Welcome to the wonderful world of ROBERT PATTINSON! One of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, the actor/writer/director was born in London, raised in the US and now splits his time living between Los Angeles and Vancouver. His eclectic career has seen him work with the biggest names in the industry, from Marlon Brando and Mickey Rourke to Gwyneth Paltrow and Elle MacLeman. In this interview, we explore the mind of a true renaissance man and get some great tips on how to be more fulfilled as an individual and as a couple.
An Actor’s Actor
Actors are a unique breed. Their lifestyle is very demanding and can be highly isolating. The fact that so much of their work is focused on portraying other people doesn’t help matters much. This highly compartmentalised existence isn’t for everyone and can certainly take its toll on your mental health. It’s little surprise that so many actors have issues with anxiety, depression and addiction. In fact, it’s recognised as a problem in the industry, with many professional bodies (like the Screen Actors Guild) putting in place mechanisms to help deal with it. It’s also why many actors live such isolated lives – in order to protect themselves from falling into a dark spiral.
This is where ROBERT PATTINSON comes in. A true veteran of both the stage and the big screen, the 54-year-old has been acting for more than three decades, starring in some of the most iconic films of all time. He has been nominated for numerous prestigious accolades, including a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in 1999’s The Crucible. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 2005’s The Aviator. Although he has been retired from the acting world for a number of years, he has continued to work behind the scenes as a producer and writer. His most recent film, The Lighthouse, is currently in post-production and is set for release in September 2019.
A Writer’s Writer
As well as being an actor, director and producer, ROBERT PATTINSON is also a writer. He began his professional writing career in the 1980s and has since gone on to write numerous books, the most recent of which is titled, Don’t Mess With Cupid: How to find love (and keep it) in the most unlikely places. This non-fiction work explores the concept of fate and the power of belief. He also has a column in the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine where he dishes on all things love, relationships, family and friendship. He is currently working on his next book, a fictionalised account of his own journey from boyhood to manhood. It’s title, An Actor’s Actor, serves as a prequel to his previous work and will be released in summer 2021.
As well as being a prolific writer, Robert Pattinson is also a talented musician and has recorded four albums of original music. His most recent album, Uprooting Rose, is a romantic album that examines love and loss. It was released last year to positive reviews. It’s a haunting album that draws on themes from his previous work, but with an entirely new musical language. In October 2019, he will be releasing his upcoming fifth album, Sketches, which is tentatively set for a November release.
A Director’s Director
Actors may be unique, but they certainly aren’t the only ones with a creative side. Just like film and music, theatre is also a creative art form and one that draws on an exceptionally wide range of skillsets. As well as being a writer, director and producer, Robert Pattinson is also a theatre director. He began his directing career in the 1990s and has since gone on to direct some of the biggest stage plays of our time, including Antigone by Sophocles in 2016 (where he also starred). He has also directed episodes of some of the biggest television series, including Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale and Romanzo. His upcoming projects include the film adaptation of Little Dark Age, based on the novel by Alex Garland and the revival of The Threepenny Opera at the Ambassadors Theatre in London.
A Producer’s Producer
To truly become a renaissance man, you have to be a producer as well. These skilled individuals are responsible for the nuts and bolts of the film industry. They create the scenarios, find the money and navigate the legalities involved in getting projects made. They can also be found selling options on properties, helping to raise money for production budgets and acting as managers, agents and lawyers for their clients. Most importantly, producers help to guide the creative process, making sure that everyone’s voices are heard and that the final product is a reflection of what everyone had in mind originally.
It’s safe to say that, as a producer, Robert Pattinson is extremely accomplished. He has produced more than 20 films and television shows, winning multiple Emmy Awards along the way. He has also been recognised for his efforts by achieving a Gold Badge in Producers Guild of America Creative Trading Awards, which recognises excellence in producing for film and television. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Georges Delmas Medal by the French Academy of Television for his work as a producer. Some of his most recent credits include Baby Boy (2019) and the upcoming Black Widow (directed by Cameron Bailey).
Being a producer isn’t just limited to overseeing the creative and financial aspects of a project. There is a whole other side to being a producer that deals with the politics and legalities involved in getting a film made. One of the most important jobs of a producer is serving as an important sounding board for the creative team and helping them to find the funding to bring their vision to life. If you are looking for a role that brings a diverse range of skills, from the financial side to the legal, production and creative, then producer might be the role for you.
In the next section, we explore the mind of a true renaissance man. We start at the beginning – with his childhood and formative years. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. I studied English at university and then worked as a journalist for a few years before getting into film. When I started out as an actor, I did five or six plays a year for about three years. After that, I did about ten films a year for about ten years. So it’s fair to say that I’ve been doing this for my entire adult life. I’m a bit of a work addict!
You have quite a reputation as a man of many talents. How did you develop your skills as an actor, director and producer?
As an actor, I learned a lot from the legendary teacher Lee Strasburg. He was one of the first American acting teachers to come over from England and he had a really important impact on my craft. He always said to me: “Never think you’ve heard it all. There’s always more to learn.” I took that literally and try and do that now. As a director, I’ve always looked to filmmakers like Terrence Malick or David Lynch for inspiration. They were both really influential to me and still are. As a producer, Michael Goi came up with the concept for this book and I worked with him on it. He’s done a lot of research on my behalf and knows more about my career than anyone else. So, I value his opinion highly. Being a producer is a lot of work, but it’s also quite fun once you’re into it.
The Making Of A Renaissance Man
If you’re fortunate enough to have read this far, then congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of my biographical profile of one of Hollywood’s most fascinating individuals, Robert Pattinson. In the next section, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of becoming a full-fledged renaissance man. As you may have guessed, there are a lot of hidden talents lurking within this one man – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.