The audience only sees what they see.
RAMELL ROSS: Thank you.
It’s pretty amazing!
Photo by Jefferson Chacon
So let’s start with those nominations.
ROSS: I think it does just that.
It accomplishes the idea of providing the opportunity to connect, the potential to be moved.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
To me, that’s kind of what award season is about: increasing the audience.
To me,Nickel Boysis a film that carries historical significance.
It carries social significance.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Yeah, I think it does both.
But impact is a funny thing because it’s really difficult to measure.
It’s like, impact for who?
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
I know you’re dropping into those details with: “Does it help [movies] get made?
What exactly is it doing?”
So I have to tell you that I’m a member of the newly formed Pittsburgh Film Critics Association.
We gave out our inaugural awards a few weeks back, andNickel Boyswas actually our winner for Best Cinematography.
ROSS: Wait, really?
ROSS: [Laughs] Yeah, yeah, Jomo was a treat to work with.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Just an amazing-looking film you guys made.
ROSS: He’s a pretty brilliant dude, and I can’t imagine having worked with someone else.
His fluency with the color and the light is out of my wheelhouse.
It’s a lot of pressure.
We didn’t have much time.
And he invented some stuff.
He just rerigged all these crazy machines.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe all those POV flips were built into the screenplay.
ROSS: It didn’t present a challenge, necessarily, because that just was the film-writing process.
Like, why not everybody?
And so, it’s actually quite fun, right?
Was that immediately in mind when you started thinking about this film?
Did it come later?
ROSS: Yeah, it was immediate.
It was right after I finished the book.
But it was just a seed of an idea, right?
It was more like, “Whoa, what a powerful narrative.
I wonder if this could be a point-of-view film?
Huh, anyway, what’s that … a bird?
Hi, bird!”
You know, just going about your day.
And, normally, I think someone would be like, “Man, that’s crazy.”
But Joslyn was like, “Oh, that’s pretty interesting.”
And we just never looked back.
ROSS: Yeah, I think any throw in of filmmaking is good as an on-ramp to making films.
There’s some allegiance to the bang out of truth that is not fiction.
I know that’s really easily understood.
It’s almost a platitude.
But I definitely see that connection inSing Sing, as well.
I would recommend that people makeanyfilm, becauseallfilms, to me, are documentaries.
ROSS: Oh, my God …everything.
[Laughing] Joslyn and I really, really distilled that masterpiece.
We both really loved the encyclopedias.
And then he wins, and they give him a set of encyclopedias.
He goes home, and he memorizes essentially the “A.”
And then he goes to “B,” and he realizes the “B” is empty.
Then he goes to “C,” and the “C” is empty.
And it was a wonderful metaphor that Colson rolled with, but we just couldn’t get it in.
I’m sure it’s tough when you’re adapting.
ROSS: Impossible, Robert.Impossible.
I’m curious how Oscar nomination morning went for you.
And then there are some that are in the middle, and you’re really not sure.
So is it fair to say that there was some suspense on your end?
And how did that morning play out for you?
ROSS: Oh, my god, so much suspense.
[Laughs] There’s nothing but anxiety and dread, you know?
[Laughing] Because they just say the films!
There’s no drumroll!
Why is my dad calling me?!"
This is your second trip to the Oscars after being previously nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
Are you preparing in any different ways?
ROSS: I think this time is even more astounding.
But that’s hard to say becauseHale County This Morning, This Eveningis an experimental film.
People callNickel Boysexperimental, and I’m like, “Yeah, I guess so.”
But to get [Hale County] nominated was wild, so that was a shock.
I don’t know if I’m going to prepare.
Amidst all this chaos, have you had any time to start thinking about what might come next?
ROSS: I haven’t had time.
I haven’t gone to the bathroom in like a week.
I don’t remember the last time I changed clothes.
[Laughing] Just kidding, but it’s tough.
Because there are so many conversations and so much thinking and travel.
I’ll do something eventually, but I’m in no rush.
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