Behind the Scenes with Bryan Cranston and Vince Gilligan: The Making of Breaking Bad

In a fascinating interview transcript from 2009, Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad, shares the behind-the-scenes experience of working with Bryan Cranston on one of the most acclaimed and transformative television shows of all time. Gilligan's candid and humorous anecdotes provide insight into the creative process and the unique dynamic that led to the series' enduring success.

Leadership and Collaboration

One of the standout aspects of the interview is Vince Gilligan's admiration for Bryan Cranston as a leader and collaborator. Gilligan remarks, "The crew loves Bryan because he really is a leader. He's like a dad on the set."

When starting a new project, there's always a bit of tension. Gilligan explains, "Honestly, you're nervous when you're working long-term with someone in a pretty new situation. It's a bit of a forced marriage in a sense. You wonder how you're going to work together. And we had a bit of nerves." However, Gilligan welcomed the feedback and insights from Cranston because, "he is very smart about the show. He's thinking about his own character but he's also thinking about how his character fits in with the other characters and he's thinking about the other characters too and the overarching story."

Directing and Acting

One of the most remarkable moments in the interview is Gilligan's description of Cranston's dual role as director and actor. Gilligan recounts, "Bryan had to do double duty in that scene to direct it and then he had to portray it. I'm still amazed."

This moment underscores the collaborative nature of the show, where actors were not just delivering lines but also contributing to the visual and narrative aspects of the production. Gilligan praises Cranston's approach during the first scene with Walts' underpants, "Bryan god bless him is one of the most courageous actors I've ever even heard of let alone worked with. He goes for it. He gives 110%."

Creating Tension and Authenticity

The interviews touch on the controversial and intense nature of the series. Gilligan admits, "Scenes like that are certainly uncomfortable to watch and intentionally so and uncomfortable to be on the set for and I imagine uncomfortable to portray as an actor." Despite the discomfort, Cranston and his co-star, Anna Gunn, were committed to bringing truth to the characters, as Gilligan notes, "They just went for it."

Gilligan also comments on the careful planning that goes into each shot and beat of an episode, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the director and the actors. He reflects, "We spent hours talking through every beat of the episode: How do you want this done, do you want extra coverage of this [scene]?"

The Creative Process

Ultimately, the interview highlights the relationship between the creator and the actors that made Breaking Bad such a success. Gilligan acknowledges the labor involved in bringing a script to life, "Sometimes as a writer I tend to forget how hard it is to make this stuff happen. It's easy to forget sometimes because these guys make it look effortless."

Conclusion

Together, Gilligan and Cranston created a masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences decades after its premiere. The interviews provide a glimpse into the creative process that brought Breaking Bad to life and the dedication required to deliver a show that would become a cultural phenomenon.