Christian Bale Loses Temper on Terminator Set
By Mali Elfman
***Update: Bale apologizes on LA radio station***
Alright. There is audio going around of Christian Bale getting upset on the set of Terminator: Salvation after the DP (Director of Photography a very well respected position on set) ruins a take (for what sounds like a second time) by walking in front of a light. All I can say is, of course he got upset! Do you know how much effort an actor like Christian Bale puts into his work? Every single moment is huge. If this was a big scene his adrenaline is high, he is reacting to everything around him and he is laying himself on the line. An actor is expected to wear all of their emotions on their sleeve and someone as extreme as Bale let’s it all go, which is why he’s the amazing actor that we all love. On a giant production such as Terminator: Salvation you expect those working around you to be as professional as you.
Honestly, I would never even post this, except for the fact that I would rather people hear it here, where people understand film-making than somewhere else where they are slagging Christian Bale off for in essence doing his job and doing it well.
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Anyone who has ever worked on a set knows that these kind of blow ups happen, they just do. It’s horrible that this is being spread and with such a negative spin on Bale. He’s a great actor and he’s professional. If this shows us anything it should be that Bale is dedicated to his work and cares about it deeply.
Who’s right, who’s wrong? Give us your opinion in the comments below…
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:52AM
I can understand his frustration but talk about overkill!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 2:33AM
I agree, if only because the DP should know better than to ruin his own work.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:12AM
its sounds to me that the guy was walking up to the set and it distracted him. if he cant keep focused with someone walking its kinda silly. spoiled asshole. hes lucky the guy didnt get pissed and punch him in the jaw.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:21AM
why is the dp walking around? that's just weird.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:25AM
is this fake or what
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:43AM
guys an asshole.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:53AM
The DP didnt walk in front of a Lt from what I hear. He walked into Bale's line of sight while looking at a Lt.
Lots of people put themselves into there work, ( people in the "industry" ) and they don't blow up like Prinsesses when things go wrong, as they often do. Don't defend this kind of behavior.
This is just shameful and embarrassing.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:02AM
Christian Bale is the prick here.
"Upest" is one thing, but being a completely disgusting asshole is something different.
I will not be watching any more of his movies, as I choose not to support dicks.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:05AM
P.S. – There's no doubt in my mind now that he assaulted his sister and mother, probably for no good reason other than to hear himself yell.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:10AM
Film major here. All I can say is that Bale's reaction is totally justified.
He waits for hours in costume and make-up. He rehearses his part for months. He goes through upwards of a dozen takes (probably more if the scene involves action), all for probably 10 seconds of film that will make it into the final cut.
On top of that, huge studio sets like this cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a day to run, and every minute wasted is time and money they won't be able to use later on down the line when they'll really need it.
It's easy to say that he's bitchy or overreacting, but not many people face stress that crazy in their day jobs
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:11AM
theres just no way christian bale would've been that pissed off unless the dude was really being a little shit disturber so, i dont see anything wrong with this.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:12AM
wow what a little bitch.. i like christian bale before this
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:13AM
I'll be honest, if a pro DP is wandering around a set during shooting and ruins a shot, everyone gets pissed. If that happens twice in the same production, they can expect their career to be damaged by it, as that is very unprofessional. Twice in the same scene? Really? On a project of this size, they couldn't get a DP who can get his lighting right before shooting? Forget that noise.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:15AM
Well hoooo damn, that was the most hilarious thing I've listened to in a while. Maybe a LITTLE bit overboard though.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:24AM
No reason to defend Bale. This is purely uncalled for. Getting upset may be one thing , but threatening to fight him after he appologizes several times is just rediculous, in the scene or not. He needs to learn some respect, get another actor on set who respects his coworkers… nothing worse then dealing with people like this when your on the other side of the lights or glass
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:37AM
whiner
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:39AM
working as Grip in the film industry, I completely take Christian's side on this one. DPs (Key Grips and Gaffers as well) have no business walking around "looking" at lighting during an intense scene. There is a reason that we have Stand Ins to light for hours ahead of time. Go watch a monitor.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:42AM
He definitely learned his lesson for many futures to come
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:43AM
We can not assess Bale on one blow up, or even a couple. I know that I have lost my temper at work and yet I consider myself to generally be a nice guy. When I lose my temper, i do so knowing that my level restrains me: I'd hate to think how much more extreme my blow up would have been had my level not restrained me: when people choose not to care (or appear not to care), then it can be infuriating.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:53AM
I find your lack of negative spin disturbing.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:01AM
God I fucking love Christian Bale. The DP should definitely know better than that. ESPECIALLY a DP in a position that is high enough to be working with Christian Bale.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:13AM
You're so right, that was very professional of Bale…
"I'm gonna KICK YOUR F***ING ASS!"
