**
When we talk about a large film crew, it refers not only to the size but also to the scale. A small crew might consist of thirty to fifty people, but the "Spider-Man" crew's team in New York alone has 360 members. This doesn't even include the large team working on set construction in Burbank, Los Angeles, and those handling post-production computer effects.
It also refers to the spectacle. Numerous film crews shoot movies in New York every week and month, but almost no one would choose a place like the Metropolitan Museum of Art for filming. The crews know how challenging it is to maintain order at such a location, requiring not just manpower and resources but an immense amount of energy.
The "Spider-Man" crew applied for filming permits from New York City Hall three months in advance, and after passing through the initial adjustment period of filming, they began shooting this scene. However, the actual chaos and noise still turned the entire crew into a spinning top.
Pressure—an endless stream of pressure—swarmed in, all falling on the shoulders of the actors.
If filming goes smoothly, they can finish early and end this torment sooner.
But what if they keep getting NGs?
In fact, the crew had already had three NGs (No Good takes).
Each time there's an NG, the scene needs to be adjusted. Director Sam Raimi wants to use natural light, and in March, New York's natural light is not sufficient. The lighting conditions can subtly change every five to ten minutes, forcing the crew to repeatedly adjust the filming parameters.
They definitely don't want the actors to look like zombies on the big screen.
Three NGs are still within the crew members' tolerance range, but the pressure is indeed rising bit by bit; moreover, the onlookers haven't helped.
At the beginning of the year, when Sony Columbia Pictures was burglarized and the Spider-Man suit was stolen, it caused quite a stir, attracting all the media and paparazzi's attention. The studio's tight-lipped response only fueled the media's curiosity, and paparazzi crowded around the crew, constantly releasing news leaks.
Just as the crew was about to start filming, the news that Anson was playing Spider-Man could no longer be contained. The media exploded instantly, swarming to the scene.
Today's location was no exception.
The ever-present paparazzi were hidden among the crowd of onlookers, stirring excitement and waiting for a good show, which only created unnecessary trouble for the filming.
Working with the crew is tough, really tough.
Cliff Robertson sat in the driver's seat, closed his eyes, and obediently waited for the makeup artist to blot his oil and touch up his makeup.
"Sorry, I'm just an oil field, looking like a snow globe on camera."
"Pfft."
The makeup artist couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Cliff himself wasn't immune either; the corners of his mouth gently lifted. After the makeup artist finished, he opened his eyes and noticed Anson in the passenger seat. His eyes and mouth also showed a smile, and he blinked, saying, "Sorry, I shouldn't joke around, ruining your emotional brewing."
Anson lightly shrugged. "If I wanted to, I could always blame someone else, like today's awful New York weather."
Cliff burst out laughing.
The tense atmosphere in the car relaxed a bit.
Cliff Robertson, who played Ben Parker—Peter Parker's uncle—was a figure unfamiliar to younger audiences, including Anson. The new generation knew him mainly as Spider-Man's "Uncle Ben." However, the 77-year-old Cliff once had his own glorious days in Hollywood.
He first appeared in stage plays in 1952 and made his big screen debut in 1955. A versatile talent who could sing and dance, he was once nominated for a Tony Award, won an Emmy, and reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the Oscar for Best Actor in 1968 for his outstanding performance in "Charly."
Cliff's background and experience were valuable assets to the "Spider-Man" set, not just for his performance but for the wealth of experience he brought to the team. Despite the mounting pressures and the chaotic scene, the seasoned actor maintained his calm demeanor, creating a more relaxed environment for Anson to prepare for the critical scene.
This upcoming scene, crucial to both the plot and Peter Parker's character development, required Anson to deliver a heartfelt performance. The essence of the line "With great power comes great responsibility" was not just in its words but in the depth of emotion it carried, conveying the core message of Spider-Man's journey. The collaboration between Anson and Cliff in this moment was vital to capturing the authenticity and gravity the scene demanded.
