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On Sunday, journalists at theVenice Film Festivalwere treated to a double-header of the George Clooney-Brad Pitt comedy act.
The restraining order was up, Pitt quipped.
Just cash, Clooney said with a shrug.
Theres a rhythm to talking on top of each other, Clooney said.
It just felt easy.
To hear them tell it, that ease extended to the films production.
Writer/director Jon Watts pitched the actors, wrote a first draft that they liked, and that was that.
We talked to each other on the phone and we both figured out which one we were.
Nevertheless Clooney handled multiple questions about theatrical versus streaming as diplomatically as possible.
Were figuring it out, he said.
This is a revolution in our industry.
We need Apple and Amazon, and they need the distributors.
We havent quite got it figured out, but were getting there.
The real number, he said, was millions and millions of dollars less than what has been reported.
And I only say that because its bad for our industry if people think thats the standard for salaries.
The moderators at Venice are not shy about keeping the assembled press on-message.
He waved off the small swell of applause from the crowd.
All the machinations that got us here, none of thats going to be remembered, and shouldnt be.
Whats going to be remembered is his selfless act.
Then it was back to the movie.
This was more comfortable territory.
It means were declining, Clooney said, to a room full of laughter.