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:14AM
that was never ending haha
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:20AM
I really hope you're kidding when you defend Bale on the way he acted. There is no excuse to treat someone like that over something as simple as walking in front of a light. Sounds to me like his overpaid ass is a little too full of himself. Bale is a great actor, I will give him that, but I will think twice before I pay to see him in another movie again knowing this is how he treats the crew.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:24AM
You must be joking. ANYONE who goes that beserk over ANYTHING is truly unprofessional and a complete jerk really. By the way I saw 'equilibrium' yup great stuff Bale lol
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:35AM
man hes gonna beat the shit out of whoever recorded this
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:46AM
That was funny.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 8:02AM
I've worked shoots, from extra work to set construction, craft service and boom mike operation. Once a scene is rolling you stay on your point if you're working and if you're not then you stay out of the way. Plain and simple, and besides the DP wasn't helping anything by trying to explain himself to Bale at the time. Wait a bit and then talk it out with the Director and Bale together. A director of Photography should know better. If it were a low level grip or PA then I'd say Bale was overboard, but in this case he wasn't.
It takes hours and hours to get things right to shoot even a few minutes of film if you're lucky and the entire crew, actors and all, are on their A game. No one has said how many takes they were on or how long they've been on set or anything like that, hell I worked four 20 hour days in a row on one little no budget short and I was $hit for brains by then end. I can't even imagine what they go through on major shoots like that.
So save the "Shame on Bale" mess it may not seem like it but filming is hard work and mentally, physically and emotionally taxing. If you've never done it then you'd never know it, so you can't accurately criticize the guys reaction.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 8:05AM
I don't condone nor vilify Bale's behavior for the simple fact that I wasn't there, and neither were any of you. If the DP truly was making stupid mistakes that often when time and money are on the line, then his eruption is highly justified. Bale works and earns his keep, whether or not you want to call him a jerk.
Though, honestly, sounds like the DP was right in the shot. Do that twice in a high-budget film and you're lucky to make it out with anything less than getting fired. Who can be "in the scene" when you have crew members ruining the shot with the film rolling?
I do love the comments slagging him, though. In -any- professional environment you will get chewed out just as much for something so seemingly small. You're all just hating on Bale because he's Bale, and you hate that your net worth amounts to nothing next to his (cue BAWING). At the end of the day, however, you probably spend even more time treating people like crap (BAWWW) and you refuse to admit it because you're desperate to rise above every celebrity who decides to be human for a moment.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:10AM
It's tough to fully know the circumstances, but as a DP myself, I always feel it is best to not meddle with anything until after a take. On a big show like Terminator I'd say there's enough time and takes to wait until the take is done to go tweak a light. It is true that while the cameras are rolling the set belongs to the actors. However, Bale's reaction is also very unprofessional. One thing I've learned in my line of work is that yellers/screamers often get what they want in the present but end up with loads of resentment. That adds up over time. Top quality craftsman will turn down work if an actor, director or producer with a bad reputation is linked to it.
Sounds like this incident was twofold.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:32AM
"no i don't need fucking walking. HE needs to stop walking"
gotta love him
OMG even when he's pissed he's hilarious
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:33AM
Anyone who has ever worked on a movie set knows that Bale was right. The amount of prep he does, that *any* good actor does… I'll just say, Ian up there is spot on. The only thing missing here is anyone asking, "Where was the director?" McG (an idiot in his own right) did nothing to protect his actor, his DP or control his set. It is called DIRECTING you dipshit. It's not like movies magically make themselves. A good director would have stopped this before it started. A slightly less capable director would have at least stepped in to say, "Christian, you are totally right. He shouldn't have been there, but get angry with me. I should have stopped him the first time. It won't happen again." Protect the actor. Give the crew some room and a short leash. Control your set and make the goddamn movie. DP does it again, he is fired. Hate Bale all you want people. I have seen uglier things than this from big stars on movie sets. The demands of a movie set are a bit more tense than most jobs. This is gonna spread all over the internet because somebody lost their temper. Nobody is posting the audio of every other minute of every other day when Christian Bale was kicking ass, letting the camera crawl up into his ass as he emotionally drained himself and exposed himself for the world to judge.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:39AM
I can see where you're coming from on this, I think we should maybe cut him some slack – but he did go maybe slightly too far…
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:12AM
OMG I have always had this image of Bale ever since I'd seen American Psycho, he's just the ass hole type and this proves it. I only wish I knew what scene this was, so I could yell "FUCK YOU" when it shows.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:24AM
Judging by the title the film is carrying and the actors used, this would be a big budget film everyone is working professionally on to make everything as perfect as it can be.
Now it may be forgiveable if the DP made a mistake once, but to commit it twice for the same reason would definitely piss even the producers who wants the takes finished on schedule. If there are problems with the lights, the best professional thing the DP could do is announce the problem before people starts shouting "Action!". Because if not, you'd really be a pain in the ass for people who thought that the set is ready.
Being Pro, apology may not be enough. People know that there are lots of guys dying for his position and if the DP can't do his job right, might as well get a new one.
