All American’s Daniel Ezra Talks directs his Costars for episode 100

All American star Daniel Esra goes on to direct the show’s 100th episode – and how he worked side-by-side with his co-stars to bring out their best performances.

Warning: Spoilers for episode 100 of All American below:

“I have the added advantage of knowing everyone very well. The big challenge when we have guest directors is that they have to establish a good rapport with the actors quite quickly, especially if their delivery is heavy,” Ezra, 32, shared exclusively. We weekly ahead of the Monday, May 27 episode. “I don’t have to do that, because we have had a relationship with everyone for six years. That’s definitely a privilege I don’t take lightly, but I always mention it to our colleagues [assistant director] if we have one [heavier] scenes coming up because he will kind of dictate the energy on set because it feeds off.

Ezra noted that while the CW series is often “festive” and has “music playing” and “jokes” being made, the more complex material requires a “calm” and “simple” approach to allow the actors to feel comfortable to feel.

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“You want the actors to be able to move freely into a heavier space,” he explained. “So I get a little pedantic about what happened on set, trying to create an environment that’s really conducive to that. And then so much of it stays kind of out of the way for those scenes.

He continued, “There are some scenes where you have to be very heavy-handed. They can be very technical, they can be very specific. There could be a safety issue if it’s a stunt for a scene. I know that as an actor you just want to make room for their process. And again, I know everyone’s process because I know them very well.”

Ezra has been playing the role of Spencer James on the YA drama since it premiered in 2018. He has also been behind the camera for a handful of episodes over the years and got his first shot at directing with the season 4 episode, ‘ Babies and Fools’. While he’s put in the work, it’s the close bond he has with his on-screen co-stars that gives him the biggest advantage.

“I know how [the cast] approaches a very heavy scene because I did it with them and watched them,” Ezra explained. “And sometimes, a lot of times, they don’t need much direction in those scenes. They may just need one little thing that unlocks it. So I’m really looking for that one thing. Everyone knows how big the scene is. Everyone knows how tough the scene is. As an actor, you always go into scenes like, “This is going to be hard. This is super emotional.” So I know they did the work.”

Ezra pointed out a particularly complex scene during Season 5’s “Day Ones,” which he directed Samantha Logan – who plays Spencer’s longtime love interest Olivia Baker – as an example of syncing up with his castmates. The actor said Logan, 27, only needed “the tiniest of notes” from him to deliver her best performance as the character struggled with the grief of losing her father, Billy Baker.Taye Diggs).

“I remember in the episode where we were dealing with Olivia’s sobriety that I directed, all Sam needed to know was that there was still hope in her that she hadn’t given up,” he shared. Us. “And it changed the whole scene and that was all she needed to know.” That’s probably the only note I gave her. It’s just really being laser focused and looking for that [and thinking]’What’s the one thing that will take it to another level?’”

For episode 100, Ezra had the challenge of directing an emotional scene in between Michael Evans Behling And Greta Onieogou, who play Fiance’s Jordan Baker and Layla Keating, respectively. When Layla feels like Jordan is slipping away due to her mental health issues, she manically tries to plan a surprise wedding to keep him close.

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Ezra told Us that as soon as he read the script, he knew instinctively that he could get the moment between the duo right, even down to the way the blocking – where the actor stands – would signify their initial distance.

“When [showrunner] NK [Carroll] sent [the script] for me that was my favorite scene. That was the only scene in the episode I remember [her] that it came out fully formed in my head,” he said. “That was one of those scenes. I didn’t have the block or plan. Exactly as it was, exactly as it was written. It was that one scene. It was like, ‘Oh, I know exactly what this scene should be like.’ I knew [Layla] would hide in [the closet] and they wouldn’t be able to see each other.

Layla and Jordan eventually get through the awkward moment, with Jordan promising to possibly wait for Layla while she works through her issues. Elsewhere in the episode, Spencer asks Olivia to move in with him – which she cheerfully accepts – and Golden Angeles University finally takes home the National Championship win against Coastal California.

Or All American will be known for a season 7 – and giving Ezra another chance to jump behind the camera – remains to be seen, but the show was gifted two additional episodes for season 6. However, some fans remain concerned that the series is heading to an end after the network canceled most of its scripted content last year. Whatever the future holds, Ezra hopes the show will conclude Spencer’s story the right way: by giving him everything he’s dreamed of since the pilot.

“I think it has to be one of those iconic dreams that you see for those NFL players: being able to reach the highest level, finally being able to be with his family and being able to say, ‘We made it,’” Ezra said. Us of his dream ending for his character. “I looked at the [NFL] draft and my favorite part is just seeing them get that phone call and seeing the people around them. Like, those moments. I hope we can get Spencer to that point.”

He added, “I think the very first thing I photographed was Spencer telling Billy Baker (Diggs) that I wanted to go to the NFL. He had a big monologue about it in episode 1. What if he can get everything I said in there? [speech] and did it finally come true? That would be the perfect ending for me.”