Ron Howard's Acting Lesson From De Niro

Ron Howard revealed a significant lesson learned from Robert De Niro's dedication to his role in 'Backdraft.' De Niro's commitment to understanding the intricacies of firefighting investigators, even for a short, high-paying gig, deeply impacted Howard's approach to filmmaking.

Howard applied this newfound appreciation for authenticity to his journalism-themed film, 'The Paper.' He spent time observing journalists at newspapers like The New York Post and The Daily News to capture their language, behaviors, and the fast-paced newsroom environment.

This immersive process extended to the cast of 'The Paper,' who were encouraged to observe the journalistic world. Notably, Glenn Close's character was initially conceived as male. Howard suggested changing the character's gender to feature Close, a move that excited her and ultimately contributed to a powerful performance.