On Bale, he could've just thrown something at the DP instead of words and got t over with. That was a good lost three minutes. Or at least they should have a replacement guy for the DP ready on a moment's notice.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:35AM
It's kind of silly to judge this one way or another. Perhaps Bale is totally overreacting and is a huge jerk. Or it could be that he had had many problems with this guy and that was just the last straw. Still an overreaction, probably, but at least one that might make more sense.
I also will never understand people who say stuff like they're not going to see a movie because of something like this. You go to movies to enjoy a film, not to support your buddy, Christian Bale.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 3:39AM
yeah, i bet you also downloaded a copy of the dark knight. actors have to be so on their game these days as theres a huge chance that any movie can flop, bale is stressed that hes having hours and hours of preparation put to the flame by some inconsiderate DP, ok he shouldnt have gone as berserk as he did, but he did have a case for getting the guy off the set.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:51AM
That was quite unnecessary. A simple polite warning would have sufficed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:03AM
I could understand how that could be really frustrating especially if you have to deal with that kind of thing often, but really… people are people, temper is temper. Being a dick just because you can doesn't mean it's ok. I don't look at Christian Bale any different for this, no one should. We all get mad, angry, whatever. The only thing that he should learn from this is that he over reacted a bit too much at one person who didn't really cause that much damage at all. (besides all the time and money lost in the scene the dp stained, Bale wasted more time by adding excessive anger to the point he was trying to make which was to not fuck up his shot) Obviously being that angry didn't pay off very well anyway
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:11AM
Man, this is why I'd much rather be outside with the big lights then inside with egos.
The only person in the right was the 1st AD trying to get everyone to shut up. No question the DP should learn to sit still, and you can be sure he has now, but there is no excuse for going off like that.
I've worked with actors plenty better than he is that manage to conduct themselves like people not coked up football hooligans. "Oh man Shane youre killing me here, can you sit still please!"
would have been more than enough, and even that is huge, and likely to cost a man work in the future or at least make the rest of the job more difficult for the guy. –end rant
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:30AM
Professional in the industry here- there is no excuse for Bale's blow up. The guy is a douche-wad. Come on, he's making a movie about killer robots. He's not performing brain surgery, he's not running the government, fuck he's not even a plumber, he's juts some meat-puppet that thinks he's really important. Sorry. Yeah, a film set is stressful. Gee, I'm sure Christian's Cappuccino was cold. Ohhhh my, he just made $10,000 in that last second. What the heck is there to be stressed about? Nothing. People who are real pro's in the film world don't freak out. This is something any PROFESSIONAL, mature adult would have addressed in a calm, collected manner.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:38AM
Bale is a douchebag and to the "Film Majors" if you see this as acceptable it just goes to show that your also douchebags. I do believe I serve in a far more stressful job with two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and I have never lost my temper to me treating my fellows like that would be horribly wrong.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:39AM
I'll still watch his films…but he sounds like a nob head. No excuse for speaking to people like that (even under pressure)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 12:22PM
Oh for christs sake. Sure I'd be pissed if it happened (and even more if it happened twice). But I wouldn't spew hatred over the person. Threatening his career? Man, someone a little too up themselves
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 12:22PM
Speaking as someone who has worked for a couple years on various sets, that reaction is not justified at all, EVER. Most crew members show up way before and leave way after the talent, putting in a lot more work for a lot less pay and a hell of a lot less appreciation. There's nothing quite like getting berated in front of all your peers in the middle of your 70 hour work week for a minor fuck up. (And you can't tell me that actors never fuck up. You ever seen a gag reel? Does anyone ever care about poor art dept that has to reset the scene, etc? Work is work.)
Sure actors get all the glory and all the credit, but it is 100% a team effort, and without a crew backing them, actors are just a couple people playing pretend.
There is an old saying that you can tell a lot about your date by the way they treat a waiter or waitress- you can tell a lot about an actor by the way they treat the crew.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 12:42PM
Talk about pressure at work! What about the pilot who landed a freaking jetliner in the Hudson River! That guy was probably soiling himself from work-related stress as he brought that plane down and saved several hundred lives (including his own). And he's been totally calm and classy about the whole thing. Christian (funny name considering the lewd blowup posted here) is an actor, nothing more. He's a really great actor…but he's an actor. Somehow our culture has elevated celebrities to a status above cops, doctors, teachers and heroic airline pilots.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:00PM
even if christian bale killed the guy he would be right? that's not how you treat people.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:02PM
Oh please, there is no reason to feel sorry for Bale here. He was totally unprofessional.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:19PM
Here's the thing. Bale gets paid millions of dollars to GO TO WORK on a movie. He can get mad, but the truth is this is what he's paid for. To act, as well as to put up with the annoyances of production. I understand the adrenaline and stuff but there is no excuse for being disrespectful (in public), no matter how many mistakes someone makes.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:37PM
Sorry… I'm not having any of this,
I work in television and I'm sick and tired of people always kowtowing to the 'talent' in these situations… we are becoming blinded by celebrity and are developing a skewed idea of how people should be allowed to behave.
