns…