I See Nice People
TPB | Monday, August 24, 2009 at 1:32PM
Willem Dafoe I mentioned in my post About A Really Really Nice Person, that I’ve had limited experiences with nice people in the film industry. But, I do have one small experience that stood out.
We were on the set of Inside Man where Willem Dafoe played Captain John Darius. Once again, I was going against the grain. You’d think, from all of my stories I’m a real loafer when I’m supposed to be working, but really, I’m not! I work really hard and efficiently. It’s just that I like people. And when I’m around people I like, I want to take a picture with them (LOL). And not just celebrities. This pertains to all people… I like.
Okay, back to the story. So I decided to catch Willem Dafoe between scenes to take a photo. It wasn’t the usual intense atmosphere and people were feeling good and happy because we were celebrating Dafoe’s birthday with cake and song and so forth. I seized a moment when he was standing around and said “do you mind taking a photo?” He gestured with what would be no problem. I said to the person I handed the camera “we gotta hurry” (didn’t want to feel the wrath of any of the directors) but Dafoe responded with “Ah, don’t worry. We’ll tell’m it’s for continuity!” Needless to say, I thought this was hilarious seeing as though I wasn’t IN the movie and therefore there would be no reason for he and I to be photographed for “continuity.” (scroll down movie terminology list) What a nice guy he was… and funny.
This story reminds me of the book I read The Power of Small, Why Little Things Make All the Difference, written by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval. They also wrote the Power of Nice. It’s not a long book and it’s a fun read. If you get a chance pick it up or sit in a major bookstore for a couple of hours and read it. These books deal with how the smallest of gestures (“little things”) can make a big difference in your life or in the life of someone else.
To me, it is so much more fun to be nice. But I don’t know that it is “easier” because people don't seem to do it as much. What do you think? Generally, does it take extra effort to be nice? Is it easier to be aloof?
Inside Man, Willem Dafoe | in Film Industry, Human Behavior, Personalities
Reader Comments (3)
I think it's easier to be funny than to be nice...unless your naturally nice...then it's harder to be funny....so be nice...huh?, what?
Hilarious. I know who you are and being funny clearly comes easy to you!
What a great story and so glad you enjoyed our books! If you're not in the habit of being nice, it might seem like a tough adjustment, but when you make nice automatic, it's easier than you think. Start small with simple gestures like saying "hello" and holding the door. Before you know it, you'll be killing the competition with kindness!