Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
8Digest
Kevin Costner, a renowned actor and director, joins the Armchair Expert podcast to discuss his illustrious career and his upcoming four-part Western epic, 'Horizon: An American Saga'. He shares his experiences with imposter syndrome, his journey to becoming a leading man, and the challenges of navigating the film industry. Costner reflects on his early days as a stage manager, his breakthrough role in 'Silverado', and the impact of directing 'Dances with Wolves'. He emphasizes the importance of intuition and conviction in his creative process, even when faced with setbacks like the underperformance of 'The Postman'. Costner delves into his fascination with the Western genre, highlighting the vastness, resourcefulness, and lack of easy answers in the Wild West. He discusses the complexities of the characters and the unique architecture of Westerns, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and visual storytelling. Costner also shares his experience working on the television series 'Hatfields & McCoys', revealing how he became involved and the challenges of adapting a historical story for a modern audience. He concludes by discussing his upcoming film 'Horizon', emphasizing the importance of space, surprise, and language in creating a compelling Western. Costner also opens up about his personal journey with addiction, sharing how he quit drinking at 29 and the role his father's sobriety played in his own recovery. He discusses the challenges of staying sober and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of perseverance and the need to keep fighting even when faced with setbacks. Costner's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when the path is difficult. Dak and Monica delve into the origins of various military slang terms, exploring the history and meaning behind phrases like 'bought the farm', 'caught a lot of flack', 'foobar', 'snafu', 'tarfu', 'soup sandwich', 'doronimo', 'got your six', 'no man's land', 'nuclear option', 'on the double', and 'screw the pooch'. They discuss the evolution of these phrases and their relevance in military culture. The conversation also touches upon the significance of these terms in popular culture and their enduring impact on language.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast episode with Dak Shepherd and Monica Padman welcoming Kevin Costner as their guest.
Kevin Costner's Starstruck Moment
This Chapter delves into Kevin Costner's experience meeting Kevin Costner, a legendary actor, and how he was initially starstruck.
Kevin Costner's Career Journey
This Chapter explores Kevin Costner's career journey, highlighting his early days as a stage manager, his breakthrough role in 'Silverado', and the impact of directing 'Dances with Wolves'.
The Importance of Intuition and Conviction
This Chapter focuses on Kevin Costner's approach to his career, emphasizing the importance of intuition and conviction, even when faced with setbacks like the underperformance of 'The Postman'.
The Western Genre
This Chapter delves into Kevin Costner's fascination with the Western genre, highlighting the vastness, resourcefulness, and lack of easy answers in the Wild West.
Horizon: An American Saga
This Chapter focuses on Kevin Costner's upcoming film 'Horizon', emphasizing the importance of space, surprise, and language in creating a compelling Western.
Kevin Costner's Personal Journey
This Chapter delves into Kevin Costner's personal journey with addiction, sharing how he quit drinking at 29 and the role his father's sobriety played in his own recovery. He discusses the challenges of staying sober and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life.
Horizon: A Unique Cinematic Experience
This Chapter focuses on the unique nature of Kevin Costner's upcoming film 'Horizon', highlighting its four-part structure and theatrical release. Costner discusses the challenges of balancing his personal life with his work and the importance of perseverance in achieving his goals.
Refer Madness Premiere
This Chapter discusses Kevin Costner's experience attending the premiere of the stage production of 'Reefer Madness', a 1930s propaganda film about the dangers of marijuana. He shares his thoughts on the film's history and its cultural impact.
State Fruits and Military Sayings
This Chapter delves into a discussion about state fruits and military sayings, with Kevin Costner sharing his knowledge and insights on both topics.
Military Slang
This Chapter explores the origins and meanings of various military slang terms, including 'bought the farm', 'caught a lot of flack', 'foobar', 'snafu', 'tarfu', 'soup sandwich', 'doronimo', 'got your six', 'no man's land', 'nuclear option', 'on the double', and 'screw the pooch'.
Ahab and Moby Dick
This Chapter delves into the connection between the character Ahab from 'Moby Dick' and the biblical figure Ahab, highlighting the shared themes of obsession and moral decline.
Horizon vs. Moby Dick
This Chapter concludes the discussion about 'Horizon: An American Saga', with Kevin Costner emphasizing that his film is not a 'Moby Dick' and has its own unique qualities.
Keywords
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner is an American actor, director, producer, and musician. He is known for his roles in films such as 'Dances with Wolves', 'The Bodyguard', 'Field of Dreams', and 'Yellowstone'. He has won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He is also a successful director, having directed films such as 'Dances with Wolves', 'Open Range', and 'Hatfields & McCoys'.
Horizon: An American Saga
'Horizon: An American Saga' is an upcoming four-part Western epic directed by Kevin Costner. The film tells the story of a group of people who migrate west during the 1800s, facing challenges and conflicts along the way. The film is set to be released in two parts, with the first part premiering on June 28th, 2024, and the second part on August 16th, 2024.
Western Genre
The Western genre is a film genre that typically features stories set in the American West, often during the 19th century. Westerns often feature cowboys, Native Americans, outlaws, and frontier life. They often explore themes of justice, revenge, and the struggle for survival. Some of the most famous Western films include 'The Searchers', 'High Noon', 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly', and 'Dances with Wolves'.
Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite external evidence of their success, people with imposter syndrome often feel like they are not as competent as others perceive them to be. They may attribute their success to luck or external factors rather than their own abilities.
Dances with Wolves
'Dances with Wolves' is a 1990 American epic Western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. The film tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who is stationed on the Western frontier during the American Civil War. He befriends a tribe of Lakota Sioux and learns their ways, eventually becoming a part of their community. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Hatfields & McCoys
'Hatfields & McCoys' is a 2012 American historical miniseries directed by Kevin Costner. The miniseries tells the story of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, a long-running and bloody conflict between two families in the Appalachian Mountains. The miniseries was a critical and commercial success, winning three Primetime Emmy Awards.
The Postman
'The Postman' is a 1997 American science fiction film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a group of survivors are struggling to rebuild society. The film was a critical and commercial failure, but it has since gained a cult following.
Yellowstone
'Yellowstone' is a 2018 American neo-Western drama television series created by Taylor Sheridan. The series follows the Dutton family, who own the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, as they fight to protect their land and way of life from outside forces. The series has been a critical and commercial success, and it has spawned several spin-offs.
Moby Dick
'Moby Dick' is an 1851 novel by Herman Melville. The novel tells the story of Captain Ahab, a whaling captain who is obsessed with hunting down a giant white sperm whale named Moby Dick. The novel is considered one of the great works of American literature and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows.
Military Slang
Military slang is a specialized vocabulary used by members of the military. It often includes terms that are specific to certain branches of the military or to particular situations. Military slang can be used to communicate efficiently, to create a sense of camaraderie, or to express humor. Some common examples of military slang include 'bought the farm', 'caught a lot of flack', 'foobar', 'snafu', 'tarfu', 'soup sandwich', 'doronimo', 'got your six', 'no man's land', 'nuclear option', 'on the double', and 'screw the pooch'.
Q&A
What is Kevin Costner's upcoming film 'Horizon: An American Saga' about?
'Horizon: An American Saga' is a four-part Western epic that tells the story of a group of people who migrate west during the 1800s, facing challenges and conflicts along the way. It's set to be released in two parts, with the first part premiering on June 28th, 2024, and the second part on August 16th, 2024.
What are some of the challenges Kevin Costner faced in his career?
Kevin Costner has faced challenges like imposter syndrome, navigating the film industry, and dealing with the underperformance of some of his films. He also had to overcome the skepticism of some directors who thought he was too young to direct.
What is Kevin Costner's fascination with the Western genre?
Kevin Costner is fascinated by the vastness, resourcefulness, and lack of easy answers in the Wild West. He loves the complexity of the characters and the unique architecture of Westerns, which often involve a lot of unspoken dialogue and visual storytelling.
How did Kevin Costner become involved in the television series 'Hatfields & McCoys'?
Kevin Costner's agent pitched him the script for 'Hatfields & McCoys', knowing his interest in the era. He ended up writing some scenes for the series and acting in it.
What are some of the key themes explored in 'Horizon: An American Saga'?
'Horizon' explores themes of space, surprise, and language. Kevin Costner believes that language is what drives a Western, not just the gunfights. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of dilemma for the audience, leaving them wondering what the characters should do.
What is Kevin Costner's perspective on the importance of dialogue in Westerns?
Kevin Costner believes that dialogue is essential in Westerns, especially considering the Victorian age setting. He uses long scenes and dialogue to create a sense of complexity and multi-dimensionality in his characters.
How does Kevin Costner approach directing?
Kevin Costner is very script-focused and believes in sticking to the script as much as possible. However, he also leaves room for improvisation and opportunity. He also uses playback to help his actors get into character and create a more immersive experience.
What is Kevin Costner's approach to dealing with setbacks in his career?
Kevin Costner believes in following his intuition and conviction, even when faced with setbacks. He doesn't let the negativity or criticism shake his belief in his work. He also prioritizes creating good movies, even if they don't become massive hits.
What is Kevin Costner's perspective on the role of the audience in his films?
Kevin Costner believes that he has a relationship with his audience and wants to bring them a unique brand of film. He doesn't want to make the same movie over and over again, but rather explore different genres and themes. He also believes in creating a sense of surprise and keeping the audience guessing.
What is the origin of the phrase 'bought the farm'?
The phrase 'bought the farm' is thought to have originated in the 1950s, possibly from war widows being able to pay off the family farm with life insurance payments or farmers receiving damage payouts when a pilot crashed on their land.
Show Notes
Kevin Costner (Horizon, Yellowstone, Dances with Wolves) is an award-winning actor, producer, and director. Kevin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his standing ovation at Cannes, having the feeling like he was never going to make it, and how important it was to him that he knew where his career was headed. Kevin and Dax discuss the seminal movies he’s starred in, how he handled the pressure after the success of his directorial debut, and his promise to Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard. Kevin talks about his fascination with the West, his role in selling Yellowstone, and taking on the biggest battle of his life at 69 years old.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Table of contents
United States