'Every single moment is huge'… 'his adrenaline is high', he's 'laying it all on the line'?
Codswallop. He should respect everyone in the crew from the Director to the tea boy…
There are plenty of great actors that can get into the mindset to perform without prima donna histrionics.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:38PM
Like a DOP would intentionally sabotage his own scene anyway?!.. ridiculous. 'In his line of sight'?, tough s**t, other people on set have jobs to do too.
Besides, whether the DOP made an error or not is irrelevant, the simple fact is that Bale addressed a human being in a manner that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy… in front of the entire crew… then he has the nerve to call out someone else on the basis of their lack of professionalism?
Bale is unquestionably a decent actor, and to be honest this entire incident disappoints me, because I now know he's unquestionably an utter d**k as well.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:38PM
I wanted to give Bale the benefit of the doubt on this. I have deep respect for him as an actor, especially since he's not a known looney like Cruise or Lohan. I was impressed with the way he handled his looter family members trying to rake money out of him last year. Having read what some of the industry professionals have said here, I totally agree that it can be infuriating to have things not work when you know you'll be there for a few more hours doing the same thing over again, and it's so rare that you get to point a finger at one person as the reason for that.
Having said all of this, I think it is the mark of a true professional to resist the urge to fly off the handle like that. Screaming at the guy may have been a convenient outlet for his ire, but it did not foster a positive environment where the crew could all get the job done that much faster once the mistake had been rectified. To the industry folks, is there a more constructive outlet that he could have taken? Could he have simply said to the director, "Hey, someone over there is walking around, and it's really distracting, can you ask him to stop?" Would that have been enough to fix the problem?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 1:52PM
I agree with Mehjg. This is out of line and someone should have ended his childish rant. If this is the way Bale reacts to someone who is apologizing, you can only imagine what his true character is like. I feel sorry for his children.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 2:30PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTihsJQHt48
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 3:37PM
I wanted to give Bale the benefit of the doubt on this. I have deep respect for him as an actor, especially since he's not a known looney like Cruise or Lohan. I was impressed with the way he handled his looter family members trying to rake money out of him last year. Having read what some of the industry professionals have said here, I totally agree that it can be infuriating to have things not work when you know you'll be there for a few more hours doing the same thing over again, and it's so rare that you get to point a finger at one person as the reason for that.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 3:39PM
Having said the above, is there not a more professional, constructive way that this could have been handled?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 4:36PM
No one gets a free pass to act like a prick. That is the problem with society, we are allowing these actors to be our guides on behavior. They are no more informed then the writer of this blog on the industry and standards of behavior. Get over it and get over yourself! He should have to apologize to the man in public. How humiliating for anyone to have to listen to that self-fulfilling bullshit. Anyone who defends that deserves to be on the other end of a blast like that in front of your ENTIRE staff.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 4:38PM
He's a spoiled jerk and a major bully. Humans make mistakes. The guy apologized. Christian Bale is a major disappointment. He calls himself a professional. No way! His behavior is not professional. He's immature and full of rage. This tirade will always stand out and I will never pay another penny to see one of his movies.
If only the guy had punched his face in and sent Christian to the emergency room to get his teeth rewired back into his foul mouth. He'd better be glad he's in Hollywood where he can treat people like dirt and get away with it. If he had pulled that stunt in the real world, he would have ended up in an ambulance or the morgue.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:44PM
Make a mistake once, learn from it, but make the SAME exact mistake TWICE by walking infront of Bale while he's doing one of the more emotional scenes of the film, your ass is gonna get handed to you.
It's interesting to see how all the people in the actual field understand where Bale is coming from because they KNOW, while everyone calling Bale a douche have no clue what is actually going on.
It's simple, Don't waste $100,000 by ruining TWO shots…it's not cheap to make those things they call movies you know.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 5:47PM
I totally agree – I was full of respect for Bale's acting before I heard that tirade. Now every time I see a film of his, all I'll be able to remember is that horrible non-stop string of expletives. I don't care whether the DP was acting unprofessionally or not. I don't care whether Bale was justified in feeling the way he felt. Just 'cause you feel that way, doesn't mean you can talk to another human being like that, it's just wrong.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:19PM
I know the guy Christian is yelling at. Trust me when I tell you Christian was restraining himself. If there is anyone who needs to be put in his place it would be Shane.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:38PM
Fine. Bale blows up because he's so fucking intense. Bale is a fucking professional who is rightfully reaming a guy out? That is complete bullshit. No one is calling Bale a bad actor or unprofessional, he is rightfully being called out for being a bad human being. To make it worse, you're defending his behavior.
Simply put, Bale is an asshole. I don't give a fuck that I'm not in "the business". His reaming out of another person on the set to that extent doesn't make him a bad actor or unprofessional, it makes him an asshole, and no amount of defending that behavior changes it.