As the makeup touch-up finished, both actors knew that the upcoming shot needed to be perfect. Despite the stress and the distractions, the quiet determination in the car spoke volumes of the professionalism and commitment shared by everyone on set. The stakes were high, but so was their readiness to deliver a performance that would resonate with audiences for years to come.
More than thirty years ago, Cliff Robertson had already achieved a position countless actors could only dream of.
However, in 1977, Cliff got entangled in an embezzlement scandal involving Columbia Pictures, leading to the abrupt end of his acting career. Overnight, he vanished from the mainstream spotlight, relegated to supporting roles in independent films, barely making a living. It wasn't until the 1990s that he was finally welcomed back into the mainstream.
During "The Princess Diaries," Garry Marshall insisted on casting Julie Andrews, bringing her back to a major production after a ten-year hiatus. Similarly, in "Spider-Man," it was Sam Raimi's insistence that gave the long-silent Cliff another chance to perform in a mainstream film.
The elderly man before them, now washed of all glamor and looking benevolent, had a calm and serene demeanor as he appeared before the camera once again.
At this moment, the scene Cliff and Anson were filming was crucial—
After acquiring superpowers, Peter Parker's youthful spirit began to stir. Having been bullied at school for so long, he finally found an opportunity to fight back, which made him ecstatic and inflated his self-confidence.
On one hand, he wanted to confess his feelings to Mary Jane. On the other, he planned to use his superpowers to participate in an underground wrestling match to earn some pocket money.
However, Uncle Ben noticed these changes.
Initially, Uncle Ben thought it was just a teenager's hormonal changes. But after hearing some news from school, he worried Peter might be heading down the wrong path. So, while driving Peter to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he tried to advise him. However, Peter, focused on the underground wrestling match, didn't listen.
In a hurry, the two parted ways unhappily.
Little did they know, this would be their last goodbye.
That night, the robber Peter had deliberately let go, to spite the underground wrestling match organizer, killed Uncle Ben while fleeing. Uncle Ben was on his way to pick Peter up from the museum. Because of Peter's momentary lapse in judgment, he and his uncle were forever separated by death.
This scene, therefore, was pivotal in terms of family, youth, and growth, bringing a profound impact on Peter. He was forced to confront his superpowers seriously.
The filming was not easy.
Out of the three NGs, Anson was responsible for two, and Cliff for one.
After the makeup artist and other crew members left, Cliff looked at Anson directly, without any beating around the bush. He spoke frankly:
"You're too tense. What's the matter, feeling the pressure?"
Anson was taken aback—
Indeed, he was.
This shoot was unlike any he had done before. Not to mention "Friends" or "The Princess Diaries," even compared to the earlier filming of "Spider-Man," today was different. Anson carried immense pressure on his shoulders, needing to infuse the character with layers and depth through his performance.
In his previous life, Tobey Maguire's performance in this scene was too thin and straightforward, staying on the surface level, completely idol-like. Facing a seasoned actor like Cliff, he couldn't spark any chemistry in their back-and-forth interaction, making the emotions Cliff conveyed not as weighty.
It's not that the performance was bad; it just felt somewhat flat.
A good scene requires the collaboration of two actors to truly shine.
Anson hoped to deliver a better performance.
But clearly, it wasn't easy.
Cliff didn't wait for a response, but he didn't need one. He could see from Anson's expression, the tangled emotions surging in his brows and eyes.
Cliff continued, "I believe you already have the whole picture constructed in your mind and have an effect you're hoping to achieve. But in acting, the harder you try, the more likely you are to miss the mark."
"Why not relax a bit, trust your instincts, and let it flow naturally?"
Cliff's words were gentle yet powerful, carrying the weight of his experience. He knew that acting wasn't just about precision but also about authenticity and connection—qualities that often surfaced when an actor let go of the need to control every aspect and simply existed in the moment.