Actor Kevin Smith discloses Ben Affleck's peculiar routine during filming on the set of "Mallrats"
Revamped Recollections: Kevin Smith's Reminiscences on Ben Affleck's Considerate Nature
In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine to mark the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking film, "Dogma," hitting theatres once more on June 5, director Kevin Smith fondly looked back on his first collaboration with Ben Affleck in his 1995 movie, "Mallrats."
Chatting about their experiences, Smith admitted that Affleck, now aged 52, had shown remarkable politeness by leaving him heartfelt notes when he was allowed to leave the set to work on Wall Street's hit movie, "Good Will Hunting," whenever he paused shooting.
Alluding to those times, Smith reminisced, "He'd come over, crack a joke, and say something like, 'Gotta fly back to LA for a script meeting with Matt. Hope it goes well.' I'd say, 'Of course, man! Take all the time you need, just make sure you're back before we continue shooting.'"
That kindness continued, with Smith finding a touching thank-you note on his desk each time Affleck left the set. Smith observed, "It would be an envelope addressed to 'Kevin.' Inside was a personal note, penned by Ben in 1995 – old-school style, with pen and paper!"
These heartfelt notes were essentially, as Smith put it, "A 1995 text message to a cool dude." The contents of the notes showed a young Ben Affleck thanking Smith for his understanding and expressing his enjoyment of the film set experience.
Smith concluded, "Ben wasn't sucking up or being obsequious. He was simply extending his gratitude in a respectful manner. It reminded me that even back then, in the movie industry, there were still some genuine, respectful people around."
Insights:- Supportive Colleague: While filming "Mallrats," Affleck's dedication to his craft stood out, as he used his downtime effectively, collaborating on screenplays with Matt Damon.- Thoughtfulness on Set: Affleck displayed consideration and mindfulness towards the set dynamics, often providing a boost of morale.- Professional Courtesy: In all his interactions, Affleck showed respect for the production process and those around him, always asking for permission before taking any breaks or trips.
In the reminiscing of the times during the filming of "Mallrats," director Kevin Smith acknowledged that Ben Affleck's courtesy extended beyond the set, as he took time to work on his other project, "Good Will Hunting," while still leaving thoughtful notes for Smith. Smith described these notes as a "1995 text message to a cool dude," expressing gratitude for the understanding received during filming and enjoying the movie set experience.