This is fucking hilarious that people defend him simply because he's Christian Bale. He's only a fucking actor.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:45PM
stop pampering these over paid hollywood actors(self absorbed wastes of flesh)as much as i like the terminator movies, i will not pay to see this worthless piece of human debris act in it.he is not that good anyway.he should never work again as an actor. if he wants go off on me like that,he better be ready to deliver the performance of a lifetime as a man toting a serious ass whipping!! p.s. name is included just in case he is interested!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 6:50PM
shut up. if that prick acted that way towards me i'd beat the shit out of him. lots of people have stressful jobs, this is completely out of line.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:28PM
If anyone of us acted that way at our place of employment ,we would no longer be employed. I don't care who you are NO one has the right to treat another person like that. Bale is a spoiled little rich kid with no clue how to function in the real world.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:44PM
I choose to support dicks, especially Christian Bales. I'd be so lucky.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 7:45PM
Oooh, all that testosterone just boiling over. Perhaps a nice back rub with fragrant oils would calm him down…..Yum.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 12:08PM
[...] I don’t think that Christian Bale did anything wrong when he freaked out at a DP for walking on his set (full story) and I hate [...]
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 8:56PM
OOOOKKK! LETS CALM DOWN HERE GUYS!
I think that we have all learnt some important things here
1. Christian bale has a very VERY short temper
2. The DP is a bit thick
and 3…..
Stumble is the supplier of all
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:02PM
Oh film major here? Oh gosh, hadn't realised we were bring graced with your presence! My my!
Bale was a twat to go nuts like that. And yeah, when you're being paid thousands of dollars an hour, I think you can shut up a little. if think someone's doing something wrong you tell them calmly what you think they're doing wrong, you don't humiliate them in front of an entire crew. what a prick. great actor, still gonna watch Terminator and a lot of other of his movies, but that was out of line. mind you not the only guy in the world to fly off the handle- just most the others aren't megastars who are being recorded for a living. Then again I'm no film major!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:06PM
lol yeah he was being a prick! but don't think all the other actors you see on film and tv are models for the righteous. hollywood's not famed for its humility and piety. while its important not to be blindly defending him like whichever moron wrote this article was, lets not get out of perspective- you got to see a movie for the movie, and the characters, not those behind them.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:09PM
lol! he never returns my lettteeers : (
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:10PM
In the normal workplace, such behavior would be grounds for dismissal. However this is Hollywood and he's an A-list actor. They're divas and will act as such. In my opinion, Bale is top notch and these studios are getting their moneys worth with him. He's passionate about his craft and I imagine he'll clash with people that don't share that passion on the same level he does.
I'll continue to see his movies. He just needs to stop beating his mother and sister.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 2:36PM
I am really disappointed in Christian Bale. He is clearly immature and, seems to me, to be a little unbalanced, certainly with narcissistic tendancies. There is no reason to demean anyone in the manner in which he demeaned the poor man that inadvertently interrupted the filming. I think he needs anger management. With his lack of self-control, I anticipate Mr. Bale will have more problems in the future, possibly with law enforcement. I don't plan on seeing his next movie because I don't wish to encourage such childish behavior.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 9:57PM
"Anyone who works on a set knows that these kind of blow ups happen" "IT'S HORRIBLE THAT SUCH A NEGATIVE SPIN IS GOING AROUND ABOUT BALE"! Whoever wrote this crap must be some little PA who has been a PA for 10 years and no longer has any self-esteem! I have been working on movie sets for 12 years and know that good actors can still do their jobs when somebody from the crew walks in their site lines! IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME! Bale is way out of line here and so is anybody defending him!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:15PM
How do you know that? Do you actually know Christian Bale? I don' t think so.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:24PM
Please! Acting is just playing "make believe" . My 6 year old does that! Many actors have admitted they don't have to get "into the role" and all that shit. They say that's just a bunch of shit, and the actors who do that are just trying to make themselves sound more important or skilled than they really are. Huge news flash: acting is not that hard! Yes, some people do it better than others, but most people could do it. Unfortuntely, you have to be lucky enough to be "discovered" and given the chance. How many people could just be a doctor or ailrline pilot on the other hand? Those are real professions that require lots of school, training, and skill. That's why so many actors are just high school grads. It isn't that hard! Actors who "live the role" are morons. Maybe the DP is a doucebag and should be fired. Make the point, call him a fucking idiot once, and get on with it. Do the scene again. What a spoiled brat. And the way everyone kisses his ass during this. I'd tell him to fuck off and hire a more professional actor. And if I was the DP, I'd call his bluff and get in face.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:24PM
Hillarious!, more please.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:10PM
There is NEVER an excuse for this kind of behavior. Who the hell does he think he is?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:41PM
A true patriot! Move over Mel Gibson, Steven Seagal…awesome!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:44PM
