Affleck: Yes. When we were not rolling he was out of character. If he was in public he had to behave in a way that didn't contradict the characters personality.
Ebert: You did a pretty good job of keeping the lid on and the mystery alive. You insisted all through Venice that the film was real, and then revealed it was a hoax when it was just opening. Did Magnolia Pictures think that timing was a good idea?
Affleck: Yes. From the beginning they said, "we think people should see this film in the same context that we saw it". They saw it knowing nothing. In the end I think it was a mistake but I agreed at the time.
Ebert: The drugs, the prostitutes, the vomiting, all real? Some? All staged?
Affleck: All staged. Vomiting was real. And his hairline is real.
Ebert: Obviously the public performances in the movie, as in Miami, are real, in the sense that they took place. That must have taken some balls for Joaquin to go through with.
Affleck: Yes, it was brave.
Ebert: A Letterman writer has said the Letterman appearance was all planned in advance, and Dave was in on the joke. True?
No. That man seems unreliable. If Dave knew about something it was not because Joaquin or I told him anything. I think David Letterman is a genius. Night after night he is funny and smart. He seems to really enjoy his jokes. They seem connected to who he really is. I like watching him and there is no one better at turning an awkward moment into something very funny. I am a fan of David Letterman and have been for twenty years. I cant think of many performers, bands, films, political organizations, sports teams or family members I can say that about.
Ebert: Even if Letterman was "planned," it was improvisational in the moment. Improv isn't known as part of Joaquin's background. He is however very experienced at being on talk shows. Did you discuss how he would handle it? Any rehearsal? Some viewers say (now) that they can see him almost smiling at some of Dave's lines. Could you?
Affleck: He didn't break character while in the chair. He was smiling because he (his character) was trying to get along, trying to be in the moment.
Ebert: Did the subject of Andy Kaufman and his Letterman appearances ever some up, at that time or in general?
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