You should spell check yo chit… just to make sure you don't leave record of your stupidity all out for the the world to soo. Plus it takes all your credibility away, princess…
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:46PM
… See!?!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 11:59PM
Mr Bale was completely right, he should of got the DP fired on the spot for being a complete unprofessional moron…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:07AM
I disagree, condoning a tantrum on set by anyone is a mistake. You are right about the director not stepping up, but he should also have shut Bale down immediately. Everyone else on this recording is acting like an adult with the exception of Bale. Weather the DP was being stupid or not, Bale is still flipping out and screaming like a child. And children that act like this get sent to there trailer.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:09AM
Oh my word, what an absolute douche
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1:54AM
Fuck picking sides , that shit is hilarious! I know the DP, Shane, he was shitting his pants the whole time. Oh wait…no I totally made that up. I bet the photography in this movie is total shite. I'll pay to see it just so I can see Shane's shitty photography. YOU DA MAN SHANE!!!!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 2:37AM
What a douche bag… spoiled and cocky prick. Kieter's a queef (onomatopoeia) donkey and a tool as well. Bale was obviously yelled at and traumatized as a child. He has major repressed anger and will snap unexpectedly. In other circles outside of Hollyweird, he'd be considered a liability/erratic piece of shit and justly ostracized.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 4:07AM
So you made a decision about a persons character after seeing a character they played in a movie. A character who was a yuppie asshole serial killer sociopath. That MUST mean Bale is exactly that! Otherwise how could he play it??? Right? I wonder how many hookers he killed on set … see I'm agreeing with you here. You astute judge of humanity you.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 4:16AM
And just how many high school graduate "working" actors do you know Bill? Oh and of course telling an actor who's contracted by the studio to "fuck off" would by all means do the trick. His agency would shove a lawsuit so far up your ass your offspring would taste it. But they'd have a hard time getting it around your head which you've lodged up there so thoroughly on your own.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 4:24AM
Given that it was the second time the same guy did this, you might think that maybe Bale did do that first. That perhaps the crew were informed not to walk around during the shoot (something that should be common knowledge on a shooting set). People have a limit, a flash point, a fuse, call it whatever. We just got the recording of Bales boiling over, but not of how long he might have been simmering before then.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 4:31AM
There is NO excuse for treating someone like that, NO excuse. I could care less who Bale is. He was great in 'American Psycho' and 'The Machinist' but he can easily be expended for an actor who can act without the violent tirades.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 5:04AM
People who think that makes him an asshole have never worked on a tv show, movie or stage play. Welcome to the industry people.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 6:00AM
Even when he loses his mind and gets irrationally angry, he can't decide what country he's from. Bale slips in and out of American/British/Welsh/Swahili whatever when he speaks. He makes my head ache with his everything but nothing accent lately. Bale….where are you from?
Oh, and he's being a two-year-old here. Make your point (chose ONE accent when you speak) and move on. That's the professional thing to do. This pissy, bitchy, long drawn-out, expletive-laced monologue is really disappointing. At least he didn't growl it out like Batman.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 6:57AM
Who are the scrim bag producers of this Mickey Mouse movie? I'm guessing this was being shot on the other coast. If this b.s. was going on on a N.Y.C. film set, the teamster captain would've shut it down. Well,… maybe not, that would cut into the o.t..
People, people,… this isn't brain surgery, or soldiering in the middle east, it isn't life or death,…. it's much bigger than that,…. it's the BIZ. Yeah it's full of good people and wankers. One thing it isn't, is boring. Even if you're a bean counter,… it ain't H&R Block.
Now,…. who put grapefruit juice in my grapefruit juice?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 7:04AM
You pay money to see the films.
Actors are paid to act in those films.
They aren't paid to be nice.
Wherever you worked or studied for college, your income or grade respectively, is and always will be based on how well you do the task, not how nice you are, sans suck-up's.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 12:31PM
are you serious, We don't understand how it is working with actors. this is what america is reduced to, what a sad state that so many excuse this type of behavior. The person he was screaming at degrading, talking down to, embarassing was someone he thought nothing of that is pride. How dare we as a society condone this behavior. This is a display of a person who's life work is supported by people like the guy that check lights (your and I). I am truly shocked. what a disgrace that we have allowed partiality in. He was wrong will he stay that way it's up to him, am I judging him "No", am I judging what he did "Darn right". We all live by and under authority or do we?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1:12PM
Rather than just give a position on this incident, I'd like to respond to and reiterate some of the better points other people have made, which will hopefully help others to come to a less hasty conclusion (if indeed we have any right to have a conclusion considering how uninvolved we were in the situation) about Christian Bale, the film crew, etc.
1) A movie – especially a high-profile, high-budget movie – is remarkably stressful for all involved in its production; however, the potential financial loss or public disapproval that provokes such stress is trivialized by the soldier, construction worker, commercial fisher, and the like who face mistakes that can easily result in death. Regardless of Bale being justified or unjustified to react, it should be agreed that he overreacted.
2) Other jobs obviously can take an emotional toll on workers, but acting is a job of emotions. Quality actors do not merely mimic, they juggle intense states of mind in an unnatural way, meaning actors like Bale are prone to violent moods. Essentially, actors are trained to emote, so of course they are more likely to lash out than one in another stressful profession. That is not to say Bale's actions should be dismissed, applauded, or scorned; the point is simply that Bale's overreaction is not necessarily an indication of his personality, but rather his profession. Furthermore, a single reaction from a person under duress (or in a moment of pure bliss for the matter) is a limited means of judging that person's character.
3) To say that humans naturally make mistakes and should be given due understanding is a double standard in this case. Christian Bale's overly aggressive response is just as much a moment of human absentmindedness as the DP's supposed mistake, the former is only condemned because his mistake is threatening.
4) The crew behind the scenes of a movie production should not be considered any less passionate of their work than the actors. If one claims that a DP is deserving of angry criticism for spoiling an actor's work, but an actor deserves a laugh or forgiveness for messing up a line and spoiling the work that the crew has done to set the scene, that is also a double standard.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1:48PM
Hey man.. I love the Bale as much as the next person….But come on man!
People seem to be defending the man about his outburst audio clip on set of Terminator 3.
Anyone who has ever worked on set on anything knows that you can not control everything on set. I.E. I would like to think that Mr. Bale would not Threaten a garbage truck an alley way or two away a fatal beating or a loss of testicles while filming his scene.
He didn't threaten the T-1 Million's Testicles or Job for Cyberdyne. (In the audio rant) He Threatened a DOP (DOP is necessary if you want to be seen on camera and make the Film possible) "I'll Kick your F*#*ing A*s!" and professionally "You and me are done Professionally"
How many people did he really kill with a chainsaw while getting into character for American Physco? (Just trying to make a point!) There's a line isn't there?! He didn't kill any! (I hope to Chr#*t!)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1:49PM
Method rocks! (Unless you can't go home and not kill 100 people on the way thinking they're robots) Please don't use method as an excuse.
If you can drop Character long enough to remember a real persons name and profession…You should remember you’re in a movie!
Christian…Try to treat the people who work extremely hard, and help make your ass famous with a little respect. Or at least human! (I've seen it done before)
Then you will not have all this negative crap following you around!
You're the man Christian….Don't let us down!
A.C. 77
P.S.
You even made Colbert buddy…WOW!!!!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 2:14PM
"These blowups happen"
Yes, indeed, but to this level? NO.
It is very easy to see Christian's big-headed personality here, his fame has gotten to him.
It takes the work of hundreds and thousands of people to create a good film, and an actor is just that, an actor. The director and producer(s) have the last say. If anything, Christian, if angered by the DP's movement (most likely trying to salvage a badly lit scene) should have said something, told the director to handle it, and gotten back to work.
Christian, you're an actor, a slave to the camera, thats all you are.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 6:40PM
I can't believe none of you have nothing better to do. I came on here to listen to the audio and then seen all this below. Who are we to cast judgement? The damage has been done and he will live with it, whether he regrets it or not, forever. Get over it.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 8:37PM
Totally agree with you there! While actors are the ones in front of the camera, they are NOTHING without all the people who make them look good; the wardrobe, make-up, set dressers and designers, and yes, DPs. The guy was trying to make sure lighting was adequate and maybe distracted Bale for a second. A normal adult professional actor would've been upset, yes, but not gone spastic like he did here! This was uncalled for and if Hollywood actors weren't elevated to the near God-like state that they are this wouldn't have happened.
And I'm sorry, but Christian Bale is definitely NOT a GREAT actor. He's good, but he's no Michael Caine or Edward Norton. I think he does have a bit of a Diva complex and the Director here needed to put his foot down and keep him under control. You can't tell me that he's such a BIG draw that cannot be replaced in this role? Come on…
And stress?! Give me a break!! Talk to air traffic controllers, or military field medics… Actors? Puh-lease!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 8:46PM
From what I gather, he was NOT in the shot but rather in Bale's line of sight. A very different thing. Had Bale had his game on, he would've gone through with the take and nailed it. He was just being a princess on this one. Sorry…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 10:24PM
Obviously your not an actor. As someone who works in Hollywood on sets, I completely understand this. When you are in the scene, where its suppose to be just you and the other actor, its hard to block out, the director directing you, the lights, the crew, the set, and all the personal bull you're going through. So why add another thing, such as a DP tweaking a light in the background. Its a no no to walk in the scene during any shot. let alone at high drama one such as this. An actor is putting himself out there for the world, and you have the audacity to call him silly and spoiled?? And if this was happening as often it sounds then Bale was right. Maybe not 3 and half minutes right but right for a min. And McG should've cleared the set when he realized that Bale wasn't calming down. I've seen that done before. How about u try film acting? See how difficult it really is. See how hard it is to be good. To be that good.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:08AM
Definitely a DVD extra, and that should show everyone that you shouldnt piss off a welshman
Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:29AM
Amazing comment from CinemaBlend which I fully agree with: But I don’t really get the public’s desire to rip Christian Bale for getting a little pissed off at work. What, you’ve never gotten mad at your boss or a co-worker? Never yelled at the guy in the next cubicle over? It happens, people get on each others’ nerves when they work in close quarters. And it’s not like Bale was screaming at some guy for bringing him the wrong jelly donut. Christian Bale cares about what he does, and so he’s passionate about it. He took it seriously. The guy screwed up something he was working hard on, and he popped off. Big deal. Interesting from the perspective of what goes on behind the scenes but hardly cause to string Bale up as some sort of villain.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:14AM
Oh boo hoo. Grow up Christian Bale. Bale shows his degree of non-professionalism and immaturity. Take ten minutes and handle it in a private meeting. No need to humiliate the guy. Just shows a lack of class, grace and skill at conflict management. A very exaggerated sense of self importance and ego on the part of Bale. Welcome to the planet Mr. Bale… learn to live here and grow up. Anger management classes maybe?
Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:24PM
Christian bale is a fucking retard!
Yes his films were good but he is an idiot and needs anger management lessons. He is bieng payed 10 million a day to film this movie and he is pissed off at a fucking guy who was adjusting a light. well heres my message to you Christian bale:
I hope someone fucking kills you have you got no attention span at all he is a guy who is doing his job he didnt get in the way all he did was go over to fix a light. Hell in the dark knight production was cancelled for at least a week when someone was almost killed in the car crash scene and you are ranting about doing a take another time. Well heres the truth i hope you die its amazing this guy didnt loose his temper with you, you mother fucking idiot!
Go to Hell and burn there!
P.s because of this and other problems with the film i am not seeing this film!
Thursday, February 5, 2009 11:38PM
Oh it's so hard to concentrate. Boo-hoo.
Friday, February 6, 2009 12:41PM
[...] that KROQ radio station — which has been completely mocking Christian Bale all week for his freak out — is KNOWN for having fake interviews on BUT trust me they got the REAL Christian Bale on the [...]
Friday, February 6, 2009 7:53PM
[...] Christian Bale Loses Temper on Terminator Set [...]
Saturday, February 7, 2009 9:10PM
After listening to this nonsense, I've come to the conclusion that Christian Bale has a vagina and lots of estrogen in his blood.
Friday, February 13, 2009 11:02PM
[...] Christian Bale Loses Temper on Terminator Set [...]
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 12:32AM
I dont care how "good" an actor Bale is.. no one deserves what I just heard. Yes, McG should have cleared the set.. sounded like Bale was the director.. not McG. Its sad that there is no charges filed in the film industry. Any other job would have fired him, and had difficulty getting another along with charges. Sorry I gave my money to see the Dark Knight before I heard this. Talk about wanting my money back. Hope this follows him 4-ever and good luck getting any more of my money, Christian. Anyone who defends this can not be expected to treat anyone else like a human, not to mention "professionally. " There is NO excuse, No justification. Save your apology and be sure I'll save my money.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 5:57PM
It all boils down to this – He is nothing but an EMPLOYEE! PERIOD!!!
Let you behave that way at your job around other employees and dress down your superiors and let's see if your employed the next day.
I would have his ass fired so fast he'd think he was waiting tables again waiting for his break.
I know I'm not wasting a dime of my hard earned money to profit that prick!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 6:29PM
[...] are still debating whether or not it’s a fake (like the Matt Damon’s) or real (like Christian Bale’s), I’ve already come to my [...]
Sunday, February 21, 2010 2:24PM
Christian bale is not a good actor at all, and theres no justification for anyone to act like that professionally. There are so many different ways to rectify the situation than to shout and curse at staff for over 4 mins given that i do understand the guy/technician causing the issues had done something wrong. Personally there are a million actors better than him and to me he reminds me of Shia Lebouf who probably due to his connections in hollywood gets into ever big film these days. I guess now its different to the old days with legenedary actors like audrey hepurn, robin williams etc who respect one another and have personality while on set, this bale character reminds me of my days when i used to work security at a bar and drunk immature people trying to cause trouble. The movie industry is in ruins now with pointless films with pointless actors like bale who get obseen amounts of money for playing batman and other pointless roles with no emotion in his acting at all.
Friday, September 16, 2011 3:04PM
You may find the DP’s actions unprofessional and punishable, but Bale is not defendable in his over reaction. The DP may have ruined the screen actors ability to ignore things that stage actors can, but the level and length of verbal abuse with hints of physical, and overtones of firing . . well, it makes one wonder how commentors would react themselves to being on the receiving end? Should Bale have done what he did, or just called the boss over and put his grievance in a mre sedate manner? Or should have had checked to see if a recorder was runniing. . . ah, the mistake was in being caught.